Well      04/20/2019

How to paint the walls in a room: from choosing paint and color to working with a roller. Tips and recommendations necessary for painting walls in an apartment

This is a traditional method of final wall finishing, which has not lost its relevance today. We will not dwell in detail on the technology for implementing this type of finishing (especially since it is, of course, well known to most), but we will consider it from the point of view of use modern materials. About the latter we can say that there are paints only for rooms with high humidity or only for wooden surfaces; There are paints that can be used to achieve unusual effects and varied textures.

Before we look at paint and varnish materials, we consider it necessary to remind you that by the start of painting work in the apartment there should be:

1) repair work has been completed;

2) heating, water supply, and sewage systems were installed and tested;

3) work related to the installation, fastening and glazing of windows and doors has been completed;

4) clean plank floors or subfloors under parquet are laid;

5) trims are nailed;

6) the plastered surfaces are dried. This is especially important as wet plaster contains free alkali which can discolor the pigment.

So, all the preliminary work has been completed, you can start painting. All that remains is to choose a paint that is designed to cover a strictly defined surface. Currently, this procedure is called drawing up a finishing program. It includes the following factors:

1) a combination of impregnations, primers, putties, suitable not only for a given surface, but also for the selected paint;

2) procedures required to be performed when using appropriate painting materials;

Advice from the master

Modern technologies are aimed at creating not separate construction and finishing products, but lines of finishing materials that combine with each other as well as possible, which saves the consumer from mistakes and, therefore, saves his money. Violations of the composition of the painting layer (primer - putty - paint) and work technology will certainly affect the surface of the wall.

Paint and varnish materials are classified:

1. By type:

a) paints (both dry and ready-to-use);

d) primers;

d) putties.

2. By chemical composition on the:

a) oil (MA);

b) nitrocellulose (NC), etc.

3. For use on:

a) water-, oil-benzo-, thermo-, weather-resistant;

b) limited weather resistance;

c) conservation;

d) special (luminous, anti-fouling, temperature-regulating);

e) chemically resistant;

e) electrical insulating.

Thanks to these qualities, paints perform a protective function, forming hard films, protecting metal from corrosion, wood from rotting, etc. At the same time, paint coatings are more durable compared to cadmium plating, chrome plating, etc. This explains the widespread use of paint coatings, which should not only be environmentally friendly, but also easy to apply and maintain.

In addition to the protective function, paint coatings also have a decorative function, so the main feature of these materials is color. If in past years the industry produced ready-to-use paints, now the emphasis is on a process such as tinting, which means giving paint any color by selecting the appropriate composition using special equipment. The standard card contains more than 2500 colors.

When performing tinting, remember that:

1) before tinting the entire volume of paint, it is necessary to make a series of samples in order to make the optimal decision regarding color;

2) the amount of paint should be tinted, which should be enough with some excess, since the “finished” paint may not match the tone of the original;

3) if the paint is in separate containers, it must be poured into one to get an even color;

4) liquid paint is always darker than dried paint;

5) The paint color on a wide and limited surface is slightly different.

You can tint paint not only using equipment. This can be done manually, relying on color theory and the color wheel.

When working with paint, it is very important to know what it is, how it works, whether this or that paint will be practical in each specific room, whether it is durable, etc.

Paints can be based on water, emulsion, as well as drying oil, resins and varnishes. They also contain binders ( linseed oil, alkyd resins), and carriers appropriate for each base. All this determines the “behavior” of the paint. For example, in paints on water based(water-dispersed or water-emulsion) the pigment and binder, present in water in the form of tiny particles, form a continuous film after evaporation of the base (water).

Depending on the base, paints are divided into:

1) alkyd (oil-based linseed oil and varnish-based enamels). They provide a fairly dense, durable coating and are used for interior finishing works. They are light and moisture resistant, but flammable, diluted with drying oil, turpentine, white spirit;

2) silicate (based on liquid glass). Forms a breathable coating. They are quite water and heat resistant and have bactericidal properties;

3) adhesive (based on organic polymers). They form non-waterproof coatings, therefore more effective in dry rooms;

4) emulsion (water-dispersion, water-emulsion and based on aqueous polymer dispersions: latex, acrylic, polyvinyl acetate). They are characterized by such qualities as non-toxicity, explosion and fire safety, and alkali resistance. Diluted with water. They are durable, change color, dry quickly, do not contain solvents, are easy to apply, environmentally friendly, and are more suitable than others for interior work.

Water-based paints are used to create volume, therefore they are called textured (structural).

Except liquid paints, there are also powders made on the basis of film-forming substances and pigments. They are applied by spraying.

Advice from the master

One coat of paint applied does not provide the necessary protective and decorative effect.

Painting, like other types of finishing work, requires preparation of the surface to be painted. Since water-based paints are the most popular, we will talk about preparing the surface for them.

