Prepare the room thoroughly before painting

Spending time on prep before opening a paint can is the single most effective way to prevent messes and achieve a professional-looking finish. Expect prep to take 30-60% of total project time.

Steps

1. Move and cover: Remove furniture or push it to the center and drape with canvas drop cloths. Cover the entire floor, overlapping edges.
2. Remove hardware: Take off outlet covers, switch plates, and door hardware. Tape over exposed outlets.
3. Clean walls: Wipe with a damp cloth. Use TSP or a degreaser in kitchens to ensure paint adhesion.
4. Repair and fill: Spackle nail holes and cracks, sand smooth, then caulk gaps along trim and baseboards.
5. Tape edges: Apply painter's tape along ceiling lines, trim, and baseboards. Press firmly with a putty knife to seal against bleed.
6. Protect fixtures: Bag light fixtures and ceiling fans with plastic sheeting.

Tips

• Canvas drop cloths absorb drips; plastic sheeting lets paint puddle and track on shoes.
• FrogTape gives the sharpest lines with latex paint. Remove tape within one hour at a 45-degree angle while paint is still tacky.