Thoroughly preparing and washing the walls before painting is one of the most ignored recommendations for painting projects. Even the most thorough and careful avid DIYers are tempted to do away with the wall preparation, especially when it looks clean. What many do-it-yourselfers do is add paint right away.

The results of skipping this step may not be evident right away. In many cases, the paint may last for years, but for some, they see the consequences right away.

Wall Preparation

Major paint companies suggest cleaning the walls before the application of paint. This may include basic wiping or scrubbing using cleaning solutions.

Wipe the walls if it is filled with dirt and dust. Get rid of wax stains, grease, or oil using a sponge dipped in a solution of water and mild detergent. After that, you should rinse the wall using clean water and let it dry.

Kitchen walls, which may have been exposed to oil or grime, should be washed with a solution that can remove grease. Once done, clean the wall using water to remove any residual cleaning agent. Then, wipe the walls using a damp cloth.

Will professional painters wash your walls?

Most professional painters don’t wash walls. Why? Because it’s not part of their job description. Their job is to paint the walls. But did you know that if you, as a homeowner, do this, you can significantly cut the time needed to paint the wall? And less time painting means less money spent to pay for their services.

You have the option to take the DIY route when cleaning the walls. However, If you can’t do this yourself, you can always hire a home cleaner to get this job done for you.

When can you skip washing the walls?

Here’s a list of instances when you can skip washing the walls before you paint.

• The walls have minimal dust.
• The walls have no grease or crayon stains.
• The house doesn’t have a wood-burning fireplace.
• There are no pets inside the house.
• No bathing or cooking takes place in the room you plan to repaint.
• You plan to pain vertical surfaces only.
  
  

When can you wash the walls with soap and water?

As previously mentioned, most major paint manufacturers recommend that you clean the wall using mild detergent and water before proceeding with the paint job. Even though modern paints are designed to adhere well to the surface, they will do so if the wall is smooth and clean.

The first thing you need to do is get rid of cobwebs and dust bunnies. You should use a detergent and water to clean visibly dirty and dusty walls. Then, the trim and baseboards should be cleaned with a lightly moist cloth. Next, vacuum any areas near the walls.

Mix warm water and mild detergent in a bucket. Start wiping down the wall using a damp sponge dipped in the cleaning solution. After washing, rinse the walls carefully using clean water and a damp sponge.

You should clean the walls with trisodium phosphate if it’s filled with oils and grease. TSP is also ideal for lightly etching the surface as preparation for applying a high gloss paint finish.

• When can you wash the walls without using a detergent?
• If the walls need some washing, there are some instances when it doesn’t need activating washing using detergent.
• If adults use the primary bedroom
• If the room is used as a home office
• If the family room doesn’t have a wood-burning fireplace
• If the powder room is used only for handwashing and toilet activities.
• If the living room was recently repainted or didn’t get a lot of activity
• If the dining room is used for dining only, not for cooking.
  
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Painting the exterior of your home will beautify and increase the house's value. Also, repainting will prolong the structure as it will protect it from wear and damage that will affect the exterior properties of the house over time. Therefore, homeowners should invest in painting the exterior of their homes, and they should consider top agencies to ensure quality works that will protect their structures.

As one of the top agencies in the industry, APA Painters and Decorators are not only providing painting services but consultation on the best materials and how to get the best exterior paintings. You do not want to waste funds on painting your exterior without getting the desirable results, and that is why we are providing you with tips that work.

Wash dirt off your wall

Before you paint the exterior, you should get rid of dirt and dust, which would have accumulated over time. It would be best if you understood that the exterior is the most exposed place of the house to external factors, and they get all the beatings from rain, dust, sun and other weather factors. Thus, over time, the paints wear off, and before repainting to increase the value of the home and protect your wall, it is only right your pressure wash the wall using a pressure washer. After the pressure wash, leave the wall for some time to dry off before you start painting to get clean work and prevent dust from ruining your work.

Fix up damaged surfaces before you paint

Go to the entire perimeter of the external wall, check for damaged surfaces, and fix them up. You have to fill them for cracked walls, and for broken wood or glass, you will have to replace them. Painting over a damaged surface will mar your work and expose the wall to a greater risk of damage, and these damages will likely expand and widen. Get them fixed and paint to protect the entirety of the wall and improve the value of your home

Remove loose paints from the wall

Painting is a skill, and ensuring neat work goes beyond using the right colours but managing the wall appropriately, especially for repainting work. Losing paints on the wall ruin the quality of jobs when you paint over them. Also, painting over loose paintings will make the walls vulnerable to cracks, exposing the previous paints and defacing the walls. You do not want your walls to have different shades of your preferred colours, so you should check for and remove loose paintings before you repaint your walls. Go round the exterior walls and remove loose paintings with a paint scraper of medium grits sanding block

Protect doors, windows and light from paint stains

At APA Painters and Decorators, we ensure that all external items are covered with plastic bags to prevent paint slips from staining them. It is better to avoid these items from paint stains than clean them up. Wrapping these items will also reduce the workload of cleaning them up after painting.

