Many homeowners possess standard painting preparation. They understand that it is essential to use ground cloth, painters tape and stir paint completely. But did you know that a golf ball can help preserve paint quality, or that microwaving paint tape can make it more manageable?
With many DIY painting tasks, understanding a few extra painting methods can cause the most gratifying results. Saving paint correctly and utilizing the right tools can guarantee that you avoid imperfections and cover surfaces equally.
These 9 DIY painting pointers can help you enhance the quality of your work and save time and money while doing so, whether you're preparing to sell, altering your design or doing some routine 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. Use the best guide
If you're painting new drywall, use a water-based guide to conceal flaws and supply 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 prevent stripes triggered by rolling over paint that's already beginning to dry, keep a damp 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
Before you stir paint, drill holes in the stirrer to assist mix the paint better. The holes assist the paint flow through the stirrer, aerating it like a whisk and mixing the paint evenly.
5. Add texture, if you want
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 develop more stippling on your wall due to the fact that of the method their fibers disperse the paint. Use a shorter-nap roller-- 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 do not complete your project in one day. Since cold temperature levels keep latex paint from drying rapidly, you can merely cover your rollers or brushes in plastic bags or tin foil and put them in the refrigerator. (Make certain to let them totally warm back up before using them.).
7. Handle problem tape.
If you're utilizing older tape, sometimes it can be hard 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 kind of paint on existing walls.
Unsure if Montclair exterior painting a wall's existing paint is oil or latex? Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it in a small 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 use an oil-based primer before painting.
9. Buy a paint pen.
Purchase a paint pen that lets you pack it with a small bit 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 smoothly and evenly.