Interior House Painting Guide

By [Artist Painters LLC]

Version 1.0 — June 2025

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Tools & Materials Checklist

3. Preparation

4. Surface Preparation

5. Priming

6. Painting Techniques

7. Cleanup

8. Safety Guidelines

9. Troubleshooting Common Problems

10. Maintenance Tips

11. Appendix — Recommended Products

Motion Economy

Reasons for Termination

1. Introduction

The goal of Artist Painters projects is to complete work with exceptional quality standards while maximizing efficiency. This guide offers support with efficiency techniques and provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for achieving professional-grade interior paint finishes. Whether you're painting one room or an entire house, adhering to these best practices will ensure stunning, long-lasting results that meet our clients' expectations. The recommended attire includes a clean Artist Painters T-Shirt, along with comfortable shoes and either pants or shorts. Members of Artist Painters should continually enhance their skills to achieve the same quality level more quickly and with fewer errors and rework.

2. Tools & Materials Checklist:

Familiarize yourself with the toolbox and “kit”.

Basic Tools (use tools for their intended purpose, i.e. a taping knife is not a scraper)

Tool Box, Large “kit” tote, Zippered Bags with handles

- Paintbrushes (angled sash, trim, wall)

- Paint rollers (various naps for smooth or textured walls)

9/16 roller sleeves for most walls

-Mini-roller frames and sleeves

- Roller frames & extension poles

- Paint trays & liners, handy pal cut buckets/pelican buckets

- Drop cloths and plastic sheeting roll

(drop cloths for floors, plastic sheeting for furniture)

- Painter’s tape, electrical tape

Frog tape (green regular adhesion, yellow, delicate adhesion, orange strong adhesion)

Using the correct tape for the job is important for clean lines and tape residue left by tape.- Putty knives, (various sizes)

 -Plastic guards for painting baseboards (request tutorial) - Sandpaper (various grits)

- Caulk & caulking gun- Ladders & stairway platforms

- Spackle / joint compound- Cleaning cloths & rags, Dirtex Cleaner, bucket, rubber gloves

- Shop Vac

-Trash Bags

-Artist Painters paint Can Labels

- Rechargeable screw guns

- Festool Sander, sandpaper (220/180)

- Headlamps/spot lights

- furniture Glides (makes moving heavy furniture easier)

- Spray can stain blocking primer

- Kovrd Zippered Roller Tray Covers

- Wide variety of tools, hammer, pliers, 5-in-1 tool, scrapers, pry bars, wire brushes, etc. (tool box)

-PPE, ear plugs, safety glasses, masks, disposable coveralls, first aid kit

-Extension Cords plug adapters

-Misc screw bits, nails, screws and drywall anchors

-Poo-Pourri, bathroom sprays (flip lid of kit).

Materials- High-quality interior paint, basic paint lines and brands:

Ben Moore Aura for Trim/doors

Ben Moore Advance Paint for trim/ doors/ mantles/ shelving/ furniture

Ben Moore Regal Select for walls

Ben Moore Waterbourne Ceiling Paint for Ceilings (ultra Flat)

Primer (appropriate for the surface type)

Stix (bonding Primer), all other primers for coverage/stain blocking when needed- Wood filler- Mild detergent (for cleaning surfaces, Dirtex)

 

3. Preparation:

Establish a client-friendly, neutral location for an equipment base. Ideally a place setting for the duration of the project.

Room Preparation - When possible, relocate furniture or move it to the center and cover it entirely with plastic sheeting. While moving furniture, consider efficient placement for ceiling and wall cutting. - Detach wall art, window treatments, switch plates, and outlet covers using rechargeable screw guns. Organize outlet covers for easy reinstallation. Take photos of the area to ensure items can be returned to their original positions. Check if any wall holes need patching. - Protect floors with drop cloths. - Use a pole sander on walls to eliminate small high spots and imperfections.

Surface Cleaning: Wipe down baseboards where applicable in preparation for painting. No need to wipe down walls unless noticeably dirty. Rinse and allow to dry fully before proceeding.

