Dark paint colours look great when you first apply them on your wall but over time it fades and even more important, trends change. If you decide to change from dark to light, it can be challenging since dark paint has a tendency to creep through. But with proper preparation, it can be prevented.
Stop the dark colour from peeping through the light paint by following these easy steps, and you’ll find it a breeze to even cover a black wall without hassle.
1. Use a primer
A primer has three functions:
- Preventing stains and making it easier to cover darker colours
- Allowing one-coat coverage without dark colour bleeding through
- Enhances adhesion of paint
Before applying primer, make sure the surface is clean and clear of peeling paint. Wash your walls with a blend of dish detergent and warm water to remove dirt or grease. This will ensure maximum adhesion of the paint. For a smoother finish, follow routine wall maintenance such as filling holes and sanding down rough edges.
When covering dark walls with light paint colours, it’s best to use a white primer. If you’re going from light to dark, a grey primer will work best. You might need two layers of primer for the best results.
Allow for each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Without applying primer, you will most definitely spend more money on paint.
2. Use quality paint and tools
It goes without saying that if you use low-quality paint and tools, you’ll obtain poor results and find it challenging to cover dark paint colours. Since high-quality paints contain higher levels of binders and pigments, it’s the preferred choice when wanting to cover dark walls and enhancing coverage. It’s often formulated with titanium dioxide which increases the power to eliminate dark paint seeping through.
By using high-quality painting tools, you will boost your speed and efficiency of paint application. High-quality rollers and paintbrushes will also deliver paint in a thicker and smoother coat, helping to conceal the dark colour better. Make sure you mix the paint properly before applying it to the walls as poorly mixed paint equals lower coverage.
A high-quality paintbrush will feel comfortable in your hand, have soft tips, and split edges to create a smooth finish. To determine the quality of a roller, squeeze it. Good-quality rollers hold their shape while poor-quality rollers don’t.
3. Paint an M or W
When applying paint on the wall with a roller, create an M or W. When applying more paint to the roller, make sure to use the slanted part of the paint tray to remove excess paint, helping you to avoid lines and giving a smooth appearance.
4. Drying Time
Allow enough time between each coat for the paint to dry thoroughly. If you start with your next layer to quickly, you might be contributing to poor paint coverage. Paint shouldn’t be tacky or sticky, or it’s still considered wet. Drying times can vary due to room temperature and humidity levels, but typically it takes around two hours for interior latex paint coats to dry.
Hire a professional
If painting is not your forte, or you aren’t up for the challenge of painting of over dark colours, get online and get quotes from professional painters, by filling in one online form, you’ll receive quotations from four different painting contractors in your area within minutes.
Don’t feel like you have to be stuck with that dark wall forever, get some quality primer, paint and tools or hire a professional and lighten up your room today.
Author: – Adele Kruger is a freelance content writer for selected businesses, and offers her design skills as an extra.
