Textured Surfaces: How They Affect Your Paint Job
Every painting project is unique, but for the most part, much of the work involved remains the same. No matter what, you’ll want to perform the right prep work, like cleaning the surfaces, removing furniture, and laying down drop cloths. You’ll also apply primer to the surface before painting the necessary number of coats. But painting isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes it can get pretty rough – or textured, rather. All wordplay aside, textured surfaces are indeed a bit trickier to paint than smooth ones. If it’s time to go over your textured surface, there a few things to keep in mind to help you plan accordingly.
Scrub Well
As mentioned above, it’s always best to clean the surface you’ll be painting beforehand. This helps the paint adhere to the surface for a longer-lasting paint job. However, cleaning a rough surface takes additional effort. The protrusions and divots present on a textured surface allow dirt, dust, and cobwebs to easily accumulate, so there will be more to clean. Not only that, rough surfaces require deeper cleaning and added pressure to reach every crevice and remove any debris.
For exterior surfaces, pressure washing is a good option for blasting away dirt and dust. Interior surfaces will require a good vacuuming and scrubbing with a cleaning solution and a sponge. Just be careful not to damage the surface when cleaning it.
Painter’s Tape for Textured Surfaces
With the help of regular painter’s tape, painting straight lines on a smooth surface is relatively easy. However, textured surfaces are bumpy and unpredictable, making this more difficult. Fortunately, you can use painter’s tape specialized for painting textured surfaces. The only caveat here is that this tape requires two steps instead of one.
Like normal painter’s tape, you apply it to the areas you don’t want covered, whether you’re painting a room two colors or protecting baseboards and crown molding. But then, you’ll also want to line the edge of the tape with a liquid solution that helps seal off the paint at the edges so none of it bleeds beyond the line. Using this special tape, you can ensure that the texture of your surface won’t make it impossible to paint perfectly straight lines.
Choose the Right Type of Primer and Paint
Textured surfaces also affect the type of primer and paint you should use. The more durable, the better. Look for “high build” or “problem surface” primer for textured surfaces. The paint sheen you choose is a matter of preference, though some Raleigh house painters will advise against flat or matte finishes on textured walls. Generally speaking, satin and semi-gloss finishes do a good job of showing off a surface’s texture, and they’re usually easier to clean. If you would rather minimize these bumps and imperfections, however, a flat finish will help hide them.
Applicators for Rougher Surfaces
Choosing the right paint is key, of course, but you must consider how you’ll apply said paint to the surface in question. Rollers and brushes both differ in sizes, shapes, and levels of thickness. Textured walls require thicker, angular applicators that can get inside every nook and cranny. Use a thick ¾ inch nap roller for really rough surfaces, and a slightly smaller ⅜ or ¼ inch nap for finer textures. Angled brushes are best for fully covering textured surfaces as well as small, tight corners and edges.
Need Some Help Painting Your Textured Surfaces?
Many homeowners love the look and feel of their textured exteriors and interiors. These surfaces simply require more maintenance and some additional effort when painting. Anderson Painting contractors are happy to help homeowners in Raleigh, NC with all their home painting needs. We have the skills and resources to paint the roughest surfaces, inside or outside your home. For those who wish to remove some of their textured features, we also offer popcorn ceiling removal services and much more. To learn more about us and all our services, call Anderson Painting today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
