Preparing to Paint

Darcy Westlind, a home-maintenance expert, joins TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham to go over tips for prepping the house before painting.

• Sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil before painting to figure out how much paint is needed. Measure how many square feet will be covered. Multiply the height in feet by the length in feet of the walls and/or ceiling. Paint cans will have estimates on them telling approximately how many square feet they cover. Buy the appropriate amount of paint.

• Decide whether a primer is needed. If covering a white surface with a darker color, there is probably no need to apply primer. Otherwise, use a primer that is tinted to match the final color.

• Next, choose the type of paint. Generally a flat latex paint is used on ceilings and walls, and semi-gloss latex and oil paint are saved to use on trim. One determinant may be what type of paint is being covered. If the existing paint is oil-based, then an oil-based paint is required to cover it. Latex won't adhere as well. Purchase high-quality paints, even if they cost a little more. Cheaper paints will most likely require multiple coats and will not last as long, which could cost more in the long run.

• Choose either a foam or bristle brush. Foam brushes fall apart easily, so a good two-inch bristle brush is recommended. Again, buy quality products. The bristles on cheap brushes may shed and get stuck in the paint.

• Clean the surface of walls and ceilings the night prior to painting or at least several hours before beginning. Use a household cleaner and a sponge. Mix in one or two capfuls of the cleaner in a bucket filled with hot water.

• Remove any nails or tape on the walls. Fill holes with putty and smooth out with a putty knife.

• Use old sheets as drop cloths. Move any furniture to the center of the room and cover with a drop cloth. Secure the cloth with masking tape.

• Remove any rugs from the room and cover the entire floor with drop cloths, again taping the drop cloths together with masking tape. Use the wide masking tape to protect the gap between the edge of the cloth and the wall.

• Protect any trim from paint with masking tape. Place tape strips where the trim and the wall meet. Use a putty knife to press tape into place.

• Put up baby gates to keep children and pets away.

• Wear grubby clothes and shoes. Paint will splatter no matter how carefully it is applied. Wear an old hat to keep paint out of hair, and if possible, wear protective glasses. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily to avoid tracking paint all over the house when leaving the area that is being painted.