10 Common Mistakes on Room-Painting Projects
1. Not Doing Prep Work
A little prep work can save you a lot of hassle and cleanup in the end. To avoid drips and splatters, cover the floors and furniture with drop cloths. Wrap door knobs with plastic and tape around the edges of trim. Remove outlet and switch covers. Be sure to turn off the power at the breaker and use a noncontact tester to ensure it’s off. See our article on paint prepping for more tips.
2. Not Using Painters Tape
Taping ensures that you’ll have clean edges and a polished finish. Make sure that you seal the tape tightly around baseboards and windows to prevent the paint from bleeding underneath. Remove the tape before the paint dries completely. If you wait, the dried paint might peel off with the tape.
3. Not Cleaning the Walls
Have you ever finished painting and noticed dust particles or hair stuck to the walls? Or have you found areas that look rippled? You can prevent this from happening by cleaning the walls before you start painting. First, run a vacuum brush attachment or a duster over the walls. Then, mix 1 gallon of warm water with 2 cups of vinegar and wash the walls with a cleaning cloth. Remember the corners and baseboards.
4. Not Buying Enough Paint
You’ve just finished painting the third wall and are on the home stretch, but the paint can is practically empty. No one wants to run to the store in the middle of a project while covered in paint. To prevent this, take measurements and estimate correctly. A gallon of paint typically covers 400 square feet. Be sure to add a bit extra to your estimate for future touch-ups. Use our Paint Calculator to estimate how much paint and primer you’ll need for your do-it-yourself (DIY) paint project.
It’s also a good idea to get all the paint on your first trip because the color can differ slightly if it’s mixed at different times.
5. Using the Wrong Paint Brush
Use the right brush for your project. With latex paint, you’ll need a brush with synthetic (nylon/polyester) bristles. For oil-based paint, use a natural-bristle brush. Check out our guide to buying painting tools to help you choose the correct brush.
6. Ignoring the Weather
If you’re doing an exterior paint project, make sure you check the humidity levels before you get started. High humidity can slow down the drying time for water-based paints. If it’s going to be really humid, consider waiting a day or two.
7. Using the Wrong Paint
You’re ready to paint over an existing job. You need to know what you’re working with. Has the surface been treated with an oil-based formula? If you try to apply latex paint over it, the paint will crack and peel. If this is the case, sand down the oil-based formula before applying your new paint. If you’re unsure, see our video on oil versus latex paint, or you can take a sample of the paint to your local Lowe’s and ask an associate at the Paint Desk.
8. Skipping Primer
Don’t skip the primer. Primer provides a good surface for the paint to adhere to, creating a beautiful finish. It’ll also help to bring out the actual color you’ve selected. And now that paint and primer are combined into one can, there’s really no excuse for skipping this step. View our primer guide for more details.
Paint-and-primer-in-one works best on surfaces that have already been painted. If you’re working with brand-new drywall or wood, use a traditional primer and then paint over it.
9. Dunking Your Brush
Don’t dunk your paint brush completely into the can. Just dip the brush in a third of the way. You’ll avoid dripping and wasting a lot of paint.
10. Not Waiting to Apply the Second Coat
If you paint your second coat too quickly, it could result in peeling paint or visible brushstrokes, ruining all of your hard work. Follow the instructions on your paint can regarding drying time between coats. If you’re unsure of drying times, wait 24 hours.
How Do I Fix Paint Tape Mistakes?
One common mistake is leaving the painters tape on too long before removing it, causing some paint to come off with it. You typically want to remove the tape about an hour after painting so that any overlapping paint doesn’t dry over it. Also, be sure the tape doesn’t touch the drying wall while you remove it.
For instances where the paint has completely dried, use a razor blade to cut away any remaining tape and raised paint. Once you remove all the tape, use a sanding block to lightly go over the area until it’s smooth. Clean off the dust with a damp cloth and then paint over the areas that are missing paint. Learn more painting tips in our article on fixing DIY painting mistakes.
What Paint Tools Can I Use to Correct Mistakes?
Sandpaper and a paint scraper are both handy tools that can undo and fix painting mistakes on walls. Sandpaper with a very high grit number — or even a sanding sponge or block — can be used to remove brush marks, wrinkles and lint that transfers from a roller. Use a scraper to remove paint bubbles, drips and paint that splatters onto glass.
If latex or water-based paint ends up on a carpeted floor, it’s best to address the problem as soon as it occurs. Use a wet paper towel to blot any stains. Don’t rub the stain, as that’ll push it deeper into the carpet fibers. If the paint is still wet, you should be able to extract all the paint without needing additional cleaning products.
If the paint has dried into the carpet, you’ll need warm water and dish detergent to loosen the paint and remove it from the carpet fibers. A baking soda and rubbing alcohol solution is another alternative. Blot the stain with the solution until the paint loosens. Then follow up by scraping paint off the carpet fibers with a table knife. Once you’ve removed all the paint you can, vacuum over the area or try using a carpet cleaner. If a faded stain is still left over, you can try using nail polish remover or a silicone lubricant.
To remove oil-based paint, you’ll need to use acetone or turpentine. However, these can leave the carpet discolored, and the stains will be tough to remove — so prevention is key.
If you don’t have a carpet cleaner, you can rent one from Lowe’s.