Guest Blogger: 4 Common House Painting Mistakes to Avoid

If you have the time and energy, Do-It-Yourself Painting projects can be fun and rewarding. From your first trip to the hardware store to get paint chips to placing your furniture back in the room and admiring the finished product, the process – if done properly – can save you money. If this is your first home painting project, however, you may be unsure about how to approach it.

Painting tips for your next project

Image via: Sullivan Conard

Avoid the below common painting mistakes:

Failing to Properly Prep:

Take time to examine your walls before you apply any type of primer or paint. Scrape any peeling paint with a paint scraper, and use sandpaper to smooth over any uneven surfaces. You can either use elbow grease or choose to use an electric sander if the job is large. If you fail to properly prep the surface, you risk the paint not sticking well or going on unevenly.

Not Removing Fixtures:

Paint has a tendency to splatter, and if you forget to take off fixtures like wall plates, doorknobs, you risk making a difficult task for yourself in trying to remove the paint from them, or destroying them altogether. If you can’t remove it, make sure to cover it.

Failing to Use Primer:

You may be tempted to skip the step of applying primer – don’t. Primer creates a smooth layer so that the paint can bind – making the paint not only look better, but also last longer. If you don’t prime, your paint may end up looking lumpy.

Tips to make your next painting job successful

Image via: Susan Gilmore

Not Using the Right Painting Tools:

When you arrive at the Painting aisle in your local hardware store, you may be amazed at how many different options there are for paints, brushes, rollers, etc. Paint brushes come in a variety of types, qualities, and widths. Make sure you buy one that is appropriate for the task at hand – in other words, you don’t want to end up painting your living room with a 1 inch brush.

If you aren’t quite confident in your painting skills and would prefer to call in the experts, contact Glenside Painters at 215-657-5360.

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