New plastered walls are cleaned of dust, dirt, splashes and drips of mortar, and stains. Then the entire surface is smoothed, eliminating unevenness, large grains of sand, and small cracks (by rubbing the wet surface with a wooden grater). Large cracks are greased.

Old plastered surfaces need to be prepared. If after repeated painting a thick layer (plaster) has formed, it must be removed. Slight plaque is washed off with water. Adhesive na- white thoroughly wetted hot water(1-2 hours before) and remove with a metal spatula.

Finally, the wall surface is washed and rubbed with a wooden grater.

Wooden surfaces are cleaned, moistened with water and primed.

When painting with lime and silicate compositions, concrete and brick walls cleaned and primed with lime and silicate soil, respectively.

When describing decorative finishing For the ceiling, we focused on techniques that can also be used when decorating walls. These include rolling patterns with relief rollers, spray finishing, “mosaic” paint, as well as decorative coating"flock". We will focus on the technology of its application, since it differs from conventional painting.

Paint application process

1. The wall is primed and puttied. It must be clean and dry.

2. Apply the base layer of glue using a medium-length wool roller.

3. Then a second layer of glue is applied and acrylic particles are immediately sprayed from a flock gun.

4. After no less than 12 hours, varnish in one layer.

But painting and whitewashing are not the only ways decorative design walls There are others no less interesting ways, which we will now begin to consider.

Wood finish. Decorative features valuable types of wood (oak, ash, Karelian birch) can be imitated using paint cuts.

To do this, apply 2 layers of primer to a carefully prepared surface, the color of which should be lighter than the lightest areas of the corresponding tree. Each layer is fluted, as a result of which it is leveled.

The soil is dried for 1-2 days and a covering layer is applied to form a pattern.

Its color should be darker than the darkest part of the corresponding tree. The second layer is applied with a handbrake and immediately passed with a loosening brush, the long bristles of which, scratching, imitate wood fibers. Next, the pattern of annual rings is drawn using combs.

Marble finish. First, a layer of primer is applied with handbrake hands and leveled with flutes, then the pattern is made with a composition of a different color.

For greater naturalness, some blocks or stones are designated, and each is painted separately.

The marble pattern is drawn with paneled brushes, the contours are shaded with a flute so that there are no sharp boundaries between the stones.

Painting the walls. Video

Artistic painting of walls

Painting the walls- one of the enough simple ways no finishing required special costs labor and finance. Painted walls look restrained and laconic, without overloading the interior and allowing the use of more luxurious furniture and decor. can be painted without resorting to the help of craftsmen, but careful preparation of the walls for painting and right choice paints and .

Necessary materials and tools for painting walls in an apartment

  • for painting.
  • Putty knife, metal brush, nylon brush, whitewash brush - may be needed for preparatory stage.
  • Primer suitable for the type of surface to be painted.
  • Hand grater or electric sander.
  • Paint for interior finishing works - water-based or water-dispersion.
  • Color (dye), if you want to add paint specific color and shade.
  • Paint roller with medium length bristles.
  • Brush good quality, from which the lint does not come out, 5–10 cm wide.
  • A tray (cuvette) with a raised bottom in which the roller is saturated with paint.
  • A low-speed drill and a mixer attachment for mixing paint, as well as a bucket.
  • Masking tape.
  • Spray gun - alternative way applying paint, more often used for exterior work, painting walls in the entrance, also good for painting wallpaper. It is not worth purchasing it specifically for painting walls in an apartment, especially in one or two rooms.

Technology for preparing walls for painting

It should be noted that the procedure for preparing walls is more complex and time-consuming than painting itself, but having done it once, you can only change the color of the walls from time to time without spending time and effort on preparatory work. Scale preparatory work and their features depend on the condition of the walls.

What paint is better to paint the walls?

Which wall paint is right for you? Best suited for water based paints. Water-based paint is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, fireproof, has no unpleasant odor, dries quickly, is easy to apply and washes well. It can be applied to almost any surface, except metal (causes rust) and previously painted with glossy paint (stains are inevitable).

Water-based paints form a film on the surface that is resistant to moisture and dirt, but at the same time vapor-permeable.

For rooms with high humidity levels - , - best choice are latex paints. IN living rooms You can use acrylic, which are quite resistant to moisture, or polyvinyl acetate, which are cheap but short-lived. Oil paints and enamels are rarely used for painting walls in apartments, and not in rooms, but in the kitchen and bathroom.

What color is best to paint a room?

In addition to the composition of the paint, its color is important. The abundance of dyes for tinting allows you to give white water-based paint almost any color, and the intensity of the tone depends on the proportions of paint and color.

If you don’t know what color to paint your walls, you should follow some simple rules. When choosing the color of the walls, it is necessary to take into account the color scheme in which the interior is designed, personal preferences, the purpose of the room, its size and the location of the windows.


Wall painting technology

Painting work using water-based paint should be carried out without ventilating the room.

