Tips for Painting Interiors of Wood Houses

Painting New Sheetrock

• Most likely the interior of your wood-frame house is covered predominantly with sheetrock. It is important to note that the first paint application on sheetrock should be made with a special primer-sealer that completely covers the fresh plaster work and all of the sheetrock. Make sure the final application of the finish plaster (joint compound ) is dry and smooth to the touch, and then you can apply the sealer with a nine-inch paint roller.

Painting Woodwork

• Newly installed woodwork gets painted with a primer paint before the top coat is applied. Choice of paint is important when painting wood trim, for you can use either an oil or a semi-gloss or glossy latex paint. The most variable factor when painting woodwork is how you want the painted surface to reflect light. Oil paint is glossier than latex paint, but more skill and care is needed during the application process, not to mention that cleaning oil paint from a brush is more time consuming. Either semi-gloss or glossy latex paint can be applied to woodwork with a brush. Both the application and cleanup is easier with latex, and the quality of the paints have improved so the wood shines nicely after the paint has dried.

Preparing to Repaint

• After several years interior walls and ceilings may need to be repainted. This depends quite a bit on how much use and abuse the room or hallway receives. When applying fresh paint to a previously painted surface, the most important aspect is to clean the surface thoroughly before you paint again. This is especially important if you are repainting a place that gets heavy use, such as a kitchen. This means the walls, ceilings and woodwork need to be washed thoroughly with a solution of liquid soap and warm water to remove all grease and dirt. A large industrial-sized sponge is the best way to scrub the painted surface. Be sure you rinse the area thoroughly with clear, cold water before painting. Don't forget to let the wall dry before you paint.