8 Basic Painting Tips for Perfect Coverage

Wall roller for basic painting jobs

Basic painting is quite simple if you know the right application process. Following these eight basic painting tips will guarantee you perfect coverage on your walls, baseboards, or ceilings.

Tip #1: Pick Your Paint 

The first step in basic painting is picking the right product. This includes color, finish, and other special characteristics you may want for your specific project. You can choose a color for us to match from any other store or manufacturer, bring in an existing paint chip, or browse through a color deck at our interior design counter. Our color matching computers quickly and accurately match from old paint samples, paint chips, and other materials.

The finish of your paint should be carefully considered prior to selecting your product. Finish describes the gloss level of the paint. Paint finishes are described as flat, eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss. Each name corresponds to a different gloss level that meets a measurable specification of added gloss. Higher gloss finishes reflect light better than other finishes and are easier to clean. We recommend a higher gloss finish for more trafficked areas with frequent clean-up, such as kitchen and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is the highest gloss available in typical house paints, but we often suggest a satin or an eggshell for bathrooms and kitchens, which is a midway gloss point between a flat paint and a semi-gloss. Flat finishes absorb light in the room, and they are typically harder to clean unless using a high-quality scrubbable ceramic. A flat finish gives a modern and finished look to bedrooms and living spaces. 

Consider also the quality of paint you would like to use for your project. If you would like to have the most scrubbable and durable paint, consider our CeramicWise paint with ceramic bead technology. Our store associates can help you choose the right paint for your basic paint job.

Tip #2: Purchase Basic Painting Tools & Materials

You'll need various tools and materials to paint an interior room. Store associates can advise on the best tools for your job. Tools you may need include:

  • Drop cloths or tarps to protect your floor. These come in various sizes to fit your room and materials for one-time or reuse.

  • Putty knife

  • Sponges

  • Paint tray 

  • Paint tray liners

  • Paint roller with a long handle

  • Paint roller covers that fit your size of roller

  • Step-ladder

  • Painter's tape

  • Paint primer if needed. We only recommend priming on fresh construction or if attempting to cover a dark color.

  • Paint brushes (including an angled brush)

  • Spackle

  • Rags

  • Hand-held disposable cups for hand painting with a brush

  • Caulking for finishing the seams

Tip #3: Protect Flooring, Cabinets, and Ceilings

Taping off borders, windows, trim, and outlets ensure a professional finish with crisp lines. When painting a kitchen or bathroom, taping off baseboards, cabinets, and cupboards is crucial. Once you've taped off everything that you do not want to paint, cover your floors or furniture with drop cloths. Taping your drop cloth down when applicable, or weighing it down on carpeted surfaces ensures the drop-cloth won’t move during painting. 

Tip 4: Prepare Your Walls

You'll need to patch holes and dents in walls using spackle and ensure all nails or other anchoring materials are removed. You'll also need to make sure the walls are clean before priming or painting. If the walls have grease, use a heavy-duty grease-removing cleaner, and ensure the walls are dry to the touch before you begin. 

Tip 5: Paint the Trim First

If you're happy with the color of your baseboards and trim, there is no need to change it. But, if you decide to paint the trim a different color, paint it first. Painting the trim is often easiest with an angled paintbrush.  

If you paint the trim, you'll need to let it dry for several hours (ideally overnight) because you'll need to tape it off before painting your walls.

Tip #6 Paint the Edges of the Walls

For basic painting, you should outline (sometimes called ‘cut’) one wall at a time. Cutting a wall with paint means that you paint along all edges of a wall. Using a paintbrush, you'll paint along the top seams, corners, and the bottom where the wall meets the baseboard or trim. Once you've outlined a wall, it's time to use your paint roller.

Tip #7 Roll Paint Onto the Walls

If you're new to basic painting, using A paint roller can be a lot of fun. It also covers a lot of space quickly. 

Before putting your roller in the paint tray:

  1. Make sure you've stirred the paint

  2. Load your roller with paint

  3. Roll paint on the walls from the bottom to the top of the wall

  4. Reload your paint roller as needed

  5. Overlap the last section you painted to prevent lines from developing. 

  6. Repeat these steps for each wall 

Tip #8 Remove Tape, Clean Up, and Admire Your Work

Once you've finished painting all of the walls, carefully remove the painter's tape to review your work (allow the walls to dry for a few minutes, but remove the tape as soon as possible so it doesn’t get stuck to your wall). If you notice any mistakes, touch them up with a small brush. Then, take a few steps back, and admire your work. You've successfully completed your first basic painting project!

Get Painting Advice, Help with Color Selection, and More in Lane County

Forrest Paint is a long-standing, locally owned paint manufacturer and paint store in Eugene. All our paints are manufactured in Lane County by local residents, assisted by chemists and technical experts. Established in 1973, Forrest Pain prioritizes customer service, environmentally conscious materials and manufacturing, and premium quality interior and exterior paint. Call 541-868-1222, message us online or visit us at 990 McKinley Street. We are open Monday-Friday from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm.

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