  • The paint is poured into a bucket, thoroughly mixed with a special mixer, tinted (the color is added gradually), and, if necessary, diluted with water. The required amount of paint is poured into the tray, the roller is carefully rolled, soaked in paint, and excess paint is squeezed out onto the ribbed surface.
  • Work starts from the corner, preferably from the top, but first you need to paint the areas that were recently puttied. Also, corners and areas around sockets, switches, door frames are painted with a brush, the rest of the area is painted with a roller.
  • In one go, approximately 1 square meter is painted, 3 stripes of paint are applied and it is evenly distributed over the entire area with a wrung out roller. Movements are performed in both directions, the paint is slightly shaded.
  • Water-based paint is applied in 2-3 layers. There is no need to wait for the previous one to dry completely, the directions alternate, the first layer is applied vertically, the second horizontally. At the final stage, the paint is applied from bottom to top.
  • If you plan to paint the walls in different colors, you need to wait for the base layer to dry completely (2-3 days), then stick masking tape along the contour of the area of ​​a different color.
  • Using a sponge, crumpled plastic bag, a roller with long pile, you can create decorative effects.

Decorative painting of walls in an apartment with your own hands requires skill and adherence to technology, but is not particularly difficult.

  • Before painting, walls need careful preparation, cleaning of dirt and old finishing materials, eliminating defects, and smoothing out unevenness.
  • The final stage of preparatory work is the primer, after which the walls should dry for 4–6 hours.
  • The best solution for living rooms is water-based (water-dispersion) paint. Acrylic or more water-resistant latex paint is preferable to cheap polyvinyl acetate paint as it will last longer.
  • White paint can be tinted.
  • In one room you can use different colors or make the surface textured.

DIY wall painting, video:

You can't even imagine how easily and quickly you can create unique interior by painting the walls in the apartment! Of course, this method is not as popular as wallpaper, and often people do not consider paint as an option for wall decoration. But in vain! We will tell you how and what paint to paint the walls in your apartment and give your home a sophisticated and fashionable character.

Paint for walls in an apartment: choosing a composition

Painting the walls in a room is a fairly popular alternative to wallpaper. This does not require special skills - the process of covering walls is quite simple and convenient. And the result obtained is very beautiful appearance. If you approach the design of an apartment using designer modern ideas, then you will get a completely exclusive and beautiful interior.

When starting to renovate your home and deciding to use paint as the main finishing material for the walls, it is important to determine which paint is best to paint the walls in the apartment. One of the decisive criteria for choosing is which room you have identified for painting:

  • For the bathroom, it is best to purchase moisture-resistant materials.
  • In the kitchen, it is advisable to use a washable and wear-resistant coating.
  • In the living room and bedroom important factor is the environmental friendliness and safety of the paint.

Important! Matte varnish paint will visually improve the condition of the wall surface, but glossy material is applied only to a completely flat surface.

So, what paint should you use to paint the walls in your apartment, and what types of paint are there?

Water-based paints

The composition of such materials includes the substance polyvinyl acetate, better known as PVA. This paint is relatively inexpensive and easily available to the buyer.

The advantages of this finishing material include:

  • Easy to apply.
  • There is no need for multi-layer wall coverings. It is optimal to paint the surface twice.
  • Thanks to its characteristics, it can be used in residential areas - bedrooms and children's rooms.
  • The paint has excellent vapor permeability and is considered “breathable”.
  • A huge range of color palettes to suit every taste.
  • If necessary, the walls can be “touched up” to hide any scuffs and stains that have appeared.

The disadvantages include:

  • Susceptibility to mechanical damage. The paint scratches easily.
  • The water-based emulsion can only be applied to carefully prepared walls that are perfectly flat and smooth.
  • Do not wash with water or detergents, especially aggressive and abrasive substances.

Water-dispersed compositions

Painting the walls in a room can be done using this type of paint, which is divided into the following types:

  • Based acrylic resins. This type of material has excellent performance qualities. First of all, the paint is easily and conveniently applied to the surface, tinted perfectly, has long term service and does not fade. Unlike water-based composition, more immune to mechanical damage, but inferior in vapor permeability. The surface can be washed and detergents can be used.

Important! With this paint you can hide small cracks sizes up to 0.7-1 mm.

  • Silicone based. They have the same excellent properties, but to a greater extent compared to acrylic ones. Separately, we can highlight the paint’s ability to mask cracks up to 2 mm. The paint is not affected by ultraviolet radiation, so it can also be used for exterior finishing. The only downside is its high price, but the excellent quality is worth it.

Alkyd compositions

The composition of such materials includes alkyd resins. The consistency of the paints resembles oil mixtures.

Let's look at the advantages of this option:

  • Moisture resistance.
  • Unaffected by ultraviolet radiation.
  • Not afraid of high temperatures.
  • Affordable price.
  • Average level of vapor permeability.
  • You can paint a wooden or metal surface.

