The space where a wall meets the ceiling is hard to reach with a paintbrush.One basic painting technique makes it easy to keep paint off the ceiling.To protect the ceiling, apply painter's tape and wash the walls.The brush should be used to coat the area below the tape.You can complete the room with a clean finish if you do this before painting the rest of the wall space.
Step 1: Take everything out of the room that is in your way.
The artwork and mirrors have to go.There are curtains that could get in your way.It is advisable to move furniture out of the room so it is not in your way while you are painting.It is a good idea to slide it away from where you are painting.It's a good idea to note anything on the ground.It could be when you start painting the rest of the wall.
Step 2: Before doing electrical work, turn off the power.
If you want to shut off the room's electricity, use the circuit breaker in your home.Take the electrical components off the wall if you are sure they are safe to touch.Light fixture, outlet covers, and switches are included.A screwdriver is required to remove some of them.You can put painter's tape around an outlet cover if you can't remove it.The lowest level of your home is where the circuit breaker is located.You can find a labeled switch controlling power in the room you want to paint.
Step 3: The floor should be covered with a plastic tarp or cloth.
The risk of drips still remains even though you won't be working with a lot of paint at once.Keep the floor covered.If you want to prevent it from moving, spread the tarp or cloth flat on the floor or wall.You can find protective covers online and at most hardware stores, along with all the other supplies you need to paint the walls.
Step 4: Warm water and a sponge can be used to wipe the walls clean.
Grease-cutting liquid dish detergent can be used for stubborn stains on walls.The detergent should be put into 4 cups of warm water.The mixture can be used to scrub the wall.The paint can't adhere properly if there is debris on the wall.This can be a problem in a room that gets a lot of use.Adding a small amount of white vinegar to the mixture will make it soak into the stubborn stains for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Before painting the walls, dry them with a cloth.
If you want to prepare the wall for painting, you need to eliminate any water left on the walls.Make sure the wall is dry.It's possible that the paint will bubble and crack later.Before drying the wall, wipe it clean with a damp cloth.The easiest thing to do while preparing your painting supplies is to let the walls air dry.It can take up to 30 minutes to dry the walls.
Step 6: The ceiling should be covered with painter's tape.
If you want to protect the ceiling, Painter's tape is the best choice.Where it meets the wall is along the edge of the ceiling.Make sure the tape is on the ceiling.Press down on the tape to make sure it is flat against the ceiling.Try applying the tape in strips of 2 to 3 feet.It can be hard to work with anything longer than that.There are pockets of air underneath the tape.Make sure the tape is flat and smooth.
Step 7: Open nearby windows if you have a dust mask on.
It's a good idea to protect yourself against paint fumes.Leave the windows and doors open if you don't have fans in the room.Don't let other people in the area until you're done.Gloves are useful for avoiding messes, but you don't really need them while painting.
Step 8: The primer should be poured into a small bowl.
Since they are bulky and difficult to maneuver up a latter, using a standard painter's tray will make the task more difficult.If you don't have a suitable bowl, you could use a plastic bucket with a handle.You should fill it with primer that is compatible with the type of paint you plan on using.Water-based latex is used in most indoor paints.Make sure you get a compatible primer if you are using oil-based paints.If you can reach the ceiling without climbing, you could put the paint in a tray or leave it in the canister.
Step 9: The brush should be dipped into the primer.
Start with a brush that is about 2 to 4 in.The primer should be put into it so the bottom of the bristles are covered.The shape of the brush allows you to move across the wall without getting paint on the ceiling.Don't add too much primer to the wall at once.Before using the brush, shake it out.You can put it on the sides of the bowl.If it looks like it is overloading, you should brush some of the paint off the bowl.You could use a small roller.It can allow you to work at a faster rate if you are careful.
Step 10: The paintbrush can be pressed against the wall.
If you need help reaching the ceiling, put a stepladder in one corner.To arrange the bristles on the wall, position the brush so the handle points at you.The primer-covered bristles are not touching the ceiling if you press it down gently.The painter's tape should not be touched by the bristles.Make sure the primer doesn't splash onto the ceiling by taking your time.
Step 11: Put the brush around the edges of the room.
Professionals use this process to apply primer to tight areas.As you drag the bristles from one corner to the other, hold the brush still.As the brush dries out, reload it with more paint.Go back over the surface to fill in any gaps.There are areas that look different.The brush can be used to reverse direction.The finish won't be affected by it.The primer dries out quickly.It's a good idea to paint the walls one at a time.
Step 12: The prime is from the top of the wall.
When you finish the walls, the additional space will give you some breathing room.The brush should be reloaded and dragged across the walls.If you prefer, you can hold the brush with the bristles aligned vertically.You don't have to get close to the ceiling later if you fill in this extra space.It helps to use bigger tools, like rollers, that aren't as accurate as small brushes.
Step 13: The other corners of the room should beprimed with the brush.
The corners are hard to reach and should be primed with a small brush.The primer should be applied on the corners where the walls meet.The bristles should be parallel to the floor or baseboards when you reach the bottom of the wall.A strip of color is needed to fill in the area.If you don't want to paint baseboards, place painter's tape over them.If you want to paint all of the walls the same color, you won't need to separate them with tape.
Step 14: Use a roller to finish the room.
A big paint roller on an extension handle is the easiest way to finish primer.You need to coat the roller in a consistent amount of primer and then start near the ceiling.To finish coating the wall, drag the roller from the top to the bottom.Don't drag the roller all the way to the ceiling.If you stop at the stripe, you will not end up with paint where you don't want it.
Step 15: Wait up to 3 hours for the primer to dry.
Check the manufacturer's recommendations for a more specific estimate of how long it will take for the primer to dry.Before painting over it, make sure it is dry.The weather makes primer and paint dry at a slower rate.
Step 16: Put the paint in a small bowl.
latex paint is easy to clean and is water resistant.The paint can be used straight out of the canister.To fill in the space near the ceiling, start with a small bowl or bucket that is easy to carry up a ladder.latex paint tends to dry quickly.Keep the canister closed when you don't use the paint.Paint bowls and trays should be covered with a damp rag.If the walls are clean and well-coated in primer, oil-based paints don't need special preparation.
Step 17: You can paint around the edges of the wall with a brush.
The same process you used for the primer can be used to apply the paint.Between the ceiling and the walls is where to start.Go down the corners between the walls and finish near the floor.You should create a 2 in stripe around each edge so that you don't have any trouble operating the roller.
Step 18: Paint the rest of the wall with a roller.
You need to coat a roller with paint and paint each wall from top to bottom.One at a time, work on the walls.If the paint ends up on the ceiling, make sure you don't paint past the 2 in stripes you made around the edges.Roll over it again at a steady pace.The initial layer doesn't have to be perfect, but it should look consistent.
Step 19: Wait about 4 hours for the paint to dry.
Depending on the product you are using, the drying time will vary.latex-based house paints dry out at a reasonable rate.After the paint dries, you can check the finish and apply a second coat to make it more consistent.A second coat of paint is required for most paint jobs.There is no need to redo the edges around the ceiling again.Give this second coating time to dry out.The rate at which oil-paints dry out is slower.They usually take as long as 24 hours to finish.
Step 20: Once the walls are dry, remove the painter's tape.
Pick at the edge of the tape.You should be able to lift it with your hands.It doesn't leave any stains on the wall after that.To see the new finish, peel off all the tape.The paint could ruin your attempts to keep it off the ceiling if you remove the tape too early.Painter's tape doesn't leave a mark, but you can always clean it up with water.Before doing this, make sure the paint is dry and waterproof.