Painting
Interior & exterior paint jobs done right
Painting is the single highest-ROI home improvement project you can do yourself. A fresh coat transforms a room in a weekend — but only if you do the prep work right. Skipping prep is the #1 reason DIY paint jobs look amateur.
Step-by-Step Guide
Clear and protect the room
Move furniture to the center and cover with drop cloths. Remove outlet covers and switch plates. Lay canvas drop cloths on the floor — plastic sheeting is slippery and paint bleeds through.
Repair walls and fill holes
Fill nail holes and small dents with lightweight spackle. For cracks, use setting compound and mesh tape. Sand smooth when dry. Don't skip this — paint magnifies every imperfection.
Clean and prime
Wipe walls with a damp cloth to remove dust and grease, especially in kitchens. Prime bare drywall, patched areas, and any stains. Tinted primer saves a coat of finish paint.
Tape and cut in
Apply painter's tape to trim, ceiling lines, and outlets. Cut in with a 2.5" angled brush — 2–3 inches from corners and edges. Work in sections so the cut-in edge stays wet when you roll.
Roll the walls
Use a 3/8" nap roller for smooth walls, 1/2" for textured. Work in W or M patterns, overlapping each pass. Apply two coats, letting the first dry fully (2–4 hours minimum).
Paint trim and doors
Use a semi-gloss or gloss finish on trim for durability and easy cleaning. Paint doors flat on sawhorses if possible. Do trim last so any wall paint that gets on trim gets covered.
Pro Tips
Buy a quality brush — a $20 Purdy holds more paint and leaves fewer brush marks than a $5 chip brush.
"Box" your paint: pour all cans into a 5-gallon bucket and mix together to eliminate color variation between cans.
Paint in natural light or use a work light held at a low angle to spot missed spots and roller texture.
Don't wash brushes between coats — wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and they'll stay fresh for 24 hours.
Recommended Tools
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Materials Checklist
- Drop cloths (canvas, not plastic)
- Painter's tape (14-day removal)
- Spackle + putty knife
- Primer (PVA for new drywall)
- Interior latex paint (1 gal per 400 sqft)
- 2.5" angled sash brush
- 9" roller frame + 3/8" nap covers
- Roller tray + liner
- Extension pole for roller
- Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)
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