Important! The finishing material can give walls a matte, glossy or semi-matte look.

There are a number of disadvantages of alkyd compositions:

  • Mandatory preparation of the wall surface.
  • To apply this type of paint, it is necessary to dilute the composition with a solvent, which, in turn, leads to the appearance of a sharp, specific odor during the process of painting the walls.
  • Relatively short-lived service life; color saturation is lost over time.

Latex paints

In order to understand how to paint the walls in a room with latex, you need to know its features.

The clear advantages of this material are its ease of use, high wear resistance, moisture resistance and the ability to smooth out minor surface imperfections - cracks and unevenness.

Important! Latex paints apply only to interior decoration, as they react to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Silicate based paints

The main constituent element of the material is liquid glass with various additives. This type of paint successfully copes with both interior and exterior decoration.

Advantages of this coating:

  • High degree of hygiene of the material. The mixture is not subject to the appearance and proliferation of harmful bacteria and mold.
  • Excellent wear resistance of the coating, long term service life is about 15-20 years.
  • Simplicity and ease of use.
  • Does not react to ultraviolet light.
  • “Breathing” surface. The degree of vapor permeability is the highest for this type of paint.
  • Fire resistance.

In addition to the obvious advantages, one cannot fail to note some disadvantages of silicate compounds:

  • Silicates are completely incompatible with any other coating. Before applying it, the wall surface must be thoroughly cleaned of previous paint. The same is true in the opposite situation: other coloring compounds cannot be applied over silicate.

Important! It is very difficult to remove a layer of silicate paint. If you prefer to periodically update your interior, then this paint is unlikely to suit you.

  • Silicate paints can only be tinted using mineral pigments, which rather limits the color range.
  • Harmful to health when applied to the surface. Painting work can only be carried out in protective clothing, with the obligatory use of a respirator.

Important! Until the composition is completely dry, it is dangerous to stay in the room. A dry surface is absolutely harmless.

Textured paint

Fashion trend in modern design and a rather young finishing material among the paints. Its essence is to give the surface a different texture, a certain relief or chaotic textures. Forget about a completely flat and smooth wall!

This paint contains an aqueous acrylic dispersion, supplemented with ingredients that create a relief on the surface. These may be mineral fibers, sand or other substances.

Important! Characteristic difference textured paint is its thick consistency. In this regard, it is best to cover walls using a spatula, brush or roller.

This decorative painting has a number of advantages:

  1. Interesting appearance unusual design. It will give the room its own special personality and style.
  2. Depending on the method of applying paint, its texture changes. There are quite a lot of design options.
  3. Wide color palette shades.
  4. Versatility. Textured paint can be applied to almost any type of surface: concrete, plaster, drywall, chipboard, fiberboard. To achieve the most maximum effect It is recommended to treat the walls with a primer.

Important! Textured paint requires careful and multi-layer application; in addition, in the process of creating a textured surface, various construction tools will be needed.

Residential paints

What paint to paint the walls in the apartment in the living rooms? What to pay attention to and what features need to be taken into account?

  • The main criterion is their absolute harmlessness.
  • The washing surface, on the contrary, is not considered in demand, except, perhaps, in a children's room.
  • When decorating living rooms in a house, such paints are subject to increased demands on their decorativeness and design. They must have a spectacular appearance, have a wide color scheme and saturation.

Performance characteristics include:

  • Resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
  • Fast drying.
  • No pungent odors during the painting process.

Important! Above we looked at the types of interior paints, their properties and features. The most suitable for living rooms are:

  • Water based paints.
  • Textured decorative materials.

Paints for the bathroom, kitchen and corridor

Depending on the type of room, the requirements for finishing also depend:

  • Kitchen. Due to its purpose, this room has conditions high humidity and temperature changes. It is based on these factors that it is necessary to choose the appropriate paint. In addition, it must be washable and not subject to mechanical damage. Have a high degree of hygiene.

Important! Thus, to the most suitable options include: water-based silicone, alkyd mixtures, acrylic, silicate paints.

  • Bathroom. At its core, finishing a bathroom is comparable to the requirements for a kitchen. Therefore, the same paints are chosen for covering the walls in the bathroom.
  • The corridor is less susceptible to the influence of temperature and moisture, however, they still occur, since through front door can penetrate cold air, moisture comes from wet clothes and shoes. In addition, the walls of the hall must be wear-resistant and as resistant to damage as possible. What paints are optimal in such conditions? Alkyd paints, acrylic, silicone.

Once you have decided which paint is best to paint the walls in your apartment, you can move on to the interior aspects of the renovation. Now it’s worth paying attention to color solutions, design ideas and giving the interior completeness.

What color is best to paint a room?

Most paints give us unlimited possibilities in choosing colors. And depending on the proportion of the color, you can adjust the saturation of the shade.

