House painting — whether you’re wanting to give your interior a lift or add kerb appeal to the exterior —is an investment in your Gold Coast or Brisbane property. You don’t want to mess it up.
House painting mistakes are easy to make and these are often blunders that can cost you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.
In this article, we’ll explore some common painting mistakes (so you don’t have to make them).
TLDR? DIY jobs go wrong all the time. Avoid the hassle and give the professionals at VS Paintings a call!
1. Skipping prep work
Ah, prep work. Boring, right? But skipping this step is like baking a cake without preheating the oven – it’s not going end well.
Why it’s a mistake: Without proper surface prep (e.g. cleaning, sanding, priming), the paint simply won’t stick. The most likely result will be peeling, cracking, or uneven surfaces.
Pro Tip: Always clean your walls, sand down rough spots, and prime where necessary. A good primer helps the paint adhere better and last longer.
2. Choosing the wrong paint
Who doesn’t love swatches? Picking paint, however, isn’t just about choosing a pretty colour. Interior and exterior paints have specific formulas. Using the wrong one can lead to disaster.
Why it’s a mistake: Exterior paint is made to withstand the elements, while interior paint will simply not survive outdoors. Use interior paint outside, and you’ll be waving goodbye to a beautiful finish, as well as your money.
Pro Tip: Read the label! Make sure you’re using exterior paint for outdoor surfaces and interior paint for indoors.
3. Ignoring the weather
Planning an outdoor painting project? Check the Gold Coast weather forecast before cracking open that paint can.
Why it’s a mistake: Painting during rain or in extreme heat can ruin your hard work. Paint won’t dry evenly, leading to streaks and uneven textures.
Pro Tip: Wait to tackle exterior painting on mild, dry days. The sweet spot is when it’s warm but not too hot, with no rain on the horizon.
4. Not using painter’s tape
Have you seen painter’s tape at the hardware store and thought, “Nah, no need for that.” Spoiler: You absolutely do.
Why it’s a mistake: Without painter’s tape, edges get messy fast. Smudges will appear on your baseboards, ceilings, or windows.
Pro Tip: Take the time to tape off all the no-paint areas. The hassle will pay off. It’ll make your work look professional.
5. Overloading brushes and rollers
More paint means faster coverage, right? Wrong! More paint on your brush or roller leads to drips, splatters, and uneven surfaces.
Why it’s a mistake: Heavy layers of paint take forever to dry and can result in streaks or lumps.
Pro Tip: Dip your brush or roller lightly and apply multiple thin coats instead of one thick one. Patience is a virtue.
House painting solution
Painting your house is a good idea. But there are common traps that are easy to fall into. They’re common for a reason…
These mistakes generally become more noticeable as time goes on. They need to be fixed by a follow-up effort that will cost you time, money, and stress.
DIY drama is all too often overwhelming. You can of course avoid this by hiring a professional painter for your Brisbane house interior or having a Gold Coast painting contractor for your Gold Coast house exterior — VS Paintings is just one call away. We’ll save you all the hassle with your house painting.