PROPERTY NEWS - When it comes to simple décor fixes or sprucing up your home, a fresh coat of paint is probably one of the quickest and cheapest ways to so without too much effort.
A new paint job can do much to enhance your home. A change in colour can completely change the mood or tone of a room while a bold colour can make a proud and loud fashion statement - a lot of bang for not too much buck!
That said, many people face a sense of trepidation about what to do if something goes wrong, especially given the seemingly permanent nature of paint. If this sounds like you, fear not! We have the solutions to some of the most typical painting mistakes out there.
Blisters or bubbles
The formation of paint blisters or bubbles is perhaps one of the most common results of a painting mistake. Paint will begin to blister or bubble when there isn't enough adhesion between the film of the paint and the surface beneath it.
This lack of adhesion is often caused by too much moisture or heat in the air, which causes the paint film to lift off and away from the surface it should bond with. The result is a blister or bubble that will ultimately lead to the paint peeling off the walls.
While this common painting problem isn't too hectic to fix, its presence unfortunately is often indicative of water damage or damp in the walls themselves, so be sure to rule this out as a cause before attempting to fix the bubbles.
Once you know that moisture isn't coming from the walls themselves, use a sander or paint scraper to get rid of the bubbles. Once the wall surface is smooth again, apply a fresh coat of paint primer before starting to repaint.
If the blistering or bubbling wasn't caused by moisture in the walls, but perhaps by the excessive heat of a summer's day, be sure to clean and dry the walls after removing the bubbles and before applying a primer and sealant over the marks. Allow the surface of the walls to dry completely before starting to repaint. If need be, bring in a dehumidifier to assist with the drying process.
Cracking or flaking
Attend to cracking or flaking sooner rather than later as it will worsen if left unattended. Cracking or flaking is often due to incorrect or poor surface preparation prior to painting. It can also be caused by painting an oil-based paint over a latex paint.
Similarly, cheap paint will tend to crack or flake given its poor consistency. In some instances, extreme cracking could be caused if you apply a second or third layer of paint onto a layer that hasn't dried sufficiently.
Fixing cracking or flaking paint is relatively easy. Simply take a wire brush or paint scraper and slowly start to remove and lift off any loose surface paint. Once this is done, sand down the surface of the wall and paint with primer before repainting.
If your wall has a few layers of flaking paint, be sure to fill in any holes with multi-purpose filler before sanding down and proceeding as normal.
Photo: www.thespruce.com
Too thinly spread
Another common painting mistake is spreading the paint too thinly. Nothing negates the impact that colour can make to a room like a too thin coat of paint. The result is a streaky and washed-out finish (not in the good sense!) which doesn't do justice to the rest of your décor. When painting a wall, be sure that your brush is evenly coated but not soaked in paint before applying it.
If you have done a thin paint job, simply pre-wash the walls with a soft sponge and liquid detergent before applying a further coat or two to the affected areas. This helps prevent a noticeable difference between the areas that had been painted over and the rest of the wall.
While mistakes do happen, painting is a relatively inexpensive and safe option for those wanting to give a space an air of freshness and inspiration. To avoid mistakes, remember to take the time to do all the required prep work prior to painting.
This really does pay off in the end. That said, if painting mistakes are made, they can usually be amended readily enough with a bit of savvy and some good old-fashioned elbow grease!
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