To select the tones most harmoniously, you can use special design tables that combine consonant shades.

  • Be sure to consider the size of the room. Golden Rule reads: bright hues visually increase the space, while dark ones reduce it.
  • Another important principle: the placement of the room relative to the cardinal direction. South side - choose cool shades. Optimally blue, blue, turquoise. The northern part is warm, such as: orange, red, yellow.
  • Maintain a holistic picture of the interior of your home.
  • Consider the purpose of the room. Residential or commercial premises also matter. And also the presence and number of windows in the room.

Here are some tips for painting walls:

  1. Living room. Experts recommend using neutral wall colors, which can effectively set off bright colors. decorative elements, luxurious furniture in rich colors, etc. Pastel colors are great for this. And vice versa - dark furniture it is possible to accentuate with bright surfaces.
  2. Bedroom. Since this room is intended for relaxation, it is best to paint the walls in pleasant pastel or cool colors. This will definitely create a comfortable, calming environment. For example, light green, blue.
  3. Children's room. This is the territory bright colors and fun ideas. However, do not overdo it, as there are often enough saturated colors in a given room. Multi-colored toys, bright furniture, colorful textiles! In this case, it is better to make the walls a light neutral shade.
  4. It is recommended to use green shades in a student’s office or room, since, according to psychologists, it greatly improves performance.

It is absolutely not necessary to paint the entire surface of the walls in one color. The design of the room with the help of such finishing is not limited to this.

Wall painting design

Painting the walls in a room can be very original and unusual! Let's look at some interior ideas.

Horizontal division of the wall surface into zones

This design method is quite traditional. Most often, the wall is divided into two parts. The lower one is colored more dark color, and the top one is in light. Three divisions are possible, then the color change occurs from bottom to top from dark to light. But this is not a mandatory principle; you can experiment and combine any options you like.

Important! You should not apply dark shades of paint under the ceiling, as this makes it appear lower. But the light strip, on the contrary, will “push” the room upward.

An important nuance is the design of the border between colors:

  • For these purposes, you can use molding. But its use is justified in the interior classic style, Country and Ethno.
  • A clear and even border can be marked using masking tape, the main thing is to glue it evenly.
  • It would be best to use a ruler. After applying the paint and drying, remove the tape and you will get perfect shade differentiation.

Important! A shiny strip, evenly glued along the border between colors, is suitable for decoration in the style of High-Tech and Minimalism.

Accentuating a wall

There are two ways to place emphasis on any one wall:

  1. A darker tone of the same color as the rest of the walls.
  2. A different color that harmoniously matches the interior.

Important! This technique is fashionable in modern design. Creating an accent is quite simple, and the effect is incredible. Bold contrasts are especially suitable for living rooms and children's rooms.

Horizontal stripe

What is this design solution? It's simple! This is a fairly wide strip on the surface of the walls, which is located at eye level. This technique is used to draw attention to interior details and decor.

Important! In the corridor, this method of design will help to visually expand it. And in a children's room, such a strip will be a great place to display children's drawings.

Striped walls

An unusual method, but you shouldn’t decorate the entire plane of the room with it. Rather, this option is a kind of wall accentuation. Or a separate part of it.

Important! A striking effect can be achieved by combining stripes of the same color, but different in texture.

Painting the walls in a room with your own hands

How to paint the walls in a room with your own hands? First of all, you need to stock up on the appropriate tools.

Necessary materials and tools for painting walls in an apartment

So, painting the walls in the room should be done using the following tools:

  • Masking tape.
  • Brushes: fine and basic. The width of the working brush is 5-10 cm.
  • Roller with medium pile.
  • Putty knife.
  • Sandpaper for sanding walls.
  • Paint container - tray.
  • A bucket for mixing paint, as well as a drill and a mixer attachment.
  • Film to protect the floor, or old newspapers.
  • Ladder.

Important! An alternative to brush and roller is automatic device- spray gun. This is a very convenient means of applying paint, but its use in an apartment is not justified.

Materials required for painting:

  • Primer suitable for the type of surface.
  • Putty.
  • Matching paint.
  • A tint used to give paint the desired color.
  • Solvent.

Armed with these items, we move on to the initial stage - preparing the surface.

Technology for preparing walls for painting

This stage is the most labor-intensive and painstaking, since the result depends on the prepared surface. Let's get started:

  1. Dismantling the previous coating, if any. If old layer compatible with the new coating, then only surface cleaning of the exfoliated parts is required. Otherwise - old finish is completely removed.
  2. Putty. Standard construction procedure for processing walls to level them.
  3. Grinding. Using sandpaper, smooth the entire surface of the walls after puttying.
  4. Dust removal. You can carry out these activities using a vacuum cleaner or wipe the treated surface several times with a dry cloth. The main thing is that it is clean every time.
  5. Primer. Provides high-quality adhesion of paint to the wall.

