When it comes to painting, it can be a great and somewhat easy way to freshen up any home. Like any other project, planning can make it either fun or miserable. So read on for the steps that we at Queen Bee Cleaning take when we do a painting project.
Prepping
The first step to begin any painting project is preparing the room and walls for the actual work. Since it is necessary to have enough room to move around while using Roller Extensions to reach ceilings, you must often move heavy furniture. However, moving furniture away from walls can be made easier by using Moving Straps. Prepping also involves removing electrical faceplates. Switch covers, outlets, and cable plugs can be removed with a Screwdriver by removing the middle, usually “regular” bit screw. Be aware, some plates may have two, or even four screws.
Fix Them Holes!
Next, you want to repair any holes that are from wall hangings, pictures, etc. The new Command Strips make hanging things easier, but, in our experience, they often do not come off just the way they are supposed to. A 5-in-1 Tool is something every painter should have on the job for this reason and many many others. The 5-in-1 has a metal knob on the handle that allows you to form a small indent in the wall over the nail and screw holes, which can then be filled with Spackle. Using the 5-in-1 or a Drywall Knife, put a small amount of spackle in the indentation, then scrape off the excess. After it has dried, come back and sand it smooth with a Sanding Block.
Film It!
The furniture is moved and the walls are prepped, now you need to ensure that any paint spills will not damage items left in the room. Using a Painter’s Film, cover any items that were not easily moved out of the room, such as beds or dressers. You can tape it down with Painter’s Tape, which is something you will likely need again later when it comes time to cut-in. Finally, you are ready to paint, or are you?
Choices, choices…
It is important to choose good tools, and we recommend Purdy Painting Tools, as they are the choice of most professionals, including us. Paint is another product choice where you do not want to think the cheapest is best. For tape or Tray Liners, you do not have to go top dollar, but always choose a good Paint with Primer to help cover more effectively, especially when changing from a darker to a lighter color. Of course, if there was heavy smoking or years between painting, grease build-up like in a kitchen, or water stains, you will need to primer first, and for this, the product Killz is the recommended choice.
Finally…
Now is the time you have been waiting for, putting color on the wall! The first step to this process is the “cutting-in.” This involves using a brush or Cut-In Tool to put a line around the ceiling and baseboards. Whichever you choose, you will soon find your own rhythm to this. I personally prefer a brush and running a bead from one side as I pull paint off the brush, but I have been doing this for years and everyone is different. If you do choose to use a brush, a Hand Bucket helps tremendously. You will need this bucket when going up and down to reach the ceiling cut-in on Ladders or Step Stools. After cut-in, use your roller and extension to roll out the “field” of the wall. Make sure to “back-roll” after you move forward a few feet. I prefer to get a lot of paint on my roller, twist it a few times to make sure I will not drip, then try to go floor to ceiling for about a two-foot area, then I will proceed to spread that out in my back-roll. This ensures that any forming drips are quickly rolled out before they can dry. It is also a trick of the trade to carry a wet Cotton Rag either on a loop on your Painter’s Pants or over your shoulder. Any drips on molding or accidental bumps to the ceiling can quickly be wiped off and no-one will know it happened! The same is true of drips on the carpet, although the rag should be almost soaking in that case, of course, Drop Cloths or Tarps are always better than carpet spills! Just remember that if you drip on the drop cloth, always use a rag to spread it out before someone steps in it, and then on the carpet!
Lots of Work!
If all of this sounds like something you would rather not do after reading all the steps to do a professional job, of course, you can always call us, and we will show you why we make it easy to Get Clean with the Queen!