Do you have a lot of free time coming up in the near future? You might be planning a DIY project, such as painting a room, but you may be worried about the total time commitment. Completing an interior paint job in a single day is entirely achievable, but it requires the right approach. In fact, the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one almost always comes down to planning! With that in mind, here are some tips that will help you work efficiently and finish within a single day.
Tip #1. Do All Your Prep the Night Before
One of the most common DIY painting mistakes homeowners make is underestimating preparation time. To stay on schedule, complete all prep work the evening before you plan to paint. This includes moving furniture to the center of the room and covering it with drop cloths. Also, remove outlet covers, switch plates, and any wall hardware. Don’t forget to wipe down and clean your walls, too, especially if there is any grease, residue, or staining present. You could even begin taping things off the night before, to save more time for the actual painting!
Tip #2. Don’t Skip a Trip to the Store for Supplies
Running to the hardware store mid-project—especially during a busy weekend day—is a sure way to lose hours and momentum. Before the day begins, confirm that you have everything on hand, including enough paint for two full coats, primer, the correct roller brush for your wall texture, an angled cutting brush, paint trays with liners, drop cloths, painter’s tape, and a sturdy ladder.
Tip #3. Use an Effective Painting Technique
Begin by cutting in, which means using an angled brush to paint a thin band along all edges, corners, and frames where a roller cannot reach cleanly. Cutting in first allows you to roll the open wall areas without stopping to maneuver carefully around edges. When rolling the main wall surfaces, work in smaller sections using a “W” or “M” pattern to distribute paint evenly, then smooth it out with vertical strokes.
Tip #4. Allow Time for Drying and Cleaning Up
Most interior paints are dry within one to two hours under normal indoor conditions. Opening windows and running a fan can help accelerate this process. You can use this time to allow the room to breathe fully before returning and beginning cleaning up. Remove painter’s tape while the second coat is still slightly wet; waiting until the paint has dried completely risks lifting the paint edge along with the tape, leading to uneven lines. Once the tape is off and the paint has had several hours to cure, hardware can be reattached, furniture returned to its original position, and you can throw away any remaining trash.
It might seem like a tall task, but painting a room can be a great way to spend your day and boost your home’s appeal. However, if you’d rather delegate the task to a team of pros, they can ensure a job well done—and well within your timeframe!
About Platinum Painting of Keller
Our team here at Platinum Painting has proudly served homeowners in Keller and all around the DFW metroplex for over 15 years, offering expert assistance with a wide variety of painting services for interior and exterior surfaces. If you want to paint a room or a few but are worried about the time commitment, let us handle it! If you have any questions or you’d like to set up a FREE in-home estimate, reach out online or by phone for more information. Telephone: (817) 380-4404.