Homeowners are always looking for ways to make their homes more attractive. One of the most popular home improvement projects is painting, but it’s not all that simple to get it right. If you’re thinking about painting your home, here are some things you need to know.
Different Paints Are Designed for Different Surfaces
Paint is available in many formulations, and the type you choose will depend on what you’ll be painting. Interior and exterior paints come with different ingredients and additives, so these specialized products should be used for their intended purposes. For example, regular paint is unsuitable for use outside because it won’t hold up to the elements.
Prep Work Is Important
If you want your paint job to look good and last, you need to do some prep work first. This includes scraping and sanding any rough patches, filling in cracks or holes, and cleaning the surface thoroughly. If you skip this step, you’ll be adding more work to your project because repairs will have to be made down the line.
Don’t Paint Over Debris
It can be tempting to just paint right over dirt, dust, and cobwebs, but don’t do it! These leftovers can cause problems once they are covered up by paint. You’ll likely end up with a bubbly, uneven surface, and the debris will still be there, just hidden from view.
Use Primer for Unpainted Surfaces
If you’re painting a surface that has never been painted before, you need to use primer first. Primer creates a smooth surface for the paint to adhere to and helps to prevent it from peeling or fading over time.
Temperature Plays a Role in How Paint Dries
When you’re painting a project, it’s important to consider the temperature because different paints dry at different speeds. The paint you choose will have information indicating how long it takes to dry, given a certain temperature range. In general, the warmer the temperature, the faster the paint will dry. However, if the paint dries too quickly, it can lead to problems with the finish.
You May Need to Apply More Than One Coat
Even if you use the right paint and follow all the proper steps, you may still need to apply more than one coat. This is especially true if the surface is very dark or you’re covering up the color with a new one. For example, if you have a dark red wall and want to paint it white, you’ll likely need to apply two coats of paint.
Paint has been used for thousands of years (about 30,000 years, to be more precise). Cave paintings done with natural pigments are the earliest surviving evidence of this. Luckily, today we have more variety of colors and paint finishes to choose from than ever before. With a little bit of knowledge, painting your home can be a simple and rewarding project. Call us today or email us to learn more about what we can do for your home.
Annapolis Coatings is a local and distinguished company with more than 30 years of experience in Painting Services and Home Improvements. Our variety of services are always at your beck and call, and we are always ready to assist in anything you might need.We have been proudly servicing Anne Arundel County, where we reside, and going as far as Queen Anne’s, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, & Montgomery Counties. Our clientele will tell you, there is no one better at doing what we do.