What is a recommended practice before beginning a painting project?

Before starting a painting project, it is crucial to ensure proper conditions for application and to assess how the paint will behave on a surface. Spraying a test panel on a vertical surface is important because it allows you to see how the paint will apply, its coverage, and how it looks in the intended environment. This practice can reveal issues such as color variations, potential drips or runs, and texture effects when the paint dries, which may differ from how it appears in a can or when applied flat.

In the context of painting, getting a clear idea of how the final product will appear can prevent costly mistakes and provides valuable insight into the handling characteristics of the paint. Thus, testing on a vertical surface mimics real-life application scenarios, making it a vital step in the preparation process.

Other practices, like checking paint color, mixing paint, and ensuring ventilation, can be essential but do not directly assess how the paint will perform when applied, which is the primary focus of the recommended practice.