Mar 4 2013
Winter’s plunging temps and higher precipitation bring to a halt many types of home improvement. But as the colder weather drives homeowners indoors, one project picks up steam: interior painting.
“Free from the demands of outdoor chores and the distraction of outdoor activities, many homeowners turn their attention to indoor projects, with painting as a popular undertaking,” says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality Institute.
It makes sense that interior painting sits atop the winter to-do list. New Year’s resolutions often include not just steps to improve oneself, but also one’s home. To that end, interior painting is a simple and inexpensive way to enhance a room or an entire home that can be accomplished even by an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer.
If you’re one of the many who are planning to do some interior painting this winter, Zimmer offers some suggestions on getting the best results:
- Properly prepare surfaces by removing dirt and grime before starting to paint. This can be done by washing walls and woodwork with a detergent-water solution, rinsing the surfaces clean, and allowing them to dry. Repair cracks, holes and surface imperfections with spackling compound, and apply stain-blocking primer to any areas that have water stains or other serious discoloration.
- Use the best quality paint. Top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paints resist spattering, tend to conceal brush marks, and do a better job of hiding the color underneath. They also are tougher and more durable, with better long-term resistance to fading, yellowing, and staining.
- Work with high quality brushes and rollers. Better quality applicators apply the paint more evenly and make painting more effortless. The best brushes tend to be well balanced and springy, with tightly packed bristles (these will hold a lot of paint). When applying latex water-based paints, use brushes and rollers made with synthetic bristles and covers – they’ll maintain their shape regardless of the amount of water they’re exposed to.
Follow these simple tips and your indoor painting project will produce results that you’ll be happy with not just this winter, but for a long time to come.
To learn more about interior painting and advice on color selection, visit blog.paintquality.com or paintquality.com.