Many homeowners possess basic painting preparation. They know that it's important to use drop cloths, painters tape and stir paint thoroughly. But did you know that a golf ball can help preserve paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more workable?
With many DIY painting tasks, knowing a couple of extra painting methods can lead to the most satisfying results. Storing paint properly and utilizing the right tools can guarantee that you avoid Bloomfield interior painting blemishes and cover surface areas evenly.
These 9 Do It Yourself painting pointers can help you improve the quality of your work and save time and money at the same time, whether you're preparing to sell, altering your design or doing some regular house maintenance.
1. Do not let your paint dry
A half-empty can of paint will dry out. Drop golf balls into the paint can to fill the air area, or place cling wrap under the cover, seal it tightly and keep the paint upside down.
2. Use the ideal guide
If you're painting brand-new drywall, use a water-based primer to conceal imperfections 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. Prevent lap marks
To avoid stripes caused by rolling over paint that's currently starting to dry, keep a wet edge by painting the complete height of the wall and after that moving over somewhat so you can overlap the last stroke with the next.
4. Stir paint with a customized stirrer
Before you stir paint, drill holes in the stirrer to assist mix the paint more thoroughly. The holes help the paint circulation through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and blending the paint evenly.
5. Add texture, if you desire
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 distribute the paint. Use a shorter-nap roller-- between 1/4" and 1/2" nap-- for the smoothest surface.
6. Don't wash 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 job in one day. Because cold temperature levels keep latex paint from drying rapidly, you can just cover your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the refrigerator. (Make sure to let them fully warm back up prior to using them.).
7. Handle problem tape.
If you're using older tape, sometimes it can be difficult 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. Determine the kind of paint on existing walls.
Uncertain 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 utilize an oil-based primer prior to painting.
9. Invest in a paint pen.
Buy a paint pen that lets you load 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; simply remember to shake them well before usage to ensure the paint comes out smoothly and equally.