Important! If there are traces of mold on the wall, be sure to remove it from the surface of the walls and treat it with a special antibacterial agent before painting.

And only after careful treatment of the walls can you proceed directly to the painting process. Painting the walls in a room is usually done in several layers. Apply paint in different directions: from top to bottom, and then from right to left.

Important! Each new layer is applied only after the previous one has dried.

Marking walls before decorative painting

If you decide to paint the walls in an original way, then you need to set aside time to mark the walls. What needs to be done in this case:

  1. Isolate those areas of the surface that do not need painting. Masking tape will help with this.
  2. Depending on the intended design, draw using a ruler and a simple pencil stripes. Use a square to check the clarity of the lines.
  3. Then apply masking tape along the edge of the outlined stripes.
  4. Alternately paint the stripes first with one color, and after the paint has dried, with a different shade.

Video material

Today, wall painting is again popular with us. For a long time we made do with wallpaper, but now it has become clear that coloring has many advantages: firstly, with the help of tints you can choose the ideal shade of paint, which is not available if the choice is made in favor of colored wallpaper. Secondly, painting surfaces is much simpler and affordable way finishing as opposed to wallpapering. Anyone can handle painting walls.

What paint to paint the walls in the room?

Most suitable for painting walls in rooms and kitchens water-dispersion (water-based) paint . Waterborne paints consist of water and very small polymer particles. When the paint applied to the surface dries, all moisture leaves and only the film remains. Moreover, the film is reliable, can withstand even increased loads, and is not afraid of moisture and sunlight. Walls painted with this paint can be washed even with detergents.

Apply water-dispersed paint to concrete and plasterboard walls, as well as to partitions made of plywood and wood-like materials. For coloring metal surfaces This paint is not suitable!

Waterborne paint varies depending on the base. The paint base can be acrylate, latex, polyvinyl acetate . The characteristics of the paint after it dries depend on the base. For example, acrylate paints are generally not afraid of anything - neither moisture, nor temperature changes, nor mechanical influences. Polyvinyl acetate fits perfectly even on not the most ideal surfaces, which can subsequently not only be washed, but even cleaned. Thus, water-dispersed paints are suitable for painting walls not only in rooms and the kitchen, but also in the bathroom.

Water-based paints have almost no odor, and this is of great importance when renovations are being carried out in an already occupied apartment. Water-based paints can be diluted with water - they are liquid and therefore easy to apply. There are no unpainted areas left. The paint dries quickly - a few hours are enough until it dries completely.

Wall paint color

Water-based paints are sold in color or white. You can add color to white paint and achieve not only the desired color, but also the desired shade, depth and saturation.

It is important to immediately mix with the color the amount of paint that will be needed to paint all the walls of the room, otherwise it is unlikely that you will be able to repeat the shade exactly, and the walls will be different shades.

After complete drying, the paint changes color slightly. Therefore, it is worth doing tests on a small section of the wall or on a piece of wallpaper for painting that is used to cover the walls. You should wait until it dries completely and then evaluate the result (it is advisable to attach the painted wallpaper sheet to the wall or even fix it on it). It is worth waiting for twilight and darkness and looking at the color in light twilight and electric light. This way you can be sure whether this shade suits you. If you want a lighter shade, add a little white paint to the already diluted color. Well, if you need a richer shade, add a little more color.

Preparing walls for painting

The easiest option is to pre-paste the walls with wallpaper before painting. Thick or glass wallpaper for painting, which has the effect of leveling the walls, is ideal. By choosing the option of painting walls using wallpaper, you can avoid a lot of complex work to bring the walls into a perfectly even and smooth state.

It must be remembered that paint does not hide wall defects, but, on the contrary, emphasizes them! Therefore, before painting, the walls must be brought into excellent or close to excellent condition.

If the walls have already been leveled and painted with water-dispersion paint, it will be enough to simply wash them with fat-dissolving detergent, wait for complete drying, then prime the surface 2-3 times. The last time you can add a little paint to the primer, which will be used to paint the walls. Such preparation will be sufficient: the walls are clean and primed, which means the paint will lie evenly and stick well (primer improves adhesiveness).

Preparing walls for painting from scratch

If you decide to paint the walls without wallpapering and Not over the old paint, start preparing the walls by removing the old finish: remove the old wallpaper or remove the paint. Special solvents are sold to remove old paint from walls.

Next you need to clean the surface: wash concrete walls with detergent, and drywall - with a slightly damp cloth. Wait for it to dry. After this, the surface must be sanded using pumice or sandpaper. Wipe the surface free of dust again and apply the first coat of primer.

Inspect the walls for cracks, dents and other defects and irregularities. All defects must be repaired with putty. This is called rough putty. When the putty dries, the treated areas need to be sanded, which is done using sandpaper or a metal mesh.

