How To Paint Over Dark Colors With Just A Few Coats

Previous owners or past you may have painted your home with dark colors that are now outdated. Painting over darker paint colors can be daunting, but Rosewood Painting and Remodel are here to give you tips on how to paint over dark colors. Giving your home a refresh with a new coat of paint is the most budget-friendly and can instantly change the atmosphere of your home. 

Rosewood Painting and Remodel can also take the guesswork out of painting exterior or interior walls. Our painters can have your home painted and back to full function in no time. Avoid the hassle of painting projects by working with our professionals to paint over dark colors. If you do feel the pull to complete the project yourself, here are some tips from our team and others.

1- Start With A White Primer

The best way to ensure that your light paint looks good over a dark color is to start with a primer. A white primer will help you paint over dark colors with ease. An extra layer will block the strong color from peeking through and will result in you using less paint to cover the previous paint. 

Using two coats of primer will give you the best results, just make sure to let the primer dry between each coat. 

2- Use Enough Paint On Your Roller

When homeowners paint walls in their homes, the biggest mistake they make is not using enough paint to fully coat the area. When using a roller, you want to make sure you saturate the roller so that the paint goes on smoothly. The more coverage you can get the fewer coats you will need to fully paint over the dark colors in the room.

Dip your roller in the paint and use the angled part of the tray to wipe off any excess. Too much paint will result in blobs or drips, which will make your paint job look sloppy. 

3- Let The Paint Dry Completely Between Coats

Another aspect of painting that often gets overlooked is letting previous coats dry completely before applying another. Letting coats completely dry is important when painting over previous dark colors because painting over a wet coat will lift the previous coat you laid down. 

A sticky surface is not ideal for the paint to adhere to, so you may find that your coat is uneven or wasted if you apply a second coat too early. When you paint over dark colors, you will often need more than one coat and it is best not to rush the process. Let the primer dry before applying paint, and let the paint dry before applying another coat. 

4- Create “M” or “W” Shapes

Instead of painting straight up and down, painting in zig-zags or M or W shapes will prevent streaks. Using this method is especially helpful when you paint over dark colors because it helps your paint coats to be more even. Using a zig-zag pattern will limit lines, and streaks, and make the color more even. This will stop you from worrying about applying the same amount of paint on each stripe. 

5- Choose A High-Quality Paint

It is always important to look for quality paint for your home, but when you are painting over the previous color, high-quality paint can limit the number of coats you will need. Quality paints will give you an even finish, last for longer, be easy to clean, and save you money by possibly skipping the priming step. 

6- Don’t Forget Corners And Edges With Each Coat

It may be tedious to spend time painting edges along corners or baseboards after every coat, but this extra time will help you have a smooth application when you paint over dark colors. Completing this step will also be made easier by using a good paintbrush. To make the process of painting corners and edges with each coat easier, use painter’s tape or an edger.

Painting With Rosewood

Improving your home is our goal here at Rosewood Painting and Remodel. Whether you are looking to paint over dark colors, add more windows to your home, or just simply update your bathroom, our skilled team can help. We have served many Utah homes and know how to provide the best results that will increase the value of your home. Make a great first impression with the colors in your home and have a smooth paint job by hiring our professionals today.