Correct Structural Problems.

• Flaking, and peeling old paint can sometimes indicate moisture is getting into the surface behind the paint. It is important to find and repair the cause of excess moisture or you will have the same problems with your newly painted surface.

Make Surface Repairs.

• Fill countersunk nail holes, cracks, and open wall joints with spackle, following the directions on the label. When it's dry, sand the spackled areas smooth and clean off the dust with a tack cloth. Spot prime the repaired area.
• For larger cracks and holes, clear out loose material with a putty knife, apply patch and or patching compound, and smooth the area with a putty knife. Sand area smooth, and spot prime the repaired area.
• For better paint adhesion, roughen the glossy surface of the trim and walls by lightly sanding and than clean with a tack cloth. As an alternative to sanding, apply an all purpose primer.
• Also to consider, if with your walls, you are currently experiencing no durability, no wipe-ability with the current coating, it is always best to go ahead and prime the entire wall surface to seal any porous areas and provide a descent foundation coat for the new coating to be applied.

Start with a clean surface.

• Dirt, oil and grime on a surface will prevent paint from adhering properly, so a thorough cleaning is an important part of the preparation process!
• Clean surfaces with a proper cleaner... an Eco friendly version of TSP works well, or simply two tablespoons TSP to four litres warm water works extremely well.
• Rinse with a dampened sponge or cloth to remove any residue from the cleaner.
• Make sure walls have dried sufficiently before painting.
• For extremely difficult stains such as felt pen, crayons, water stains- clean as thoroughly as possible and spot prime with a stain blocking primer to prevent the stain from bleeding through into the fresh coat of paint.
• To test for mildew- dab household bleach onto stain, if it disappears, it is mildew. To remove mildew, wash walls with a solution of bleach and water or head down to SouthPointe, or Calgary South and get a much easier commercially ready to use mildewcide.

Get the room ready.

• Remove as much furniture and small items as possible. Move larger objects to the centre of the room and cover with disposable plastic or reusable canvas drop clothes.
• Remove window treatments and hardware.
• Turn off electricity and remove electrical switch plates, and tape the screws to the back of the plates so as not to lose them.
• If you are painting the ceiling, cover the entire floor with drop cloths, to protect it from drips.
• Protect areas that will not be painted with Painter's tape. Painter's tape does not leave behind and adhesive residue and can usually be left in place for a couple of days if necessary, depending on the brand. Apply the tape by pressing from the center outward to the sides to keep adhesion flush to the wall. Remove the tape when the paint is dry to touch, but not completely dry... usually about two hours.

Weather Watch

• A day that is not to hot is ideal even when painting indoors. Try to avoid painting on days that are above 25 degrees celsius!

Sensitive to paint odours?

• Try Natura from Benjamin Moore. A truly zero VOC paint with no odour, and quick drying.

Are you aware that before 1940, people used to paint houses entirely with brushes, no rollers. In 1940 Norman, Breakey of Toronto, Ontario, Canada invented the paint roller. Such a simple invention you would think that someone would have thought of it before. 

The standard paint roller is perfect for most applications, try to always buy a cage that has a threaded end for attaching an extension handle to make painting ceilings and walls easier. For a professional looking job, use a 3 or 4 inch roller to get up close around doors.

• use short nap rollers (1/4" (5mm)) to apply higher gloss paints to smooth surfaces.
• use medium nap rollers (3/8"- 1/2" (10mm-15mm)) with flat or lower sheen paints on flat surfaces with minor imperfections.
• use long nap rollers (3/4" - 1 1/4" (20mm-30mm)) for textured surfaces such as concrete, stucco, or rough plaster.