Where painting jobs go wrong
Painting complaints cluster around a few predictable failures: poor coverage, visible brush marks, peeling at trim, and uneven sheen. Most trace back to one of three things: rushed prep, cheap paint, or one coat instead of two. None of these problems are obvious on day one.
The 10 pitfalls
Skipping surface washing
Paint does not adhere to dirty surfaces.
Not priming new drywall or bare wood
New drywall has a porous paper face that absorbs paint unevenly.
Only one coat of finish paint
One coat saves the painter time and you money on paper.
Cheap or diluted paint
Some painters dilute paint with water to make it go further.
Masking tape left on too long
Masking tape should be removed while the paint is still slightly tacky.
Not caulking trim before painting
The gap between wall and trim, between trim pieces, and between trim and ceiling needs to be caulked before painting.
Painting over peeling or cracked paint without scraping
New paint over old peeling paint will peel too, and sooner.
Using the wrong sheen for the room
Flat paint in a bathroom or kitchen will not clean and will show every scuff.
Paying in full before the job is done
Painters who have been paid in full have no incentive to come back and fix drips, missed spots, or uneven coverage.
No touch-up paint left behind
Without leftover paint, touching up scuffs later means matching color at the paint store.
The short version
Ask about prep. Confirm prime and two coats. Get the paint product in writing. Hold back payment until you have approved the final walkthrough. Those four things eliminate most painting complaints.
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