Painting the house is a daunting procedure that can be far more stressful than anyone expects. It is an intimidating proposition in terms of time, money, and one’s commitment. Therefore, the entire painting process must be executed in a very well-organized manner, avoiding common painting mistakes, so that the result is more rewarding than the efforts required to achieve it.
Painting Gives A Sense Of Newness
Painting can give the entire house a fresh new look. It is the easiest way to refresh and update your home. In addition, it helps evaluate your house and increases the real estate value at the time of resale; it enhances the curb appeal, reduces dust and dirt, promotes healthy air quality, increases the life of your house and anticipates positive energy. So, one must be wise enough to avoid common painting mistakes.
The following are common painting mistakes that can derail your effort: Here are some painting mistakes to avoid at all costs.
- Using Cheap Wall Paint can cost a lot
- Painting dirty walls without preparing them
- Not choosing the right painting tools
- Not selecting the right shade of paint that prevents stains
- Not testing your paint to identify the wrong type of paint
- Picking a paint’s sheen that is difficult to clean!
- Copying the neighbours can result in painting issues
- Not planning your schedule well can lead to many painting problems
- Overlooking the role of lighting in the paint
01. Using Cheap Wall Paint Can Cost A Lot
Use high-quality paint instead of cheap wall paint for a clean finished look. It will last longer and cover a larger area. Even if it is more expensive, choose a paint that will provide a long-lasting finish and better coverage of the area with fewer coats. Saving money by buying cheap wall paint covering a smaller space and providing an average finished look will cost you in the long run by calling for repeated repainting. The quality of the paint used will have an impact on the dramatic difference it will make after the job is done, and sub-standard pain will result in numerous painting problems.
02. Painting Dirty Walls Without Preparing Them
Preparing the walls before painting is very beneficial l for achieving a crisp and clean finish. Cissing is one of the common paint problems that happen when the paint is applied to a dirty wall. Always wash the walls, remove the old paint, residues, wallpapers, patches, or stains and cover any switches, sockets, and trims. Before you begin painting, try to dry and sand the surface. Take down any light fixtures, paintings, nails, or screws. Apply a primer followed by putty before you start painting dirty walls to have a smooth surface and a base for lasting outcomes.
Priming is required because it blocks stains, prevents blisters and paint peeling, improves paint adhesion, and allows for easy single-coat coverage of walls. Allow the plastered walls to dry before applying primer or base; otherwise, you will have a lot of painting issues. Common paint problems can be avoided by doing a little research before executing the painting task.
03. Not Choosing the Right Painting Tools
One brush can never fit all painting jobs. Trying to paint different surfaces with a single brush is one of the most common painting mistakes we do. Using the right tool will definitely help you understand how to fix painting mistakes on walls. The tools used will always tell the difference between an easy job that looks great and a difficult job that does not give the right outcome when completed. Generally, smooth surfaces should be painted using rollers with a thin nap and rougher textures will require thickly woven rollers that can hold more paint. Use masking tape to cover skirting, switch plates, door and ceiling edges. Cover everything that is in sight with plastic, when using spray paints. Many painting problems can be overcome by using the correct tool.
04. Not Choosing The Right Shade Of Paint That Prevents Stains
Bright white is the most unforgiving colour in the palette. Any marks or stains will stand out on light-coloured walls. Instead, use a neutral mid-tone colour for good coverage, keeping the room looking bright. Always keep the level of sunlight, the number of windows, gloss level of the paint, and trims in mind when choosing a colour for your room.
Light colours will suit everything, but dark colours require windows and natural light to bloom. If you renovate your home, use bright colours, hand paintings, and murals. However, if you are selling the house, go with a neutral tone that suits any piece of furniture and furnishings. Use glossy paints in areas where there will be a lot of steam and oil work, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and use flat paint colours in bedrooms and living areas for easy-to-clean walls.
05. Not Testing Your Paint To Identify The Wrong Type Of Paint
Once you have narrowed down your paint colour choices, make sample boards of them by buying sample-sized containers and painting them on a 1ft x 1ft square of a wall. Compare and contrast different hues from the fan palette provided by the manufacturers with the room’s furniture, upholstery, flooring, and other artwork to find the best option that complements your style. Check how the colour looks in daylight and artificial light, as the colour may appear differently when it dries.
06. Selecting A Paint’s Sheen That is Difficult To Clean!
The gloss level of the paint is referred to as its sheen. The more reflective the walls look, the cleaner they appear. Although glossy finishes reflect light and are less forgiving of flaws such as blemishes, patches, dents, holes, or cracks than flatter surfaces, they may not be the best paint for hiding imperfections. Having a good base before applying glossy finishes is essential because it increases durability and makes cleaning easier. Select the best paint for hiding imperfections and get a clean wall all the time.
07. Copying The Neighbours Can Result In Painting Issues
Living in an established neighbourhood and trying to blend in with the surroundings can be costly if not done properly. The fancy motifs and ceilings of your neighbour might look appealing at first, but before copying the architectural marvels of the house, always discuss the pros and cons of painting and cleaning those surfaces with your neighbours.
08. Not Planning Your Schedule Well Can Lead To Many Painting Problems
Plan and schedule your project very wisely in order to complete it on time. Make a plan using different paint strips and digital platforms provided by manufacturers to upload a picture of your room and test the paint colours for a better understanding. Create a colour palette and experiment with mixing and matching complementary shades. Avoid painting on damp surfaces, allow enough time for the first coat to dry before you apply the next coat, and, most importantly, paint your walls during the dry season. Plan out the entire process of moving furniture, preparing walls, covering things, painting, fixing breaks, and cleaning up after the job is done.
09. Overlooking The Role Of Lighting in Paint
Lighting plays a very crucial part when painting your house. Never paint a surface in dim light because the colour may appear different when you open your windows or check it in daylight. Also, while less light may make the painted surfaces look fine at first, turning on the bright lights will reveal patches, blemishes, and imperfections that you may have missed.
Summing Up
An eye-catching colour palette and finish can instantly transform your house from being mundane to Instagram stories worthy. It is important to take certain measures to achieve the desired outcome and make the house look flawless in any season. Always remember the painting mistakes to avoid before you start painting your house.
Now that you are aware of the common painting mistakes and how to fix painting mistakes on walls, you must also go through our blog on how to create wall paint effects.
Create Wall Paint Effects – A Brief Overview!
Author Bio
Neha Bhasin – Neha Bhasin is the Principal architect of Pramana Design Studio, a leading design consultancy firm with a strong design instinct in projects that range from recycling land and master planning to the design of spaces, hospitality, houses, and commercial buildings, thereby engaging diverse issues, multiple constituencies and varying scales from interior design and architecture to urban design and planning. She has a degree in Bachelors in Architecture from Apeejay Institute of Technology, SAP, Greater Noida with a Certification in Housing Planning and Policies focused on Housing and Human Environments from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. Neha has a well-demonstrated history of 7 years, and besides being a prodigious reader, she has assisted many professionals in editing books from an architect’s perspective.