Step-by-step Guide to Painting Your House

Step-by-step Guide to Painting Your House
The actual process of painting is split into various steps:
1. Sanding/Surface Preparation
Painting new wall: If you are about to paint a new interior wall, ensure that it was applied a coat of lime-wash. The wall should be allowed to mature for atleast 3 months to ensure that the plaster is completely dried. Now at the time of painting, use appropriate sandpaper to remove loose particles or flakes and ensure that the surface is free from dust, dirt, grease etc.
Repainting old wall: On the other hand, if you are repainting a wall, and the previous coating was of lime-wash or powdered distemper, scrape it off thoroughly. If it was oil-based paint and is in good condition, remove the gloss by sanding. For wood, ensure that the surface is free from all loose dust and sand it along the grains with Emery Paper No.120. Metal surfaces must be dry and free from rust, grease, oil, etc.
2. First Primer Coat
The first primer coat is applied to provide adhesion between the paint film and the surface. It smoothens the surface, makes it less absorbent and increases the spreading capacity of the paint.
3. Application of Putty
Putty is applied on the wall to fill minor cracks and surface imperfections. Putty is useful only for minor cracks. If there are any major cracks or dents you need to first repair them with a cement-sand mix or Plaster of Paris. Putty will generally dry in about 5-6 hours.

4. The Second Primer Coat
After the putty, another coat of primer is applied to the wall. This is important because painting directly on putty leads to a patchy appearance.
5. The Finish Coat
You need to apply two quotes of paint to get the desired finish and colour. Apply one coat and then let it dry. Once its has completely dried, apply the second coat. Drying times for different paints vary due to their composition. For some of the paints, it is also suggested that you scrape the first coat of paint lightly with a sand paper before applying the second one.
Care to be taken While Painting
While painting you must take care of the following points: Stir and strain paints thoroughly before application. The paint should also be thinned properly to ensure adequate application viscosity. This should be done as per the instructions given on paint container. Ensure that the painting area is clean and free from dust. Cover all your furniture and valuables with moist clothes to protect them from any paint spillage. Since paints and solvents are highly inflammable, keep children away from them. Do not smoke while painting is going on. If the paint spills on your skin, immediately wash with warm soap water. If the paint is still there, use the solvent you used for thinning the paint to remove it. After applying the first coat of paint allow enough drying time before applying the second coat. You need be extra careful while painting at the window edges. You should protect the glass with a paint-shield or by applying masking tape before painting. The masking tape should be removed before the final coat of paint fully dries. This is dry to avoid peeling a layer of paint.


Author: Editor

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