Refreshing A Painted Room: A Step-By-Step Guide

Painting a room is a great way to give it a fresh new look, but it can be a daunting task, especially if the room is already painted. The process involves several steps, from choosing the right paint colour and type to preparing the room and applying the paint. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned homeowner, it's important to have a plan and the right tools to achieve a neat and professional finish. This guide will cover everything you need to know about painting a room that is already painted, from prepping the walls to applying the final coat.

Prep the room

Prepping a room for painting is a crucial step in achieving good results. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you prepare efficiently:

Clear the Room:

Start by removing all furniture that can be easily moved out of the room. If there are heavy pieces of furniture that cannot be removed, push them to the centre of the room and cover them with protective sheets or plastic tarps. This will give you ample space to work and prevent tripping hazards.

Cover the Floors:

Cover the floors with drop cloths or plastic tarps to protect them from any paint drips or spills. This step is especially important if you are painting the ceiling or using a paint sprayer.

Inspect and Repair Walls:

Carefully inspect the walls for any cracks, holes, dents, or other imperfections. Use a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound to fill and repair any holes or imperfections. Allow the spackle to dry, following the manufacturer's instructions, and then use fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth out the repaired areas, ensuring they blend with the surrounding wall.

Clean the Walls:

Wipe down the walls with a damp rag or sponge and warm water to remove any dust, grease, or other contaminants. For stubborn spots, you may need to use a degreaser like trisodium phosphate (TSP) or an abrasive cleanser. Pay special attention to kitchen walls, as grease and oil can build up. Once cleaned, allow the walls to dry completely before painting.

Tape Off Trim and Fixtures:

Use painter's tape to mask off any trim, baseboards, windows, doors, doorknobs, and power outlets that you do not want to paint. Press the tape firmly in place to prevent paint from seeping underneath. Remove switch plates and outlet covers, and cover the switches and outlets with tape to keep them clean and dry.

Prime the Walls (if necessary):

If you are painting over a dark colour or fresh plaster, consider applying a coat of primer or a ""mist coat"" to ensure a consistent finish. A mist coat can be made by diluting your paint with water (7 parts water to 3 parts paint). Allow the mist coat to dry before applying your paint.

By following these steps, you will create a solid foundation for your painting project, ensuring a smoother process and more satisfying results.

Choose the right tools

Painting a room involves preparation, planning, and choosing the right tools. The right tools will save you time and money, avoiding unnecessary complications. Here are some tips to help you choose the right tools for painting a room that is already painted:

Choose the Right Paint

Paint is one of the cheapest investments you can make for your house, and you can always repaint without breaking the bank. However, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for. Consider paying a little extra for good paint, especially in high-traffic areas. Some recommended paint brands include Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Valspar. If you've purchased multiple cans of paint, mix them together in a large container like a five-gallon bucket to ensure color consistency.

Select the Appropriate Painting Tools

The type of painting tools you need will depend on the specific requirements of your project. For large surfaces, rollers are generally the best application tools. A longer, fluffy roller will transfer more paint, making the pile patterns more visible on the wall. On the other hand, a shorter, lint roller will give you a smoother finish. For edges, corners, and tricky areas such as the back of radiators, paintbrushes are more suitable. When choosing a paintbrush, opt for one with synthetic fibre bristles if you're using water-based paint.

Prepare the Surface

Before you start painting, it's important to ensure that the surface is clean. Use a rag and a bucket of water to wipe down the surface if it's dirty. Dust and dirt can mix with the paint, resulting in an uneven finish. If the surface has any holes or unevenness, use sandpaper (80-100 grit) and a wall filler to smooth and sand these areas. You can also use a sanding block to hold the sandpaper and help you achieve an even finish.

Protect Adjacent Areas

To protect areas adjacent to the painting surface, use painter's tape or masking tape. Painter's tape is specifically designed for painting projects and removes easily without leaving any marks or residue. However, it's important to remove the tape just before or after the paint dries completely, as leaving it on too long can cause small pieces to tear and leave residue. Masking tape is also effective for protecting mouldings, light switches, and sockets. Additionally, use protective paper, cardboard, or newspaper to cover and protect floors and furniture from paint splatters.

Consider Additional Equipment

Depending on the scope of your project, you may require additional equipment such as step ladders or extension ladders to reach elevated areas. If you need to remove old paint, a paint scraper, triangular-load scraper, or wire brush can be useful. A putty knife can also be used to scrape away loose paint or apply filler. For filling in cracks and gaps in walls and woodwork, a caulking gun and tubes of acrylic or siliconized acrylic caulk can be helpful.

