Painting Tips from the Pros

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I will break some rules and share the Pro’s top house painting tips so that you, too, can have a professionally painted home. 

We all want a beautifully painted home—crisp, clean lines, no brush or roller marks, and certainly no paint splatter. In my opinion, painting is an art form. The professionals are called professionals for a reason! 

Since I have been in the painting business, and owned WOW 1 Day Painting -Bergen County, NJ and Westchester, NY. I felt the obligation to share with you all the secret house painting tips the pros use to get the job done right.  

House Painting Tips

Before I dive into the pro secrets and house painting tips to get your home painted like the professionals, I want to go over prepping for the job, the right type of paint to be used, and all the supplies you’ll need to get the interior of your home painted perfectly. 

CLEAR AND PROTECT THE ROOM

First things first, clear out the room you are painting. This includes light fixtures, wall plate covers, and any hardware. This is key to the project. You want to be able to move around freely without obstacles in your way. If there is large furniture in the room, push it to the middle of the room and make sure you cover it tightly with plastic.

Why do this? Once you move on to the prep and painting stage, you will be protecting everything from drywall dust, which gets everywhere, and any paint splatter that may occur. In my book, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Once you have cleared out the entire room, it’s time to protect your floors!

I suggest investing in high-quality drop cloths with plastic backing to ensure all paint is blocked from making contact with your floor. Sure, you can use old sheets, but paint tends to go right through them, causing you more harm than good. 

Investing in high-quality drop clothes will not only save you the hassle of unnecessary messes, but you will also have them to use on your next painting project. Drop clothes are completely washable, too!

Another option is plastic sheeting. While plastic sheeting keeps the paint from going through, it’s slippery and won’t absorb larger drips or spills. If you ask me, cloth drop cloths are the way to go. 

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Suggested Materials

• Drop Cloths with poly backing
• Canvas Drop Cloths

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Prep the walls. 

This is probably one of the most overlooked interior painting tips. 

It’s all about interior paint prep!

This can be said for a number of things, such as makeup (you need a good base so your foundation and concealer look amazing, ladies, am I right?), food, and even working out, which would be warming up. So, needless to say, the prep stage is a highly vital stage in the painting process.  Unfortunately, it’s also sometimes overlooked by the average home painter. 

Don’t skip the interior paint prep! 

So why am I so adamant about not skipping the prep work? Well, for starters, you want a fresh, clean, and workable canvas to paint on. This will make the actual painting process easier, and in turn, you will have a better end result with how the paint looks on your walls.

CORRECT WALL imperfections.

First, inspect your walls for dents, cracks, nail holes, and nail pops. You will need to fix these to get your walls to look professionally painted.

Once you know what you are up against, you must use the proper materials to fix the imperfections.

Painters Putty works great on minor cracks, dents, and small nail holes on your walls. A lightweight spackle would work just as well, too. For deeper cracks, there is the tape and spackle method, or you can use Plaster of Paris, which dries quickly. When fixing cracks, dents, and holes in wood, such as window trim, don’t use spackle. Spackle doesn’t adhere to wood, so your best option would be to use Painters Putty or a product like Minwax High-Performance Filler.

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sand THE WALLS

Now that you have fixed all the cracks, dents, and holes in your interior walls, you need to sand them down.

For the walls, the pros use a drywall pole sander, which will smooth out the walls of any tiny bumps that had been in the drywall as well as sand down the spots that have been patched.

Don’t worry if you don’t own a drywall pole sander (not many homeowners do). Good old sandpaper works just as well. 

Depending on the shape of the walls, sometimes the pros will give the entire wall a good sanding to ensure a smooth, workable surface and better adhesion.

This house painting tip will definitely make your life easier. When sanding molding, it’s better to use a sanding sponge, which is moldable. This makes it easier to get all the details of the trim. The sanding sponges also last a bit longer than the sandpaper itself. 

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Clean the walls

Yet another one of the critical Pro painting tips. Sanding creates dust. Cleaning the walls so there are completely dust-free will only help you achieve a flawless finish.

Grab a wet sponge and wipe those walls down. Let me elaborate a bit here.

Grab two buckets. Fill one with water and one with a mild cleaner or trisodium phosphate (TSP), which the pros often use. Dip your sponge in the cleaning solution, then scrub the walls. Don’t dip back into the solution. Dip the sponge in the water bucket to clean the sponge of any dirt and dust that had been removed from the wall.  Once the sponge is clean, go back into the cleaning solution. Repeat the process until the walls, molding, and trim are perfectly clean.  

