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Painting | Pad Patter 10.27.22

umyesh

umyesh

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I’m thinking about painting a wall or two in my house, so I’m looking for your painting tips, tricks, and expertise.

Have you ever painted a wall in a house? What are the do’s and don’t’s I should know? Or have you ever hired out a painting job? Was it worth the cost?

Thanks in advance!
 
I've painted LOTSA walls in my house- just recently our ENTIRE main floor- including the ceiling! I looked into having it done but it was SO expensive. I like to paint, so I knew I could do it myself. It's A LOT of work, but so worth it when done!

Few tips:
  • mix a spoonful of vanilla extract into your gallon of paint = no paint fumes.
  • TAPE everything- even use the plastic drop cloths, my favorite is the good ole 3m blue painters tape. No matter how careful you are, there is always drips.
  • Wrap your roller/paint brushes in a plastic bag if not finished, but taking a break or overnight- so you don't have to clean them more than once at the end.
  • Start at the edges, cutting in the ceiling with as angled paintbrush. Then work your way down with a roller.
 
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I used to help my mom paint rooms when I was a kid. She would change colors fairly often and somehow made it look easy. Kaylee and I did their bedroom a few years ago and it was so much work! We spent days prepping - emptying the room, taping off, painting the previous color over a stenciled border so it wouldn't show through, etc. Then we spent a whole day doing the actual painting - 2 coats on a 12x12 room. It was exhausting. The color did not turn out how we expected. We had done a large peel and stick sample that we viewed on all of the walls, but it wasn't enough to see how much the yellow tones of the warm white ceiling and beige carpet would affect the hue of the walls. Kaylee was not happy with the result, but declined the option to redo it because it was so much work.

When we redid our kitchen several years ago the contractor did the actual kitchen walls (texture also), and the ceiling of both the kitchen and adjoining family room. They did hours of taping off before doing the texture, but then the actual texture spray only took a few minutes. Since it was all already taped off, they were also able to just spray the paint - again, super fast. The other painting they did also went quickly for them. They didn't tape anything, but were just able to cut in freehand and managed not to drip on anything. I'm sure it's a matter of experience and having the right tools. I did do the painting of 2 walls in the family room myself to save on labor costs. For some reason it was much easier than Kaylee's room. I might have only done 1 coat (I don't remember), but it being just a freshening of the existing color probably helped. I was also several years younger! :lol

The only tip I have is that initially we bought lightweight plastic drop cloths, which worked ok to cover furniture but ended up being way too slippery on the carpet. We went back and bought a narrow medium-weight canvas one that we moved around. It was a pain, and in hindsight I probably would have gotten a larger one. I don't remember what the price difference was.

And then there's a whole other story about the recent exterior painting we had done. It took 6 or 7 coats to change the color of the front door. :eyeroll I think there were some errors in the choices the contractor made (should have primed, and should not have painted satin over semi-gloss), but it's done now.
 
amien1 said:
I've painted LOTSA walls in my house- just recently our ENTIRE main floor- including the ceiling! I looked into having it done but it was SO expensive. I like to paint, so I knew I could do it myself. It's A LOT of work, but so worth it when done!

Few tips:
  • mix a spoonful of vanilla extract into your gallon of paint = no paint fumes.
  • TAPE everything- even use the plastic drop cloths, my favorite is the good ole 3m blue painters tape. No matter how careful you are, there is always drips.
  • Wrap your roller/paint brushes in a plastic bag if not finished, but taking a break or overnight- so you don't have to clean them more than once at the end.
  • Start at the edges, cutting in the ceiling with as angled paintbrush. Then work your way down with a roller.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for sharing your expertise! I was wondering which tape is best so you read my mind!
 
I have painted 5 different areas (3 bedrooms, small bathroom and kitchen/dining room) in my house (first one in 2002 last in 2012). But I'm done with it. The last one I did took a toll on my back and arm and it was the smallest area (bathroom). I've lost strength over the years in my arm after my rotator cuff surgery 20 years ago on my dominant arm. When I had the bathroom and then the kitchen/dining room remodeled 5 years ago, I had the contractor paint both again with the same color I used since I liked it so well.

Any further painting will be hired out. This 67 year old body just can't handle it.
 
KimJ said:
I used to help my mom paint rooms when I was a kid. She would change colors fairly often and somehow made it look easy. Kaylee and I did their bedroom a few years ago and it was so much work! We spent days prepping - emptying the room, taping off, painting the previous color over a stenciled border so it wouldn't show through, etc. Then we spent a whole day doing the actual painting - 2 coats on a 12x12 room. It was exhausting. The color did not turn out how we expected. We had done a large peel and stick sample that we viewed on all of the walls, but it wasn't enough to see how much the yellow tones of the warm white ceiling and beige carpet would affect the hue of the walls. Kaylee was not happy with the result, but declined the option to redo it because it was so much work.

