These top tips will make your painting project successful, whether painting all the walls or just one.

1. Wait for dry weather

Moisture causes drips and slow drying, so avoid painting on a rainy day. If you must paint when it’s humid, take your time and use the slow-drying paint to correct your mistakes before moving on to the next coat.

2. Perform a visual inspection and thorough preparation

If you notice any cracked or peeling areas, they should be lightly sanded or scraped and then rinsed before applying new primer and paint, as the weight of the new coat will cause the new paint to loosen. It is also important to wash grease stains with soap and then rinse with clean water. Otherwise, wipe with a damp cloth so the paint has a clean, dust-free surface to adhere to.

3. Buy high-quality brushes, roller covers, and painter’s tape

A good brush and roller cover provides excellent coverage, so you don’t waste time and paint when reapplying. High-end painter’s tape is the natural choice for sealing drips and stains.

4. Know your nap

The more texture your walls have, the thicker the wool you’ll want on your roll-up cover so it can reach crevices and provide complete coverage. For example, you can use a thick nap if you are painting concrete walls, but a fine nap is preferred for drywall. Going for a very thick fluff will likely create texture where you don’t want it. When purchasing the painting supplies, it is important to give the seller the details about what you are painting.

5. Protect everything you don’t want to paint

Covering floors, furniture, and hardware before beginning a painting project is important. Drop cloths are a must, and small plastic sandwich bags secured with tape are a simple and easy way to protect doorknobs.

6. Use primer

Paint and primer combinations are OK with a clean, smooth surface. But if the wall has a problem, make the effort and use a separate primer. If you need to cover a particularly challenging surface, such as glass or high-gloss paint, use an adhesive primer.

7. Let the roller do the work

Today’s premium paints flow easily, so you don’t need to apply much pressure. Be sure to use an extension bar to reach the maximum surface area with the least effort and without straining your back.