Determine the suitable exterior paints

It would be best if you understood that there are different paints; while some may be suitable for exterior painting jobs because they can withstand external conditions, other paints will wear off quickly. Also, exterior colours dry up faster and can prevent the buildup of moulds on the walls. This is where you will need the services of professionals for consultation, as the painting of your external wall goes beyond your best colours but getting a suitable exterior paint.

Mind the weather when painting

The weather is another factor to consider when you want to paint your exterior wall. It is usually best to do the painting during the summer or on a day when the sun is at its highest. This period will ensure quick drying of the walls and avoid circumstances when the rain will ruin the work, a colossal waste. And the sun will help the pigment of the paint settle in as the solvent evaporates faster, leaving behind a solid job.

At APA Painters and Decorators, we have experienced professionals to ensure you get the best services. For proper management, always consider repainting the exterior after a period to protect and prolong the span of your house.

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Painting is a form of art. In fact, to some people, painting is life. People paint for different reasons; it could be the professional painters who paint for a fee, or it could just be that regular guy or lady that just loves to paint. Whatever the reason for painting, one has to be sure they preserve the painting tools. Painting tools are not usually so cheap, and even high-quality tools are difficult to come by. So if you have the right painting tools, it would do you a whole lot of good to prolong the life of these tools, so you do not have to get another set too soon while you enjoy the benefits and advantages of quality painting tools.

To get the best out of your painting job, you need to use top quality tools. With the right type of care, one can be sure that the rollers, brushes, and other painting supplies are ready for use the next time.

When we talk about quality painting, few people do it better than APA Painters and Decorators. As professional painters, it is their job to make sure that your interior and exterior painting needs and decorations are met. So as professionals, we will be discussing some ways we have been able to preserve our painting tools to give you the best quality of service over time. Some of these great tips are;

Ensure that the brushes and roller frames are preserved: Many painters are of the impression that the rollers and brushes covers are the only things to be cleaned after painting. That is not true, as the frames need to be cleaned as well. As soon as you are done painting, remove the roller or brush cover from its frame to prevent it from sticking and then clean thoroughly. This is easy if your tools are of higher quality. APA Painters and Decorators use products of top quality, one reason to contact them.

Make use of tray liners: Instead of buying new trays for your paint rollers, you can always buy a good number of plastic tray liners to help you carry out your painting effectively.

Clean your brushes and rollers the right way: If you do this right, your brushes and rollers will last a few more years. Upon finishing a painting job, remove as much paint as possible and then use a rag to wipe out what is left. Soak the rag with the right solvent (in this case, water for latex or paint thinner for alkyd) and wipe its bristles thoroughly again. Then, rinse the brush in water and wipe again.

Try to always soften stiff brushes and rollers: Even after washing and drying paintbrushes, they may still become stiff being dried. Soaking it in a solution of hair conditioner and warm water will do the trick. You wouldn't want your paintbrush stiff when you want to use it, would you?

Keep the stir sticks properly: It is improper and hazardous to not have one stir stick in hand when you want to use it. To avoid this, simply wipe the stir sticks after using them. The dried film of oil paint remaining on the stick won't affect the next stir.

Freeze rollers after proper wrapping: It is possible to clean a paint roller after use, even if it may be a little demanding. However, if you plan to use the same colour to continue your painting shortly, you might want to reuse the roller without cleaning. Simply squeeze the excess paint into its can, wrap the roller in aluminium or plastic foil, and store it in a freezer. This will make the roller useful for many days. It works perfectly for rollers or brushes used with latex or oil paints.

Store your brushes in their jackets: Buying quality tools like paintbrushes means it comes in a cardboard jacket. Upon its first use, try not to throw away the jacket as it may prove useful in preserving and storing the brush. If the paintbrush has become hardened with oil-based paint, wash it with vinegar and rinse with water, then sun-dry.

Conclusion.

There you have it; tips to prolong the life of your room painting tools. If you require professional painting and decoration, you can always contact APA Painters and Decorators. You will be glad you did.

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