How to paint a room?
Question:My mom bought me paint to paint my room, but I really don't know how. Help?
Answers:
Did she bring you rollers, brushes, painter's tape, and roller pans as well? Open the windows before you begin, as the fumes from TSP and the paint (even latex) can irritate your eyes and make you feel ill. You need to wash down the walls first with TSP. That removes all the grease and dirt, so the paint will tstick well and not peel off later.
Move all your stuff out of the room. Cover the floor with a drop cloth (use a tarp or old sheet if you don't have a painter's drop cloth). Get a sturdy ladder. If you are painting over a light color with another light color or darker one, you shouldn't need to use primer.
Apply painter's tape (blue) over the trim, and anything you have to paint around (light fixtures, etc.). Mix the paint with a stir stick. Pour some paint into the deep end of painter's pan. If you have a telescoping handle for the roller handle, you may not need a ladder much. Use thicker rollers for textured walls.
Dip the roller into the paint, then roll it back and forth on the shallow textured end of the pan to coat the roller evenly. Don't get too much paint on the roller, or it will run down your walls.
If you are painting the ceiling, start by painting that first.
Sart near an end of the wall, and apply the paint in a W pattern, then go across the W in a side-to-side W. Then go up and down, and back and forth. One load of paint on your roller should cover about 2 square foot section. Re-load the roller, then repeat, slightly overlapping the previously painted section. Repeat until the wall is covered. You may need to climb the ladder to reach the higher part of the wall.
If you take a break, cover your roller with a large Zip-Loc bag or even plastic grocery bag, tied tightly around the handle. No need to wash up each time. Remove the painter's tape around the sections you've painted as soon as you're done, so it doesn't wreck the paint.
You may need to apply two coats of paint. Wash up the roller covers and pans with dish soap and water.
You should be able to find a 'how-to' guide at the hardware store in the paint section. Or check out Martha Stewart or one of the major paint brand's web sites for how-to guides.
Have fun!
use painters tape to protect areas you dont want painted. when you use a roller make sure its not drippy
I hope your mom also bought a roller pan and roller? If not then at least a paint brush. Why not ask her to show you how and you take it from there.
All good suggestions. Make sure you paint where walls meet or another wall or corners first.
Madmax is on it! Although, I do not use painters tape. I am good at cutting in. It is easy to do if you have a steady hand and a good Purdy brush. I find it's quicker to cut in but if you've never done it before, stick with the tape. Also, it helps to have a good quality roller. (as well as good paint, but mom already bought that, so hopefully it's good)
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