Elegantly and evenly painted walls are the goal of anyone who decides to renovate an apartment. Unfortunately, the fear of streaks often discourages people from starting to paint. Here are some tips that will dispel any doubts and make painting easy!
Why do streaks appear?
When you stand in front of the wall and look straight ahead, the wall may look uniform. Paint streaks become visible when you look at the wall against the light. The cause of the problem is that the paint dries too quickly at the junction of two strips of applied paint. The paint does not have enough time to spread evenly and get the right texture, which makes the joints look like sandpaper.
The differences are not visible when looking directly at the wall because the light rays reflect vertically. On the other hand, when viewing the wall at an angle, where the paint surface is smoother, the light reflects more intensely, making the color appear brighter. At the joints, where the surface is rougher, light is absorbed, giving the effect of a darker color shade.
Getting rid of streaks
Wipe the entire painted wall with fine sandpaper (180) to remove the difference and bring the surface to uniform smoothness. How to proceed:
• Priming – If using a standard paint with a small amount of acrylic, repaint the wall with primer to reduce its absorbency.
• Detail painting – paint all corners, sockets and other parts with a small roller, leaving planes to be painted with a large roller.
• Take a short break before painting – take a break, as you will have to perform the next activity without stopping.
• Prepare the roller – prepare the roller mounted on pole to pick up the pace and avoid streaks.
• Close the windows – close the windows to prevent air-drying the paint and start painting without interruptions.
• Humidity – if the air is dry, you can add up to 10% water to the second coat of paint or gently spray the wall with a mist of water just before applying the paint.
Painting the ceiling without streaks
Don’t forget to prepare the substrate and provide the right conditions to have the paint dry at the right rate. Choosing the right tools is important. To paint the ceiling and walls without streaks, you need a roller to apply the product evenly, as painting with a brush can leave visible marks with every stroke. Choose a roller according to the manufacturer’s recommendations – especially regarding bristle type and length.
Painting walls with a roller without streaks
The most important is the last, final coat of paint. To get smooth walls without streaks, apply the last coat of paint in vertical motions, from top to bottom, maintaining a uniform direction. It is also important to paint in overlapping strips to prevent the edges of the paint layer from drying out. Before painting, wet the roller with water and dry excess moisture.
Pay attention to the amount of paint scooped onto the roller – try to take even amounts from the first dip so that the paint is evenly distributed over the bristles. Avoid spot touch-ups during painting. Wait until the paint layer dries completely – any marks or discoloration may disappear during this process. Only after the coating is completely dry, decide whether touch-ups are necessary.
Preventing paint streaks
Paint streaksare a common problem, especially when painting the ceiling. Ceiling streaks develop most often due to improper application technique or poor drying conditions. To avoid ceiling creaks, you should:
1. Avoid excess paint – scoop only as much paint as needed onto the roller. Excess paint can cause streaking.
2. Paint in sections – divide the ceiling into sections and paint them one by one, keeping the edges wet.
3. Keep a steady pace – try to paint at a steady pace without stopping during one section.
Easier and more satisfying painting
Beautifully painted walls and ceilings without streaks are possible if you follow the above rules. Remember to properly prepare the substrate and choose the right tools and painting techniques. Avoiding the most common mistakes will minimize the risk of streaks and stains.