Painting
How to Paint Interiors
Painting Ceilings and Walls
Simple techniques for a great paint job on your ceilings and walls.
Essential Tools and Materials for Painting Interiors
Here's everything you'll need to get it right the first time.
| Paint Trays and Liners | Cans and Jars |
| Latex brushes for water, natural for oil (alkyd) | 2-3" Brushes for Cutting In |
| 4-5" Brushes for Walls | 1" Brushes for Frames |
| Rollers and Roller Covers (various sizes) | Edge Pads |
| Extension Poles | Drop Cloths |
| Painter's Tape (narrow and wide) | Painting Hats |
| Buckets | Stir Sticks |
| Power Sprayer - optional |
Cutting In
"Cutting In" is a simple painting technique for achieving clean lines at the corners and edges. Work in 3' sections so you keep a wet edge when you fill in. Use an angled 2" trim brush to make a series of short strokes away from the edges where the walls or ceiling and wall meet.
TIP
Consider using a paint pad for "cutting in" around door and window frames. It's fast and delivers a reliably uniform edge. Keep the wheels very clean to prevent marking the wall. Important: work in 3' sections to keep a wet edge
Painting Ceilings
After each section is cut in, fill in. Use a roller on an extension pole to paint in one direction. Move quickly so as not to lose your wet edge.
Using a Roller on Walls
Load your roller (see above). Make certain your roller isn't overloaded.
Roll a 3' wide "W" on the wall.
Then without lifting your roller off the wall, fill in the W.
Work horizontally across the room moving from side to side.
Painting
Other Painting Links:
- Interior Painting Tips
- Using Brushes and Rollers
- Selecting Painting Tools to minimize Clean-Up and Waste
- Painting Ceilings and Walls
- Choosing a Paint Finish
- Selecting Paint to Minimize Waste
- Using Interior Wall Epoxy
- How Much Paint Do I Need?
- Storing Paint
- Disposing of Left-Over Paint
- Recycling
- Interior Decorative Painting Tips
- Brilliant Metals How-to Guide
- Brushed Pearl How-to Guide
- Brushed Suede How-to Guide
- Color Washing How-to Guide
- Crackle Effects How-to Guide
- Dragging, Linen Weave How-to Guide
- Granite How-to Guide
- Metals and Patinas How-to Guide
- Rag Rolling How-to Guide
- Sandstone How-to Guide
- Sponging How-to Guide
- Textured Stone How-to Guide
- Tuscan Accents How-to Guide
- Venetian Plaster How-to Guide
More information about proper surface preparation, and advanced techniques.
Interior paints
Valspar paint products are designed to provide beauty and durability.
Interior primers
Valspar primers will keep your interiors looking freshly painted.
Bath in Black
Kathleen finds metallics and black work in a small bath.