Professional installation techniques for painting

The first step is to thin the paint. Overly thick paints risk leaving harsh roller marks and excessive wear; overly thinned paints offer poor coverage and require additional coats. The manufacturer's instructions are a good starting point, but should be adjusted slightly based on the substrate and the tool used (roller/brush).

Painting usually takes place in two or more coats , after the base coat, especially when moving from dark to light colors or using intense hues. The first coat often serves as a "covering base" and should be applied evenly, without worrying too much about small differences; the second (and, if necessary, the third) evens out the color and erases any roller strokes.

Choosing the right roller is important: short-haired rollers are suitable for smooth surfaces and tighter finishes, medium-haired rollers are suitable for slightly rough plaster, and rollers with specific characteristics are suitable for wall enamels or other special products. Application is done with crisscrossing movements: the product is spread in one direction and then gently pulled in the opposite direction to even out the finish.

Brush cuts along edges, baseboards, window frames, and architectural elements should be coordinated with the roller application: cutting too early and then rolling again on already-dry paint can create visible gaps. A good technique involves working in bands, cutting and rolling at short intervals, so as to maintain a good "wet-on-wet" finish.

When working with intense or very dark colors , pay extra attention to any overlaps and retouching. In these cases, it's often advisable to use pigmented primers or products specifically for solid colors, which reduce the risk of halos and tone differences. The lighting on the job site also plays a role: good, uniform light allows you to immediately spot any defects.

On ceilings and large surfaces, the placement of the joints between the rollers and the direction of work relative to the light source (windows, French windows) become crucial. Working "with the light" helps mask rollers and transitions; working against the light, without a minimum of experience, risks highlighting streaks and overlaps.

Beyond the pure technique, it's crucial to respect the drying times between coats. Forcing the drying time, especially in humid or cold environments, can lead to film defects, differences in gloss, or partial removal of the underlying layer during the application of the next coat.

A professional paint job is recognizable by uniform walls, without glossier or duller patches, without streaks where the paint is applied, with clean edges and clean cuts around windows, baseboards, and light fixtures. These details, overall, make the space appear more refined and harmonious.