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7 tips/tricks to painting like a pro!
Our
best tips and techniques for walls and ceilings
TIP 1 Give yourself time. A professional
painter can paint a 10x10 room in about 3 hours. However, if he were taking phone calls, changing diapers, or making lunches
that 3 hour time would be just a pipe dream. So do what you can to eliminate distractions. FInd a babysitter and screen your
phone calls, because you are on a mission!
TIP
2 Clear
the Area. One reason you hate to paint is because you hate maneuvering around your furniture and usually
something gets paint on it! Move everything you can out of
the room. An empty room is easier to lay drop cloths in. it's easier to tape off base, and it's easier to paint! For around
$10 you can buy furniture sliders. These nifty inventions make moving furniture a breeze.
TIP 3 Don't Cheat on the Prep. This is
going to take some time on the front end of your project, but it will really save time once you
actually start painting. So how much should you prep? A lot! For a quick guide on
what to prep and how click here
TIP
4 Let's
get Ready to Rumble. So you've done your prep and your ready for paint. If your room is going to take more than one
gallon to finish the job, you need to "box the paint" that means combine you paint together. Why,..You ask? When
colors are mixed there can be variances in the color so let's say you've run out of paint in the middle of a wall. No problem,
you open the next gallon and proceed to paint. Now isn't usually when you notice there is a color difference, it is usualy
after everything is dry. After you've moved everything back into the room and cleaned up then someone says, "Hey,
how come the wall looks like it has two different colors on it?" And that's when you lose it! Well let's avoid all of
that. Box your paint, into a 3 or 5 gallon bucket. Give it a good stir and proceed worry free.
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TIP
5 May I Cut In? "Cutting in" is the term painters
use for edging or using your brush. Just as someone might "cut a trail" in the jungle, woods, or snow that person
is expected to go first and make a way for anyone who follows. If your like most homeowners this is the part you dread! And
that's why you'll want to reach for that paint roller first... Don't do it! Professionals cut first then roll. Why? Brush
strokes are unsightly, rollers make walls look more uniform. If you have done the proper prepwork, the doors and base will
be easy. it's that dreaded ceiling! You have three options. First you can tape off the ceiling, this is not easy and may be
more frustrating than painting. Second you can use a cutting pad and believe it or not some of them work pretty good. Your
third choice is to do what the pros do... Get your brush and start cutting. If you choose the third option here is a trick
of the trade. Use a putty knife or a pencil, place it in the corner between the wall and ceiling and draw a light line, this
will help as guide. I haven't met a professional painter yet who didn't use this trick when they first started and some of
them never stopped. Be sure not to leave heavy edges of paint. Feather them out. TIP 6 Let's Roll! Before you get your roller full of paint do what the pros do. Cover your roller in tape
then remove the tape. Notice all of the lint stuck to the tape? There's a good chance some of that lint would have made it's
way onto your wall,...well not this time! Most pros will cut a whole room and then roll it out. For the average homeowner
it may be a better idea to roll each wall right after cutting it in. If you have an extension pole now is time to use it.
If you don't there is a good chance your broom handle may screw right into your paint handle. Your back will thank you. Contrary
to what you see on television, professionial painters do not paint in a "W" pattern. Simply start about 4"
or 5" from a corner and start roliing (if you are right handed you will want to work to your right, and lefties to your
left) work away from the paint about 18' to 24" then work back towards the corner get as close as you can. Check to make
sure your paint is even. At this point you should probably need another dip. This time start about 4' to 5' inches from where
you left off and repeat throughout the room.
TIP
7 Are we done yet? if you've checked your room for consistencey
and your happy with your result, it's time pull all of your tape. It's best to pull tape when the paint is still wet. This
a great time to keep your eyes open for any misses you might have. Also keep a damp rag on you in case any paint bled through
onto spots you didn't want painted. A damp rag is a painters best friend! Make sure to clean all of your tools, also allow
the room some time to dry. After that, place everything back where it was and you are DONE! BEHOLD THE POWER OF PAINT!
Paintng can be a real pain and can sometimes get overwhelming, but if you follow these steps it will
speed up your time and prevent quite a few mistakes. Best of luck!
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