How To Learn To Do Residential Painting
Learning the skills a professional residential painter needs is a hands-on process, not just a matter of taking classes. The question is why would anyone want to become a residential painter? Why should freshmen or women even consider this profession when they have technical degrees in hand? Both are legal questions that arise from the wrong doubts that young people have about this job.
Learning residential painting in Chicago IL doesn’t mean you don’t have what it takes to receive a high school or college degree. You can be creative while choosing to make a living from your hands by working hard and learning new skills. Becoming a painter takes more than just applying paint to a wall or any surface. Professional painting licensing requirements are an important part of this process.
In the United States, many states require residential painters to have a license or certification, and normally several years of work experience is also required. Most residential painters learn painting while working or through internship contracts. There are tons of methods to acquire the skill of residential painting and become a professional residential painter. This article will walk you through this process.
Who Are The Residential Painters?
Residential Painters or painting contractors do more than just making homes pretty. A painter removes outlet covers and other accessories during painting, replaces them afterward, and sand or scrape surfaces to remove old paint and hardware.
Painters also prepare surfaces and apply coatings primarily for protective and decorative purposes. These surfaces can be wood, drywall, plaster, concrete, steel, or any other surface. T
he painter also paints interior surfaces or interior surfaces of residential or commercial buildings such as homes, offices, factories, institutions, and other facilities. Attention to detail and perseverance are valuable attributes for a residential or commercial painter.
Start Learning To Paint
New painters can choose to do a classroom internship and hands-on learning for a professional painter’s course, or they can start working as a painter’s assistant and just learn on the job. There are no formal educational standards for residential painters.
Painting courses usually include:
- How to prepare a surface for paint.
- Patching cracks and manage moisture.
- Selecting the right type of paint for different conditions and temperatures.
- How to pick the right material for painting.
- Choosing and mixing paint colors.
- Protecting a painting site.
- Safety standards and protocols for painting work.
- Calculating estimates for the amount of paint.
A person interested in painting residential buildings will find blueprint reading and take classes that teach measurement techniques and the use of basic painting tools and equipment.
Some residential painters start as helpers. Beginners start with simple tasks and are assigned more complex tasks as their skills develop. Having a professional accreditation to show new clients can get you more jobs with improved pay.
Responsibilities Of A Residential Painter
Before a painting project starts, a painter must plan it carefully. A painter should discuss the project with clients to decide the color, type of coating, project completion time frame, and anticipated result. After finalizing a price with clients, painters purchase paint and supplies from suppliers.
A painter need to prepare the surfaces and walls to be painted. On outdated structures, preparation may require more time and effort than the actual painting. Usually, painting may include these tasks:
- Remove artwork from the walls.
- Remove furniture or move it away from walls towards the center of the room.
- Cover furniture and floors with chamois leather.
- Setting up ladders.
- Cleaning the exterior and other surfaces.
- Filling flaws and holes in walls and ceilings.
- Apply paint to the interior and exterior walls.
- Clean and remove debris from the workplace.
Painters use several approaches to apply multiple paint coatings, including brushes of different sizes and shapes, rollers, paint spray guns, etc. The profession of the painter has evolved to adapt to the elements of contemporary interior design.
Obtaining The License
Depending on the state you live in, you may need to obtain a painting contractor license. It can be as easy as filling out a reservation form or as difficult as taking an exam to show your understanding. Regulations vary widely from state to state, and you will only need to show evidence of at least one to two years of work experience.
Many states do not require residential painters to be licensed and only need to carry the necessary insurances. The Environmental Protection Agency or “EPA” requires all painters and contractors who paint homes, daycares, and preschools to obtain lead safety certification if they work in buildings.
Residential painters can obtain professional certifications from the NACE Institute. For instance, a painter can be certified as a coating specialist if they have the certification and sufficient work experience.
Essential Qualities Of A Residential Painter
To be successful as a residential painter, you must have a good color vision to differentiate color changes. Residential painters must pay close attention to detail to avoid failures and the physical resistance to climbing, bending, and reaching for several hours. You also need good communication skills to communicate effectively.
There are tons of painting programs for beginners and pro painters that cover all aspects of residential painting. As you do not need any special painter qualifications, you can start as soon as you feel you have acquired most of the skills needed to become a successful painter.
Depending on the state you live in, you may need to obtain a painting contractor license. It can be as easy as filling out a reservation form or as difficult as taking an exam to show your understanding. Regulations vary widely from state to state, and you will only need to show evidence of at least one to two years of work experience.
Many states do not require residential painters to be licensed and only need to carry the necessary insurances. The Environmental Protection Agency or “EPA” requires all painters and contractors who paint homes, daycares, and preschools to obtain lead safety certification if they work in buildings.
Residential painters can obtain professional certifications from the NACE Institute. For instance, a painter can be certified as a coating specialist if they have the certification and sufficient work experience.
