Paint hides sins only when the substrate is sound. Rush through prep and roller marks will look fine for a week — then tape lines telegraph every shortcut.
Surface preparation checklist
- Relocate furniture or cluster it centrally under plastic sheeting.
- Fill nail holes with spackle; sand flush when dry.
- Degrease kitchen walls and bathrooms before primer touches them.
- Apply primer over bold colors, stains, or new drywall mud.
Masking and floor protection
Use painter’s tape on trim only after surfaces are dust-free. Canvas drop cloths beat thin plastic on stairs because they resist tearing. Tape edges to baseboards so drips cannot seep underneath.
Post-paint cleanup
Ventilate 48 hours minimum. Wipe settled dust from blinds, vents, and shelves — fine pigment floats farther than you expect. A professional post-construction clean catches specks on light fixtures your vacuum hose cannot reach.