A fast painting can end up with a satisfactory result if only you prepare yourself well. What to pay attention to when selecting materials and when to avoid the rush? Here are some tips that will help you to paint a room fast but efficiently.
Does it seem that your room could use a little metamorphosis? There's no need for waiting - grab a brush and let it happen! That's most likely what you would like to hear - but hold on for a while. The act of painting itself may be relatively easy, but without appropriate preparation of the space and surfaces, you will end up with an effect that lasts only for a while. As a result, another metamorphosis will be not welcome but necessary.
Painting a room in one day - is that possible?
In the case of painting, speed is not really an issue. What matters the most in the context of the final effect is the approach. You shouldn't jump into the painting phase right away. The right choice of materials, planning, and expertise are as much, if not more, important. You can paint the room in one day - but the time the effect will last depends on how much attention you pay to the preparation.
Note, however, that the time spent on painting depends on many factors. First is, of course, the size of the space. Another significant aspect is the type of paint you choose.
How long does the paint take to dry up?
The latex and acrylic paint dry up relatively fast. You need around 2 hours for the surface of the layer to dry up. You should wait 2 more hours to apply another layer.
It's different in the case of oil paints. One layer of such product may take even 10 hours to dry, which means it will be hardly possible to finish the painting in one day. However, oil paints are not that common as latex in acrylic. They serve mainly for covering wooden and metal surfaces.
The anti-corrosion paint, which is usually used for the exterior surfaces due to its resistance to changing weather conditions, also takes more time to dry up. The reason lies in its composition. It's usually at least 4 hours, and you should wait another 4 to start applying the next layer.
How do the conditions influence the speed of your work?
It's worth remembering that the conditions in which you carry out the works have a strong influence on the project's timeframes. In the case of interior painting, this aspect is not that significant. It is, however, when you paint the exteriors. High humidity may slow down the drying process by half, and so do the low temperatures. High temperatures aren't helpful either since they speed up the drying process, making it hard to cover the surface thoroughly.
That's why the restoration works - particularly the exterior ones - usually take place in spring or autumn, when the climate is moderate.
How many layers of paint should you apply?
If you want it all wrapped up the soonest, you may think about cutting down the number of layers. What is the absolute minimum? One layer of paint will never be enough - if you want an aesthetically pleasing and durable effect, you should apply at least two coats of paint.
To increase the durability and make the colours more vivid, apply a primer before the first coat of paint. It will prolong the work a little, but the effect will be much better. The primer may take from one to three hours to dry. Note, however, that difficult conditions (high humidity, low temperature) may slow down this process.
How to plan the painting process?
As we've already mentioned, without planning, achieving a satisfactory effect will be much harder. The plan should include:
- Gathering the materials (the right type of paint, paintbrushes, and rollers, a tray, painter's tape, protection for floor and furniture)
- Selecting a colour palette and applying a paint swatch
- Surface examination
Before launching the project, you should examine the state of the walls and prepare them by:
- washing
- dry dusting
- sanding
If you notice some cracks, holes, or mould, it will be much safer to use painting and decorating services. Most likely, you'll need to remove some layers and refill the cavities which requires some professional skills.
