Applications / 5 Tips For Interior Painting In The Winter

February 14, 2024

When considering interior painting, many may automatically assume that it’s best done during the spring or summer months. However, it’s worth noting the advantages of painting during winter. With lower humidity levels, paint tends to dry more efficiently and effectively in colder weather. As a result, winter emerges as an opportune time for both exterior and interior painting projects in homes.

Avoid waiting for the sweltering heat and high humidity of summer months. Instead, revitalize your home with a new coat of paint using these five interior painting tips tailored for the winter season.

1. Preparation

When preparing for an interior paint job, it’s critical to take the time to prep your space and materials. Avoid costly mistakes and spend time protecting your surfaces and equipment. Here are just a few painting project preparation tips:

Before painting your house, make sure your surfaces are clean of dirt and dust. We know you’re eager to start painting, but removing these particles with a simple rag or tack cloth can help ensure a smooth surface and keep the floor protection products in place.

After you’ve cleaned your surfaces, take the time to protect the with these products:

• Drop cloths will protect furniture and floors. For hardwood floor protection, we recommend a slip resistant drop. For carpeted surfaces, a heavy duty canvas drop will work just fine.
• Surface protection board works well for hard surfaces such as countertops and floors. We recommend Trimaco’s X-Paper or X-Board.
• Masking film and masking paper are great for protecting baseboards, windows, doors and cabinets.
• Blue painter’s tape will protect trim, baseboards, electric sockets or any other small, detailed space.

To help keep a consistent paint color for the entire duration of your interior painting project, we recommend mixing a few cans of paint in a large 5-gallon bucket. Using a 5-gallon bucket roller tray will keep your waste and mess to a minimum. In addition, straining your paint will help remove any impurities, ensuring a smooth finish.

2. Ceiling, Walls then Trim

Feeling overwhelmed when painting a sizable area is common, especially when unsure of where to begin. Accidental drips, spills, or splatters are almost inevitable, underscoring the importance of following the right sequence. As a general guideline, it’s advisable to start by painting the ceiling, followed by the walls, and then the trim.

If you plan on painting your floors, save that for last!

3. Even Strokes

For large spaces and walls, we recommend using a roller. Using an extension pole will also speed up the paint project dramatically.

1. Completely cover the roller with paint before beginning
2. Remove all excess paint to avoid drips
3. Using the roller to apply paint, follow the same pattern throughout. The most common pattern is in the shape of a “W” or “M”. Without lifting the roller, fill in the un-painted areas.
4. Once you’ve painted the area completely, carefully pick up the roller so it does not leave a mark. Reapply the paint on your roller, move to another unpainted area and repeat the process.

*We recommend following these steps for both primers and interior paints.

4. Keep calm & let the paint dry

Once you’ve painted your room, it’s tempting to start applying a second coat of paint. Don’t! Ensure that the initial coat is fully dry before considering additional coats. To facilitate quicker drying, promote airflow by opening windows. Surprisingly, the winter air can enhance drying times.

Not all paints are created equal. Different types of paints have different drying times. oil-based paints should dry for at least 24 hours before re-applying. When using latex based paint, you can begin your second coat in just 4-6 hours.

5. Clean up

We know, cleaning up is the least fun part of any job. However, clean up and proper disposal of paint wash out is an extremely important part of the painting process. Latex paint can simply be washed out of brushes with soap and warm water. Dispose wash out in a government approved area that will not seep into groundwater. Alternatively, invest in an environmentally friendly, paint wash out system.

Oil paints are a bit more tricky. To remove paint, use a paint thinner or solvent to wash out. Again, dispose of paint washout in a pre-approved area. Improper disposal can harm the environment and can pollute groundwater.

Lastly, store your leftover paint in a safe place for future touch ups! The cold weather can be the perfect time for a fresh coat of paint.

Trimaco has you covered!

Looking for more painting tips? Trimaco has you covered! Explore these tricks to help speed up the painting process, helpful exterior painting tips and five things to avoid during your project.

Have your own interior painting in the winter? Share it with us below! If you need other supplies, check out all of Trimaco’s products, including paint strainers and dust containment systems.