Painting your home’s interior is a great way to update and refresh your living areas. DIYers often tackle a painting project and soon discover it’s more challenging than expected. Professional painters have developed their skills after years of experience. Here are six tips for your painting project done quickly and easily:
Extra Buckets Are The Go-To For Mixing
The best way to ensure your paint is thoroughly mixed is to pour it from one bucket to another several times. If you are using paint from several different cans, mixing them like this will also ensure color uniformity. It’s good to have a couple of clean, empty 5-gallon buckets to pour the paint back and forth in until the solids that settle to the bottom have been remixed. This method works better than a stir stick and completely remixes the particles that have settled in the bottom of the can.
Canvas Drop Cloths Are a Must Have
Professional painters use canvas drop cloths because they absorb paint splatters and aren’t slippery like plastic ones. Canvas drop cloths are more expensive but will last practically forever. Best of all, they will make your painting project faster and easier. Thin cloth sheets won’t prevent paint splatters and spills from seeping through to your flooring, so it’s best to use the thickest ones you can find. Avoid using plastic sheeting because it contains spills for too long, and when stepped on, the paint is easily tracked throughout the house.
Don’t Go the Cheap Route
Don’t try to save money when it comes to purchasing paintbrushes. Cheap brushes are cheap for a reason. High-quality brushes are well worth the added cost. When you buy the best brushes you can afford and clean them well after each use, they will last you years. A $3 plastic brush will not give you the desired results. The bristles of less-quality brushes are known to fall out into the paint and become affixed to the painted surface. High-quality paint brushes cost more than standard ones but are much more durable and apply paint smoothly. When you invest in a quality, 2½-inch-wide angled sash brush, you will have an excellent all-around paintbrush that can be reused down to a nub when washed after each use.
Don’t Gamble by Using Cheap Paint
Buying the highest quality paint you can afford for your project is also essential. High-quality paint goes on easily, offers the best coverage, and lasts longer than cheaper options. Purchase the highest quality paint you can for the best results and gives a better-performing finish that allows you to clean off fingerprints and smears without ruining your paint.
Embrace Tinted Primers
Tint primer with a bit of gray paint or the color of the finish paint. Tinted primer does a much better job concealing patched areas and covering up the old paint color. Painting pros repair cracks and other surface imperfections with joint compound. Primer is an essential step after using joint compound to avoid the fresh paint having the moisture drawn out of it by the joint compound giving it a flat, dull look called “flashing.” Tinting the primer will provide a professional result, and you may require fewer coats of paint.
Eliminate Ugly Brush and Lap Marks
Having visible lap marks on your freshly painted walls is enough to bring tears to many DIYers.The secret to a beautiful finish free of ugly lap marks and brush strokes is mixing the new paint with a paint extender, also known as a paint conditioner.
Two Ways Paint Extenders Work:
- 1) Paint extender slows down the paint’s drying time allowing more time to paint over just-painted areas without having lap marks. Lap marks occur when fresh paint is applied over already dried paint.
- 2) Paint extender evens out the paint, nearly eliminating brush strokes. Pros often use extenders to paint many surfaces, including drywall, woodwork, cabinets, and doors.
Read and follow the can’s label to determine how much extender to mix with your paint. If the paint is especially thick, or when painting in frigid weather, more extender can be added.
Hire a Local Professional Painting Company
The benefits of hiring professional painters are numerous. Save time, energy, and money by hiring an experienced painting company. When you hire local painting professionals, you’ll benefit from their expertise and support your local community. The team members at Mr. Mole’s Painting LLC are trained to communicate with clients and ensure your satisfaction.
Mr. Mole’s Painting LLC offers interior and exterior painting services for commercial and residential properties. We provide in-person and virtual quotes for your convenience. Contact us at (218) 368-2560 to discuss your next painting project.