Plan your painting technique

Planning your painting technique is an essential step in achieving a professional-looking paint job. Here are some detailed instructions to help you plan your painting technique for a room that is already painted:

Choose the Right Paint and Primer:

Start by selecting the right paint colour and type for your project. Consider the lighting in the room (both natural and artificial) and view your chosen colour in the space at different times of the day. Obtain paint swatches or sample-size pots and test them on the walls to see how they appear in various lighting conditions. If you're painting over a dark colour, bare drywall, or a damaged/stained wall, consider using a primer. A primer will help block the previous colour and ensure a smooth application. Choose a primer suitable for your surface type, such as a bonding primer for glossy surfaces or a stain-blocking primer for stained areas.

Gather the Necessary Tools:

Before you begin, ensure you have all the essential tools and supplies. This includes items such as paintbrushes, rollers, drop cloths, painter's tape, sandpaper, a putty knife, and spackling compound for any necessary repairs. If you plan to use a paint sprayer, ensure you have the necessary equipment and are familiar with its operation.

Prepare the Room:

Clear the room by removing furniture and fixtures, including lights, blinds, and outlet covers. If furniture is too heavy to move, cover it with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Protect the floors and any remaining items with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to catch any paint drips.

Prepare the Walls:

Inspect the walls for any cracks, holes, or imperfections. Repair these areas using a putty knife and spackling compound, then allow the compound to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sand the repaired areas with fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth them out, and vacuum any sanding dust. Finally, clean the walls with a damp rag or sponge and warm water, working from the top down. Allow the walls to dry completely before proceeding to paint application.

Determine Your Painting Technique:

Decide on the order in which you will paint the various surfaces in the room. Typically, you should start with the ceiling, then move on to any trim, molding, or baseboards. Finally, paint the walls, ensuring proper ventilation during the process. If using a paint sprayer, practice on a scrap piece of drywall or cardboard to get a feel for the equipment. Begin your stroke before releasing the trigger, and end your stroke after releasing it to prevent paint buildup.

Remember to take your time, follow safety precautions, and allow for adequate drying between coats. With careful planning and execution, you can achieve a professional-looking paint job for your already painted room.

Paint the room

Painting a room is a great way to give it a new look, and it's a project that you can often tackle yourself. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Plan:

Before you start, it's essential to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Consider the colour you want to paint the room and the overall finish you desire.

Prep the Room:

Clear the room by removing furniture and fixtures, including lights, blinds, HVAC registers, and outlet covers, and rugs. If you can't move furniture out of the room, push it to the centre and cover it with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Protect the floors and any exposed cabinetry or countertops with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to catch any paint drips.

Inspect and Repair Walls:

Inspect the walls for cracks, holes, dents, or other imperfections. Use a putty knife and lightweight spackling compound to fill and repair holes and imperfections. Allow the compound to dry following the manufacturer's instructions, then sand the repaired areas with fine 220-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge to smooth them out. Vacuum the sanding dust and wipe the walls with a damp rag.

Clean the Walls:

Thoroughly clean the walls with a damp rag or sponge and warm water, starting from the top and working downward. If the walls are greasy or dirty, use a solution of dish detergent and warm water, then wipe it off with a cellulose sponge. Allow the walls to dry completely.

Prime the Walls:

Priming is essential if you're painting over a dramatic colour change, a dark colour, bare drywall, or a stained/damaged wall. Choose the right primer for the job—a bonding primer for slick surfaces, a stain-blocking primer for stained areas, or a general-purpose primer for most walls. Apply the primer evenly with a roller, working in light, even coats and in sections.

Start by cutting in the edges and corners that a roller can't reach. Use an angled brush, lightly loaded with paint, and paint along the edges steadily, starting at the ceiling or baseboard.

If you're using a paint sprayer, practice on a piece of scrap drywall or cardboard first to get a feel for it. Begin your stroke before pulling the trigger, and release the trigger before ending the stroke to prevent paint build-up. Paint the corners and complex areas first, then move on to flat surfaces, working from top to bottom.

If you're using a roller or brush, lightly lift the roller off the wall at the end of each stroke to avoid leaving marks. Frequently remix the paint to maintain a uniform colour, and store your roller in a plastic bag between coats to keep it moist.

Allow the paint to dry for 24-48 hours. If needed, apply a second coat, following the same process.

Once the paint is dry, remove the painter's tape, drop cloths, and any remaining coverings. Move your furniture back into the room and enjoy your freshly painted space!

Clean up

Clean-up

Once the paint is dry, it's time to clean up. Start by carefully removing the painter's tape. Use a painter's knife to slice through any tape that is stuck to avoid peeling off fresh paint. Next, remove the drop cloths and any plastic sheeting used to protect the floor and furniture. If you've used a paint sprayer, clean the nozzle with a rag to prevent clogging. Clean paint brushes and rollers with warm soapy water. If you have any paint left over, make sure to seal the cans tightly for future use. Move your furniture back into the room and you're done!

Frequently asked questions