There’s a lot to be said for the satisfaction you feel upon completing a new project. Afterwards, there are enough stories to entertain gatherings of friends and family for years into the future. Then, there’s that old adage that nothing teaches like experience, and achieving victory over a challenging DIY project is certainly an accomplishment. Not all DIY adventures end with victory, though. A home painting project can wind up being much more complex and expensive than initially anticipated. George Borlodan, owner of Borlodan Painting Company, has some advice to help avoid the pitfalls of a DIY painting project.
Borlodan’s motivations are to deliver the highest-quality paint jobs possible and to make sure everyone is pleased with the final results. With a satisfied public in mind, Borlodan decided to compile some important points to help you make informed decisions about your DIY painting project.
Start by answering a few questions: What is being painted? A single room? Bathroom, kitchen? The entire interior of the house? The exterior? Are you painting trim such as window frames, baseboards, doors, or exterior architectural features? What is being painted determines the kind of paint and the tools needed.
The pitfalls for DIY house painting include:
- The wrong type of paint. Paint is paint, right? Not necessarily. Interior and exterior paint are formulated differently. Exterior paint needs to stand up to sun, rain, fog, wind, freezes, maybe snow and sleet, and temperature changes. Masonry, either inside or outside, needs paint formulated for brick, cement, or stone. You may want to consider using interior latex enamel for window frames, doors, and baseboards, and walls in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.
- Improper tools, and not enough of them, are two of the leading reasons DIY paint projects end up with unsatisfactory results, reports the Paso Robles house painter. A stroll through the paint supply section of a hardware store can be confusing. Prices range from a few dollars for small brushes to several dollars for a different brush of the same size, and upwards for larger brushes. Then there are the rollers. Who knew there were so many different types of rollers? Other tools and supplies bring up more questions, such as: Do I need spackle or joint compound?” How many rolls of masking tape and how wide? What is a texturing compound, and do I need it? What do I need for clean-up? Can I save money by buying the least expensive items?
- Lack of adequate surface preparation and inadequate drying time between coats. The surfaces need to be free of dust, grime, and oils. Holes, scrapes, and other damage need to be patched and repaired. Peeling paint needs to be removed. Priming is important for sealing and smoothness. Lack of preparation can cause streaking, peeling, and bubbling.
- Hiding mold with paint. Painting over mold hides it temporarily and damages the new paint. Mold needs to be completely removed and damaged areas need to be repaired before painting.
- Inadequate ventilation. All paint, even low-VOC (volatile organic compounds), can give you a headache if there’s not enough ventilation. Open windows and fans that encourage air circulation and fresh air can help prevent a headache. If you have a respiratory condition or serious health challenge, check with your doctor before starting a DIY painting project—even a well-ventilated one.
- Not enough planning. Weekend projects are great! But DIY painting, even a single room, can take longer than expected. Plan carefully and allow for extra time, just in case. Make sure you have everything you need from preparation through final clean-up.
Still thinking about taking on the challenge, but want to explore professional options, too? Give Borlodan Painting Company a call. As a leading commercial and house painter for Paso Robles and California’s Central Coast since 2011, Borlodan is dedicated to working closely with residents and business owners.
The Borlodan team feels it’s important to treat everyone with respect, whether it’s with advice, touching up furnishings to match the home’s décor, or repainting an entire vineyard. The Borlodan team helps you find a rate that fits your budget, and sticks with you until you’re completely satisfied with the final result.
