Why Surface Prep Is Key in Successful Interior Painting Projects

Painting a home’s interior is an infrequent chore. If it’s done right, it should last. Some believe that merely means finding high-quality warrantied paint and applying adequate coats. In fact, a well-prepped surface is key to the success of an interior paint job.

Most premature painting issues can be avoided by Prepping for Interior Painting Projects which involves scraping, repairing and sanding, and cleaning the surfaces. Once the surface is smooth, a primer coat should be applied before the first coat of paint goes on.

The Fundamentals of Interior Wall Surface Prep

Preparing an interior wall for painting is relatively straightforward. The walls will have a buildup of grime, grease, or other dirt to be removed. 

Uneven edges and old paint should be scraped, while nail holes, cracks, and other gaps should be filled, and then the surface should be sanded for optimal evenness and smoothness.

A primer suited to the material should be applied evenly over the surface. Prep work is time and labor intensive. Many homeowners find it difficult and avoid the process. Neglecting this important step can lead to an imperfect project result, to say the least, regardless of whether the walls are relatively new or have old paint.

Reasons For Surface Prep

Many homeowners find surface prep tedious and challenging. Because of the difficulty, they decide to skip this step and paint over the flaws. 

The problem is these imperfections will reveal themselves through the painted surface with the completed project. Visit - How to Prep Walls before Painting - for tips on prepping walls before painting.

Consider the following primary reasons for taking the time to prep your walls before painting.

Adhesion

One of the major concerns with interior painting is paint adhesion, the most important reason to prepare the walls before applying paint. When adequately prepared, the surface should be fully repaired, clean, and highly durable, a good bonding foundation for the paint to adhere to.

The paint will be less likely to have an extended longevity when applied to an unclean surface. Paint doesn’t bond well with oils, grease, dirt, or other chemicals. Cleaning materials or even residual water will compromise paint. It will also flake and peel off when applied over chips of old paint.

When the paint won’t adhere, it doesn’t make sense to apply it to the surface to begin with. Read here for tips and techniques on indoor painting.

Sealing

Once the walls are prepped, the primer will seal them, presenting an even appearance that the surfaces might not have had initially. The paint can then absorb at an even rate enabling it to dry with a uniform appearance and allowing a more vibrant color to shine through more readily.

When the walls are not primed or poorly primed, the paint might not turn out the way you thought it would.

Highly durable

Preparing the walls before painting gives them a renewed and highly durable surface and will ensure the painted wall is stronger and can withstand the test of time. The investment in time, labor, and in cost are well worth it. When a painting project is done right the first time, it will last, meaning you’ll spend less in the long run.

Visual appeal

The best prepared surfaces look the best after paint is applied. Once paint dries any flaws that were neglected will be revealed. You want to make sure the walls are clean, smooth, and even before priming and painting.

Preparing Your Home for Professional Interior Painting

Some homeowners prefer to forego the headache that comes with DIY household painting and, instead, hire a quality and qualified professional interior painter. The contractor will instruct on how to prepare your rooms to make it easier to do the work. 

It will also save time and money and ensure a positive experience for everyone. Consider the following steps when preparing your home for professional interior painting.

Wall decor

Wall decor will need to be removed including art, photos, mirrors, clocks, sconces, and on. These should be carefully wrapped, put in marked storage boxes, and put in another room to protect them from damage. 

While large pieces of furniture will likely be moved to the center of the room instead of removing it, it’s wise to have these pieces covered and stored safely.

Prepare and clean walls

Many homeowners believe that because their walls will be freshly painted, there’s no need to perform any prep work prior to the painting. In fact, the surface preparation is among the most important steps. 

Cleaning the grime, old paint, grease, stains, and other build up will make a huge difference on a repainted wall. The new paint will adhere to these substances and remain permanently. You want to scrape the walls and fill nail holes, cracks, and gaps. 

It’s also important to go over the surface with a small vacuum or broom to remove cobwebs. This should be done a couple days before the painters arrive, so it dries adequately.

The furniture

Small furniture should be removed from the rooms being painted. Removing large, bulky pieces might not be practical. These pieces can slide to the center of the room where. This gives the contractor access to the walls and prevents potential damage to the furnishings. 

Cover the pieces with a large tarp or sheets to ensure their protection. In that same vein, appliances and electronics such as the TV, gaming equipment, refrigerator and stive should be covered or removed. 

These are high-investment items that can develop defects if paint comes in contact with them. Often, the painter will have large drop cloths you can use to cover items like these if you don’t have materials large enough to do the job. 

It’s important to remember that paint splatter can happen especially when the ceiling is painted. The absolute best protection is removing the items and storing them in another location.

Soft household items

Things such as window treatments and rugs should be wrapped up and stored in another room regardless of whether the ceiling will be painted. The drapes and blinds will be a hindrance when the walls are being painted. 

The more you clear away, the easier it is to get the rooms cleaned and prepped for the painters.

As the homeowner, you want to remember every detail in the space including small items like knick-knacks and other decor being displayed. The furniture will be protected with drop cloths before work begins, however, small objects can inadvertently be damaged in the process of painting. 

It’s wise to have these boxed up safely before the contractors arrive and put everything back when the project is finished.

Leave the house

Once the painting begins, access will be restricted to the rooms where the work is being done. If you have pets or small children, you want to have arrangements for them to stay with close friends or family until the project is complete.

You also want to have everything you need to stay in another area of the home or consider taking some time at a hotel if the whole house is being painted. Another factor to consider when thinking about whether to stay or spend time away while the house is painted is the paint fumes.

Final Thought

Preparing the surfaces of interior walls before painting is critical for an even, smooth, and flawless finish regardless of whether you choose to do the work yourself or have a professional painter handle the project. Visit - Interiors: How to Clean Wall Before Painting for tips on preparing a wall before painting.

Interior house painters appreciate homeowners who take the time to have the walls ready to accept primer and paint. You can speak with the contractor you’ll be working with for specific guidelines on specific things you can do to make the project easier.

Proper prep reduces the timeline, helps to protect household items, and can save money when the project is done right, and you can rest assured will last longer.