There really is nothing quite like a fresh coat of paint. Refreshing an existing color or changing it entirely can make everything look and feel like new. Painting is one of the most common DIY jobs homeowners tackle, but it can become a real nightmare if not done correctly. Here are the most common painting mistakes to avoid when painting a Cincinnati home:
Poor Prep
As with any project, how you start will help determine how you finish. That’s especially true when you’re painting a Cincinnati home. Not taking the time to prep your surface will ensure a less-than-perfect result that will likely need to be redone. Be sure to start by cleaning the surface you will be painting. On drywall, this may be a simple wipe down with warm water. On some exterior surfaces it may mean a mild pressure washing. After cleaning, you’ll also want to ensure that there is no flaking paint or damage to the painting surface. Be sure to sand wooden or drywall surfaces to remove imperfections, and patch any holes or nail pops. Taking these extra steps will ensure that your fresh paint will adhere to the surface and not flake off prematurely.
Not Priming
Perhaps the worst part of painting a Cincinnati home is the time involved. We love to skip any step that we feel isn’t absolutely necessary for the sake of saving a few minutes. Priming is often the first step to get skipped. While there are situations where priming isn’t absolutely necessary, putting down a coat of primer can be vital to completing a successful paint job. Unpainted drywall, walls with existing dark colors, MDF, and some wood finishes are all surfaces that will require sanding and the appropriate coat of primer before moving forward with top coats of paint.
Cheap Materials
Everyone wants to save a buck or two. Buying poor quality materials, however, can affect the quality of your paint job, and may end up costing more in the long run. Paint that covers poorly, rollers that leave a poor finish, or brushes that leave bristles behind are just a few of the ways that painting a Cincinnati home the cheap way could mean a redo later on.
Oil Based vs. Water Based
Many people have experienced the pain of trying to paint a surface only to find that the latex paint won’t stick or go on smoothly. This is often because the type of paint chosen is the wrong type. While oil-based paint has drawbacks like a strong odor and difficult clean up, there are times when it is absolutely necessary for a quality paint job. If you are painting over an existing oil-based paint, or a varnished wood surface, oil-based paint is a must. There are also times when oil-based paint can provide a superior finish and prove more durable. This is true of high traffic surfaces areas like handrails, cabinet doors, and baseboards.
Wrong Finish
It’s not uncommon for a novice painter to not know what paint finish to use in a particular part of their home. When you’re painting a Cincinnati home, here are some general guidelines for paint finishes:
- Flat: Commonly used in ceiling paint. Flat paint is difficult to clean and has a matte look, so it likely isn’t the right choice for high-traffic areas.
- Eggshell: This finish has a slight sheen to it, but is not highly reflective. It is easier to clean than flat or matte finishes, and is a great choice for living area walls, such as living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms.
- Satin: You will often find a Satin finish in high-traffic or moisture sensitive areas, such as hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens. It is very easy to clean, but shows imperfections in the painted surface more than eggshell. This is the finish where you can begin to see the “sheen” or reflective quality of the paint.
- Semi-Gloss: This is a very durable, easy to clean finish, but can be too reflective for rooms with a lot of light. This finish is sometimes found in bathrooms and kitchens, and can also be used on trim, baseboards, and crown molding.
- High-Gloss: Virtually never used on walls, this durable finish is most commonly found on trim, cabinets, and doors.
Poor Cleanup
It may seem like an unimportant task, but it can save you a lot of headaches. Be sure to carefully move drop cloths or plastic to ensure that you don’t affect what you’ve just painted. If you used tape on any surfaces, be sure to remove the tape before the paint dries. Otherwise you may pull paint off with the tape. Wash your brushes, rollers, and containers to ensure they are ready for future use. Never pour oil-based paint down a drain. And finally, store your remaining paint in a dry location that remains room temperature. Extreme temperatures can ruin paint, which will cost you money down the road.
Common Painting Mistakes: Painting a Cincinnati Home
If your home is in need of exterior or interior painting, these tips will help you get the job done the right way the first time. Don’t have the time to paint your home yourself? No problem. Just call ProMaster Home Repair! Our “home repair heroes” would love to help your home have the fresh, new look that only a coat of paint can provide. Simply use the form at the bottom of this page, or call 513-322-2914 for more information.
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