Paint a room!

[LikeableMe]

Probably sounds simple to most - but I’m someone who tries to troubleshoot things before I ruin them!

I have never painted a room before, and I want to repaint the bathroom.

I have rollers and brushes of varying sizes, I have white spirit, which I heard somewhere is good for cleaning brushes off afterwards. I have dust sheets and masking tape for corners/light switches etc. I’ve prepared/cleaned all the walls with sugar soap.

Seems like I’m ready to go (other than the fact I haven’t chosen paint yet - hah!) but I’m scared of messing up. Someone told me to put masking tape near the ceiling, to get those corners right, but I can’t reach the tops of the walls above the bath tub and toilet, so I’ve bought an extending part for the rollers, but there’s no way I will be able to touch up or put masking tape up there.

Someone else told me to water the paint down - which then caused a debate with another person who said that would require more layers...

I’ve never done this before, and I only have myself to do it all, so any advice or experiences are very welcome!

Thank you in advance!

 

[ReadyOne]

Head off to youtube.com and search for "paint a room".

There will be tons of instructional videos to choose from.

You also need to identify the kind of paint your bought. Read the label about cleanup. If it says to use water, then it water based. If the label says spirits or thinner, then you have oil based.

There's enough of a difference that you might want to add "oil based" or "water based" to the search.

Also, you will need to find a kitchen stool or short ladder that will let you easily reach into the corner.

 

[LikeableMe]

Head off to youtube.com and search for "paint a room".

There will be tons of instructional videos to choose from.

You also need to identify the kind of paint your bought. Read the label about cleanup. If it says to use water, then it water based. If the label says spirits or thinner, then you have oil based.

There's enough of a difference that you might want to add "oil based" or "water based" to the search.

Also, you will need to find a kitchen stool or short ladder that will let you easily reach into the corner.

Thanks for the info. I won’t be able to reach into those corners at all - as they are over the bath tub, so I have no way of pulling anything up close enough to allow me to reach!

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I'm with ReadyOne. You can't paint where you can't reach. If it's up high over the bath tub, perhaps you could put a chair or stool in the tub?

When the we paint, it generally follows like this:

1. Remove all furniture or at least move it into the centre of the room, away from the walls, and cover with drop cloths.

2. Remove plug and light switch covers, baseboard, etc. We try to replace the screws in the holes and tape them so they don't get lost. Ask me why...

3. Put down drop cloths over the floor, etc. We use super-thin disposable ones from Home Depot. No doubt bad for the environment but super convenient.

4. Buy your paint sometime. Figure out whether you need latex or oil-based. (Latex paint can have a hard time sticking to oil-based paint without a good primer coat. Oil is supposed to stick to latex, on the other hand. Talk to the people where you get the paint.) Hint - don't try to cheap out on brushes and rollers. Cheap ones produce cheap-looking results. The cost is a fraction of the project cost anyway.

5. If necessary, buy some patching compound from your paint store when you buy paint. Fill any holes or cracks. Your paint or hardware store can advise.

6. If there's grease, then, yes, wash with soap. In any case, sand everywhere you want the paint to go. The intent is to smooth over bumps and such, also make it easier for the paint to stick.

7. Wipe down with a damp cloth to get the paint dust off. Let dry.

8. Using masking tape (we like blue) mask off along all edges - ceiling, tiles, floors, etc. Take your time, get it right.

9. Paint. Brush for edges and tight spots, roller for wide open spaces.

10. Repeat paint layers as needed.

11. Clean up, replace baseboards, switch covers, etc. Oil-based paint will need a solvent. Latex-based paint can be cleaned up with water.

12. Have a happy glass to celebrate your success!

 

[exgovie]

Here is a few key points I have learned over the years
1. Do NOT skimp on the paint you buy because cheap paint not only does not last as long, will usually require more coat to cover and will be thinner so you will have more drips or runs to cleanup.
2. I do not use oil base anymore except for some out side job. However, if you get latex especially in a bathroom use semi-gloss never flat because it will not wash off well.
3. If you are not able to get close enough to edge at ceiling get a flat small trim pad for paint they sale at stores to do trim. Use for one job and then I usually throw it awhile.

Well that is my two cents worth. I also like my wife to do the painting. VBG

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Oh, don't take a shower for a couple of days... or until the paint is thoroughly dry.