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Fill the cracks with caulk

Don’t worry; we aren’t going back to Painter’s putty and sanding again. I’m talking about caulking now.

To make molding and trim blend seamlessly into your walls, use paintable caulk to fill in any gaps. The caulk will not only provide a seamless look but also cut down on drafts around windows and doors. 

Caulk can sometimes be a bit tricky to work with and messy to boot.

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use Painters tape

Painters tape is a useful tool to have when painting a room. It works wonders for fixtures that cannot be removed, such as ceiling lights. A little tape wrapped around the fixture will protect it from the paint.
As for using tape when cutting in, the pros aren’t entirely for or against it.

According to the professionals, one of the cons of using painter’s tape is that, for starters, it’s time-consuming. But, if you aren’t on a strict timeline to get a room painted, using painter’s tape is an excellent idea to ensure a perfectly straight edge.

Suggested Materials

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• Blue Painters Tape

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know the type of paint to use

Knowing your paint types is another house painting tip that you want to pay attention to.

There are two paint categories: oil-based and water-based.

These two types of paint use different agents to bind them to the surfaces they cover, and these bases create characteristics.

1. Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paints are known for their durability, but they take a long time to dry and require turpentine or paint thinner for cleanup. Additionally, they have high levels of VOCs. Oil-based paints are made with either alkyd (synthetic) or linseed (natural) oils. Alkyd paint is more common due to being less expensive and more durable. However, due to their high VOC levels, oil-based paints are not recommended for interior work.

2. Water-Based Paint

Water-based paint, also commonly known as latex paint, is easier to work with, dries faster, and is far less smelly than oil-based paint. However, water-based paint is more expensive and lacks durability compared to oil-based paint. Despite this, water-based paint is the standard choice for interior painting, such as walls and ceilings.

Water-based paint is the standard choice for interior painting, such as walls and ceilings.

How do you determine whether your existing walls have oil-based paint or water-based paint?

One of the easiest ways to determine if your existing paint is oil-based or water-based is by using this pro painting tip.

Dip a cotton ball into a small amount of denatured alcohol. Rub it over a small area on the surface. If the paint does not come off, it is oil-based paint, and you will need to prime the surface with a bonding primer before applying latex paint.

Can you use latex paint over oil-based paint?

A good general rule to follow here is that an oil-based paint can be painted over latex, but latex paint cannot be painted over oil-based paint. If you use latex paint over oil, the latex paint won’t properly adhere. Besides,  latex paint may cause the oil-based paint to crack and peel, which would be a risky move to take.

How do you paint over oil-based paint with latex paint?

• 1. Lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper, 180- 220 grit will work. Sanding will remove the gloss of the oil-based paint.
• 2. Clean the surface with a sponge dipped in a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) mixed with water. 
• 3. Use a clean sponge and water to remove the cleaning solution and all residual dust from the walls. Make sure you allow the surface to dry fully.
• 4. Apply a coat of a quality bonding primer (oil-based or latex) and allow it to dry.
• 5.  Finish off with your top coat. Two coats of high-quality latex paint should do the trick.

USE Primer

Primer is the base coat that seals the surface before you apply your paint color. Its purpose is to protect your new paint from any inconsistencies and stains that may have previously been on the walls.

You have a few options for the color of the primer. The most common is off-white.

Another option would be to use a primer tinted with the paint color you will be using. Tinting the primer will eliminate the number of topcoats needed. You can have your paint store tint the primer for you, or sometimes the pros will do it themselves by adding some of the topcoat colors to the primer.

I found this house painting tip interesting. I learned that the Pros tend to use gray primer often, and here’s why. They say that when they apply the topcoat over a gray-tinted primer, the color tends to be truer to the color chip. Not only is the paint color truer, but they find the topcoat color more uniform, and it’s easier to go back in for touch-ups.

Primer isn’t always required for interior walls. For example, if you have a light gray paint color on the walls and you decide to go with a shade of darker gray, the darker gray will cover without a problem. 

Types of Primers

Oil Based

Oil-based primer is highly versatile and pairs well with latex paint. It is commonly used on wood but can also be used on metal and drywall. The primer prevents wood from releasing tannins and is ideal for blocking stains such as nicotine, ink, and water. However, there are some drawbacks to using oil-based primer, including high VOC emissions, long drying time, and laborious cleanup.

