Proper Painting Procedure

When you move into your new home, the first thing many people want to do is slap a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Not so fast! Take it nice and easy and get the job done right by following the steps outlined below.

1. Clean the walls you are painting thoroughly with a mixture of water and a little bit of dish soap.
2. Place blue painter's tape over any areas you don't want to get paint on, like doorknobs, window and door frames and trim. Make sure to line the tape up exactly to match the parts you want to keep clear of paint. Then, remove light socket covers.
3. Pour the primer into a paint tray, making sure not to cover the angled portion of the tray where the ridges are. Dip your roller into the primer and coat thoroughly, removing any excess paint by running the roller along the ridges a few times. When the roller is even coated, apply the paint to the walls until they are fully covered. Allow the primer to dry according to the directions on the paint can before continuing.
4. When the primer is dry, prepare a tray with the new paint color you've selected for your walls according to the instructions above. Using an angled two inch wide brush, apply paint to trim, window and door frames and any other taped areas.
5. Now, using the roller, apply paint to the walls in a W pattern. This will ensure the paint is applied as evenly as possible. Continue until all the walls are fully covered with the new paint color.
6. While paint is still wet, remove the painter's tape. This will ensure that the tape doesn't remove any dried paint with it.

Taking your time with painting will ensure you are left with no regrets. These tips guarantee a smooth, finished look to your walls.