Preparing Walls for Painting & Caulking
Painting walls in your home can be a challenging feat. Though you may opt for professional help, painting yourself can save money and can be a fun project. Before you begin the painting process, it is important to make sure you prepare properly. Continue reading to learn about some of our best practices for painting prep.
Clean Surfaces
First things first, cleaning! It is important to clean the walls before you begin painting. This includes vacuuming dust off the baseboards and wiping the walls with a damp rag. If you have any additional residue on your wall, we recommend washing them with warm water and soap. If you do wash an area of your wall, make sure to thoroughly rinse and wait to continue until it is fully dry.
Sand Surfaces
Once your walls are cleaned and dry, the next step is to sand the wall, so it is smooth. You can use either an electric sander or a manual sander, depending on your preference.
Use Quality Paint
With paint, you get what you pay for. If you opt to buy cheaper paint, it will likely be much thinner and will require more coats to get the desired color. We also recommend getting paint and primer in one, to save the step of painting an extra coat of primer.
Protect from Drips
Before you start painting, it's helpful to tape off the edges and corners to prevent dripping and achieve a smooth paint line. Using drop cloths on the ground can also help prevent any mess and protect your floor from paint drips.
Clean Tools
If you're painting for the first time with brand-new tools, then no worries! Everything is already clean. If you are using old rollers and brushes from previous paint jobs, it is recommended to ensure they are clean and dry before painting.
Caulk Gaps
Lastly, make sure to caulk between your walls and baseboard, crown molding, window trim and any other gaps to seal the opening and ensure a clean finished look. Our recommended caulks for painting:
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Titebond Pro-Grade Caulk
Our professional caulk allows for a seamless paint application. Pro-Grade is a multi-purpose, acrylic latex caulk for interior use. It is easy to use, dries quickly, cleans up with water, and can be easily painted in 2 hours with water-based paint. It provides unbeatable adhesion, and a water-resistant seal once cured.
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Titebond Pro-Grade Plus Caulk
This quick-drying formula tools easily and cleans up with water, making interior and exterior paint jobs more efficient. Pro-Grade Plus is ideal for sealing baseboards, molding, windows, and doors by providing 25% joint movement capability, one of the highest in its class. It provides great weather resistance, can be painted in two hours, and comes in 9 different colors!
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