 

[EdEc]

Here is a few key points I have learned over the years
1. Do NOT skimp on the paint you buy because cheap paint not only does not last as long, will usually require more coat to cover and will be thinner so you will have more drips or runs to cleanup.
2. I do not use oil base anymore except for some out side job. However, if you get latex especially in a bathroom use semi-gloss never flat because it will not wash off well.
3. If you are not able to get close enough to edge at ceiling get a flat small trim pad for paint they sale at stores to do trim. Use for one job and then I usually throw it awhile.

Well that is my two cents worth. I also like my wife to do the painting. VBG

Suggestion 3 is an excellent idea. I used one of those and it worked perfectly.

 

[Privates1stClass]

If you have a boyfriend, you might make him an offer he can't resist, and he will paint your bathroom for you. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

 

[Bigcoat]

.......

 

[Weird Harold]

Thanks for the info. I won’t be able to reach into those corners at all - as they are over the bath tub, so I have no way of pulling anything up close enough to allow me to reach!

You must have a very small bathtub if you can't put a step-ladder in it. In fact, a typical residential bathtub should have room for two short step stools with a couple of 2x6 or 2x12 planks across them to form a scaffold.

 

[Jada59]

You may need to hire someone if you can't reach places. Or get a ladder or scaffolding. You also need to clean the walls well before you paint. Then follow the cleaning with a light sanding and use a damp cloth or tacky cloth to get up all the dust from sanding.

Another option if you can't reach would be a sprayer but... You would have to paint the ceiling as well and with the same color and if you can't reach to clean prior or reach to cover everything including light fixtures, that won't work.

My daughter and I partially repainted the kitchen. Why partially? Like you, we couldn't reach the ceiling. We had some ugly wallpaper between the counter and upper cabinets so we removed that, cleaned the wall, and painted it a bright yellow. Just that one area. Kitchen looks so much better and brighter now.

Since I can't see your bathroom, this may or may not work for you but it is something to consider. You might be able to carefully tape off up to a certain height and paint underneath. Perhaps even two colors. Such as a darker one near the bottom then slightly lighter above. The whatever other color is above that. I am assuming white but again, I can't see your bathroom. I am going with the assumption that people won't be able to see well up high to the older paint so whatever you do beneath that could be planned out to make it look like that is the look you wanted.

 

[yorker85]

I always use a semi gloss latex paint for baths. Semi gloss seals out humidity from getting in the walls. Latex is water clean up.

Use painter's tape, not masking. The glue is designed to peel off easily without damaging the surface.

One coat primer and two top coats of paint works best.

Lastly, the best advice I ever got is "keep a lot of paint on your brush". Dip the brush half way into the paint, wipe one side off with the rim of the paint can.

 

[pplwatching]

There are pads and rollers that can be affixed to extension handles to reach high and out of the way places. There are pads with rollers along one edge to help you with edges. The issue is that not having prior experience you are likely to be prone to putting too much paint on your tools, which leads to sloppy application including drips, runs, and getting paint on the ceiling. Excess paint will run behind your masking tape.

The good news is that it's not the end of the world. Unless you end up painting stained wood inadvertently, you can always chalk it up to experience and paint it again some day. No risk, no reward. Try painting something that people won't notice first so that you get the hang of masking, "charging" your brushes and pads, and rolling in a W pattern. A little experience goes a long way.

Also, since this is the bathroom (and if you haven't already painted), do some basic mold preparation prior to painting. If there are any mold spores present, they can thrive under the new coat of paint and will eventually break through. A little extra prep will save you from having to re-do the job.

Good luck!

 

[yukonnights]

I've put on more gallons of paint than I can remember.

1. Use the best paint you can afford. A bathroom is one of the hardest environments in the house for paint. I prefer a water base acrylic high gloss on the ceiling, it is easier to keep clean and free of mold. I would recommend white in such a small room. [Do Not water it down...don't water any latex paint down]

2. Before you go the masking tape route, I would suggest you try to just paint it free hand. Get a small "sash tool" paint brush (1 1/2"). These will be the ones with a tapered edge...a sloped cut, etc. (get some scrap cardboard and practice a bit to get the hang of it..you can do it )

3. Paint the ceiling First. Try to be as careful as possible in regard to both drips on the walls and the cut at the wall/ceiling junction...but don't obsess too much. Don't get so close to the walls that you over-paint onto them...roll along the corner not into it...you can clean up an inch or so of the unpainted part with the brush The big drips on the walls will give you more heartache than a little over run at the corners, but try to stay as tidy as possible.

4. For a bathroom, a stout well built stool or very small step ladder will be much easier to use than a regular ladder. Something that will fit in the bathtub (be sure it has good rubber feet or put a stout non-slip mat down first.

