House Paint: Knowing how to paint a room is the key to a successful painting project.

House Paint - Painting

1. Getting Ready to Paint
2. Painting Order
3. Painting Techniques
4. Choosing a Primer

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Getting Ready to Paint

Preparing the room before beginning your project not only makes it easier for you to paint, it also protects your home from inadvertent splatters or spills.

• Remove draperies, pictures, mirrors, area rugs, hardware (if possible), and switch and receptacle cover plates.  
• Move all furniture to the center of the room or the room, if possible.
• Cover all furniture with drop cloths.  
• Tape off woodwork and tape down plastic drop cloths. 
• Wrap plastic around light fixtures, and use masking tape to cover any hardware you can't remove.  
• Open a window or door to ensure good ventilation.
• Clean the surface as needed. 
• Gaps between walls, ceilings, crown moldings and other interior trim can be filled with the appropriate caulk after priming the surface.

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Painting Order

It may seem obvious, but it's important to paint a room in the right order. Even the best painters using the best paints have drips, splatter and occasional spills. Make sure you try to follow the painting order below.

Ceilings

• Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall. 
• Using a roller with an extension pole, start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.

Walls

• Paint a 2-inch strip along ceiling, floor and woodwork with a brush. 
• Use a roller, coming as close to the edges as possible to create a clean, uniform appearance.

Woodwork

• Paint all trim around doors, windows, ceilings and floor.

Floor

• Start in a corner diagonally opposite the room exit.  
• Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the floor where it meets the wall or trim.
• Using a roller with an extension pole or a wide brush, start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.

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Painting Techniques

Using good painting techniques is key to achieving professional-looking results. Another tip is to use enough paint. Get into the habit of going to the paint can often. Let the paint do the work, and you'll save time and get the finish you want.

Using a Brush

• Hold a brush near the base of the handle.  
• Dip half the bristles into the paint and tap on the lip of the can. Don't wipe it on the side.  
• Paint with enough pressure to bend the bristles slightly — don't bear hard on the brush.

Using a Roller

• Roll the roller slowly into the paint in the tray. Then, roll it back and forth until roller cover is evenly coated with paint.  
• Roll onto the tray's ridges to remove excess paint.  
• For smooth surfaces: Cover about a two-foot-square using the N pattern shown. Cross roll to spread the paint. Finish, with light roller strokes in one direction, at a right angle to the cross roll.

Painting Double-Hung Windows

• For double-hung windows move each sash to the center of its track and paint the inside sash, starting with the crossbars. Then, paint the frame. Don't paint the top edge of the inside sash; you'll use it to move the sash. Next, paint the top half of the outside sash, starting with the crossbar, then the frame. 
• Close the sashes to within several inches of the closed position. Paint the rest of the outer sash and the top edge of the inner sash. Paint the window casing, then the sill.  
• Paint the check rails. Move both sashes down as far as they will go, then paint the upper rails. Once the paint is thoroughly dry, move both sashes up and paint the lower rails of the window.

Casement or Awning Windows

• Open the windows and paint the top, side and bottom edges.  
• Finish with the crossbars, frame, casings and the sills.

Paneled Doors

• First remove all hardware or cover it with masking tape. If paint does get on metal parts, wipe it up immediately with a soft cloth.
• Start by painting the panels, working from top to bottom. For each panel, paint panel molding first, then the interior, using up and down strokes with your brush.  
• Next, paint the rest of the door, finishing with the outer edges. If the door swings out, paint the hinged edge. If the door swings in, paint the lockside edge.

Flush Doors

• Paint the edges first.  
• Then fill in the center area, working from top to bottom.  
• Finish with the frame and jamb

Remove all form release and curing agents.  Rough surfaces can be filled to provide a smooth surface.  If painting cannot wait 30 days, allow the surface to cure 7 days and prime the surface with masonry primer.

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Choosing a Primer

To get a great-looking finish coat and the beautiful, long-lasting results you expect, be sure to properly apply primer to the surfaces you plan to paint.

Valspar primers are formulated to solve typical painting problems while helping to make your finish coat smooth and uniform:

Achieve a smooth, professional finish  Block stains, marks and odors  Assure adhesion  Speed topcoating  Prevent peeling  Attain the truest paint color in the fewest coats  Improve touch-up performance of the topcoat.