Do you have a painting job in the works? We will provide you with the ideal painting advice to ensure that the procedure goes as smoothly as the brand-new coat of paint you’re about to put on. It turns out that incorrect technique is significantly more to blame for your discomfort when painting a space than poor paint or odd walls.
You’re most likely misusing your paint roller or brush in particular. Poor form cannot be saved by the best materials. But it’s not your fault! You are not taught painting methods or instruments unless you are a professional painter.
Common mistakes of painting & tips to avoid them
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Prep your painting space
When painting walls, a little preparation will go a long way, just like with most home improvement chores. If you’re doing some inside painting, be sure to set out your drop cloths, apply painter’s tape along the baseboards, windows, outlets, and light switches, and open your windows for good ventilation. Before beginning, make sure to clean your walls so that the fresh paint can apply easily.
The color of paint can often vary from can to can, so if you intend to use more than one can mix them all together in a gallon bucket. The painted surfaces won’t differ in color in any manner if done this way.
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Not buying enough paint
Underestimating how much paint to buy is one of the biggest mistakes do-it-yourselfers make when taking on a painting project. You risk underestimating the quantity of paint required to completely cover the surface area if you make shoddy measurements or rely solely on “guesstimation.”
In addition to the inconvenience of having to make a last-minute paint run in the middle of your project, buying paint in two batches could lead to mismatched hues. Take accurate measurements of the area you’ll be painting, and confirm your math with the pros at the hardware or paint store. Purchase some extra paint every time just in case.
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Not cleaning the wall first
Not properly preparing surfaces before painting or decorating includes getting rid of cobwebs and thoroughly cleaning the walls with soapy water. To remove the filth from grease-covered surfaces, replace soap with washing-up liquid or another degreaser. In the majority of cases, sugar soap spray can also be used to prepare walls.
To remove any leftover soap, wash the area once more with clean water. Next, wipe the area with a damp towel to complete the cleaning.
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Skimping on tools
Although it may be tempting to choose inexpensive brushes and rollers in order to save money, the quality of your paint job greatly depends on the caliber of your instruments. Rick Watson, director of product information and technical services at Sherwin-Williams, issues this warning: “Cheap roller covers or brushes will cause top-quality finishes to not hide as effectively, exhibit tracking, fuzz, streaks, and brush marks.”
To prevent paint from bubbling or blistering, you should also match the roller cover with the surface you’re painting. For flat surfaces, foam or short-nap roller covers are ideal; for rough or textured surfaces, medium-nap or long-nap roller covers are recommended. The optimal finish will be achieved and you will notice a difference if you use the brush and roller that the paint manufacturer suggests.
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Remove lint from rollers
It’s definitely not ideal if new paint roller lint ends up on your walls. Instead, preventively remove some of that fuzz by rolling the new cover over some painter’s tape. Use high grit sandpaper to get rid of paint fuzz if it does manage to get on your interior walls. When employing a high gloss finish, proceed with caution.
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Don’t use a bone-dry paint roller
You should actually moisten the paint roller cover with water before you begin painting. Barr adds that doing this primes the roller cover to absorb as much paint as possible. But don’t go overboard; according to experts, you should wipe off extra moisture with a paper towel and shake the roller vigorously to make it just a little bit damp. Your roller cover won’t be able to take more liquid if it is entirely saturated with water.
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Choose a paint roller that totally based on your project
The best roller will depend on the task at hand and the sort of paint you’re applying. Barr advises using a 3/8-inch thick roller cover for the majority of finishes, but a thinner 1/4-inch thick cover should be used for high-gloss surfaces. You’ll need a 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick cover for textured walls like a brick in order to reach every crevice.
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Don’t wipe the paintbrush on the rim
According to experts, it’s bad practice to wipe off extra paint with the rim of the paint can. You’ll encounter a mess when you subsequently attempt to replace the cover. Instead, trickle paint from the brush over the can or, if necessary, lightly tap the brush’s bristles against the inside of the paint can to prevent spatter.
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Don’t let the handle of your paintbrush become completely wet.
Although soaking the brush is alluring, Barr advises against doing so. The paint should barely cover the bristles halfway when you are holding the roller frame. Any more, she warns, and you run the danger of making unneeded messes and wasting paint.
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Don’t make brushstrokes shorter than 12 inches
The dreaded uneven finish is created by using brief paint strokes. Barr advises extending your strokes to be as long as your arm. Start painting in the middle of the wall and avoid stop-and-go movements for a smoother finish.
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Never take a break while using your painting supplies.
Make sure that none of your instruments are drying out at the same time as the paint on your walls. According to the best paint roller brush manufacturers, this is crucial if you intend to do touch-ups or apply another coat of paint. You’ll be met with a dried-out, useless paint roller or brush when you return.
Conclusion
Instead, try this strategy: If you want to use the same paint and applicator the next day, wrap it firmly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. By doing this, you will avoid having to wash the applicator and restart the saturation process.