5. You can either roll the ceiling field first and then fill in the corner/wall intersection...or do the wall corners first. I'd do the roll-on first and stay far enough from the walls so as not to make a mess on them (a couple of inches max, the rolled texture will be slightly different from the brushed part, etc)...then fill in with the bush. (note; not just straight strokes, swish it around once you get away from the exact corner and blend it into the paint you rolled on already.

6. Now get out of there, cause the acrylic paint will probably be stinking by now.

7. Next tackle the walls. Same routine only now the cuts will be easier because you're facing them instead of working upside down (that's why I do the ceiling first as I can fix any minor over paints on the wall). This is where the tapered brush will help you paint a crisp line at the wall/ceiling junction. Same with door jambs and around the shower/tub and other stuff. If you've let the ceiling dry properly, you should be able to quickly wipe off any boo-boos with a wet rag/paper towel.

8. This is a free bonus; If this is something you want to last as long as possible, after the latex paint is thoroughly dry, use a sealer on it. The fog and mist in those rooms are a laboratory for mold, etc, The sealer provides a barrier and a more cleanable/wipe-able surface.

9. light switches; take the cover plates off...put some blue tape on the switch part (don't stick fingers inside box out of curiosity ).

10. Anything that can't be moved out, cover with a waterproof covering.

Bathrooms are a tough one since they are so small of full of fixtures, etc. But, I've never had much luck with fancy pads and such. Try the brush first is my advice.

Bottom line; masking a room is more work than painting it...and there's no guarantee you won't get some run through under a poorly sealed section of tape. Good luck ~

 

[toofargone]

Drop cloths and high-quality tape are a necessity

 

[phil_o]

A room painted badly is something everyone will notice, a room painted well nobody notices!

You need to think if you are the type of person who can make a good job of this, already saying you can't reach into the corners or cut in for the ceiling is screaming to me don't do it. Preperation is 75 % of the job, good surface to paint over makes for good finish.

I'm sure you can do this if you want but it might be easier to hire a good painter and decorator and watch how she/he does it.


Most paint for walls is water based now so no need for white spirit unless you are going to use oil based on woodwork, although I would recommend a water based eggshell finish. Stays white longer.
I can always give you a quote!

 

[RockHardKP]

For along the ceiling I have had good luck with a paint edger similar to this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Warner-2-Wheel-Paint-Edger-205329/205053072

Much easier than taping, IMHO

 

[Tasty_GA_Honey]

I’d rather have my ass beat than paint another room. It’s never as much “fun” as I think it’s going to be tackling a DIY paint project of that nature.

Good luck to you, dear!

 

[prevacker]

Probably sounds simple to most - but I’m someone who tries to troubleshoot things before I ruin them!

I have never painted a room before, and I want to repaint the bathroom.

I have rollers and brushes of varying sizes, I have white spirit, which I heard somewhere is good for cleaning brushes off afterwards. I have dust sheets and masking tape for corners/light switches etc. I’ve prepared/cleaned all the walls with sugar soap.

Seems like I’m ready to go (other than the fact I haven’t chosen paint yet - hah!) but I’m scared of messing up. Someone told me to put masking tape near the ceiling, to get those corners right, but I can’t reach the tops of the walls above the bath tub and toilet, so I’ve bought an extending part for the rollers, but there’s no way I will be able to touch up or put masking tape up there.

Someone else told me to water the paint down - which then caused a debate with another person who said that would require more layers...

I’ve never done this before, and I only have myself to do it all, so any advice or experiences are very welcome!

Thank you in advance!

Watered down latex will DRIP.
Make sure you have rollers of different sizes- and LONG handles for the rollers--
NEVER try to paint a ceiling by holding your arms above your head--- you will feel very WEAK... in about a minute. then pain. Use a roller - not a ladder and a raised arm... practice in the garage?

 

[Tigersman]

After you have done all the prep work then cut in around ceiling, then the corners, doors and windows then around baseboards. Once this is done then it's time for the roller. This is how the pros do it but they use 18-24 inch rollers.

 

[Pocketshaver]

well you could do what a lot of people do, stick a 12 guage shotgun in the mouth and pull the trigger...

oh wait,different kind of room painting.

rollers work. but most professionals use sprayers for ceilings and large areas

 

[Hypoxia]

House-painting can be a miserable exercise. If you can afford, hire a pro.

 

[Upp55]

If I was you, I would hire a professional painter.
They will get the job done right