Questions for Your Contractor: A Series – How to Care for Newly Painted Surfaces.
Congratulations! You’ve decided to update your home with fresh paint. The work looks fantastic, and your painter has just walked out the front door with the job completed. Now what? You’re left with freshly painted walls, trim, cabinets, and more, but you might not be sure how to care for them. To ensure your paint job continues to look new and beautiful for a long time, here are a few care and maintenance tips that will help preserve your home’s fresh look.
One crucial tip is to avoid cleaning the newly painted surfaces immediately after the painter leaves. It’s ideal to wait a few days for the paint to fully cure and harden before cleaning. This waiting period will help ensure that you don’t damage the paint while cleaning.
The first step in maintaining your new paint job is understanding the type of paint and its sheen. If flat paint was used, it cannot be cleaned or scrubbed; any marks must be touched up. Paints with an eggshell sheen or higher can be cleaned, but each type has its own specific care instructions.
The first line of defense in cleaning is regular dusting and vacuuming. When dusting, use a microfiber cloth or a soft microfiber duster. Regular dusting prevents buildup on horizontal surfaces, such as trim work, and in hard-to-reach corners. Additionally, you can use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clear dust from these areas. Avoid using hard attachments, as they can scuff the walls.
If marks persist after dusting, there are additional options for removing stubborn scuff marks. For surfaces such as trim work and freshly painted cabinets, use only a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a solution of water and mild dish soap. Gently wipe the area until the mark is gone. For tougher marks on walls and trim, you can also use a melamine sponge, commonly known as a magic eraser, to scrub away stains and smudges. Always test these methods in an inconspicuous area first to ensure they do not damage the paint.
Touching up paint should always be a last resort in maintaining painted surfaces. If you do need to touch up an area, make sure you are using the correct color and sheen. Keep the touch-up area as small as possible and only do so when absolutely necessary. Use a small brush and a minimal amount of paint to address only the chipped spot.
Preventative measures are also an important way to protect your home. Bumpers on cabinet doors, door stops, and furniture pads are all great ways to prevent painted surfaces from rubbing together and cerating marks or chips in the paint.
When it comes to paint in your home, it can last many years if cared for properly. These small care tips and preventative actions can go a long way in maintaining your paint job. If there are any questions or concerns about how to handle a scuff mark or a touch up, always feel free to reach out.
KAL Group, Inc. – Knowing your painter is the best way to trust your painter!
Contact us today for your next painting or drywall project online at: kalgroupinc.com or call 414-967-7922
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