Changing the colour of your black or dark kitchen into a white one is a fantastic alternative to moving to a new place just for that reason alone. It’s also one of the easiest and cheapest ways to transform your home look. Still, repainting from dark to light has its specifics, and it’s not as easy as it sounds.
In this post provided by painters and decorators working with Fantastic Services, you will learn all there is to know about how to make a successful paint job on your walls from black to white.
Gather Your Painting Tools First
The right DIY project starts well when you have all the necessary painting tools at hand. This is why it’s essential to begin with some shopping for the following items:
- Primer;
- Paint;
- Sand paper;
- Spackle;
Prepare the Surface Carefully and Precisely.
Pre-treatment is a must if you want your paint job to be successful. Here’s a quick guide for the wall preparation before adding the lighter shade:
- Clear and clean – It’s crucial to clean the walls before painting This involves removing dust, dirt, or spots that could interfere with paint adhesion or affect the final appearance. You can clean using a mild detergent and water solution, rinsing, and letting the surface dry completely.
- Apply painter’s tape – Painter’s tape is recommended for creating clean, crisp lines between different surfaces, such as walls and ceilings. By applying painter’s tape along the edges, you can protect adjacent areas from unintentional paint splatters or smudges. Make sure the tape is pressed firmly and evenly for a good seal.
- Use protection for surfaces – To protect your floor and furniture from paint drips or spills, covering them with plastic drop cloth sheets is advisable. If possible, remove the furniture from the room altogether.
- Sand the walls – Sanding the walls helps to create a smooth surface for paint application. Coarse grit sandpaper is initially used to remove any rough patches, imperfections, or old paint. Medium-grit sandpaper is then employed to further smooth out the surface, followed by fine-grit sandpaper for a final touch. Sanding allows the new paint to adhere properly and results in a more professional finish.
Important: Remember, when sanding walls, it’s important to take necessary safety precautions. Wearing a dust mask and eye protection is recommended to protect yourself from airborne particles. Adequate ventilation in the working area is also essential to minimise the inhalation of dust.
Apply Primer
After thoroughly cleaning and sanding the wall, it’s time to apply the primer. Primers are important because they serve as a preparatory layer that helps create a smooth and uniform surface for the paint to adhere to. They also improve coverage and enhanced adhesion.
When repainting a dark wall with a lighter colour like white, you have a couple of options for primer selection. A high-hide primer is a great choice as it provides better coverage over darker colours, minimising the chances of the underlying colour bleeding through. This type of primer acts as a barrier, ensuring that the dark colour remains hidden beneath the new paint.
Alternatively, an adhesion-promoting primer can be used. This type of primer enhances the paint’s ability to stick to the wall surface and improves the longevity of the new paint job. It helps to create a strong bond between the wall and the subsequent layers of paint and reduces the risk of peeling or flaking over time. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding drying time and application techniques for the specific primer you choose.
Use The Rright Painting Techniques
To start, dip the roller into the paint tray, allowing the roller sleeve to absorb the paint. Roll it back and forth on the ridges of the tray to distribute the paint evenly across the roller sleeve. It’s important not to overload the roller to avoid drips and uneven application. Aim for a sufficient amount of paint that covers the roller evenly without excess.
Begin painting from a top corner of the wall, using a brush to cut in along the edges and corners before using the roller. Once you start rolling, create a “W” or “M” pattern on the wall. This technique helps distribute the paint more evenly and ensures complete coverage. The overlapping motion of the pattern helps blend the paint and eliminates any potential inconsistencies or streaks.
As you move the roller across the wall, slightly overlap each stroke with the previous one. This overlapping technique ensures a seamless appearance and prevents visible lines or gaps in the paint coverage. Maintain a steady and even pressure on the roller as you roll it across the surface.
It’s best to work in small, manageable sections to ensure that the paint stays wet and doesn’t dry too quickly. This allows for better blending and a seamless appearance. Once you finish one section, move on to the next, overlapping the edges slightly to ensure a smooth transition between sections.
Add a Second Coat Of Primer For a Stronger Statement
Applying a second layer of primer ensures that any remaining dark paint spots or stains are effectively concealed. This extra layer acts as an additional barrier, preventing the dark colour from showing through the new layer of paint. If you want your paint job to look as if done by professional decorators, then add the second layer without hesitation.
Another advantage of applying a second coat of primer is that it fills in any remaining imperfections or unevenness on the wall, resulting in a flawless base for the paint. This helps to create a smoother and more even surface, so you can apply the paint more evenly.
Apply Several Layers Of Paint
When painting white over a black wall, it’s best to apply multiple thin coats of white paint rather than a single thick layer. This technique allows the white paint to gradually build up and effectively cover the dark colour underneath. Thin coats help prevent the black from showing through and ensure a more consistent and solid white finish.
When applying each coat of paint, use a roller or brush in a “W” or “M” pattern, overlapping each stroke slightly. This technique ensures even distribution and helps blend the paint seamlessly. Remember to allow proper drying time between coats as recommended by the paint manufacturer. This will allow the paint to fully cure and achieve its desired opacity.
Tips On Covering Dark Walls Without Paint To Keep In Mind
Every handyman knows the following tips when it comes to painting, and now you will too.
- Proper preparation of the surface sometimes might take more time. If you see nail holes, fill them with spackle, sand and some paint.
- Nothing can go wrong if you have a rich enough imagination. In other words, unlock your creativity if you see an outcome that wasn’t in your plans. For example, darker shades might be transformed with some white paint or turned into a base for a gallery wall with white frames.
- Gloss, matte, and sateen effects can be added at last, but ensure a final protective coat is dried on the already lightened wall surface.
Get Help From Painters and Decorators, If Necessary
If all of these sound to you too tricky or too long-lasting, don’t worry. You can still get your light walls no matter how dramatically dark they are right now. Using professionals for this DIY project will save time and money if you don’t own all the painting tools you need. Besides, if you opt for expert redecoration at home, you get the guarantee that nothing will go wrong.
These days, interior design trends seem to focus on more earthy shades, among which dark and bright colours don’t have any proper place. Going from dark to light, though, shouldn’t be inspired only by the latest fashion trends. Rooms and homes painted in white and light shades look more spacious, cosier and welcoming. So your DIY project is definitely worth it to be done.
Good luck!