The next stage is final puttying , that is, leveling the entire surface of the walls and thereby creating smooth surface. After the putty has dried, full sanding is necessary again. After removing the dust after sanding, you need to apply a primer.

A man is putting putty on the walls (photo: Lori’s photo bank)

For an ideal result, the primer should be applied 2-3 times - then the surface will be even smoother. And most importantly, the paint adheres perfectly to a well-prepared surface that has been primed several times.

If the walls are plasterboard, Special attention is given to the “seams”. The places where screws and self-tapping screws are screwed in are puttied quite easily, but the joints of the plates are more difficult to seal. The putty in these places is smoothed out especially carefully. Then, after drying, it is sanded very carefully.

Do not make the putty too thick - it will be difficult to work with. At the same time, putty that is too liquid will shrink after drying, which can cause cracks to form. Make the putty thicker, but so that it is as comfortable as possible for you to apply it.

As for the choice of primer, paint manufacturers often offer appropriate primers specifically for one or another of their paints. We recommend purchasing a primer along with the paint.

How to paint walls? Technology

1. Apply masking tape. Use masking tape to mark the boundaries of the surface to be painted. This is very important: the tape will protect those surfaces that should not be painted from being painted. And it will be more convenient for you, because... you will not be afraid to accidentally go abroad. Place tape on door frames and platbands, borders window openings, sockets, switches, as well as at the border of the wall and ceiling.

2. Dilute the paint. Water-based paint is applied to the walls in at least 2 layers. To apply the first layer, it is better to make the paint thinner. Water-based paint can almost always be diluted with water in the following proportion: 1 part water to 9 parts paint. This will allow you to paint the walls more evenly and subtly.

Before you start painting the walls, dilute the paint with water and mix it well. Next, put on safety glasses and pour some of the paint into the paint tray.

3. We work with a brush. Start painting the walls with a brush in places that are difficult to reach with a roller. This is also necessary to protect those surfaces that do not need to be painted (for example, ceilings, window openings, etc.). Use a brush to paint the junction of the ceiling and walls, walls and floor, corners, borders with windows, doors, as well as places near switches, sockets, etc. The brush should be dipped into the paint a third of the length of the hair, then let the paint drip a little.

4. We arm ourselves with a roller. The roller must be checked in advance for the strength of attachment of hairs or villi. If they fray and fall out, take another roller. Dip the roller into the paint tray and roll until the entire surface is saturated with paint. Please note that you need to roll the roller dipped in paint not on the wall, but on something else: a tray or, if there is none, on a piece of linoleum, chipboard, etc.

5. We begin to paint the wall. Start painting the wall from top to bottom, making a cross-shaped motion. If you paint the walls not in diagonal, but in even horizontal or vertical stripes, you can, firstly, leave a lot of unpainted areas, and secondly, after drying, traces, stripes, and prints may be noticeable.

The paint is applied to the walls using cross- and W-shaped movements.

Choose a small section and paint it from top to bottom, then move on to the next section. So gradually the entire wall will be painted. Don't forget to periodically dip the roller in paint and roll it across the tray.

It is better to start painting the walls from the window, that is, in the direction in which the sun's rays fall.

When the wall is completely painted, move with the brush to another wall to paint its junction with the ceiling and floor, corners and other hard to reach places. After that, arm yourself with a roller again.

6. Apply a second coat of paint. The second coat of paint can be applied after approximately 4 hours. But look at the paint bucket for the exact time - the manufacturer must indicate such information. The second layer is usually applied with paint undiluted with water. The layer is applied in the same way as the first.

7. Finishing work. After complete drying, you need to remove the masking tape and, if necessary, paint with a brush the remaining unpainted areas at the junctions of the walls with other surfaces.

If necessary, a third coat can be applied, but do not overdo it.

Do not be alarmed if immediately after painting you see unevenness, stains, stains, etc. on the wall. As it dries, the color will even out. Roll the roller over the wall carefully, using it to remove excess paint if any has fallen on the wall.

To paint the wall behind the radiator , use either a brush with a long handle or a small roller with a long handle. The battery can be wrapped in plastic wrap in advance.

Another recommendation for beginners: start painting the wall that will be covered as much as possible by furniture, curtains or. You need training. It is better to start it where the results will be subtle. Don't worry: water-dispersion paint is good because it applies easily. Even beginners get good results. Good luck with your painting work!

Figuring out which paint is best to paint the walls in an apartment is not as easy as it seems. The choice of materials is huge, and the marketing policy of manufacturers does not help educate consumers in technical issues and the real characteristics of the product.

We will tell you what is the best way to paint the walls in an apartment, and also discuss the rules for applying paints.

Materials for painting walls

Types of paints

First, let's try to understand what paint the walls in the apartment are painted with. If we talk about “folk” methods, here you can find practically any options, even the most unexpected ones.

