Many homeowners have basic painting preparation. They understand that it's important to use ground cloth, painters tape and stir paint thoroughly. But did you understand that a golf ball can help keep paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more workable?
With most DIY painting tasks, knowing a couple of additional painting methods can result in the most rewarding outcomes. Storing paint appropriately and utilizing the right tools can ensure that you prevent imperfections and cover surface areas uniformly.
These 9 DIY painting ideas can help you improve the quality of your work and save money and time at the same time, whether you're preparing to sell, changing your design or doing some routine home maintenance.
1. Don't let your paint dry out
A half-empty can of paint will dry out. Drop golf balls into the paint can to fill the air space, or place cling wrap under the lid, seal it firmly and keep the paint upside down.
2. Use the best primer
If you're painting new drywall, utilize a water-based guide to hide imperfections and supply an even base before using 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 brought on by rolling over paint that's already beginning to dry, keep a wet edge by painting the full height of the wall and then 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 mix the paint better. The holes assist the paint flow through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and blending the paint uniformly.
5. Add texture, if you want
If you want more texture on your wall, select a roller with a longer, 3/4" nap, which holds more paint. The nap is the fabric product covering the roller, and longer naps create more stippling on your wall because of the method their fibers disperse the paint. Use a shorter-nap roller-- between 1/4" and 1/2" nap-- for the best surface.
6. Do not clean your brushes or rollers
If you're utilizing latex paint, there's no reason to clean your brushes or rollers if you don't finish your task in one day. Because cold temperatures keep latex paint from drying rapidly, you can just 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 using them.).
7. Deal with problem tape.
If you're using older tape, sometimes it can be tough to peel off its roll without tearing or sticking. If your painter's tape continues to peel, microwave the entire roll for 10 seconds.
8. Figure out the kind of paint on existing walls.
Unsure if a wall's existing paint is oil or latex? Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it in a small location throughout 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 utilize an oil-based primer before painting.
9. Buy a paint pen.
Buy a paint pen that lets you pack it with a smidgen of your new paint color for little touchups later on. These pens keep the paint inside fresh for http://www.bbc.co.uk/search?q=Englewood painting about a year once filled; just keep in mind to shake them Englewood painting near me well prior to use to ensure the paint comes out smoothly and uniformly.