(no subject)

[rootofnewt]

We're getting ready to paint our bedroom. We know about taping, dropcloths, etc. But do y'all have any suggestions?

And I can't find TSP anywhere nearby. Is it even sold anymore? What else is good to wash the walls down with?

Edit: I should add, we've already done tons of research, I want personal tips and experience. ;)

Comments

[elizebethjoy.livejournal.com]

If you're changing the color dramtically, like from white to a deep/saturated color, or vice versa, use primer. It will save you from doing 5 coats to make it look even. It's cheap, and you can slap it up there quickly, but it will save you hours of work and headache.

As for washing down the walls, just sweeping them with a broom to get cobwebbies off is good. Filling in holes from nails and screws is also a great idea, unless your pictures are going right back up where they were before.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

We're going from cream to a deeper blue. Not dark blue, but not super light.

And yeah--spackling has already been done.

[gremlin44.livejournal.com]

They do still make TSP. You can use just warm water if you are having problems finding something that your skin/lungs would accept.

You can also use equal parts water and bleach, but I doubt your lungs would survive it.

[lightning-rose.livejournal.com]

Try an old-time type paint or family owned hardware store. I'm sure it's still available. When asking for it, you may have better luck with it's full name, trisodium phosphate.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Aye, tried that, might try again, might just use water. Starting to wonder if I live in an area where phosphates aren't allowed. I mean, they should be perfectly legit here--we already have two Superfund sites.

[firinel.livejournal.com]

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/handbook/article/0,16417,217133-2,00.html

http://homerepair.about.com/od/paintingandpaint/qt/paint_texture.htm (we had this issue for the exact same reason illustrated in the article)

[red-frog.livejournal.com]

You've already got some good advice. Also keep a damp sponge around for wiping up drips, since they will happen. Paint the ceiling last--counterintuitive, but you're likely to get paint on the ceiling when you do the walls. Remove any outlet or wall covers.

I just sponge down the walls, myself.

[jenx.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't use TSP on the walls - it's REALLY toxic. Warm, soapy water and a couple of rags to wash the walls should be fine. Wash the walls AFTER you fill and sand the holes, as sanding gets dust everywhere.

[windsea.livejournal.com]

Don't skimp on the quality of masking tape for the trim -- use the kind that folds down the centre, with adhesive along one side. You fold it slightly as it goes on, and it's much more effective for keeping stray brush bits from getting where you don't want.

If there's any gray in the current white, prime before painting. Gray/black pigments have a nasty habit of bleeding through. Trust me on this -- we just painted a pale rosy-gray living room a clear, deep butter yellow, and had to prime after the first two yellow coats were on :-P.

I wouldn't be bothered using TSP for a bedroom unless the existing paint is an oil base, or previous occupants smoked. It's not that horridly toxic, and not very fume-y, it's just strong. It will dull the glossiness of an oil finish, cut through kitchen grease, and dissolve tobacco residue.

We didn't TSP the living room, and it made no difference -- the only landmine we hit was the gray pigment :-P. Apparently pink/red hues do the same thing.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

The bedroom is cream. The underlying paint below *that* is seafoam green. The green probably contains lead. The trim is a glossy cream, with the green underneath. I know oil paint was used in the hallway ceiling, but I'm not sure about the bedrooms.

[thekdog.livejournal.com]

super-soaker. A big one.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I've got a super-soaker for ya.

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

Might sound strange, but throw a few drops of vanilla extract in the paint and stir. It helps reduce the smell some. Don't know what I'd do without my vanilla..

[krasota.livejournal.com]

*shudder*

The only thing worse than chemicals is scented chemicals. Bleagh. I can't handle vanilla--even fresh from the pod--in doses more than "a tiny drop, stirred into a full pot of cocoa".

[krasota.livejournal.com]

(btw, i appreciate the thought. i just can't imagine trying to pretend paint is anything but paint. at least i get low/no VOC stuff... that's a bit of help.)

[dahliablue.livejournal.com]

Just goes to show how different those of us with MCS are from each other. Vanilla is really the only artificial scent I can stand. I find it quite pleasant, actually. And from the bean, yum!

Good luck with the painting.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

artificial vanilla is just as bad as perfume for me. natural vanilla i can take in very small doses. but the fake stuff? instant migraine.

yep, we are all different.

i expect to have lots of wooziness while painting. that's if i make it past the dusting and washing. already lots of breaks and many hours of sleep induced. right now, i'm too tired to shower, but need to rinse off so that i can sleep without choking on my own snot. *sigh*

Stains?

[pace.livejournal.com]

Use Killz(s) to get rid of dark spots and be sure to patch small nail holes (dad can tell you the compound we use on apartments)

Love ya sis. Congrats on the house.