Whether you love painting or abhor it, there is no denying that a fresh coat of paint can refresh and revive the drabbest of rooms. However, a poorly painted room can detract from your home rather than enhance it. But don’t think this means that you have to go out and hire the professionals. Here are a few simple tips and tricks to help you paint your home like a pro:
Wipe down the walls
Before you delve into painting, make sure to give your walls a good wipe down. You want to ensure that you are starting with a clean slate. Particularly look for grease stains or areas where dust may have accumulated. Also, if you notice any cracks or holes, now is the time to mend them.
Tape, tape, tape
While you may think that you have a steady hand and don’t need to tape around light fixtures or doors, think again. In order to get clean, crisp lines and avoid painting on your trim and ceiling, taping is the way to go. Invest in a good quality painter’s tape to avoid an ‘oops’ moment down the road.
Avoid humidity
If possible, try to paint in a dry environment. This may mean turning off your humidifier and avoiding painting on a rainy day. A humid environment can contribute to dripping paint and a slow drying time – both detrimental to a professional looking paint job.
Invest in quality rollers and brushes
A good quality roller can give your paint better coverage, as well as help prevent drips and blurs. Talk to a paint sales specialist to determine which nap (roll thickness) works best with the paint you are using and the type of wall you are painting. If your walls have a lot of texture, you will want a thicker nap to reach into cracks and crevices.
Use a primer
Not only will a primer provide a clean slate for your top coat and enhance adhesion, but it will also help prevent stains from coming through and help hide imperfections on your wall. For new drywall, you should use a water-based primer, but for an older or heavily stained wall an oil-based primer is your best bet. A tip of the pros is to tint your primer prior to painting by adding a bit of the topcoat colour to your primer. This makes it easier for the topcoat to cover the primer, giving you a cleaner finish.
Remember the W
Another trick of the pros to achieve that smooth, seamless finish is to use the W pattern. Start in one corner of your room and roll a W (approximately 3 feet by 3 feet). Then, without lifting the roller, fill in the W. Continue doing this until the entire wall is complete. This method helps minimize lines and streaks caused by taking the roller of the wall, giving your paint job a professional touch.
Use a paint grid instead of a tray
The painting pros will often forgo the paint tray in preference of the paint grid. The paint grid is a rectangular screen (either metal or plastic) that hooks on the edge of a 5-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket halfway with paint, then roll your roller against the paint grid to remove excess paint. The paint grid is less messy and more effective than a paint tray. When you’re all done simply place the grid in the bucket and put on the lid.
I hope you find these tips helpful the next time you go to paint a room in your house. Painting your home should be a fun and stress-free endeavor, so take these tips from the pros and turn your home into your very own masterpiece.