A few drawbacks to using oil-based primer are the high release of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), the lengthy drying time required, and the laborious cleanup.

Latex Based

Latex-based primer is the ideal application for drywall. It’s as effective as an oil-based primer in covering wall stains and giving uniformity to the wall surface. Latex-based primer is easy to use along with having low or no VOC compounds, making it a healthier alternative to oil-based and shellac primers. Additionally, latex-based primer dries quickly and can be cleaned simply with the help of just soap and water.

Shellac Based

Shellac primer and wooden surfaces go hand in hand. If you are looking for the perfect wood sealer, a shellac primer is the way to go. Shellac primer is the ultimate satin blocker, and it is better than any other primer. Whether it is a water stain or severe smoke damage, a shellac-based primer is optimal in coating those stains. It’s an excellent choice for covering Wood Trim, Door Frames, Door jams, Plaster, Wallpaper, etc.

Choosing the Right Paint FINISh

Find your perfect Sherwin Williams paint Color or The Best Benjamin Moore Paint Color

Paint Finishes

Flat is a low-sheen paint with a non-reflective finish that touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections. This paint tends to hold on to dirt, making cleaning harder. Best Used for low traffic areas and ceilings.

Matte has a low-luster reflective finish that is durable, easy to clean, touches up well, and also hides minor surface imperfections. It is great for low to moderate-traffic areas. Best Used for bedrooms and interior walls.

Eggshell balances matte and glossiness fairly evenly, though the exact sheen varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. This amount of gloss makes painted walls easy to clean with a damp cloth. Best Used for bedroom, living room, and dining room

Satin Enamel has a soft pearl-like appearance and is a great choice for painting moderate to high traffic areas or areas that have some exposure to moisture, such as kitchens or baths. A satin finish is easier to clean than a flat sheen. Best Used for kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, hallways, kids rooms, mudrooms, family rooms

Semi-Gloss Enamel has a sleek, radiant appearance that is great for cabinets and trim, high-traffic areas, and high-moisture areas. High gloss paint is extremely easy to clean. Best Used for trim & molding, kitchen cabinets, doors, and woodwork

Hi-Gloss Enamel creates a brilliant, shiny appearance with a glass-like finish. Gloss paint is the easiest to clean. This is great for high-use surfaces. Best Used for furniture, doors, cabinets

Pro House Painting Tip – If you’re using Hi-Gloss or Semi-Gloss, apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat to achieve the smoothest finish.

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Use the Right Painting Tools & Equipment

Using the right painting equipment is just as important as using the right paint. If you choose low-quality paint, chances are you won’t get an exceptionally high-quality result. The same goes for the painting tools you use. 

So, do you really want to know the Pro’s number 1 secret? 

High-quality paint brush. 

A high-quality paintbrush is the secret to a professional-looking end result. For a top-of-the-line paintbrush, it will cost you anywhere from $15- $28. But don’t let the price scare you. Investing in a quality paintbrush will undoubtedly be worth it in the long run.

Source – Sherwin Williams

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Suggested Materials

• Wooster Paintbrush
• Purdy Paintbrush

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Paint Rollers

There is no such thing as a perfect paint roller. However, the pros have a few tips and tricks to offer when choosing a roller. 

Consider the nap length of the roller. The longer the nap is, the more paint it will hold, as well as the more texture it will create. 

Pro Painting Tip –You can use an inexpensive roller. Just wash the roller with a bit of Dawn dish soap before you use it. This gets rid of any stray fiber the roller has.

In terms of paint roller length, the pros opt for the 8-inch over the 18-inch. The 8-inch roller is easier to manage and suitable for my cases. An 18-inch roller works best for every large room where there are a lot of square feet to cover.

Pros rarely use paint trays. Instead, they opt for 5-gallon buckets with roller grids. Giant buckets are harder to knock over, and you tend to be more visibly aware of a bucket over a tray.

Another key reason the pros prefer roller buckets is that they hold a larger amount of paint, saving you time from stopping to refill the paint often.

Finally, using more paint from multiple cans helps keep the color consistent, avoiding potential discrepancies. 