When we redid our kitchen several years ago the contractor did the actual kitchen walls (texture also), and the ceiling of both the kitchen and adjoining family room. They did hours of taping off before doing the texture, but then the actual texture spray only took a few minutes. Since it was all already taped off, they were also able to just spray the paint - again, super fast. The other painting they did also went quickly for them. They didn't tape anything, but were just able to cut in freehand and managed not to drip on anything. I'm sure it's a matter of experience and having the right tools. I did do the painting of 2 walls in the family room myself to save on labor costs. For some reason it was much easier than Kaylee's room. I might have only done 1 coat (I don't remember), but it being just a freshening of the existing color probably helped. I was also several years younger! :lol

The only tip I have is that initially we bought lightweight plastic drop cloths, which worked ok to cover furniture but ended up being way too slippery on the carpet. We went back and bought a narrow medium-weight canvas one that we moved around. It was a pain, and in hindsight I probably would have gotten a larger one. I don't remember what the price difference was.

And then there's a whole other story about the recent exterior painting we had done. It took 6 or 7 coats to change the color of the front door. :eyeroll I think there were some errors in the choices the contractor made (should have primed, and should not have painted satin over semi-gloss), but it's done now.
Click to expand...
That’s fun you painted with your mom growing up Kim!

We had a room in our old house turn out a weird color; it was way too purple but it was just the storage room so we left it haha

Thanks for the tip about big canvas drop cloths!
 
HavaDrPepper said:
I have painted 5 different areas (3 bedrooms, small bathroom and kitchen/dining room) in my house (first one in 2002 last in 2012). But I'm done with it. The last one I did took a toll on my back and arm and it was the smallest area (bathroom). I've lost strength over the years in my arm after my rotator cuff surgery 20 years ago on my dominant arm. When I had the bathroom and then the kitchen/dining room remodeled 5 years ago, I had the contractor paint both again with the same color I used since I liked it so well.

Any further painting will be hired out. This 67 year old body just can't handle it.
Click to expand...
That’s more painting than I’ve ever done so good work. I helped paint our basement doors in our last house. They didn’t turn out so well so I’m not very confident in my painting skills.
 
I haven't personally painted anything too much and if I had it would have been helping family out when I was younger. Recently though we "hired" a neighbour of my grandma's old place to paint some of the rooms before the house was rented but am not sure of the specifics....it was either family did it which wasn't an option or we paid a professional to do it so this ended up being a happy medium really.
 
We have moved so many times and have painted SOOOO many walls!

I know lots of people tape, but i actually hate tape. I always feel like one of two things happens: 1) you pull it off too soon before everything is dry, and then it leaves an edge that's not that smooth, or 2) you let it dry and then the paint sticks to it and pulls off, leaving an edge that's not smooth. I've even had a professional painter use tape, and the tape bits are STILL on our wall because they literally got stuck in the paint and he couldn't get it off! Oy! :)

Instead, I just edge carefully and keep a damp (not wet) paper towel on hand to wipe any small drips. Once you get the hang of the technique of edging, it really is super easy to edge without taping. For me the key is how you load the paint on the brush.
* Use an angled 2" brush
* dip about 1" of the brush tip into the paint.
* then, using the edge of the can or paint container, scrape all of the excess paint off of the side that will not be touching the wall.
* You may also need to scrape the very edge tip of the brush, leaving paint only on the side of the brush that will touch the wall.
* Then for actually starting to edge, i start slightly away from the crease, and build my way in. i'm not really sure how to explain this, but it prevents a big paint glob from accumulating in the crease.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!!! Painting is a chore, for sure, but it's so satisfying when it's done and everything feels fresh!
 
umyesh said:
That’s more painting than I’ve ever done so good work. I helped paint our basement doors in our last house. They didn’t turn out so well so I’m not very confident in my painting skills.
Click to expand...
I had a friend that did a lot of painting show me how on the first room. I did quite a bit but she did more of it. That was my bedroom then 2 years later I did the guest bedroom basically spur of the moment. Dad and Martha decided that a different bed was needed in that room so they bought it when they were home in May. They were coming back to visit a month later and the bed was going to be delivered then. So I decided to paint the room before the bigger bed was delivered and I matched the room to the bedspread that was coming with it. 3 months later I spent Labor Day weekend painting the kitchen/dining room. Then a year later I did my childhood bedroom that is now an office. Waited 7 years before doing the bathroom.

I keep thinking it would be nice to refresh some of the rooms but I look at everything that has to be moved to do it and I'm like "nope".
 
I have painted a LOT of rooms/walls in my house and the one thing I refuse to do anymore is tape the edges. The tape never sticks good enough and then I end up having to go back with a tiny brush and fix all those bleed spots. I just cut in with a good angled brush and then use the roller.

I also always use drop cloths because like someone else said above, there are always drips.

And I LOVE these giant ziploc bags. You can fit your paint tray AND roller inside and save paint for days between coats.
 
