How to Paint and Prime
- 1). Lay a drop cloth over the floor in the room, tucking the edges snugly against the baseboards. A drop cloth helps protect the floor underneath by absorbing any paint spills.
- 2). Smooth the surface of the walls with 220-grit sandpaper. This helps you achieve the most professional results by removing nicks and imperfections.
- 3). Pour some primer into a paint tray.
- 4). Dip a paintbrush into the primer and cut in along the trim lines and down the corner lines of the room, as well as around light fixtures, windows and electrical outlets. Work from the top of the room down. Cutting in helps ensure a clean paint line and helps you achieve the most professional-looking results. To cut in, apply paint to the brush sparingly to avoid drips, turn the brush sideways and press it against the wall with the ends of the bristles spaced slightly away from the edge of the trim or adjoining wall. With a firm, steady hand, run the brush down or across the wall slowly, depending on where you are cutting in, letting the paint flow smoothly over the wall.
- 5). Dip a paint roller brush into the primer, rolling it back and forth slowly in the paint to ensure all sides are covered. Roll it a few times up and down the ramp edge of the paint tray to remove any excess primer and paint across the walls, covering the bare areas with a solid, even coat of primer.
- 6). Wait for the primer to dry completely. For most brands of primer, this takes about five to 10 hours; refer to the instructions on the can to be sure.
- 7). Pour some paint into a paint tray.
- 8). Dip a paintbrush into the paint, allow any excess paint to drip off and use the paintbrush to cut in along the trim lines and down the corner lines of the room, working from the top of the room down.
- 9). Dip a paint roller brush into the paint, rolling it back and forth slowly in the paint to ensure all sides are covered. Roll it a few times up and down the ramp edge of the paint tray to remove any excess paint and paint across the walls, covering the bare areas with a solid, even coat of paint.
- 10
Wait for the paint to dry completely. For most brands of paint, this takes about five to 10 hours; refer to the instructions on the can to be sure. - 11
Repeat with paint for a second coat.