4. Surface Preparation

Inspect Surfaces- Identify and repair holes, cracks, dents, and imperfections. - Ask the client what nail holes will remain for easy picture hanging, plaster all imperfections, holes and cracks. A crack must be “dug out” or V channel sliced with a utility knife, remove all loose debris from V channel, plaster with compound, cut a piece of Fiba Fuse Drywall tape to cover crack. Place more mud on the crack, may take several coats with drying time in between. When area is dry, sand with orbital Festool sander, connected to Shop Vac for dust collection

Repair Process1. Fill holes & cracks with spackle (drywall) or wood filler (Timbermate), (wood surfaces).2. Let dry completely.3. Sand smooth with Festool Orbital / vac set-up (220 sandpaper) Do not leave "crescent moon" shape, final quick sand with sander flat on surface. 4. Wipe away dust with a clean cloth.5. Prime

Caulking- Apply paintable caulk where trim meets walls or ceilings in areas to close gaps and create crisp lines. Use a damp paper towel or fine cloth to smooth out caulking. Use electrical tape or specialized caulking cap to seal unused caulking.

Allow proper drying time before painting. (10 Min. +/-)

5. Priming:

Knowing which primer to use and where…

When to Prime- Bare drywall, new wood- Stained or repaired areas, High-contrast color changes (this saves costs or more expensive Regal Select paint) Priming Tips- Use a high-quality primer designed for the substrate. Apply one even coat and allow full drying time.

6. Painting Techniques:

typically ceiling and/or trim first, cut in walls into the ceiling and trim/baseboards last.

Always two coats of paint, sometimes a third or touch-up is needed.

Roller Sleeve Tip: remove excess lint off the roller with a damp hand or painter's tape.

Ceilings Begin by cutting in with an angled brush for edges, corners, and along the ceiling line. This can sometimes be done with a roller sleeve, but corners will still require special attention. Use an extension pole with the appropriate roller. Rolling ceilings perpendicular to your body minimizes fatigue and strain. Work in a single direction for a consistent appearance. Work in sections, maintaining a wet edge to prevent lap marks. Let the first coat dry completely. Apply a second coat using the same method. Always apply two coats. If a third coat seems necessary, consider priming the areas before painting. Protect all furniture (plastic) and flooring (drop clothes)

Trim, Doors, Windows- Use fine-bristle brushes for a smooth finish.

Use plastic guard to paint baseboards without tape. Some cases you will need to tape the floor or carpet. Sand lightly between coats if needed. Use mini-roller and Pelican Buckets when efficient.

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Insert Baseboard/guard tutorial

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Walls - Begin by cutting the walls into the ceiling and trim, leaving this step for last to achieve a straighter cut line more easily. First, cut all the edges of the walls, then proceed to roll. Once the initial cut and roll are dry, apply the second cut and roll. Always use an extension pole to ensure proper leverage and the correct pressure on the wall. Choose the appropriate roller sleeve or nap. When rolling the walls, load the roller sleeve properly in the roller pan and apply a "V" pattern to distribute the paint evenly. For "small sections," distribute the paint on the nearby wall to avoid excess paint on the "small section," preventing drips and sags on the wall. Work in one direction for a uniform appearance, being careful not to bump the ceiling or trim, otherwise, this will have to be touch-up with ceiling or trim paint. Work in sections, maintaining a wet edge to prevent lap marks. Allow the first coat to dry completely. Apply a second coat using the same process. Always apply two coats. If a third coat seems necessary, consider priming the areas before painting. Avoid spreading the paint too thin; typically, you can cover a 3'x8' section per loaded roller sleeve. Make it a habit to review your work, as you go, to ensure you're applying the correct amount of paint without thin spots, drips, or sags.

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Insert wall cutting-in tutorial

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7. Cleanup

Ask the client for the appropriate wash sink they can provide.

Tools- Brushes can be wrapped individually in doggy bags or plastic bags while not in use. (breaks/lunch or overnight if wrapped appropriately) Clean brushes with water (latex) or appropriate solvent (oil-based) when applicable or can be transported to the art space for cleaning. Wrap roller sleeves when not in use to keep them fresh. Use Kovrd zippered bags to store roller trays and roller frames when not in use, as well as overnight. Keep the Kovrd bags level at all times. Dispose of roller sleeves at the end of the project, cut bucket and tray liners. Remove drop cloths carefully to avoid dust or debris on fresh paint. Room- Reinstall outlet covers, fixtures, and hardware. Return furniture to place, being mindful if there is wet paint.

8. Safety Guidelines

Ventilate the work area at all times. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE):  Respirators (if using solvent-based paints). Gloves, Safety goggles (especially when sanding overhead) Follow manufacturer guidelines for product handling. Keep paint and tools away from children and pets. Use ladders safely — never stand on the top rung. Never stand on countertops or furniture.

