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The Tool List
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Preparation
1. Clear the Room & Protect Floors
Move all furniture to the center of the room and cover it with plastic sheeting. Lay canvas drop cloths on the floor. Do not use plastic on the floor—it's slippery and paint drips won't dry on it, meaning you'll track wet paint onto your shoes.
2. Remove Hardware
Remove all switch plates, outlet covers, and window hardware. Put the screws back into the switches/outlets or in a Ziploc bag so you don't lose them. Pro tip: Apply masking tape over the exposed switches/outlets to protect them from splatters.
3. Patch and Sand
Fill nail holes, dents, and cracks with spackling compound. Once dry, sand the patches smooth with a fine-grit sanding sponge. Run your hand over the wall to feel for bumps or depressions.
4. Clean the Walls
Paint won't adhere to dust, dirt, or grease. Wipe down the walls with a damp sponge and a mild detergent (or TSP substitute for kitchens/bathrooms). Let the walls dry completely.
5. Tape the Edges
Apply painter's tape to baseboards, window trim, and door frames. Press down firmly on the edge of the tape with a putty knife to seal it—this prevents paint from bleeding underneath.
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To Prime or Not to Prime?
Primer provides a uniform surface for the topcoat, improving adhesion and color fidelity.
| Situation | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Painting over bare drywall or fresh joint compound | Must Prime. Use a drywall primer/sealer. |
| Painting a light color over a dark color | Highly Recommended. Use a high-hide primer, potentially tinted gray. |
| Painting over water stains, smoke, or markers | Must Prime. Use a stain-blocking primer (oil-based or shellac). |
| Painting over glossy paint | Sand, then Prime. Or use a bonding primer. |
| Painting a similar color over matte/eggshell paint | No Primer Needed. Standard two coats of paint is sufficient. |
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Cutting In
"Cutting in" refers to painting the corners and edges (where the wall meets the ceiling, baseboards, and trim) with a brush before rolling the main wall.
The Technique
1. Load the brush: Dip your 2.5" angled sash brush into the paint, covering only the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the bristles. Tap the brush against the inside of the bucket (don't wipe it on the rim) to remove excess paint.
2. Apply near the line: Start about 1/2 inch away from the edge you want to cut in. Apply a line of paint along the wall.
3. Push to the line: Without re-dipping, make a second pass, applying slight pressure to fan the bristles out. Carefully push the paint right up into the corner or against the trim line.
4. Feather the edge: Unload the brush and lightly drag it over the outer edge of your cut-in strip to thin it out (feathering). This prevents a thick ridge of paint from forming, which would show through the rolled paint.
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Rolling the Walls
1. Load the Roller
Fill your paint tray reservoir. Dip the roller cover in half-way, then roll it back and forth on the textured ramp of the tray to distribute the paint evenly. The roller should be saturated but not dripping.
2. The "W" Technique
Start in a 3x3 foot section near a corner you just cut in. Roll a large 'W' or 'M' pattern on the wall. Without lifting the roller, fill in the blanks of the 'W' using vertical strokes.
3. Laying Off
Once a section is covered, do one final pass from top to bottom with very light pressure. Align these strokes vertically to ensure a uniform texture and eliminate roller marks.
4. Overlap and Repeat
Move to the next 3x3 section, overlapping your wet edge by a few inches. Always work quickly enough to roll into wet paint.
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Cleanup & Finishing
When to Remove Tape
Score and pull while wet: The best time to remove painter's tape is right after you finish your final coat, before the paint fully dries. Pull the tape back on itself at a 45-degree angle.
If the paint has dried, use a utility knife or putty knife to gently score the edge where the tape meets the wall before peeling, otherwise you might peel off chunks of new paint.
Cleaning Brushes
For latex (water-based) paint, wash brushes in warm soapy water. Use a wire brush or a brush comb to remove dried paint near the ferrule. Spin the brush to remove excess water, then store it in its original cardboard cover to maintain the shape.
Cleaning Rollers
Use a curved 5-in-1 tool to scrape excess paint from the roller cover back into the can. Wash under running warm water until it runs clear. Note: Many pros consider cheap roller covers disposable and simply toss them to save time.