Six Steps to Painting a Room
Once you've properly prepped your walls, the actual painting
is easy. Follow these steps in order, and don't skip any
of them. Wait until the first coat dries before deciding
whether you need a second one.
1. Clean walls.
Remove dust, dirt, and grease spots (which can ruin a smooth
finish) with water, a little mild dishwashing detergent,
and a cellulose sponge. Rinse walls with clean water to remove
the soap residue.
2. Tape the trim and window and door frames.
Be sure to use painter's blue tape, which can be applied up
to a week ahead. Remove tape immediately after painting,
before the wall dries, so you don't peel off any paint with
it.
3. Prime the walls.
It's a common myth that walls that have been painted many times
don't need to be primed. In fact, primer helps maximize the
sheen and coverage of paint and gives the finish coat a more
uniform appearance.
4. Brush where you can't roll.
Brush on paint around trim and in the corners of walls, where
your roller can't reach, with a two-inch angled brush. Extend
out two to three inches from windows, doors, and moldings.
5. Use the W technique to paint walls.
For efficiency, start in the corner of a wall and roll on a
three-by-three-foot W pattern, then fill it in without lifting
the roller. Continue in sections until you're finished. Paint
one wall at a time.
6. Paint the trim last.
When the walls are completely dry, tape where the trim meets
the wall. Paint the moldings and the door and window frames
with a two-inch angled brush.
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