It takes more than paint and brushes to paint a room. Painting is a big job. Taking the necessary steps to prepare a room for new paint will extend the life and the beauty of the paint. The real secret to great looking paint jobs is surface preparation. None of the tasks involved in getting ready to paint is overwhelming. But each one can make the difference between a long-lasting paint job and one you'll have to redo long before you are ready. 

It is best to clear the room first. Remove the lamps, precious knick-knacks and as much of the furniture as possible. The remaining furniture should be pushed to the middle of the room. Remove anything that is attached to the walls. This includes framed artwork, window treatments, switch plates and outlet covers. Loosen the ceiling light fixtures and wrap them in plastic trash bags. Use caution when dealing with any wiring. Take down all window and door hardware. Finally, cover everything, including the floor, remaining furniture and radiators. Use canvas or heavy-gauge plastic drop cloths. 

Clean the surfaces to be painted. Paint will not adhere to grease that may have accumulated on the walls and the ceiling. This is especially true in the kitchen. If mildew is present (a problem in bathrooms that aren't well ventilated), it needs to be killed and then sealed with a primer made specifically for that purpose. If there are stains on the wall, talk to an expert at the home improvement store about the specific products available to seal the problem area. If you do not, the stain and/or mildew will quickly find its way to the surface of the new paint. 

Once the surface is cleaned, fill any nail holes, cracks and other imperfections with a patching compound. Scrape away loose paint from walls, windows, seals, door frames and woodwork. Sand the patches and any bare areas. If glossy paint was used on the woodwork or walls previously, use a de-glosser to knock down the shine. You can also sand the areas lightly with fine-grade sandpaper to remove visible brush marks, dried drips or uneven paint. Fill in gaps with calk, especially those along the baseboards and door trim.

Once you have prepared the surface, vacuum the room to remove paint flakes and any dust from sanding. Be sure to vacuum along the windowsills, all the trim and along the tops of the doors and window frames. When you have finished vacuuming, wipe the surfaces to be painted with a tack rag or a barely damp cloth. 

Prime bare wood, any patches and any marks or stains that are still visible. 

Use waxed paper or a layer of thin plastic, and tape it to the window glass to prevent splatters.

When all these chores are out of the way, you are ready to paint! Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and be sure the room is well ventilated. Once the painting is finished and dried, you will be pleased you took the time to prepare properly. The final outcome will be your reward for all the hard work and preparation you did!

Copyright 2005 PropertySource Network