Frequently Asked Questions About Interior Painting

If you are like many, you probably prefer to paint the inside of a room in your own home rather than hiring others to do so - not only to save money, but because painting is satisfying and isn't terribly hard to do. An average room can be completed in a day or two.

If you are like many, you probably prefer to paint the inside of a room in your own home rather than hiring others to do so - not only to save money, but because painting is satisfying and isn't terribly hard to do. An average room can be completed in a day or two.

A bright, fresh coat of paint can make everything in a room look new and clean. But, you must keep in mind that 80 percent of the task is in the preparation -making the various surfaces ready to accept the paint. This can involve washing, sanding, puttying and even chemical paint removal. Also, there is the question of personal items that must be protected. It's all right to leave a piece of furniture in the room as long as it is fully protected. On the floor, the protection must be designed to handle a "worst-case-scenario" accident. Throwaway drop cloths can make all the difference when it comes to errant paint - or an accidentally dropped paint tool. However, the barrier that you lay down should protect against a spilled can of paint. That means you'll want to have a heavy barrier of plastic between you and the floor. We suggest 6-mil thickness as opposed to the popular 2-mil. In our remodeling company we lay quarter-inch wallboard on the floor and tape it together with duct tape. Nothing will damage the floor below that stuff. Protect as much or as little as you think reasonable while keeping in mind that the floor covering in that room will cost 10 times what you spend on the paint job if you spill the paint.

When it comes to interior painting we are repeatedly asked the same questions. Here are some that might help you:

-Do I need to prime wallboard? If you are like many, you probably prefer to paint the inside of a room in your own home rather than hiring others to do so - not only to save money, but because painting is satisfying and isn't terribly hard to do. An average room can be completed in a day or two.

A bright, fresh coat of paint can make everything in a room look new and clean. But, you must keep in mind that 80 percent of the task is in the preparation - making the various surfaces ready to accept the paint. This can involve washing, sanding, puttying and even chemical paint removal. Also, there is the question of personal items that must be protected. It's all right to leave a piece of furniture in the room as long as it is fully protected. On the floor, the protection must be designed to handle a "worst-case-scenario" accident. Throwaway drop cloths can make all the difference when it comes to errant paint - or an accidentally dropped paint tool. However, the barrier that you lay down should protect against a spilled can of paint. That means you'll want to have a heavy barrier of plastic between you and the floor. We suggest 6-mil thickness as opposed to the popular 2-mil. In our remodeling company we lay quarter-inch wallboard on the floor and tape it together with duct tape. Nothing will damage the floor below that stuff. Protect as much or as little as you think reasonable while keeping in mind that the floor covering in that room will cost 10 times what you spend on the paint job if you spill the paint.

When it comes to interior painting we are repeatedly asked the same questions. Here are some that might help you:

-Do I need to prime wallboard?

Bare drywall must be primed. Drywall is highly absorbent. Attempting to paint fresh drywall without priming will result in excessive paint use and a blotchy looking finished product. Actually, all bare surfaces - as well as those that have been spackled or puttied - should be primed.

-Can I use exterior paint indoors?

It is not wise to use exterior paint indoors. Exterior paint is designed to cure (dry) in an outside environment. Outside paints also contain hazardous poisons to inhibit the growth of mildew. Mildecides used in interior paints are different and safe for use indoors.

-What is the ideal temperature to apply paint?

Paint should be applied at temperatures between 50ºF and 90ºF. Never paint when temperatures are expected to drop below 45ºF before the paint is expected to dry.

-How should I prepare the surface before I paint?

The cleaned surface should be free of chalked paint, grease, dust and mildew. Trisodium phosphate (a kind of liquid sandpaper) is ideal for etching a painted surface. The pores it creates act as a base for fresh paint to stick to. Mildew can be removed with our secret formula: one-third cup powdered laundry detergent; one quart liquid chlorine bleach; three quarts hot water. Thoroughly mix the first two ingredients into the water and transfer the concoction into a spray bottle. Spray onto the affected area and keep wet while scrubbing for a few minutes. When the black mildew turns white, it is dead and can be rinsed with fresh water. Dry the cleaned surface immediately.

CAUTION: If the formula above doesn't work, chances are you have a rare case of black algae. This will mean a trip to the local pool store for a bottle of algaecide.

-Can I paint directly over wallpaper?

No you can't and yes you can. You shouldn't paint over wallpaper because doing so can cause it to be released from the wall and the mess that results could end up being worse than trying to remove it in the first place. However, if you insist on trying, use oil-base primer. Water-base primer is sure to loosen the wallpaper whereas the oil base alternative might work well. Be sure to use a very thin coat of primer, and don't brush any area more than once. Once the primer has dried, any type of finish coat can be applied without disturbing the paper below.

-Can I paint over oil base paint with latex (water-base) paint?

You can use latex paint over oil-base paint as long as the surface is clean, dull (sanded or TSPed). However, you should not use oil-base paint over latex.

-How long before I can apply a second coat?

Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions when applying a second coat. If the information isn't on the can, call the manufacturer. The number can be looked up on the Inter800 service. Be prepared to tell the support person exactly what type of paint you are using and what the temperature is.

-Do I need to prime the ceiling before painting?

The ceiling gets a lot of heat. Consistently high temperatures can wear on a paint job. Priming the ceiling is a good idea whether it has been previously painted or not. In fact, priming all surfaces is a good idea.

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