What Should Not Be Done Before Painting Interior Walls?

Painting your interior walls can breathe new life into any room. But, before you start slapping on that fresh coat of paint, there are a few things you should avoid to ensure your project goes smoothly. Skipping steps or doing things incorrectly can result in poor results that may require extra effort and cost. Here’s a guide on what not to do before painting your interior walls.

1. Don’t Skip Surface Preparation

Preparation is key to a smooth and long-lasting paint job. Here's why skipping this crucial step is a mistake:

Uneven Application: Not properly cleaning the walls can lead to dirt, grease, or grime causing uneven paint coverage.
Peeling Paint: If the wall surface is not prepped correctly, the paint may not stick well, leading to peeling after just a short time.

What You Should Do:
Before you start painting, always clean the walls thoroughly. Wipe away dust, dirt, and stains. Use a gentle cleaner or a mixture of water and mild soap. If there are any patches of old peeling paint, scrape those off and sand the surface smooth.

2. Don’t Forget to Use Primer

Primer is often underestimated, but skipping it can create several issues down the line. Here’s why you should always apply a primer:

Poor Adhesion: Without primer, your paint might not bond as well to the surface, causing it to chip or wear off faster.
Inconsistent Coverage: Primer helps create a uniform surface that makes your paint go on more evenly and gives it a true color.
Covering Stains: It’s essential for blocking out stains, marks, or previous colors that could affect the finish.

What You Should Do:
Always apply a quality primer, especially if you're painting over a darker color or dealing with stains. This will make the final coat look professional and long-lasting.

3. Don’t Paint Over Damaged Walls

It can be tempting to paint over a crack or hole in the wall to save time, but this is a mistake. Here's why:

Worsened Damage: Painting over imperfections won’t solve the underlying issue. Cracks or holes may expand, leading to bigger problems.
Bumpy Finish: If the wall isn’t smooth, the paint will highlight every imperfection, leaving you with an uneven, unattractive surface.

What You Should Do:
Repair any holes or cracks before painting. Fill in small holes with spackling or putty, and for larger cracks, use joint compound. Sand the area smooth once the repair is dry.

4. Don’t Skip Taping or Masking

It’s easy to think you can paint around edges and trim without any masking, but this can lead to sloppy work. Here's why taping is necessary:

Paint on Trim or Baseboards: Without proper masking, you could end up painting over areas you don’t want to, like windows, doors, or baseboards.
Messy Edges: Without a tape line, your edges might end up jagged or uneven.

What You Should Do:
Take the time to mask off areas that shouldn’t be painted. Use painter's tape to carefully cover trim, windows, and fixtures to get clean, straight lines.

5. Don’t Paint in Poor Lighting Conditions

Bad lighting can cause you to miss areas and uneven coverage. You might not realize it until the paint dries and you're left with patches.

Inconsistent Finish: You might not see spots where the paint hasn’t been applied evenly, or you could accidentally miss an area entirely.
Color Mismatch: Lighting can affect how the paint looks on your walls. What looks good in low light might look completely different in bright daylight.

What You Should Do:
Make sure you have good lighting in the room while painting. If possible, paint during daylight hours or use bright, focused light to highlight areas as you go.

6. Don’t Ignore the Weather Conditions

Painting indoors isn’t as affected by weather as outdoor painting, but temperature and humidity still play a role in the success of your project.

Long Drying Time: High humidity or very low temperatures can extend drying time, causing dust and debris to settle on the wet surface, ruining your finish.
Paint Doesn’t Adhere Properly: Too high or too low temperatures can prevent the paint from adhering correctly to the wall, leading to uneven results.

What You Should Do:
Ensure the room temperature is between 50°F (10°C) and 85°F (29°C). Low humidity helps paint dry quicker, while high humidity can delay drying time and cause poor adhesion.

7. Don’t Forget to Protect Your Floors and Furniture

Before you start painting, the last thing you want is to ruin your floors or furniture with paint splatters.

Stains on Carpets or Furniture: It’s easy to spill or splatter paint, and without proper protection, your furniture or floors will be permanently stained.
Sticky Residue: Paint can easily drip, leaving sticky marks that are hard to clean off once dried.

What You Should Do:
Cover your floors with drop cloths or plastic sheeting, and move or cover your furniture with tarps or old sheets. This will protect your belongings and make clean-up a lot easier.

8. Don’t Rush the Process

It's tempting to hurry through the job, especially if you're excited to see the results, but rushing can cause mistakes. Here's why:

Messy Application: When you rush, you might apply the paint too thick or too thin, resulting in an uneven finish.
Missed Details: In your rush, you might miss critical steps like sanding between coats or checking for blemishes before you paint.

What You Should Do:
Take your time with every step, especially the preparation and drying process. It’s better to spend a little extra time on the prep work than to deal with problems later.

Conclusion:

Preparing to paint your interior walls is an important step to ensuring a professional-looking and long-lasting result. Avoid the common mistakes mentioned above, and you’ll have a beautiful, fresh space in no time. Remember, the better your prep work, the better your paint job will turn out.

If you need help or advice about preparing your walls or painting, feel free to reach out to our team at Properties Unlimited Group We’re here to help make your painting project a success!

FAQs

Can I skip priming before painting my walls?
It’s highly recommended to apply primer, especially if you’re painting over a darker color or repairing stains. Primer ensures the paint adheres better and gives you a smooth, even finish.
How do I clean the walls before painting?
Use a mild soap solution or a cleaning product designed for walls to remove dust, grease, and stains. For tough spots, try using a degreaser.
Can I paint over cracks in the wall?
It’s best not to paint over cracks. Make sure to fill them with spackling or joint compound before applying paint for a smooth finish.
What type of tape should I use for masking edges?
Use painter’s tape, which is designed for clean, sharp edges and is easy to remove without damaging the surface.
How long should I wait before applying a second coat?
Wait until the first coat is completely dry before applying a second one. Drying times depend on the paint type, but generally, it’s around 4-6 hours.
Is it okay to paint when the room is too hot or too cold?
Avoid painting in temperatures below 50°F (10°C) or above 85°F (29°C), as this can affect how the paint adheres and dries.