One of the most affordable and effective methods to refresh your house is to paint the interior. While it may seem like a straightforward task, achieving a professional-looking paint job doesn’t just require the right tools but also the right techniques. Even though it is advised to seek professional help for expert handling of interior wall painting jobs, many homeowners decide to do it. To make sure that you, too, have a smooth residential interior painting experience, Miam Painting experts have compiled the best tips for custom interior painting.

Setting The Stage For A Perfect Interior Painting Job Through Surface Prep:

If you’re interested in executing a high-quality interior painting finish, you need to comprehend the importance of good surface prep because it is the key to a flawless finish. Whether you’re getting ready for living room painting or you want to revamp your bedroom, good surface prep will always get you the best results. 

Here are some tips for proper surface prep before you start any interior painting project: 

1. Time to Clean: 

For high-touch areas like the kitchen, rinse your walls well with a degreaser or soap to remove oils that can result in peeling or discoloration. But for other walls, you can remove dust and debris with a dry lint-free rag. Lastly, sand glossy areas after your walls are completely dry for perfect adhesion.

2. Perfecting the Imperfections: 

Patch up any dents, holes, or dings by using ready-mix spackles for walls and wood fillers for trims. Fill the gaps by cutting a caulk tube close to the tip and running a small bead while pressing down and pulling the caulk gun toward you as you go. Lastly, smooth it out by running a wet finger on it.

Pro tip:You can get messy joints if you cut the tip of the caulk tube too big. Always start small near the end of the tip and adjust as per requirement so that you don’t over-caulk the gaps.

3. No More Sloppy Paint with Tape:

Use blue painter’ tape to mask all the trim around which you’re painting as a safety measure. But don’t sloppily paint onto the tape just because you’ve masked the area. You should still try to make neat cuts. Also, cover all the floors and furniture with drop cloths. If you’re using a roller, run a 2-inch strip of tape along the top of the baseboards to safeguard them from roller splatter.

4. The Right Finish for Your Walls: 

You can use a matte and flat finish to hide wall imperfections for walls in a not-so-good condition, because a sheen finish could end up making every patch stand out. While many prefer satin, you should always choose a finish that works for your walls. Further, it is advised to use a higher level sheen for window and door casings as well as wood trim. 

Choosing A Primer That Professionals Trust

If you’re recoating the trims and walls in good condition, a primer isn’t necessary. But with fresh plaster and new drywall, you need a primer to seal the surface. Use a good primer if you are coating a slick or porous surface or painting a light color over a dark one. 

Let’s analyze some expert-recommended finishes for different surfaces: 

Surface	Finish
Walls	100% latex formula and a tinted primer
Bare wood trim	Oil-based primer
Painted wood trim	Water-based latex primer for previously painted latex trim, or oil-based primer if you’re unsure about paint type
Clear-coated wood trim	Shellac primer
MDF	Shellac- or oil-based primer
Masonry	Water-based latex primer
Metal	Oil-based primer on ferrous metals and water-based primer on nonferrous metals
Plastic	Bonding primer

Perfect Interior Painting Starts With the Right Can:

If you’ve been looking up ‘interior paint colors’ or ‘ best color for bedroom painting services,’ you must be aware by now that not all paints are the same and choosing high-quality interior paints can save you from multiple coats and also increase the durability of your surface, not to mention their perfect finish.

Here’s what you need to know while choosing paint for your next interior painting project:

1. The Battle of Quality and Budget:

While it may seem like cheaper paints are cost-effective. They are not. There are several reasons why investing in a high-quality paint that costs more is a good decision. Premium paints have better coverage, protect against mold, are stain-resistant, are easy to apply, and are much more long-lasting than low-quality paints. 

2. Eco-friendly Interior Painting is also Possible:

Traditional latex paints tend to release a large amount of VOCs for years after their application. This makes low-VOC or zero-VOC paints much better for healthier indoor air quality. Using these eco-friendly options is much harder, and getting a good finish with them is tough too, but their environmental benefits are still greater. 

3. Let Color Psychology Make the Choice:

If you’re considering getting an interior wall color consultation or thinking about good color choices for interior painting ideas, you can use color psychology principles to help you out. According to color psychology, different colors have different influences on our moods. For example, yellow signals energy, whereas blue means calmness. That is why yellow is commonly recommended for kitchens and blue for bedrooms. 

How to Master Your Strokes for Flawless Interior Painting:

Last but not least, you must know about the expert techniques recommended by professionals for flawless strokes before you start your next interior painting project. These will help you guarantee a lap line-free, professional finish. 

Some pro tips to prevent skippers, uneven coverage, and roller marks are: 

• Firstly, paint your ceilings, then the walls, and lastly, the doors/trim. For this, cut in with a brush for sharp edges and finish with a 9-inch roller. 
• Before using the main roller, use a mini-roller to blend outward for a smooth transition after you’ve brushed the tight edges. 
• Remember to start in a corner and methodically move around the space. This will help prevent lap marks.
• Use the N-technique and apply paint in N shapes before cross-rolling sideways, and finally finish up with vertical strokes for smooth and even coverage. 
• Each section should end with a downward stroke, as it will help you unify the roller stipple and minimize visible seams.
• Experts advise on keeping a wet edge as it assures streak-free and professional outcomes. 

Conclusion:

From choosing the right paint tools to picking the perfect finish for your house’s walls, interior painting involves a lot of complications and technicalities. Navigating through all these details can be very hard for a beginner, which is why our expert tips and tricks are the perfect answer to all your interior painting confusions. 

FAQs:

What is the interior house painting estimate in the US?

The average cost estimate is $1-$3.

How do I find cheap interior painting contractors in my area?

Search ‘best interior painters near me that are affordable’ or ask around for recommendations on affordable interior painters.

What are the best conditions for interior painting?

Around 50 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

What are the properties of good paint?

It should be durable, have good coverage, and be easy to clean.

How do I choose interior paint?

The best way is to test a paint sample in multiple spots in your room to find the perfect fit.