Some really basic questions about painting my house (m)

[dulaney]

I know these may seem like stupid questions, but please understand that I have only ever painted one room in my life and it was a simple bedroom that was square with one doorway and one window and no furniture and it was years ago.

Other than the paint, what will I need? Should I buy 2 rollers and trays? I am going to be putting color on all the walls, but plan on keeping the ceilings white, so 1 tray for whatever color I am using and 1 tray for the white? How many brushes will I need? What kind, size, etc.?

Do you paint the ceiling or walls first or doesn't it matter? I am thinking ceiling first since everything is white right now.

What things do I need to remove in order to paint? For example, I know I can easily take off the light/outlet switchplates, but what about towel racks and toilet paper holders? And, how do you paint behind a toilet?

I want to get started and my dh is currently working out of town, so I don't know how much I can do on my own. Do you completely move furniture out of the room or just move it all to the center? Of course, this is going to be one of my problems, because I don't think I will be able to move any of the stuff by myself, so I am thinking about starting with the bathrooms.

Also, please add any other tips or suggestions that you can that will help me tackle this huge task. LOL! And, try not to laugh too hard at this post. Thanks!

I know that I have to tape everything off and I do have nice large drop cloths to lay down.

Kristin

[smf3]

Hiya Kristin!

Sounds like you'll be busy!

If this were me painting, I'd get one roller, and two replacement roller thingies (I don't know what you call them...the part you actually put the paint on!). You'll only be using one color at a time, so you don't really need two complete sets. As for trays, you can get one tray, and two + liners. That way you can just put the paint in the liners and pitch them when you're done painting.

I'd get one brush for edging. It can be washed out between colors and used for the second color. I'd only move your stuff far enough from the wall to paint...just cover everything with a dropcloth. I'd paint the ceiling first...it tends to spatter onto the walls easier than the walls will spatter onto the ceiling.

I dont' know any tips for getting behind the toilet. I say if you can't get behind there, save that spot for when someone can help you move the toilet. As for things to remove, I'd personally take down the towel holders, etc because I'd rather do that than try to paint around them!!

Just tape everything off good (that blue painters tape is great!). Oh, and if you don't get all done in one day, just cover your paint tray with plastic wrap to keep it from *skinning* over. And your roller and brush can be put in a plastic bag, sealed well, for a day. Longer than that, I usually pop the whole thing (in the bag) into the freezer. They work great when you're ready to paint again!

Have fun!
Shawna

[graemesmom]

I have spent the entire last year painting

Just have to brag a minute, since I'd never painted before and dh didn't help AT ALL. I've done large open LR w/vaulted ceilings, breakfast nook, kitchen and 4 bedrooms. Brag over.

Anyway, I've never painted a ceiling or bathroom. The bathrooms are last for me because a lot of people I talked to said you have to take the toilet out. Umm...not ready for that. Do you have to? Don't know. But I don't think that I could get behind ours w/o removing it and that would involve dh getting up and asking for help. Hopefully someone here knows a trick.

I've gotten lazy, and while I would remove things on the wall like towel bars, I would just push furniture into the middle of the room. I would recommend buying the blue painters tape...love it! It's works very well for trim and molding, but not so great on a ceiling at keep a crisp edge if the texture on the ceiling is rougher than your walls. When putting the tape down on textured surfaces it's hard to get it down enough that paint won't seep in. For clean edge between the wall and ceiling, I recommed Rubbermaid "edger?" (Home Depot sells another brand...it's red and maybe a company like Shur? can't remember...that is horrible!) I don't know the official name, but it's a flat piece a little bit bigger than a thank you note envelope and the same shape. One side has two wheels on it that help you roll it along against a flat surface. They are inexpensive, maybe $2-3. I think the Rubbermaid brand is available at Target and Walmart. Just be shy to start with putting the paint on it or else it will bleed.

I would also buy a variety of cheap brushs or foam brushes, and instead of buying two identical rollers maybe a small one and a big one. I think you'll find pretty soon that some tools work better for you than others and you'll have favorites. Unless someone is helping, you don't need two trays, etc. You can just wash them out when done. I have heavier plastic trays and I let the paint dry in them and then peel it off a single sheet the next moring. Saves time and water.

Last, if you use the tape, I find it comes off the cleanest when you let the first coat dry and then take it off within minutes of the second coat going on. If you do it at the wrong time the tape will take the paint with it or just generally not come off cleanly.

Good luck!

Heidi

[dulaney]

Thanks ladies for the advice and tips (m)

I really do appreciate it. I'm sure someone will be able to help me get what I need at the paint store.

Kristin

[bluerose]

I just move everything

out far enough that I can get behind it. Cover everything up. I would get a angle brush and extra roller heads and one tray. I never tape I just use the angle brush so much easier and faster then tapeing it all off. I would paint the ceiling first.

I know these may seem like stupid questions, but please understand that I have only ever painted one room in my life and it was a simple bedroom that was square with one doorway and one window and no furniture and it was years ago.

Other than the paint, what will I need? Should I buy 2 rollers and trays? I am going to be putting color on all the walls, but plan on keeping the ceilings white, so 1 tray for whatever color I am using and 1 tray for the white? How many brushes will I need? What kind, size, etc.?

Do you paint the ceiling or walls first or doesn't it matter? I am thinking ceiling first since everything is white right now.

What things do I need to remove in order to paint? For example, I know I can easily take off the light/outlet switchplates, but what about towel racks and toilet paper holders? And, how do you paint behind a toilet?

I want to get started and my dh is currently working out of town, so I don't know how much I can do on my own. Do you completely move furniture out of the room or just move it all to the center? Of course, this is going to be one of my problems, because I don't think I will be able to move any of the stuff by myself, so I am thinking about starting with the bathrooms.

Also, please add any other tips or suggestions that you can that will help me tackle this huge task. LOL! And, try not to laugh too hard at this post. Thanks!

I know that I have to tape everything off and I do have nice large drop cloths to lay down.

Kristin

[WasTarin]

Genereal rule of thumb

is to work from the top down, so yes, ceiling first. Ceiling painting is pretty hard work. I don't think I could do it as I lack the upper body/back strength. And I, like bluerose, prefer to cut in with a steady hand and an angled good bristled brush. Taping lulls one into thinking one can paint right to it...and then it sometimes seeps.

Remember to takes before, during and after pics ;-)

Good luck.

[dulaney]

Oh yes, I will definitely take pictures (m)

Because if I actually accomplish this without ruining my house, it will be amazing. LOL! And, I need all the luck I can get.

Kristin