- 1). Sand any rough spots with 220-grit sandpaper if necessary. If the old paint finish has noticeable blemishes, these will still show through the new paint finish if you don't sand them smooth.
- 2). Clean the old paint with a trisodium phosphate cleanser. TSP cleansers are good for old painted surfaces, because they wash away dirt without damaging the existing paint finish.
- 3). Repair existing damage before painting. Old walls and old painted furniture could be cracked, and new paint won't cover these blemishes. For a wall surface, apply patching plaster to the damaged area, spread smooth with a putty knife, and sand with 150-grit sandpaper. For most other surfaces, follow the same procedure, but use wood filler instead of patching plaster.
- 4). Cover adjacent surfaces with painter's tape or protective tarps.
- 5). Paint the surface with latex or oil-base paint. Use a paintbrush on small objects and tight corne.rs. Use a paint roller to save time on larger surfaces areas
- 6). Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat dries. Some surfaces may only need one coat, but most will require two.
- 7). Remove tape and tarps after the final coat dries.
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