Get expert advice on painting your bathroom in Dallas, from choosing the right paint to expert tips on doing a professional job
Painting a bedroom, family room, or kitchen is a somewhat familiar project for most DIY’ers. With little skill, you can do a decent job that can make a huge difference.
However, bathrooms are different. There’s more to think about. They’re usually very small and full of moisture. Because of this, a slightly different approach is required to get a “professional” result.
Why Bathroom Painting in Dallas Requires Special Attention
Before we get into the professional painting tips, it’s important to know that painting in Dallas needs special attention.
This is because:
- Dallas has high humidity levels (up to 70% in May)
- Dallas has high-temperature levels (up to 96°F in summer)
There are two problems with this.
- Problem One: The ideal humidity level for painting is between 40 and 50 percent.
- Problem Two: The ideal temperature for painting is between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you paint the bathroom’s interior walls yourself, waiting for the perfect environmental conditions can be beneficial. It’ll provide a better paint adhesive and a more even finish.
To measure your bathroom environment, use a hygrometer and thermometer. You can get a device with both – usually, this costs anywhere from $5 to $20.
How to Paint a Bathroom (4 Steps)
Now you know the special precautions for this area, let’s show you how to paint a bathroom.
Step 1: Choose the Right Paint
The paint you choose should be moisture and mildew-resistant. A lot of the time, if you head down to your local paint shop, they’ll have specialized “Bathroom Paint.” Just double-check that the paint you buy is suitable for the surface you’re painting.
Step 2: Prep the Bathroom
First, you’ll want to clean your surfaces with a mixture of soap and warm water. You should also remove any mold or mildew build-up.
Secondly, you’ll want to protect the areas you’re not painting. You can do this with some old drop cloths or plastic and some tape.
Thirdly, tape off the edges. This is to protect areas that need finer paint brushwork rather than roller work. So think of places like around fixtures, sockets, etc.
Step 3: Prime the Walls (or surface)
With everything protected and taped up, you can then prime the walls or whatever surface you want to paint.
Like the paint, you need a moisture-resistant primer. This will help the paint for the bathroom stick better.
Before moving on to step 4, make sure the primer is dry. This usually takes around 30 minutes to one hour.
Step 4: Start Painting
You can now start painting the bathroom surface. Use a roller for areas that don’t require fine work. For fine work, for instance, areas close to sockets or the ceiling, use a small brush.
Do a single coat to begin with. Once the first coat is dried (this can take around one to two hours) apply a second coat for a better finish.
Tips for Painting Your Bathroom Like A Pro
Now you know how to paint a bathroom, here are extra bathroom painting tips to do it like a pro:
Tip | Details |
Ideal Conditions | Ensure humidity is between 40-50% and temperature between 50-85°F for best results. |
Use Moisture-Resistant Paint | Always use moisture and mildew-resistant paint, often labeled as “Bathroom Paint.” |
Painting Over Tiles | Clean tiles thoroughly, sand if needed, and use a bonding primer before painting. |
Colors for Small Bathrooms | Use light and reflective colors to make small bathrooms feel more spacious. |
Painting Fixtures | Choose the correct primer and paint that suit the material of your bathroom fixtures. |
Primer Drying Time | Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for primer to dry before applying paint; wait longer if needed. |
Conclusion
When painting your bathroom, just remember that it requires a slightly different approach. The main reason for this is because of the moisture that can build up in the room.
The only things that change are the preparation and paint. During preparation, wait for perfect environmental conditions and remove any excess moisture from the air. When it comes to the paint, just be sure to opt for mildew-resistant paint.
If you follow these two rules, you’ll paint your bathroom effortlessly. It’ll also reduce any mold growth, bubbles, and peeling.