9. Troubleshooting Common Problems

| Problem                | Cause                           | Solution                     

||-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------||

Brush marks | Too much paint, poor technique | Use proper brush loading and strokes ||

Roller stipple | Incorrect nap, cheap roller | Use correct roller nap and quality rollers ||

Lap marks | Painting too slowly, dry edges   | Maintain a wet edge and work quickly ||

Paint drips/sags | Overloading brush/roller | Apply thinner coats, smooth out drips ||

Poor adhesion | Dirty surface, lack of primer | Clean surface, prime as needed |

Resistant paint surface | silicone or other resistant residue | Clean with Dirtex or Shellac primer

10. Maintenance Tips

Wait at least two weeks before washing newly painted surfaces. Use mild soap and water for cleaning. (Murphy’s Oil Soap is safe for all painted surfaces) Touch up small scratches with leftover paint (keep a small, labeled container for this purpose). Client keeps all labeled, leftover paint. Monitor high-traffic areas for wear over time.

11. Appendix — Regular Recommended Products

Paint: Benjamin Moore Regal Select (walls)/ Aura (trim/baseboards/doors)

Primer: Benjamin Moore Fresh Start, Zinnzer 123, Stix Bonding Primer

Caulk: DAP Alex Plus / Tower Accelerator / Extreme Stretch

Brushes: Purdy, Wooster, Corona 2.5” angled sash brush

Rollers Sleeves: Arroworthy Microfiber 9/16" (walls)

Drop Cloths: Heavy-duty canvas

Tape: 3M Blue Painter’s Tape, Frog Tape, Washi Tape

Woodfiller: Timbermate

Final Notes

Professional interior painting is a blend of art and science. By following this guide, every painter on our team can ensure consistent quality, customer satisfaction, and safe, efficient work practices. The aim is to consistently apply good techniques, as speed and efficiency will naturally follow. If you're unsure, consult a supervisor, check the paint manufacturer's guidelines, and strive for excellence.

Motion Economy

Motion economy at the workplace refers to the systematic design of work processes to reduce unnecessary movements and increase efficiency. It aims to minimize wasted motion, ease operator tasks, reduce fatigue, and minimize cumulative trauma such as Carpal Tunnel and tendonitis. The principles of motion economy focus on the efficiency of movement, streamlining tasks, and arranging the work environment to ensure that each motion serves a purpose and contributes to the overall task.

In simple terms, examples of Motion Economy include keeping the paint roller tray close by and shifting it as you progress down a wall to boost efficiency. Another example is transporting necessary items across the jobsite if your hands are free and you anticipate that you or a team member will need those items later, closer to the equipment base.

Efficiency significantly contributes to the growth of an individual's wages. Generally, these skills develop over years of practicing motion economy.

Understanding Motion Economy and Its Impact on Productivity Article

Common Reasons for Termination

Termination of Independant Contractor may occur for a variety of reasons. While each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, the following are common grounds for termination: Artist Painters enjoy a great deal of freedom and flexibility. It's important to communicate, be present, and be mindful of your surroundings. Approach this job as if you were a teenager in an entry-level position; what isn't acceptable there won't be acceptable here either.

1. Poor Job Performance

Failure to meet performance standards or job expectations.

Repeated errors or carelessness in work.

Inability or unwillingness to improve after feedback or coaching

2. Excessive Absenteeism or Tardiness

Since our projects and start times are on a project-by-project basis, please communicate your schedule and availability to work. Start times depend on your schedule. Only cancel at the last minute if there's an emergency or illness. Monitor your breaks.

3. Violation of Company Policies

Breach of safety protocols

Misuse of company property or equipment

Failure to comply with company procedures or rules

4. Insubordination

Refusal to follow reasonable instructions from supervisors or management

Disrespectful behavior toward management or coworkers or clients

5. Theft or Dishonesty

Stealing company property or the property of others

Falsifying company records or timekeeping

Dishonest behavior in any form

6. Harassment or Discrimination

Engaging in discriminatory, harassing, or abusive behavior

Creating a hostile or unsafe work environment

7. Substance Abuse

Reporting to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Possession, use, or distribution of illegal substances on company premises

8. Workplace Violence or Threats

Physical altercations or intimidation

Threats of violence or aggressive conduct

9. Breach of Confidentiality

Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive company or client information.

10. Layoffs or Reduction in Force

Business restructuring

Lack of available work

Financial necessity

This list is not exhaustive. The company reserves the right to terminate employment at its discretion, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.