It’s natural and human to make mistakes. Unfortunately, some mistakes are more costly and time-consuming than others. Mistakes made while painting a home’s interior or exterior can be expensive to fix and could mean hours of repainting or repairing a surface. 

DIY “weekend warriors” are often depicted on television shows making painting projects look like an easy task that can be completed on a weekend from start to finish. Sadly, this is not always the case. 

Let’s review some common DIY painting mistakes so you can avoid them whether you decide to take on a painting project this summer or leave it to the professionals, All Pro Painting is here to help. 

a couple painting their home

Don’t Skip the Prep 

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when they attempt a painting project on their own is to skimp on prepping the room or the space. 

Every surface of the area that is being painted should be prepared so that it is clean, smooth, and ready to have primer and paint adhere to it. That includes dusting, wiping with a damp towel, and (in some cases) scrubbing with a warm soapy cloth to release any grime, grease, scuffs, or marks. 

Having a clean surface to work with is one of the best ways to ensure that the primer and paint will adhere to the surface without the risk of bubbling, peeling, or appearing uneven. 

Prep work also includes removing all the furniture (when possible), covering remaining furnishings and floors, and removing light switches and utility plates. It’s a smart idea to store all hardware in carefully labeled baggies so that putting them back will be easier. 

Another part of the prep work is to fill in any holes with putty and allow that to dry and be sanded down before any primer is used. This will give walls a smooth professional appearance when completed. 

Don’t Forget the Primer 

Many DIYers look for places to cut corners and this common mistake is often a casualty of rushing. 

Primer is important in the process of painting for a few reasons. First, many drywalls are porous and absorb paint very quickly causing multiple coats of the paint to be needed for full coverage. A primer allows for a smooth final coat to go on. Secondly, primer is a great way to cover darker colors or previous stains that have been repaired. 

Some paints incorporate primer and paint all-in-one, so talk to your local painting expert about which option is best for your project. 

Painter painting wall

Buy Quality Painting Tools 

Your paint project will not look professional if you utilize low-quality painting tools. 

Many a paint project has needed to be repainted when lap lines appear due to low-quality rollers or nap (what we call the material on the paint roller) being used. Paint brushes that are not high quality have been known to lose their bristles in the process of cutting in. 

Be sure to invest in high-quality painting tools so that your project can be done right, the first time. 

If you want to avoid the prospect of any of these mistakes, talk to our team of painting experts about a free estimate and we’ll get started on your paint project.