
Before starting any paint project, remove furniture from the room in which you're working, or place it in the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths. Place drop cloths or tarps on the floor and remove fixtures, window coverings, switch plates and outlet covers. You will want to cover the outside edge of anything you couldn't remove with painter's tape. See Step 3.
Outside, use drop cloths to cover cars, patio furniture, shrubs and anything else you don't want splattered. Remove all screens, light fixtures, plumbing outlets, electrical covers, shutters and address numbers/placards. Again, you will want to cover the edges of anything you couldn't remove with painter's tape.
Properly cleaning surfaces is necessary for both painter's tape and paint adhesion. Painter's tape won't adhere well to dirty or damaged areas and poor adhesion can lead to paint infiltrating under the tape. Use a sponge to wipe down all surfaces with mild detergent and water, and allow it to dry.