Many property owners have standard painting preparation. They know that it is necessary to utilize drop cloths, painters tape and stir paint thoroughly. But did you understand that a golf ball can help preserve paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more workable?
With a lot of DIY painting jobs, understanding a few additional painting techniques can lead to the most satisfying results. Keeping paint correctly and using the right tools can ensure that you avoid blemishes and cover surface areas evenly.
These 9 Do It Yourself painting ideas can help you improve the quality of your work and save money and time in the process, whether you're preparing to sell, changing your decor or doing some regular house upkeep.
1. Don't let your paint dry
A half-empty can of paint will dry. Drop golf balls into the paint can to fill the air space, or place cling wrap under the lid, seal it firmly and store the paint upside down.
2. Use the ideal primer
If you're painting new drywall, use a water-based primer to conceal flaws and provide an even base prior to applying color. If you're painting paneling, water-damaged or smoke-saturated walls, opt for an oil-based primer.
3. Avoid lap marks
To prevent stripes caused by rolling over paint that's already beginning to dry, keep a wet edge by painting the complete height of the wall and after that moving over a little so you can overlap the last stroke with the next.
4. Stir paint with a modified stirrer
Before you stir paint, drill holes in the stirrer to assist blend the paint more thoroughly. The holes help the paint circulation through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and blending the paint evenly.
5. Include texture, if you want
If you desire more texture on your wall, select a roller with a longer, 3/4" nap, which holds more paint. The nap is the fabric material covering the roller, and longer naps produce more stippling on your wall because of the method their fibers disperse the paint. Utilize a shorter-nap roller-- in between 1/4" and 1/2" nap-- for the smoothest finish.
6. Do not clean your brushes or rollers
If you're using latex paint, there's no factor to clean your brushes or rollers if you don't finish your project in one day. Since cold temperatures keep latex paint from drying rapidly, you can simply wrap your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the refrigerator. (Make certain to let them completely warm back up before utilizing them.).
7. Deal with problem tape.
If you're using older tape, in some cases it can be challenging to peel its roll without tearing or sticking. If your painter's tape continues to peel, microwave the whole roll for 10 seconds.
8. Identify the kind of paint on existing walls.
Not exactly sure if a wall's existing paint is oil or latex? Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it in a little area across the wall. If the cotton ball has paint residue, the paint is latex. No paint on the cotton ball? You'll be painting over an oil-based paint and will wish to use an oil-based guide before painting.
9. Buy a paint pen.
Purchase a paint pen that lets you fill it with a smidgen of your new paint Bloomfield painting color for small touchups later. These pens keep the paint inside fresh for about a year when filled; simply remember to shake them well prior to use to make sure the paint comes out efficiently and equally.