| Painting Surfaces |
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Most interior basement walls will be of drywall. One reason why drywall is so popular is because of its paintability. The paper cover is smooth and readily absorbs paint. It frequently doesn’t require a primer coat, saving time and expense. The downside of drywall is that the paint dries quickly. It’s also an advantage, but it means that you can’t stop in the middle of a wall for lunch. You should finish painting to a corner or, if possible, the entire room including trim. Otherwise, you may be able to see where you took a break. However, glossy paints tend to show additions than flat paints. Depending on your basement design you can paint the wood trim, doors, and windows the same color as the room or an accent color. In addition, you can decide to apply a wood stain, a paint-like product that has less pigment or color in it, allowing the wood’s grain to show through. Some trim woods have little grain and should be painted, but oak or other wood with character look best when stained. Painting masonry, concrete, or concrete blocks is similar to painting any other flat surface. However, because masonry is porous, it typically requires a primer coat so the paint will adhere. Good quality masonry primer also can cover up any water stains. In addition, some masonry primers seal the surface against moisture. If painting masonry, select rollers specifically designed for the job. They can help work the primer or paint into the surface.
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