Lots of property owners possess basic painting preparation. They understand that it is necessary to utilize Verona exterior painting ground cloth, painters tape and stir paint thoroughly. However did you know that a golf ball can help keep paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more manageable?
With many DIY painting jobs, understanding a few extra painting techniques can result in the most rewarding results. Storing paint correctly and utilizing the right tools can ensure that you prevent acnes and cover surfaces evenly.
These 9 DIY painting suggestions can help you improve the quality of your work and conserve money and time in the process, whether you're preparing to sell, altering your design or doing some routine 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 space, or location plastic wrap under the cover, seal it firmly and keep the paint upside down.
2. Utilize the best primer
If you're painting new drywall, utilize a water-based primer to conceal imperfections and offer an even base before using color. If you're painting paneling, water-damaged or smoke-saturated walls, select an oil-based guide.
3. Prevent lap marks
To prevent stripes caused by rolling over paint that's currently starting 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 help blend the paint better. The holes assist the paint flow through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and mixing the paint equally.
5. Include texture, if you want
If you desire 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 due to the fact that of the way their fibers disperse the paint. Utilize a shorter-nap roller-- in between 1/4" and 1/2" nap-- for the smoothest finish.
6. Don't wash your brushes or rollers
If you're utilizing latex paint, there's no reason 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 simply cover your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the refrigerator. (Make sure to let them totally warm back up prior to utilizing them.).
7. Handle issue tape.
If you're using older tape, sometimes it can be difficult to remove its roll without tearing or sticking. If your painter's tape continues to peel, microwave the entire roll for 10 seconds.
8. Identify 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 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 want to utilize an oil-based guide prior to painting.
9. Invest in a paint pen.
Purchase a paint pen that lets you load it with a smidgen of your new paint color for small touchups later. These pens keep the paint inside fresh for about a year when filled; just keep in mind to shake them well prior to use to guarantee the paint comes out smoothly and equally.