Projects

Painting Walls

Project Overview

Changing the colour scheme in a room is the fastest and least expensive decorating touch on the market. If you are radically changing the colour or are applying a much darker colour, a second coat is essential, and a third may be necessary to completely cover a wall. Start painting from a corner of the room that isn't hit by direct sunlight. Sunlit walls may be too hot for the paint to make its initial bond, possibly affecting the final cure. If the wall is warm to the touch, wait until it cools down before you apply the paint.

5 Steps

PAINT TEST PANELS TO FIND THE RIGHT COLOUR
REMOVE OR COVER FURNITURE
MIX ENOUGH PAINT TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE JOB
ROLL OUT FROM THE WET EDGE
MASK OFF WALL TO PAINT TRIM

PAINT TEST PANELS TO FIND THE RIGHT COLOUR

Step 1

PAINT TEST PANELS TO FIND THE RIGHT COLOUR

Before finalizing your wall colour choice, paint test panels with the colours you are considering. Purchase blank test panels from a paint centre or make them from cut-up drywall, hardboard, or foamcore board. Compare candidate colours under all the lighting conditions you will find in the room over the course of a full day and evening. Remove all of the electrical cover plates on the wall. Reinstall the screws in the outlet box to avoid misplacing them. Pull off dimmer knobs, cover the switches and receptacles with masking tape.

Step 2

REMOVE OR COVER FURNITURE

Remove all of the furniture or group in the centre of the room. Protect it from spatter with plastic or drop cloth. Mask any surfaces not to be painted, such as door and window casings, with blue painter's tape. Mask off the baseboards with12-inch baseboard masking, overlapping the floor drop cloth (clean the baseboards before taping to ensure good adhesion.)

MIX ENOUGH PAINT TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE JOB

Step 3

MIX ENOUGH PAINT TO COMPLETE THE ENTIRE JOB

Box the pint (mix the contents of all of the containers for consistency) in a 5-gallon bucket and stir. Prime the roller cover and cutting-in brush by wetting with a misting bottle (for latex paint). Remove excess water before applying paint. Start by cutting in a corner with the brush. Cut in only as far as your arm will reach to make sure you keep a wet edge when you roll on the paint.

Step 4

ROLL OUT FROM THE WET EDGE

Begin rolling by applying a vertical strip that overlaps the cut-in strip. Roll paint in a W pattern, then spread the paint to fill in the pattern. Work in small sections so the paint doesn't begin to dry before you can fill in the section. Fill the roller with a light load and roll the wet paint from floor to ceiling to blend and finish each section. Let the first coat dry at least 12 hours before applying the second coat.

Step 5

MASK OFF WALL TO PAINT TRIM

Give the wall paint a minimum of 24 hours to cure, then mask with blue painter's tape. If the wall isn't full cured, mask with white quick-release tape so you won't remove paint when you remove the tape. Don't puddle paint against the tape, however, or you'll pull off paint along with the tape when you remove it. Remove the tape immediately by pulling it down and away from the wall.

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Project Details

Skill Level: Beginner

Time: 4 hours

Before you start, read this »

Due to differing conditions, tools, and individual skills, The Home Depot® assumes no responsibility for any damages, injuries suffered, or losses incurred as a result of attempting to replicate any of the home improvement ideas portrayed in this website Before beginning any home improvement project, review it thoroughly to ensure you or your contractor can finish the project and if any doubts or questions remain, consult local experts or authorities. Because codes and regulations vary greatly, you always should check with authorities to ensure that your project complies with all applicable local codes and regulations. Always read and observe all of the safety precautions provided by any tool or equipment manufacturer, and follow all accepted safety procedures.

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