How to Paint a Carpeted Room

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Measure the room

   You will need 2-inch-wide (5.08 cm) masking or painter's tape, enough plastic drop cloth sheets to cover the floor of the room, a marker, a small flathead screwdriver and a plastic 2-inch (5.08 cm) putty knife, in addition to the interior wall paint. , Tuck the tape over the carpet edge and just under the baseboard trim as you work.
   
   Use the putty knife to press the tape down into the space under the baseboard. ,, This will create a barrier of tape and plastic from the outside edge of the drop cloth to the wall. , Lay out and secure this plastic with more masking tape.
   
   Your carpet is now completely covered. , Use the tape to secure the removed screws to the plates.
   
   Label each plate with the marker for easy replacement. ,, Paint the room with a roller, taking care to keep even pressure on the roller.
   
   Overlap previous strokes and the cut-in areas. ,,,
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   Step 2: taking note of the total square footage and the length of each wall or section of wall.

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   Step 3: Purchase the supplies.

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   Step 4: Mask before painting by working from the room's doorway around the outside

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   Step 5: laying 1-foot-long (30.48 cm) strips of masking tape at the edge to protect carpet.

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   Step 6: Cut pieces of plastic drop cloth to fit the length of each wall with about 6 inches to 1 foot (15.24 to 30.48 cm) of overlap at the corners.

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   Step 7: Lay out the plastic and use the masking tape to secure it to the pre-existing tape to protect carpet edges.

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   Step 8: Measure and cut plastic to protect the middle of the room.

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   Step 9: Remove all outlet and switch plates with the screwdriver

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    Step 10: taking care not to allow any part of the screwdriver to touch the inside of the outlet or light switch.

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    Step 11: Cut in the first coat of paint with a 2-inch brush around the edges of the walls at the tops

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    Step 12: bottoms

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    Step 13: corners and trim pieces.

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    Step 14: Paint the large areas of wall.

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    Step 15: Apply a second coat of paint to the cut-in areas

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    Step 16: followed by a second coat on the large areas with the roller.

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    Step 17: Pull up the drop cloths and tape after the paint is completely dry

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    Step 18: approximately 24 hours following the last application.

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    Step 19: Replace the light switch and outlet covers.

Detailed Guide

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