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Interior Painting Guide

These 25 articles and videos will help you choose materials and hone your finishing techniques for a professional-quality interior paint job.

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Painting interior walls is a great way to freshen up your home. These articles and videos have the information you need to choose the right primer, paints, and tools for your finishing project, and they demonstrate solid techniques for every step in the painting process, from preparing surfaces to priming to laying down the final coat.

 

  • How-To 1
    How to Paint a Room
    Video Series: How to Paint a Room

    Pro painter Jim Lacey demonstrates simple tips and techniques for caulking, masking, priming, and painting..

  • Tools & Materials 2
    Choose the Right Primer for Your Next Painting Project

    Get the lowdown on the four most common formulations, and an overview of specialty primers for every possible substrate and situation, so you can find the right product for the job.

  • 3
    Proper Drywall Prep

    Never clean dust off drywall before priming.

  • How-To 4
    How to Load Paint onto a Brush The Professional Way

    How to make and use a cut bucket and how to load a brush with the right amount of paint to get excellent results without making a mess.

  • How-To 5
    Painting Trim the Right Way

    A pro painter shares 8 essential steps to get a smooth, blemish-free finish when painting molding.

  • How-To 6
    cut in trim and corners
    Cutting in Trim and Corners

    These tricky transition areas require not only the right technique but also the right brush.

  • How-To 7
    Cut In Stain at the Ceiling

    Stain and finish the trim first, and then paint the ceiling.

  • How-To 8
    Preparing to Paint after Wallpaper

    Drywall pro Myron Ferguson gives advice on how to get walls ready to paint if there's damage and glue left behind after stripping wallpaper.

  • How-To 9
    Refinish Your Cabinets

    Save thousands by painting cabinets instead of replacing them.

  • How-To 10
    How to Keep Paint off a Carpet When Painting Baseboard

    This simple tip for using painter's tape will get you clean results every time.

  • How-To 11
    Smoother Walls

    Spraying primer/surfacer can be faster and less expensive that skim coating drywall when you want a perfect paint job.

  • How-To 12
    Painting Walls and Ceilings
    Painting Walls and Ceilings

    A professional's tips for rolling and edging paint as efficiently as possible without making a mess.

  • Design 13
    The Challenges of Painting Kitchens and Baths

    For paint to stand up to these hard-working rooms, the surfaces must be clean, and the finishes must be durable.

  • How-To 14
    Repainting Interior Trim

    Careful preparation and confident brushwork are the keys to a professional finish.

  • Design 15
    Paint It … White!

    Even in a closet, brightness and light is what you want in a design setting. To make a dim interior space really seem airier, keep in mind that white is the new black.

  • How-To 16
    Rolling Interior Latex Wall Paint
    Rolling Interior Latex Wall Paint

    A professional painter's hard-won lessons for applying the ubiquitous wall finish.

  • How-To 17
    Skillful Brushwork for Doors and Windows

    As with all painting projects, proper preparation is key for a durable finish, but it takes good techniques and careful planning to make this job look its best.

  • How-To 18
    Why Pay More for Paint?

    Because the binders, pigments, and additives that make long-lasting, durable finishes don’t come cheap.

  • How-To 19
    Painting Solutions
    Painting Solutions

    A painting contractor shares advice to help you get professional results on your next interior paint job.

  • How-To 20
    how to apply glaze to painted walls
    Painting Walls With Glazes

    Add a little texture and a lot of character to your walls with a decorative painter's formula for glazing.

  • Design 21
    Pick the Right Paint

    The surest way to make the best choice is to brush up on the basics.

  • How-To 22
    Proper Painting Sequence

    Whether painting new walls and trim or previously painted surfaces, always begin with a primer.

  • How-To 23
    More Painting Tips

    Painter Frank Sinicrope answers common questions about interior finishes.

  • How-To 24
    How to Cut Paint in a Straight Line

    Painting along an edge requires a drier brush and a steady hand

  • Tools & Materials 25
    Choosing, Using, and Maintaining Paintbrushes

    The right brush for the job and the right technique can make painting go more quickly and give you a better-looking paint job.

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