There are known cases when such “craftsmen” used electrically conductive paint Zinga, intended for anti-corrosion protection of steel surfaces, while the authors of the creative on “ blue eye“they claimed that this was the right decision and the walls looked great.

Obviously, there is no point in considering folk art, so let’s move on to the experience and recommendations of professionals.

During the development of the paint and varnish industry, almost all types of paints have been used on the walls of residential premises, so there is solid experience on the basis of which it can be argued that painting walls in an apartment is most acceptable with the following materials:

  • Acrylic polyvinyl acetate compounds. This is the most common type of water-based (in general, it is correct to call them water-dispersion) paints, since these materials are distinguished by their low price and good quality. They consist of water, PVA and acrylic dispersion, are odorless and have no harmful impurities, are suitable for work in dry heated rooms, wear resistance is low, washability and a chalky effect are observed in matte and super matte tones;
  • Styrene-butadiene acrylic compositions, which are often called “latex”, although this name suits all polymer-based water-dispersion paints. They are distinguished by higher wear resistance, moisture resistance, and a high threshold of washability, but have low resistance to solar radiation, therefore they are used only for interior decoration. They cost slightly higher than polyvinyl acetate materials, but are in the same price group;
  • Acrylic silicone products. These materials contain not only acrylic dispersion and water, but also emulsified silicone resins, which form a durable, water-resistant and frost-resistant protective film with good vapor permeability. Suitable for covering facades and wet rooms, as well as rooms with increased wear and frequent washing - kitchens, bathrooms, toilets;
  • Acrylic paints, meaning pure acrylic acid and a dispersion of acrylate copolymers in water, are the most expensive and high-quality compositions, which are characterized by high strength, water resistance, a wide range of operating temperatures and excellent decorative qualities. These materials are suitable for exterior and interior decoration and have much higher performance characteristics.

Also quite often applied to interior walls oil compositions and alkyd enamels, and organosilicon, silicate and silicone mixtures are used in bathrooms and kitchens. As practice shows, oil paints are not suitable for interior decoration either in quality or composition. Alkyd enamels are quite suitable in terms of their characteristics, but they have harmful impurities and a strong smell of solvents, so they are not very good for interior decoration.

Organosilicon, silicate and silicone materials are more suitable for, although the latter can also be used inside an apartment. Fire-retardant metal paints Polistil can be used to treat radiators and hot pipes.

Important!
Be that as it may, water-dispersion paints are best suited for finishing residential premises, and their quality is not inferior to, and sometimes even superior to, the quality of older compositions based on organic solvents or mineral fillers.

Features of preparing the base

I must say that applying paint to the wall is the easiest part of the job. It is much more important to choose the right material and prepare the surface for painting.

We have already determined how to paint the walls in the apartment, now let’s talk about preparing the walls, and as always, step-by-step instructions for you:

  1. Brick and concrete surfaces must be plastered. It is best to use traditional cement-sand at a ridiculous price; it shows excellent results;

  1. The surface of the plaster must be primed and leveled with a starting layer of putty. In bedrooms and the living room, you can use a regular gypsum mixture, it gives minimal shrinkage and is easy to apply, while in bathrooms, kitchens and toilets it is better to apply a waterproof polymer mixture or a cement-based mixture;

  1. After the first starting layer has dried, a thin layer of finishing putty is applied. It is better to use materials from the same manufacturer and composition. The surface is made as even and smooth as possible;

  1. The dried finishing layer is rubbed sandpaper or a mesh and polished to a perfectly smooth state;

  1. Remove dust from the sanded wall and apply one or two layers of deep penetration primer. It is better to select the primer in accordance with the paint and base material; it is advisable that it be from the same manufacturer as the paint.

Important!
Now it’s just a matter of small things – we paint the walls in the apartment and enjoy the result.
The type of paint we have chosen is easy and convenient to apply, since it does not stink or corrode the skin, adheres well and has good thixotropy.

Applying paint

If it is better to hire professional finishers to prepare the walls, then you can apply the paint yourself. To do this you will need a brush, a roller, a tray for dipping the tool and masking tape.

First, we paste over the area to which paint of the same color will be applied. This will allow you to create smooth boundaries and avoid staining adjacent coatings and structural fragments. For greater accuracy, you can draw lines under the ruler and stick masking tape along them.

Next, open the bucket of paint and mix it thoroughly so that the pigments and filler particles are evenly distributed in the solution. We apply the coating to a primed and dust-free wall with a roller or brush, work carefully, avoiding smudges and drops. Make the layer thin and continuous, with overlaps between the stripes of paint.

We wait for the first layer to dry and repeat the procedure. If after this the color is not bright and saturated enough, apply a third layer of material.

Important!
All three layers must be thin and even, this is a prerequisite.

Conclusion

When painting walls, the correct choice of materials and correct surface preparation are important. With the help of the video in this article and our instructions, you will easily cope with this task, because painting work is simple and accessible to everyone.