Proper surface preparation is the key to a great long lasting paint job. Although it seems to take longer, it is time well spent.

Your first step should be an inspection of the surfaces to be painted. If there is peeling paint it should be removed with a scraper or with sandpaper. If there is mould or mildew present, wash the area with a solution of one part bleach to three parts water. Let the solution sit for five minutes and then rinse. An effective way to remove dirt, oil and grease is by washing the walls with T.S.P. (Trisodium Phosphate) and then rinsing, or with a Natura Safe Prep product that doesn't require a rinse. If you see any dents or cracks, fill them with a good quality spackling or drywall compound. If the dents are extremely deep, let the compound dry overnight and apply a second coat. Sand smooth and spot prime with an appropriate primer.

Primers! They serve two major functions; sealing porous materials so the topcoat won't dry with an uneven appearance and aiding the top coat to bond properly with the surface underneath. They also help with top coat coverage if you are making a dramatic colour change. Latex/acrylic primers work well for raw drywall and latex painted surfaces. If a surface is painted with an oil/alkyd product or if it is raw wood use an alkyd primer as water based primers can raise the grain of raw wood causing it to be rough.

A great way to fill gaps between the baseboard and the wall is with a good acrylic caulking because it is paintable and flexible. Don't use silicone caulking for that purpose as silicone doesn't accept paint. However it is excellent for waterproof applications such as tubs, showers and sinks.

Now all you have to do is pick the right tool for the job and you are ready to paint. A good quality angled cutting-in brush makes the job so much easier and with professional results. Choose a polyester or nylon brush for latex/acrylic paint and natural bristle for oil based paint. A good quality tool is an investment so clean it well and it will last a long time. As for rollers, a low pile roller such as a 5mm is good for very smooth surfaces and 10mm is good for most walls. Twenty millimeter pile rollers are good for rough surfaces and a split foam roller is perfect for very rough surfaces or stuccoed ceilings.

Now that all the prep work is done, painting is a breeze and the finished job looks great.

Next time we'll give you a few painting tips and do a little troubleshooting. Happy Painting!

Come and see Sandy and Kathy at Fines Home Hardware in Shelburne for more painting tips.