What is the best and easiest way for a senior to paint walls herself?

Question

I am alone and need to find the easiest way for me. Do I start at the ceiling, or the floor, do I need tape? Please help! Thanks

Bijous · Answer

Use a paint edging tool. I've used the first one attached below, but the second one looks like it might hold more paint. Both are sold at Amazon. Good luck.

Nancy Turner · Answer

Painters tape would be needed to protect any trim you don't want paint on, also maybe some of the cheap painters plastic tarps to protect the flooring in case of spills that can happen. Move the furniture as you go to keep it safely out of the way of drips or spills. You can do this!

Nonni · Answer

This site has good information: https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-paint-a-room-like-a-pro/ . You will need a sturdy 6-8 foot ladder. If you are a senior it really isn't a great idea to be on a ladder. I don't know how old you are, but I'm only 58 and I've gotten dizzy before and fallen. It was because I was working in the heat and hadn't had enough water. Perhaps you could paint from about either 1/3 or 2/3 up the wall to the floor without needing a ladder. It would be much safer than being on a ladder.

Joanne lueke · Answer

First determine if your baseboards or any trim around doors or windows need to be painted, because if there are any chips or scuffs on them that needing painted, the trim needs to be painted first. We just finished painting a room and hallway walls first only to find out that was backwards and the trim needs to be painted first. If you plan on painting the ceiling, that would be step 2, and use an edger around the edges of the ceiling. Use a roller for the rest of the ceiling. Lastly you can do the walls, using an edger around the perimeter edges like ceiling, trim and baseboards. Use a roller using a W pattern to insure even coverage. Now if your baseboards and trim are fine, and you don't plan on painting the ceiling your job is fairly easy. Just make sure you are steady on a ladder first. Best of luck!

Mar33482700 · Answer

yes you need tape! try and tape off as much as you can ie ceiling (for ceilings get the widest tape you can just in case you accidently hit the ceiling with your roller) windows door frames wallboards etc... Buy a sponge brush for cutting in the ceiling and other tapes off areas. Rolling is the easiest method (unless you're adapt with a sprayer) cover everything floor included. remove all wall items and patch holes after patching use a wet wash cloth and smooth down patched areas. Paint the edges first with your sponge brush. Then start rolling the paint on middle to ceiling to floor. It may be even easier and less expensive to have someone help you.

B. Enne · Answer

Although not everyone will agree, this is what I find to be the easiest way. After taping and protecting surfaces, always paint the ceiling first, then trim (if needed), then walls. I find it easier to touch up the wall than the trim. You can use edgers, but I like to use a plastic drywall/putty knife when I paint near trim. It saves me time on taping, and I make less of a mess than when I use edgers.

Also it is much easier to paint the ceiling and walls the same colour, which is easy to do, if you choose a light colour. You could use a sturdy stepstool and an extension roller, which is what I do. I'm not very good on ladders.

Also, take your time. You don't have to do everything in one day. However finish the ceiling or a full wall before stopping.

https://refreshliving.us/paint-room-order-operations/

Sky · Answer

Thanks so much!

Marivan · Answer

I'm a female and have done lots and lots of painting in the past 50+ years ( I LOVE to paint), and also did my own wallpapering and furniture finishing. If you looked on the site given you, the word 'cut' is used, it's just saying to paint next to the ceiling and around any wood or other type of trim...painting (tight) next to trim is known as 'cutting'.

Most difficult for you might be 'cutting' where the ceiling meets the wall, unless you're painting them the same color; working from a ladder might be difficult, but if you're up to it...here are my suggestions.

Equipment: A GOOD 2' trim brush...for the type of paint you're using. Hardware store clerks can help with that. Roller holder, good roller covers...and an extension pole is helpful. Painter's tape - I've also used masking tape, but painter's tape is better. A roller scraper. Paint trays and liners. A little container for doing the 'cutting' (like an old cottage cheese container).

Let's paint! Cover the flooring. Remove outlet covers and switch covers and put them in a little box to prevent losing any pieces. With painter's tape, cover any trim and areas not being painted (if you can manage, use it on the ceiling, too). Stir the paint (the store should give you sticks for this). Do cutting first--using your little container....I always scooped paint with the stirring stick and put it in the container. Be sure to keep the paint out of the upper edge of the paint can...tightly fold some strips of aluminum foil around the top of the can first--then scoop, and cover the can lightly.

After you've done the cutting (trim, corners, outlets and switches), you're ready for the roller. Put a liner in the paint tray, and pour some paint into the front of the liner....you need the back part of the liner to squeeze off excess paint. Attach the roller cover to the roller stick, and put the roller in the paint, squeezing off excess paint by rolling the roller back and forth on the back part of the liner. You'll learn the right amount of paint to have on the roller as you start painting...less is better than too much, which can drip. Start at the top or the bottom, in a corner, and make a W with the roller, and fill in the W, going up and down. Put more paint on the roller, squeeze off excess, and make another W below or above the first one, blending in to the painted area. Keep filling in this way until you've completed one top to bottom strip. Then do Ws adjacent to that strip, going from unpainted toward painted, and blend in, and always keep a wet edge. Blend in wherever you notice thin strips, and spread out the paint if it is too thick in some areas. You'll get the hang of it in no time at all. It's easy....and fun....and gratifying when it's all done!

If you want to save paint in the gallon container, first clean any paint out of the edge of the can (or you'll never get the cover off) and cover the top of the paint with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out. Or transfer the paint to a smaller container.

Emily · Answer

Can you move all the furniture that will need to be moved so that you can paint? Painting is not difficult but senior years are not so good to undertake a hard task you have not done before. Painting takes muscle and energy and strength. I don't want to discourage you but I am also a senior with a lot of painting experience and I would not undertake it in a room filled with furniture. Also you have to climb ladders.

Dee · Answer

Hi I like to paint. And my first suggestion is to do the ceiling first. I always use eggshell finish on my ceilings. Kepps them cleaner for years. If you know how to cut in paint. then you do not need to use painters tape at the ceiling. Second step I always do is paint the trim. I do use tape around the trim but that is when I am painting the walls. Lastly paint the molding on the bottom. It may take a few days to paint the room. But well worth the time and effort.

Mogie · Answer

I start with the ceiling. No real reason other then I have arthritis in my shoulders and feel best early in the day.

I use painters tape more then most people. But with aging also comes not being as steady as I used to be.

Don't try to finish the entire room in one day. Pace yourself. I would do the ceiling on day and follow with the walls and finish with a fresh coat of paint on your trim.

What is the best and easiest way for a senior to paint walls herself?

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What is the best and easiest way for a senior to paint walls herself?

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