DIY Painting Tips for Homeowners
When the weather is not conducive to time outdoors, focus on interior home improvement projects. Painting refreshes the look of any room and is relatively inexpensive done yourself. Use the tips below to make any painting project a breeze. Expert advice reduces the time and effort spent revitalizing a room with paint.
Prep Work and Equipment for DIY Painting
Before putting any paint on a wall, prepare the surface. Scrape off residue, fill dents, cracks, and holes with spackle or another type of patch and sand the area until the surface is smooth and even. To prevent spattering or paint on the floor while increasing safety, use a canvas drop cloth rather than a plastic version. Fold the drop cloth around doorways and corners of walls.
When painting over dark-colored paint, paneling, or new drywall, priming is mandatory. In fact, priming is usually a smart move because it prevents bleeding stains, improves adhesion of paint, and usually enables a one-coat paint job. Tinting primer a hue close to the color of the paint helps the topcoat hide the primed walls. For the best coverage and adhesion, select a dedicated primer rather than a combination paint-primer.
Attach the paint roller to an extension pole with telescoping feature. If ceilings are between eight and nine feet tall, use a pole that extends from 18 to 36 inches. To increase control, use a paint roller handle with a threaded, metal hole and an extension pole with a metal core. Keep the project neater by using a lidded bucket and paint grid rather than a paint tray.
Time to Start Your DIY Painting Job
Remove wall plates and put painter’s tape around areas that will not be painted including electrical outlets and light switches. Instead of using a small paintbrush to cut in edges around doorframes, corners, and edges of the ceiling, use an edge pad. Add enough paint to fill the bucket halfway and hang the grid on the bucket rim. Dip the sleeve of the paint roller into the bucket until it reaches the paint and remove excess paint by rolling it against the grid.
Once a painted area has dried, avoid the urge to go back over it because this can cause marks or streaks. When stopping before the job is completed, roll or brush excess paint from rollers and brushes, wrap these in plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator. Drop the paint grid into the bucket and put the lid on to prevent air from entering.
Do you need to find a Mountain View Arkansas hardware store to help you with your next DIY painting project? Hipp Modern Builders offers both a brick and mortar location as well as on online store and blog that is packed with DIY tips! For more information, visit our website and click here.
