What You Will Be Doing

This section will assist you in doing your own painting. This is a rather simple project, and by following the advice presented here you will find it to be enjoyable and effective as well. You'll learn how to prepare a wall, estimate materials, and use your tools correctly. Pay particular attention to the section on wall preparation and repair. It will guide you through this most neglected step for a final result that is more attractive and longer lasting.

Tools for Prepping Walls

• Safety glasses or goggles
• Respirator or face mask
• Ear protectors
• Rubber gloves
• Pry bar
• Paint scraper
• Wallpaper steamer (rent if needed)
• Can opener or widening tool
• Fan
• Hand sanding block
• Orbital sander
• Screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Sponge
• Cap or scarf
• Old clothes

Materials for Prepping Walls

• Spackle (compound)
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• (100 - 120-grit silicon carbide)
• Deter
  

Permits and Codes

Some areas require permits whenever you are spending over a certain amount of money on any repairs or remodeling. Sometimes this figure is as low as $100. Check with your local municipalities to see if you need a permit Usually only a small fee is required, and often this ordinance is not enforced. Other than this, no permits or inspections apply for painting projects.

What You Will Need

Margin of Error: Not applicable

Most of us believe we know everything we need to know about painting, an assumption that often leads to poor quality work This applies to both the preparation and the actual paint application. Be sure that you understand, and use, the proper procedures to assure a quality paint job.

Large holes in the wall will need special attention. The repair procedures differ depending on whether it is an older wall with lath and plaster, or a newer wall using gypsum wallboard (drywall).

You will be painting your woodwork and trim last, but you need to prep it before beginning to paint, or else the debris from prepping will settle on the new paint. Usually woodwork and trim are painted with an enamel or glossy paint, which will have to be roughed up so that the new paint will adhere properly. You can use a chemical deglossing agent or lightly sand with steel wool or fine-grit sandpaper. If you are using a chemical, avoid those containing ethyl alcohol, which can make you sick.

"Cutting in" is a process of applying paint at all corners where ceilings meet walls or where walls intersect. Also, paint is applied next to all molding, trim, and baseboards. Since these are areas rollers or sprayers cannot neatly reach, use a 3" - 4" brush, painting all these edges before doing the large surfaces.

Margin of Error: Not applicable

After cutting in all areas, you are ready to paint your ceiling and then your walls. Be sure the area is well lighted so you can see any ridges or drips. The ceilings will be some of your toughest painting. It is physically difficult: painting overhead can cause back or neck strain and an occasional eye full of paint. Because of this, safety goggles (and yoga) are a must during this process. When painting ceilings, use a high-quality roller with an extension so that you can easily reach all areas of the ceiling without strain.

Margin of Error: Exact

After you have finished all the large surfaces, you are ready to paint the trim and woodwork. In order to do this successfully, you need to change your mental set about painting. Up until now most of your work has been on large surfaces, and detailing was not important. Now, you are changing from rough work to finishing work. Attention to detail and care at this stage will mean the difference between a professional looking job and a sloppy one.

Although applying polyurethane to a hardwood floor can be a difficult and frustrating challenge if you're inexperienced with this product, with a set of good instructions and the right tools and materials, you should be able to successfully complete the process.