Many Montclair painting property owners possess standard painting preparation. They know that it is essential to use drop cloths, painters tape and stir paint completely. But did you understand that a golf ball can assist preserve paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more manageable?
With a lot of DIY painting tasks, knowing a few extra painting techniques can result in the most rewarding outcomes. Saving paint properly and utilizing the right tools can ensure that you prevent imperfections and cover surfaces equally.
These nine DIY painting tips can help you improve the quality of your work and conserve time and money in the process, whether you're preparing to sell, altering your decor or doing some regular house 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 plastic wrap under the cover, seal it firmly and store the paint upside down.
2. Use the best guide
If you're painting new drywall, utilize a water-based guide to hide flaws and provide an even base before applying color. If you're painting paneling, water-damaged or smoke-saturated walls, select an oil-based primer.
3. Prevent lap marks
To avoid stripes triggered by rolling over paint that's already starting to dry, keep a damp edge by painting the full height of the wall and then moving over slightly so you can overlap the last stroke with the next.
4. Stir paint with a customized stirrer
Prior to you stir paint, drill holes in the stirrer to assist blend the paint more thoroughly. The holes assist the paint flow through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and blending the paint evenly.
5. Add texture, if you desire
If you want more texture on your wall, choose 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 since of the way their fibers disperse the paint. Utilize a shorter-nap roller-- 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 complete your project in one day. Due to the fact that cold temperature levels keep latex paint from drying quickly, you can simply cover your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the fridge. (Be sure to let them fully warm back up before using them.).
7. Deal with issue tape.
If you're utilizing older tape, in some cases it can be hard to peel its roll without tearing or sticking. If your painter's tape continues to peel, microwave the entire roll for 10 seconds.
8. Identify the type of paint on existing walls.
Not 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 want to use an oil-based primer before painting.
9. Invest in a paint pen.
Buy a paint pen that lets you pack it with a small bit of your new paint color for small touchups later on. These pens keep the paint inside fresh for about a year once filled; just keep in mind to shake them well before use to make sure the paint comes out smoothly and evenly.