Recently our family decide to take on the arduous task of repainting our entire house ready for sale. Although we won’t be looking to sell until we find my parent’s dream acreage, now seemed like the perfect time of year to get this project out of the way.
At this stage we have agreed upon a colour, which took a fair few samples to agree upon.
As yet we need to make the next step...like most families with full-time work and other responsibilities it’s seems like this task has been left in the ‘too-hard’ basket until now. So to help my your family and mine get a plan into action, I did some research and here are some tips I have for tackling the task of repainting your home:
1. Keep your paint tray clean
To make the clean up that much easier line your paint tray with a plastic bag or aluminium foil. When the job’s done, simply wrap up the dry paint and dispose of the bag. Replace the bag with a clean plastic bag and keep painting. Simple and tidy!
2. Combine paint and primer
If you are painting onto bare walls, you can reduce the number of coats required by using a paint- and- primer. Not only will this save you time and give you better coverage in one coat, but most brands are now fade and stain resistant and easy to clean. You’ll find that most paint brands have paint and primer combinations available at your local hardware store.
3. Buy the right paint
This may seem like a no-brainer however there is a lot to consider when choosing paint- undercoats, overcoats, primer, interiors, exteriors etc. To help you get it right Masters has come up with this handy paint guide.
4. Cut in carefully
Cutting in is the delicate process of painting along the edges of trim, skirting boards and mouldings, when the area you are painting is too cramped or odd-shaped for a roller. To cut in like a pro, use a small container of paint to avoid overloading your paint brush, hold your brush head like a pencil to give extra control, and invest in a high quality, stiff angled brush. Take you time and don’t rush for a premium result!
5. Roll like a pro
For a professional result it is important to take the time to de-fluff your roller before evenly coating the roller in paint. When rolling start off in a ‘W’ motion then move the paint up and down the wall to ensure an even distribution of paint. Avoid overloading your roller to avoid messy drips and an amateur finish.
6. Use an extension pole
Using an extension pole will give you greater control and ease-of-use when painting to reach ceilings and higher walls without the need for a ladder and unnecessary back pain!
7. Know your paint colours
This tip also seems quite obvious but it can often be overlooked in the excitement of painting your house. It is important to make a record of the paint colours you use in each room in case you need to repaint. Create a ‘general home maintenance ‘ folder in your filing system to store this kind of information.
8. Sand woodwork for a smoother finish
If your painting project involves painting over woodwork including cladding, stair bannisters or timber- lined walls- lightly sand in between each coat of paint to achieve a super-smooth finish. Make sure that any dust from sanding is wiped away before applying your next coat of paint.
9. Use a bowl of vinegar
Put down the panadol packet and get out the white vinegar. To get rid of the nauseous smell of paint fumes known to induce migraines once you’ve finished painting for the day, leave a bowl of vinegar in your newly painted room to soak up the smell.
10. Cover rollers when you take a break
If it’s time for a well deserved coffee break make sure to cover your rollers in glad wrap and put them in the fridge before you boil the kettle. This will ensure that your rollers don’t dry out- less cleaning and less mess!
For a comprehensive booklet of tips that will help you prepare your home ready for sale contact Shelby via shelby.cockburn@prudential.com.au for your free copy of the booklet ‘73 Quick & Easy Fix Ups’.
