So, you’ve picked a new colour to liven up your space – awesome! But before you grab a brush and go wild, there’s a super important step you might be forgetting: interior paint prep. Think of it like building a house – you need a strong foundation for a beautiful finish, and prep work is the foundation of a stunning paint job. Here’s the thing – skipping prep work can lead to a less-than-stellar finish. It’s all about patchy paint, peeling problems, and wasted time in the long run. Fear not, painting warriors! This guide will equip you with the knowledge to conquer interior paint preparation like a pro.
Do you need to remove everything from the room before interior painting?
You might think you need to clear the room completely, but that’s not always the case. Here’s what to do:
- Big stuff gotta move: Couches, beds, bulky furniture – these gotta scoot to the centre of the room or maybe even another room altogether. This gives you space to move around and paint without becoming a human paint roller.
- Cover the rest: Built-in furniture or anything too heavy to move? Throw dust sheets or drop cloths over them like protective blankets. Nobody wants paint splatters on their treasured belongings!
How to protect your floors during interior paint preparation?
Nobody wants paint on their floors! Here are some ways to keep them spotless:
- Drop cloth defence: Your best friend during interior painting preparation. Get heavy-duty canvas drop cloths that lie flat and cover a good chunk of the floor. Secure them with painter’s tape for extra peace of mind.
- Plastic floor runners: For carpets, plastic floor runners offer another layer of protection. Look for ones with a light sticky grip on the bottom to stop them from slipping.
- Cardboard on a budget: For smaller areas like doorways or corners, cardboard sheets can be a budget-friendly option. Just be mindful of spills – cardboard gets soggy fast.
Is cleaning necessary before interior paint preparation?
Picture paint like that friend who’s super picky about where they sit. Gotta give it a clean spot to land, you know? Here’s your cleaning battle plan:
- Dust bunnies beware: Grab a microfiber cloth or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment and banish dust, cobwebs, and any loose gremlins from walls, ceilings, and trim.
- Grime fighters unite: Kitchens and bathrooms get a bit gross, right? So, grab some warm soapy water (dish soap works a treat!) and give those walls a good scrub down. Rinse everything spick and span, and make sure it’s totally dry before whacking on the paint.
- Sticky situation: If you have leftover stickers or tape residue, use a gentle adhesive remover to get rid of them without damaging the surface underneath.
- Heads up about asbestos: If your place is rocking some retro vibes from before the late 1980s, there’s a chance the walls might have some hidden nasties called asbestos. This stuff is no fun to breathe in, so before you go all sanding, check for asbestos in your interior wall first.
Should you repair holes and cracks before interior painting?
Think you can just paint over those and forget about them? Think again! A fresh coat of paint is like a magnifying glass for wall imperfections – those little annoyances will turn into glaring mistakes staring back at you.
Here’s why patching those holes and cracks is important:
- Paint makes perfect (or highlights imperfection): Imagine slapping on a new coat of paint, only to have every bump and crack stand out even more. Not the aesthetic you were going for, right? Paint loves to show off the bad with the good.
- Bumpy walls, bumpy paint job: Holes and cracks make it hard to get a smooth paint application. You’ll be fighting for clean lines and a flawless finish, probably needing extra coats just to hide those sneaky craters. More work, less fun!
- Small cracks can turn into big problems: Those tiny cracks might seem like little smile lines on your walls right now, but don’t be fooled! They could be whispers of bigger problems hiding underneath. Ignoring them is like putting a bandaid on a broken bone – it might look okay for a sec, but things could get messy fast. Patching those up before you paint is way easier (and cheaper!) than dealing with a monster repair job later.
When is primer needed during interior paint preparation?
It might not be the most glamorous part, but using a primer before interior painting is like a magic trick. It helps it stick way better to the wall, giving you a smoother, more even finish that just looks fantastic. Think of it as superhero underpants for your paint job – invisible, but doing all the heavy lifting! Here’s when this primer powerhouse is a must-have:
- Painting a newbie surface: Fresh drywall, unpainted wood trim, or anything brand new needs a coat of primer for the paint to perform its best.
- Going from dark to light: Switching from a bold colour to a lighter shade? Primer creates a solid base to stop the old colour from peeking through like a stubborn ghost.
- Uneven surfaces need help: If your walls have a glossy or slick finish, primer creates a better texture for the paint to grip onto.
Final thoughts
Taking the time to properly prepare your walls and surfaces will mean a world of difference. With a prepped and painted space, you’ll be itching to show it off to everyone who walks through the door. It’ll be that good!
Wanna skip the prep and get straight to the painting fun?
Painting prep is not exactly a thrill. It takes ages, requires patience you might not have, and probably involves a trip to the hardware store you’d rather avoid. But hey, what if you could ditch all that and jump straight to the good part – giving your space a snazzy new colour?
That’s where Sydney Paintmasters come in! We’ve got a team of the best interior painters who are experts at interior wall prep. We’ll handle everything from carefully moving your furniture and guarding your floors like they’re priceless works of art, to giving your walls a good scrub and fixing any little dings.
Here’s the sweet deal when you choose Sydney Paint Masters:
- Zero stress: Kick back, relax, and let us sweat over the prep. We’ll do it all super efficiently and thoroughly, so you can basically just point at the colour that makes your heart sing.
- More time for you: Why spend your precious time on boring prep when you could be chilling or tackling other projects? We’ll get the prep done fast and flawlessly, so you can get to the fun painting part sooner.
- Guaranteed awesome walls: A good prep job is like the secret ingredient for a stunning paint job. Our meticulous approach means your walls will look schmick for years to come.
- Peace of mind, mate: Knowing that certified pros are handling the prep gives you peace of mind. You can rest assured your walls will be prepped to perfection for a long-lasting, top-notch finish.
Sound like your dream come true? Get in touch with us today for a free quote! We’ll chat about your colour ideas, answer any questions you have, and turn your living space into a masterpiece (minus the prep work, of course!). Let’s ditch the hassle and get creating!