Tag Archives: primer

Prepping and Painting Stained or Damaged Surfaces

A leak? Oh, no! What a mess. After you get the resultant dampness out of the way, treat to prevent mold, and repair the area where the leak occurred, you’re probably going to need to repaint. If you’ve replaced wood, drywall, or other surface materials, you can prep as usual and get down to business. In other situations, say you’ve replaced the outer materials and the insulation, but the inside materials are still useable (and have been thoroughly cleaned and dried) you may need to do a little extra prep work before pulling out the paint brush. First, make absolutely … Continue reading →

Re-facing Cabinets: Five Tips for Painting

Painting takes effort but the savings and the end results will have you smiling at your newly transformed kitchen or bath. Here are some tips to help you through the process. 1. Remove hardware and cabinet doors. It may seem like more work, but painting will go smoother and easier if you remove hardware and take the cabinet doors down. Set hardware aside in a safe place. Number your cabinet doors as you remove them, so you’ll know which ones go where when it’s time to replace them. Just write the number on the backside of each door in an … Continue reading →

Reclaiming Unused Spaces: Exposed Ceilings

Okay, you’re ready to make your unfinished basement or attic into useable living space. You have decided that you want to leave the ceiling exposed because it is a low ceiling and covering it would make the room feel closed in and cramped, or because you rather like the “industrial” look. Whatever the reason for your choice, the most obvious option is to paint the ceiling, and here are some tips: Remove all the dust from the ceiling. Vacuum away as much as possible, but even after vacuuming, it’s a good idea to wash the ceiling. Dust can accumulate in … Continue reading →

Can I Paint Wallpaper?

Yes, you can paint wallpaper. It depends on the type of wallpaper and it depends on how well it is affixed to the wall. If your wallpaper is already peeling away from the wall in some areas, it is not a good idea to attempt painting it. Even if the wallpaper seems to be well in place, it may begin to peel once you begin to apply paint. If this occurs, you will need to remove the wallpaper and the glue behind it before painting. Some types of wallpaper are made to be painted. In this case, you can usually … Continue reading →

How to Paint Paneling

Let’s face it, most paneling is so yesterday. Fortunately, you can freshen up your walls, lighten up your space, and update your decor, by painting. You may have heard that you can’t paint paneling. It’s simply not true. The fact is you can paint paneling; it just has to be done properly. If you don’t properly prep and prime the surface first, your paint will begin to chip away almost as soon as it dries. Many people have had bad experiences with painting paneling, but it is because they didn’t take the proper measures before applying paint. I have some … Continue reading →