Usually, as part of any home renovation, painting is required. Many people choose to do their own painting in order to save money despite the availability of experienced professionals.

Often it’s easy to spot the differences between a professionally painted wall and a DIY job. The largest telltale signs are the consistency of the finish and the edgework. Proper cleanup is often a giveaway too. If you’re good at these tasks your paint job will shine like a pro.

Buying the right paint is a good way to start any sized job. Professional paint suppliers have different finishes available for different applications. The basic finishes available are flat (often used on ceilings), semi-gloss and gloss. Generally high gloss paint is the easiest to wipe clean and flat paint is the least expensive. It’s worth the few extra dollars to step into specialty paints for specific rooms. Kitchen and bath paints with a high resistance to mold and mildew are made to last and protect your home. Decide which type suits your area and ask at the store for their recommendation.

The preparation work is often the hardest part and overlooked part of the job. Good prep work really shows. It takes time and is arduous for most. The results are immediately noticed and worth the effort. Make sure the surface you are painting is clean and ready to receive a new coat of paint. No oils should be present and the wall surface should be dry.

Use good equipment. Always start with a clean roller and brush. Be sure to mix the paint well before you start the job and continue to stir at regular intervals during the project. Experts advise to paint in small sections with a regular pattern of rolling and a consistent amount of paint loaded onto the roller each time. A final continuous one-direction roll of the painted area will smooth out blemishes.

Edging is undoubtedly the trickiest task. Great paint jobs are often compromised by poor edging. Many homeowners get impatient when painting; that shows up in the edging. Take the time to properly tape areas off. This includes all trim, cabinets, fixtures, floors and ceilings. Be slow and deliberate with all edging especially where a light color is meeting a dark color. Buy top quality masking tape to reduce the chance of bleeding and remove the tape as soon as the paint is cured enough on the walls.

Think of painting as creating a record. When you make mistakes, fix them right away. Have a wet cloth handy for latex paints and some thinner on hand when using oil based. Catching these mistakes as you go along will mean less work at the end.

Photo: Contributed - (Photo: Hugh Cairns)

The most important part of finishing a wood project is good surface preparation. Improper or insufficient surface preparation leads to most coating failures, preparation is the key step in finishing your surface right.

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Hugh Cairns welcomes your questions, comments and suggestions. Contact him through www.subject2homeinspections.com or interiorinfrared.com.