A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a room, but the results of any painting project depend on a lot more than just the paint itself. The way surfaces are prepped makes or breaks a final result.
Please prepare surfaces for painting to avoid splotchy coverage, visible holes, and other issues. Investing some extra time, in the beginning, can mean less painter’s remorse in the end.
Clean the Walls
Just as you would only build a house with a foundation, it’s essential to prep walls before beginning a commercial painting project. Among the most significant aspects of proper wall preparation is cleaning the surfaces to remove dirt, dust, and other debris.
Washing walls helps improve paint adhesion by removing contaminants that interfere with bonding. Moreover, washing walls can help eliminate mold and mildew that may be present on the surface.
To properly clean your walls, apply a mild detergent solution to a sponge or microfiber cloth, wring until the fabric is slightly damp, and gently wipe it out. For walls with a flat or matte finish, consider using warm water and white vinegar; test the mixture on an out-of-the-way area to ensure it won’t damage the surface.
Choose a white or undyed sponge or cloth to prevent color transfer from your cloth. It would help to use a fan to circulate the air and reduce dry times.
Repair Any Damage
A fresh coat of paint can transform a room but can’t hide chips, cracks, or other imperfections. Painting over a damaged wall can worsen the problem by creating ugly bumps and uneven coverage.
One of the first things a professional commercial painter will do, like the Colorado Commercial & Residential Painting, is repair any wall damage, such as chipping or bubbling paint. This can be done by scraping and sanding the affected area. This will give the new layer of paint a flat surface and enhance adhesion.
Stains and other discolorations should also be addressed before painting. Various stain-removal products are available, including magic erasers and stain-covering primers.
For a do-it-yourself painter, this is another area where preparation makes the difference. Remove furniture from the rooms to be painted and lay down canvas drop cloths on the floor. It’s also essential to cover electrical outlets, light switches, and vents with plastic and tape so they are not disturbed by the painting process.
Sand the Walls
A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room, but only if the walls are correctly prepped. Skip this step, leaving you with uneven surfaces that will eventually flake, blister, or crack.
Professional painters use a drywall sander to smooth the wall’s surface so the new paint will adhere properly. This may take a little time, but it’s essential for a quality paint job.
Use caulking to seal any small gaps and cracks in the walls, molding, or around windows. Read the caulking label for instructions and dry times before painting over it.
Before you start sanding, hold a light to the wall and look for any blemishes or imperfections that the dirt might hide on the surface of the walls. These spots will show up more clearly with the light on. You can use a rag or brush to wipe away the dust and dirt from these areas.
Prime the Walls
After your walls have been cleaned and sanded, they are ready for primer. The primer will help hide any unevenness in the wall surface and create a smooth canvas for your paint. Whether you are painting over a dark color or light, the primer will make it easier for your new paint to adhere and cover the old color. If you switch from a dark color to a lighter shade, a tinted primer can help conceal the darker color so you do not have to apply as many coats of paint as possible to look uniform.
If your walls have stains from water damage, smoke stains, or even your kids’ art projects, you will want to prime these areas first. The primer acts more like a sealant and will help the top coat of paint to cover these impurities for a beautiful finish. Shop all the paints and primers you need to produce a uniform finish for your commercial painting project.