Decorating

Proper preparation for painting

It's easy to get a great paint job -- the key is in the preparation. Sure, it helps to have a steady hand when painting the trim, but you'll get the absolute best results if you take time to scrape off loose paint, fill holes and cracks, and clean surfaces thoroughly before you begin. To clean surfaces, use a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate). TSP is the old standby when it comes to painting prep work, and it's available in no-rinse varieties to make it easier to use. If you prefer, ask your dealer to recommend a good phosphate-free cleaner.

Before painting, check all surfaces for defects with a strong side light. Use a flashlight, or take the shade off a table lamp and hold the bulb near the wall. Rough spots and imperfections will be clearly visible so you can sand or patch them.

Remove Stains

You probably can't wait to get rid of ugly brown or rust-colored stains, but hold on -- those stains are trying to tell you something. Stains usually are caused by leaky roofs, walls, or plumbing pipes. Be sure to make all necessary repairs before trying to remove or paint over stains.

Apply a stain remover to a clean, dry cloth, and then rub the cloth over the stained surface lightly to remove the stain (you can buy spray stain remover at your local hardware store). Then seal all the stained areas with white pigmented shellac or a stain blocker. Pigmented shellac and stain blockers are designed to prevent stains from bleeding through the new paint.

Remove Mildew

Mildew stains often make an appearance in damp locations, such as bathrooms and basements. Before painting, you'll need to eliminate this black, speckled growth to make sure new coats of paint adhere well.

Test the stains by washing with some warm water and mild detergent. Ordinary stains will wash out, but mildew won't. If the stains don't wash out, gently sand them out with 150-grit sandpaper.

Put on some rubber gloves and eye protection before you wash walls with bleach, which will kill the mildew spores. After the bleach treatment, wash mildew away with some TSP solution or a phosphate-free substitute, then rinse the area with clear water. Allow the wall to completely dry.

Sanding out mildew stains takes only a few minutes, but you might have to repair the sanded spot with spackling compound.

Preparing Woodwork for Painting

Prepping woodwork for painting isn't difficult, but wood trim and other details can have lots of little hills and valleys. You'll need to clean, patch, and sand the woodwork before you can paint it, so a little patience is needed to make sure the job comes out looking great. Liquid deglossers work well for prepping glossy surfaces such as enamel paints, but pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions -- the deglosser can't be left on too long. To renew varnished wood, clean it with mineral spirits, patch any holes, then apply new coats of varnish.

To start, wash the woodwork with TSP solution or a phosphate-free substitute, and then rinse it thoroughly. Be sure to wear protective gloves and safety gear when using harsh cleaners and chemicals. Scrape away any peeling or loose paint. If your woodwork is badly chipped, it's probably best to remove the old finish entirely by sanding it or stripping it.

Use a putty knife to press some latex wood patch or spackling compound into any nail holes, dents, or other scratches. Colored wood patch material also can be used. Let the putty dry thoroughly

Sand the surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper until they are smooth to the touch. Wipe the woodwork with a tack cloth before priming and painting.

Taken from homedepot.com

Royal LePage Team Realty
484 Hazeldean Road
Ottawa, ON K2L 1V4
Phone: 613-592-6400
Toll Free: 1-888-757-7155

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