Many homeowners have basic painting preparation. They understand that it is essential to utilize drop cloths, painters tape and stir paint thoroughly. But did you understand that a golf ball can assist preserve paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more manageable?
With most DIY painting projects, understanding a few extra painting techniques can cause the most rewarding outcomes. Saving paint correctly and utilizing the right tools can make sure that you prevent imperfections and cover surfaces equally.
These nine DIY painting suggestions can assist you enhance the quality of your work and conserve money and time while doing so, whether you're preparing to offer, changing your decoration or doing some regular house maintenance.
1. Don't let your paint dry out
A half-empty can of paint will dry. Drop golf balls into the paint can to fill the air space, or location plastic wrap under the lid, seal it tightly and keep the paint upside down.
2. Utilize the ideal primer
If you're painting brand-new drywall, utilize a water-based guide to conceal flaws and offer an even base prior to using color. If you're painting paneling, water-damaged or smoke-saturated walls, select an oil-based guide.
3. Avoid lap marks
To prevent 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 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 help mix the paint better. The holes assist the paint circulation through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and mixing the paint equally.
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 product covering the roller, and longer naps create more stippling on your wall because of the method their fibers distribute the paint. Use a shorter-nap roller-- in between 1/4" and 1/2" nap-- for the smoothest finish.
6. Don't clean your brushes or rollers
If you're utilizing latex paint, there's no factor to clean your brushes or rollers if you don't complete your project in one day. Since cold temperatures keep latex paint from drying quickly, you can merely wrap your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the refrigerator. (Be sure to let them fully warm back up prior to using them.).
7. Handle issue 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 entire roll for 10 seconds.
8. Figure out the sort 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.
Purchase a paint pen that lets you pack it with a smidgen of your brand-new paint color for small touchups later on. These pens keep the paint inside fresh for about a year when filled; just remember to shake them well prior to use to guarantee the paint comes out Best Montclair painting smoothly and equally.