The primary motivation as to why people paint their interior walls is usually to brighten up the look of the room. A fresh paint job can give new life into a dull room. To acquire a smooth finish you have to first take some time to prime the walls. People like to chop corners to save time and money, but doing this could make your projects look terrible.

Follow these steps for a very smooth application:

The first step is to make use of a paint scraper to remove all of the old chipped paint. Scrape as much of the old paint off as you possibly can. Sand the chipped areas with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block. Attempt to smooth the edges as much as possible so as not to be noticeable under the new paint.

Wipe down the parts to be painted. Wash walls and woodwork to remove dust and grease from the surfaces. Grease will keep the paint from adhering to the surface properly and dirt or dust will attach itself to the newly painted wall. Wash with a mild soap and water solution and allow the area to dry before prepping.

Tape off the parts you don't want painted like baseboards and mouldings. Cover lighting fixtures and wall sockets, and put plastic sheets over furnishings to guard from drips. You will probably also want to put plastic or an old sheet down on the carpet in the spot you intend painting. Paint rollers can sometimes slip and hit where you do not want them to.

Fill in any holes or cracks with putty and smooth out. Also fill in any holes left from where you scraped the old paint. If there is the smallest amount of an impression on the wall it will show through the paint as a very uneven spot so make sure you fill it as well. When you have filled in all the areas, smooth the puttied areas with a damp sponge and let it dry. When dry, sand the area using the sanding block to smooth out any rough edges left.

Choose a top quality brand of paint. You do not have to pay a fortune on a gallon of paint, but you should buy a quality product. Call around to some general contractors close to you and ask them what brand of paint they suggest. Once you've got a name you are able to call or visit some home improvement stores to try out and compare prices. This really is an important step because if you pick a less expensive brand of paint it may not cover as the area as well. Using a primer is definitely an option, but it is not required. A high quality brand of paint should cover in one coat. Sometimes you may will require another coat to provide a more polished look.

One final tip: After your new paint has dried, check for any bubbled or uneven spots. If you see bubbles, lightly scrape the top, fill and retouch. You can get a tiny pot of the same colour paint for touch ups. If you aren't really a diy sort, or you do not have the time for such a job you can hire a professional to do the job for you.