Numerous house owners have basic painting preparation. They understand that it is essential to utilize ground cloth, painters tape and stir paint completely. But did you know that a golf ball can assist preserve paint quality, Caldwell painting or that microwaving paint tape can make it more workable?
With many DIY painting projects, understanding a couple of extra painting techniques can lead to the most rewarding outcomes. Keeping paint effectively and utilizing the right tools can ensure that you prevent blemishes and cover surfaces equally.
These 9 DIY painting suggestions can assist you enhance the quality of your work and save time and money in the process, whether you're preparing to sell, altering your decoration or doing some routine house upkeep.
1. Do not 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 area, or location plastic wrap under the cover, seal it firmly and keep the paint upside down.
2. Use the right guide
If you're painting new drywall, use a water-based guide to hide flaws and offer an even base before applying color. If you're painting paneling, water-damaged or smoke-saturated walls, choose an oil-based primer.
3. Avoid lap marks
To avoid stripes triggered by rolling over paint that's currently starting to dry, keep a wet edge by painting the complete height of the wall and then moving over somewhat so you can overlap the last stroke with the next.
4. Stir paint with a modified stirrer
Prior to you stir paint, drill holes in the stirrer to assist mix the paint more thoroughly. The holes help the paint flow through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and mixing the paint uniformly.
5. Add texture, if you want
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 material covering the roller, and longer naps develop more stippling on your wall due to the fact that 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 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 simply cover your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the fridge. (Be sure to let them totally warm back up before utilizing them.).
7. Handle problem tape.
If you're utilizing older tape, often 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. Figure out the type 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 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 fill it with a smidgen of your new paint color for little touchups later on. These pens keep the paint inside fresh for about a year when filled; simply keep in mind to shake them well prior to usage to guarantee the paint comes out efficiently and evenly.