During the holidays, you want your home to look its best. An ideal way to do that is with a fresh coat of paint. New paint will make your Christmas tree or other decorations stand out, while ensuring your home is ready for parties or out-of-town holiday guests.

When it comes to painting, you may be tempted to do the job yourself. What you may not count on is some common mistakes, which could easily be avoided by choosing our interior house painting services. Here are some common problems you may encounter if you choose to do this work on your own.

#1. Using Low-Quality Tools

Many homeowners in Virginia Beach, VA purchase inexpensive brushes and rollers in order to save money. The problem with this is that when it comes to painting tools, you get what you pay for. You may save money up front, but you might actually cause yourself more additional expense and heartache in the long run. High quality brushes and rollers provide better coverage, and may therefore allow you to use less paint. They also last longer, meaning you will not need to worry about replacing them the next time you are ready to paint.

#2. Using Masking Tape rather than Painter’s Tape

Tape is another area where homeowners often skimp. After all, you may already have masking tape on hand and feel it is best to use what you own. If you need to purchase tape, you might think that masking tape would work just as well, so there is no need to spend the extra money for painter’s tape.

As experienced residential painters, we always use high-quality painter’s tape. It leaves sharp, clean lines and will prevent the paint from bleeding through better than masking tape will. As such, it also minimizes the number of touch-ups that are needed, ultimately saving you a great deal of time. To ensure the crispest lines possible, seal your painter’s tape with a putty knife to remove bubbles and make removing it a breeze.

#3. Avoiding Prep Work

When planning a painting project, you are probably very anxious to get started. Even so, you should not become so excited that you skip the necessary prep work. For starters, your walls should be thoroughly washed down before addressing any peeling, cracking, or other blemishes. If you apply patching or sealing materials, these must be allowed to dry completely before you apply any paint. Follow this by securely attaching painter’s tape around any windows, door frames, or trim work.

#4. Skipping the Primer

A common misconception about painting is that primer is not really necessary. After all, a new coat of paint will provide your walls with a fresh, clean look, right?

While new paint may improve the look of your walls, it will not provide them with a professional-looking finish unless primer is also applied first. The right primer will prepare your surface, allowing your new paint to take on its desired color. As a result, it is easier to hide imperfections. With primer, your walls are also more likely to match the original paint chip you picked out.

#5. Painting over top of Wallpaper

Whenever possible, wallpaper should be removed before beginning to paint. That way, you can avoid having the wallpaper peel off later, exposing your bare walls. If you must paint over top of wallpaper, use an oil-based primer instead of a water-based product that might actually activate the glue and cause you more problems.

#6. Using the Incorrect Type of Finish

When it comes to paint finishes, not all of them are equal. High-traffic areas where your walls are touched more frequently call for a washable finish such as semi-gloss or satin. Flat paint on the other hand is best for ceilings or places where fingerprints and smudges are not an issue. Be sure your paint finish is appropriate for your room to guarantee the best possible results and avoid having to redo your work only a short time later.

#7. Failing to Address the Existing Finish

The finish that is already on your walls can affect your outcome as well. For example, if your walls already have high-gloss paint, they will need to be lightly sanded first. Doing so provides a smooth, even texture to your walls and allows your new paint to properly adhere to the walls.

#8. Using Poor Painting Techniques

The right tools, paint finish, and preparation won’t mean anything if you use the wrong painting techniques. A common problem many people have is saturating the brush or roller with too much paint at once. For best results, painting contractors only dip their brush or roller a third of the way in each time. This will allow you to gather just enough without having to worry about drips or runs. Start at the highest point and work your way toward the bottom, allowing enough time to dry between each coat. If you are not sure about your painting technique, it may be a good idea to hire a home painter instead.

#9. Putting off the Cleanup Process

As soon as you are finished painting, go ahead and wash out your brushes, rollers, and paint pans with water and mild dish soap. If you delay this process even a little bit, paint may harden on them, making it more difficult for you to get it all out. By cleaning up right away, you also will not have to worry about getting everything put up during your last-minute preparations for holiday company.

Quality Residential Painters in Chesapeake, VA

Painting your walls can be far more complicated than many Virginia homeowners think. It takes a great deal of time and attention to detail to achieve attractive, long-lasting results. That’s where our interior house painting services come in, providing you with exceptional results without any of the hassle involves with DIY projects. To schedule house painting before the holidays arrive, please contact Hughes Painting for professional results you can count on.