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Suggested Materials

• Paint Rollers
• Paint Bucket

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Paint roller pole

A paint roller pole will help you easily paint ceilings and walls. You won’t need to use a ladder as much, which will save you time.
Roller poles range in length, but the Pros prefer a telescoping roller pole that can easily adjust to any room situation.

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Suggested Materials

• Telescoping Painters Pole

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know how to load the paintbrush with paint

It seems like a simple concept: dip the paintbrush in the paint and wipe off the excess on the side of the paint can. Sure, it’s a perfectly acceptable way to load your paintbrush, but is it the best way to do it?

Pro Tip – Before using a paintbrush, wet the brush with water if latex paint is being used or mineral spirits for oil-based paint. Remove the excess liquid, and you want a damp brush, not wet. This step will help the paint transfer better to the surface and make it easier to apply.

Once you have prepped your paintbrush, you want to dip it into the paint about halfway up the bristle. Do this a couple of times to ensure the brush is full.

Now, here is the Pro painting tip: do not wipe the brush on the side of the bucket. Instead, tap the bristles on the inside of the bucket. 

Wiping the bristles on the side does precisely that: wiping the paint off the brush. By tapping the brush, you keep the paint on the brush but just remove the excess. This is one of the pro painting tips that I really saw a difference with.

Paint the room in the correct order.

The Pros suggest you paint from top to bottom. So this would be starting with the ceiling first, then working on any crown molding. From there, paint the walls. After the walls, move on to casement trim around the doors and windows. Finishing off with the baseboards last.

Pro Painting Tips – Check your work in between coats and sand down any bumps or imperfections that may happen. Using a light to inspect the walls will help you spot these imperfections.

Cutting in

Cutting in is usually the trickiest part of an interior paint job. Luckily, these Pro painting tips are here to help.

To cut in, start brushing about 1/2 inch away from the cut-in area to apply the paint. As you go along and the brush unloads some of the paint, move over and slowly drag the brush along with the trim or corner.

Ideally, you want the bristles to gently push the paint against the cut-in area where the walls meet. This may have to be done in a  few passes, but it will avoid any excess paint along with the woodwork and in the corners.

Paint One Interior Wall at a Time

It may be tempting to do all your cutting in at once but don’t. Cut in and paint one wall at a time.

By doing this, you will be able to blend the rolled paint and the brushed paint seamlessly. 

dealing with Textured Ceiling

Painting a straight line along a textured ceiling is nearly impossible. You’ll usually end up with paint all over the texture bumps on the ceiling.

The Pros have a simple fix for this issue. They run a screwdriver along the perimeter of the ceiling to scrape off the texture. By doing this interior painting tip, it creates a small ridge in the ceiling where the tips of paintbrush bristles naturally land rather than on the ceiling texture.

Wrap Your Paint Rollers

If you plan on continuing a job the next day, rather than washing the rollers clean, soak them in paint and then wrap them tightly in plastic. This is a great time saver. However, if you are unable to continue the job within a few days it’s recommended you wash your rollers to ensure they don’t dry out.

Pro Painting Tips –When you aren’t using your paint bucket or paint can, cover them with a wet rag. This will keep the paint from drying out.

How to handle Interior Paint Lapping and Brush Strokes 

What are lap marks?

Lap marks are where the wet and the dry roller layers overlap during application. The key to avoiding lap marks is to move quickly while keeping a wet edge. This will allow for a seamless transition to freshly applied paint. 

What are brush strokes?

Brush strokes are where you are able to see the bristle marks in the paint from the paintbrush.

Another great tip to avoid lap marks, as well as brush strokes, is to use a paint additive to your latex paint. Using an additive like this will slow down the drying time of the paint, making it more workable.

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*Pro Painting Tip* – Accidents happen. Keep a cheap sponge brush on hand to blend a patch with the rest of the wall or woodwork. To mimic the look of a roller, simply dab on the paint.

By following these awesome pro tips from the prep to the actual painting process, you’ll be able to have your home looking like you hired a professional painter.

Don’t start painting until you have the right tools!

SHOP MUST HAVE PAINTING TOOLS

Be prepared to swatch!

BUY SWATCH BRUSHES

Don’t forget, when it comes to paint colors it’s always a good idea to paint large swatches where you intend to use the color. Lighting will change in the room so pay attention and be observant. You want to make sure you will love the color in every lighting situation.

Use Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples for a mess-free way to test paint colors!

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