Looking to start painting your home? Whether you want to paint the interior or exterior, you’ll probably have started searching online to see the best way of going about it. The problem is that there are so many myths floating around online as to how to paint your walls.
Here are some of the most common myths you’ll find busted.
1. Don’t Paint Your Walls When It’s Cold Out
This is the myth you may well have heard of in the past. If it’s cold outside, you don’t want to start painting as the temperatures are too low. The low temperatures, so the wisdom goes, will lead to paint going on too thick or unevenly. That means you won’t get the best possible results.
That may have been the case in the past, but these days you can get much better results with modern paints. These days, paint formulas are much better, so you can get the finish you want without worrying about cold weather making things worse. Typically, you can paint anywhere between 35 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, if you’re waiting for the weather to warm up, you can’t get painting the second the temperature hits 35 degrees. Instead, you’ll want to give it a little longer. The walls will typically be colder than the air, so they need time to warm up first.
2. Add Essential Oils to Your Paint to Make It Smell Better
Have you heard this myth? No one likes the smell of paint, and you need to have windows and doors open to ventilate when you paint. Some will say that you can add some essential oils to paint to make it smell better.
This just isn’t necessary, as newer paints won’t have as strong a smell as older formulas. If you’re worried about the smell, you can pick up paint with low VOCs as that will give off fewer fumes overall. Most of the time that will be enough to combat the smell. Some will recommend adding a few drops of peppermint oil as it can neutralize odors, but that won’t work with oil-based paints. Instead, it’s better simply to open up the windows.
3. Paint Color Only Affects the Style of the Room
Have you started saving ideas for your rooms? Picking out paint colors feels like a long process, but you’ll think that you can have pretty much any color you like. All you have to do is find the one that you like best.
Personal preference does mean a lot when it comes to choosing a paint, but there is more that you need to consider. To get different colors, paint will have to be formulated differently by shade. Because of this, you’ll see that some colors react differently on the same surfaces.
For example, a darker color may not work on the surface you want it for. It can start to bubble on wood, and it doesn’t last as long. Some painters may not even give you a warranty if you want that darker color, so keep that in mind.
4. You Can Save Paint for Later
When you finish painting, you’re quite likely going to have some leftover paint in a can that you don’t want to dispose of. Instead, you put the lid back on and put it in the basement, so you can use it at a later date.
The bad news is, that paint isn’t going to stay good for long. Once the lid has been taken off, you only have a few days really to use it. Once you’ve finished, you’re better off throwing that paint out. Just ensure that you do so properly. If you’re worried about needing more of the paint to do touch-ups at a later date, you can take a note of the brand and paint color name, so you can get more if you need to.
5. You Can Use Interior Paint on Floors
Here’s a myth that you may have heard of that you hadn’t even considered can’t be true. You’ll probably have seen people online with gorgeous painted wood floors, that give a home a really unique look. You want to get the same look, so how can you do it? Some people will think they can simply use that wall paint on the floor, and get the same result.
Sadly, this is not the case. You see different paints advertised for different uses for a reason, and that’s because your floors take a lot more traffic than the walls do. The interior wall paint isn’t designed to take that kind of wear and tear. If you want to paint the floors, you’ll need to get the right kind of paint for the job.
6. You Can Just Prime Surfaces to Get the Best Result
Primer is an important step in preparing a surface to be painted. Many will be happy to apply the primer without doing any other prep first though, and that’s not going to give you the best results. If you want the walls to look the best they can be, you’re going to need to do more than simply apply primer.
First, you’ll need to thoroughly clean the walls and then sand them down to get an even finish. Remember to spackle any holes in the walls too, so you don’t end up with unsightly holes. When you follow this process, when you put that primer on it’s going to be smooth and even, ready for you to paint.
7. You Can Color Match Any Brand of Paint
Finally, it’s tempting to try and color match an expensive brand of paint with a cheaper one, and get the same color. The fact is, the end result will never look quite the same. That’s because different brands use different colorants, so if you want that color, you’ll have to go with that brand.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the most common interior and exterior painting myths that are floating around right now. But now, you have a better understanding of what’s true and what’s false. If you need more assistance, feel free to reach out to a quality house painting service.