Oh and I forgot to mention that I also always take the trim off when I'm painting a room in my house too. Then you don't have to worry about getting paint on the trim and the edges turn out SOOOO much crisper. Of course it helps that I own my own air nailer so I can put the trim back up easy peasy. Mine is even battery powered so I don't have to lug around an air compressor. It's my favorite tool.
 
please, hire someone!! it's worth your peace of mind and your body aches and the perfect results!!
I tried once painting my room, some friends said they were going to help, only one showed up and we totally regreted the idea. It took a real long time, I hurt my leg and the results were lame...

BUT if you decide to go for it, good luck! LOL and don't forget to protect your floor, it's an important tip!
 
Don't forget to pull any nails etc from the wall and patch the holes.

Best to remove electric outlet covers rather than use tape to "protect" them.
 
I've done a lot of painting and wallpapering in the past. My last paint job was the bathroom which I never finished ...oops!

I've never had much luck with using tape, so I have a "paint shield" similar to this https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-12-in-Paint-Shield-PS2-HUS/310955108. I also removed light switch and outlet covers before painting, along with picture hooks, etc. from the walls.

Like most things painting is a matter of practice and patience.
 
I've done a bunch of painting too. I've had pretty good luck with using the brown paper tape stuff -- it's like a small roll of craft paper but sticks along one edge. I put that along the baseboards to catch drips. You have to mentally prepare yourself that the prep is the hardest part -- move furniture, clean the walls, patch holes, tape or otherwise protect what you don't want to get paint on, put down tarps. The painting itself is relatively easy. My only tool "hack" is to use one of these edgers for edging along ceilings and windows, etc. I agree with the tip to put your roller and brushes into zip locks if you need a break, even overnight. I also use one of the pouring lips that attaches to paint gallons that helps you pour without making a huge mess.
 
littlekiwi said:
I haven't personally painted anything too much and if I had it would have been helping family out when I was younger. Recently though we "hired" a neighbour of my grandma's old place to paint some of the rooms before the house was rented but am not sure of the specifics....it was either family did it which wasn't an option or we paid a professional to do it so this ended up being a happy medium really.
Click to expand...
That’s great you found a happy medium Jennifer.
 
RebeccaH said:
We have moved so many times and have painted SOOOO many walls!

I know lots of people tape, but i actually hate tape. I always feel like one of two things happens: 1) you pull it off too soon before everything is dry, and then it leaves an edge that's not that smooth, or 2) you let it dry and then the paint sticks to it and pulls off, leaving an edge that's not smooth. I've even had a professional painter use tape, and the tape bits are STILL on our wall because they literally got stuck in the paint and he couldn't get it off! Oy! :)

Instead, I just edge carefully and keep a damp (not wet) paper towel on hand to wipe any small drips. Once you get the hang of the technique of edging, it really is super easy to edge without taping. For me the key is how you load the paint on the brush.
* Use an angled 2" brush
* dip about 1" of the brush tip into the paint.
* then, using the edge of the can or paint container, scrape all of the excess paint off of the side that will not be touching the wall.
* You may also need to scrape the very edge tip of the brush, leaving paint only on the side of the brush that will touch the wall.
* Then for actually starting to edge, i start slightly away from the crease, and build my way in. i'm not really sure how to explain this, but it prevents a big paint glob from accumulating in the crease.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck!!! Painting is a chore, for sure, but it's so satisfying when it's done and everything feels fresh!
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your edge technique! We have bits of tape all over our house too. :-/
 
HavaDrPepper said:
I had a friend that did a lot of painting show me how on the first room. I did quite a bit but she did more of it. That was my bedroom then 2 years later I did the guest bedroom basically spur of the moment. Dad and Martha decided that a different bed was needed in that room so they bought it when they were home in May. They were coming back to visit a month later and the bed was going to be delivered then. So I decided to paint the room before the bigger bed was delivered and I matched the room to the bedspread that was coming with it. 3 months later I spent Labor Day weekend painting the kitchen/dining room. Then a year later I did my childhood bedroom that is now an office. Waited 7 years before doing the bathroom.

I keep thinking it would be nice to refresh some of the rooms but I look at everything that has to be moved to do it and I'm like "nope".
Click to expand...
The more I read this thread the more I say “nope” too haha
 
Karen said:
I have painted a LOT of rooms/walls in my house and the one thing I refuse to do anymore is tape the edges. The tape never sticks good enough and then I end up having to go back with a tiny brush and fix all those bleed spots. I just cut in with a good angled brush and then use the roller.

I also always use drop cloths because like someone else said above, there are always drips.

And I LOVE these giant ziploc bags. You can fit your paint tray AND roller inside and save paint for days between coats.
Click to expand...
I need those bags for sure! Washing paint rollers is the worst.

All our trim needs to be replaced which is the main reason I haven’t painted yet because DH wants me to do both but I just want to paint haha
 
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