8 Interior Painting Mistakes to avoid

by | Sep 9, 2022 | Commercial Painting, Residential Painting

8 Interior Painting Mistakes You Will Definitely Avoid by Hiring A Professional Painter and Decorator

Painting the interiors of your home appears like a simple enough task, so we often take it for granted and make mistakes that may turn a room from stylish to messy with the simple motion of a roller. To be honest, painting a space requires a delicate blend of talent, experience, tenacity, and attention to detail, which you will only get when using a professional house painter.

In this post, we talk about common painting and decorating mistakes that are committed by both amateurs and professionals.

#1 Not properly preparing the surface for paint

painting mistakes

Several homeowners believe that a fresh coat of paint would cover up a dirty wall. However, failing to clean your walls can result in a poor paint job. It’s important to note that the quality and longevity of your paintwork will largely depend on how well your surface has been prepared.

Any type of wall surface imperfection, including pre-existing dirt, grease, scratches, cracks, bubbles, mould, mildew or holes, can result in flaws like uneven paint spots and paint that chips and peels off easily. Although most people understand why a primer is necessary, the real value of the undercoat is often missed in that the overall finish and longevity of the job are ensured.

We at Bannon Decor are sticklers for this and always ensure a clean surface before any work begins!

#2 Neglecting the use of painter’s tape

painting mistakes to avoid

Painter’s tape is the best protective material for decorating because it can decrease time spent on the job, ensure sharp edges, and leave a tidy, professional line between surfaces. It also protects previous work completed.

Painters tape, for instance, comes in handy if you wish to paint only specific portions of a surface with decorative accents. Additionally, painter’s tape shields the room’s edges, light switches, and door and window frames.

You may say goodbye to splotchy outcomes and hello to a smooth, polished finish by using painter’s tape. At Bannon Decor, we always use painter’s tape to protect our clients’ accessories and to ensure a professional finish.

#3 Skipping the primer

professional painting company

Many DIY painters/homeowners tend to skip applying primer and will start immediately spreading paint in an attempt to save time and get on with the job, not realizing how important primer is.

The secret to a long-lasting and smooth finish is not about if you use the best paint brand, but it’s applying primer to your walls after it’s cleaned and the painter’s tape is applied. Primer also helps in bringing out the actual colour you’ve selected by sealing the paint to the surface and helping the pigment better stick to your walls.

#4 Wrong Paint Finish or Sheen

Now that we have covered the common mistakes during preparation, we can move on to the actual paint mistakes. When choosing paint, there are other factors you need to consider besides colour. The other important factor is the sheen.

The sheen in colours determines the glossiness of the applied interior paint once it’s dry. You risk generating an entirely unanticipated look and feel by choosing the incorrect sheen for your interior wall.

There are several finishes to think about, including flat, matte, semi-gloss, and gloss, to mention a few.

While the sheen level is a matter of personal preference, certain finishes work better than others on particular walls. For example, ceiling surfaces are not often as smooth or perfectly finished as interior walls, which makes painting the ceiling a little more difficult. On these surfaces, using flat or matte paint can help hide these flaws.

On the other side, the glossier shine reflects light and highlights surface flaws. To get a balanced look, it is, therefore, preferable to use a satin or matt paint on wall surfaces.

Additionally, it will shield the surface against moisture penetration that can promote the formation of mould and mildew. Also a handy finish for areas that need regular cleaning, like kitchens and bathrooms or children’s playrooms.

#5 Not testing the paint colour or colour combinations for your room

Another common mistake homeowners do is not testing the paint colours beforehand. It could be tempting to buy a tin of paint and call it a day when selecting the proper paint colour. But, to ensure that you get the best match for your surface, test pots and paint samples were created. Take advantage of the resources you have at your disposal and start testing, because the paint in the tin rarely looks the same once it’s on your walls.

Using a colour palette or getting professional advice from either your interior painter or decorator can be the difference between a carefully colour co-ordinated room or something awful. There is a science to combining colours for maximum effect.

#6 Painting in unsuitable conditions

Some homeowners don’t consider the condition of their walls or room while painting. When painting your interior, you won’t need to watch out for rain, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any other conditions you should avoid.

These include insufficient ventilation, high humidity, cold temperatures, and even chemical contamination from surface preparation agents. It is difficult for the paint to adhere and cure evenly under these circumstances, as it is exposed to a significant amount of moisture or chemicals, which eventually causes cracking and flaking.

For example, if there is an underlying damp condition which may not be so visible in dry conditions, but will later ruin your new coat of paint with bubbling.

#7 Adding a second coat before the first one dries out

We all agree that no one likes watching paint dry, but rushing to apply a second coat before the first one dries out can cause more harm to the paint than benefit it. This can lead to paint peeling, visible streaks, and uneven colouring. We recommend you wait for 2-4 hours before the second coat is added.

#8 Overbrushing

The common mistake of brushing over the same area even after the paint has begun to dry is usually brought on by untrained hands. Using a brush carelessly or flooding it with paint will leave obvious ridges and marks on your surface. For the smoothest possible finish when you’re painting woodwork, doors or cabinets, avoid too much brushwork. Load the brush and quickly cover an area with paint. With the use of good tools, a lot of mistakes will be eliminated, which is another good reason to let the professionals handle the job for you.

For the best results for your next interior painting job, we advise that you seek out the help of experienced, affordable, and professional painters and decorators in Laois. By doing so, you can be relieved of stress doing DIY work and avoid the common mistakes discussed above. With over 30 years of experience in this field, our works are clean and efficient, and we deliver only the best results you expect from us. Contact us at 087 6773512 or ask for a free quote anytime!