We may earn revenue from the product usable on this page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
Paint Like a Pro
istockphoto.com
A free afternoon , a can of paint , and a expert - quality brushwood can act marvel around the house . But all of that effort can be wasted if the finished product search blotchy or sloppy . Before you ship on your next paint job , learn about some common mistake to avoid if you want a nappy , professional - caliber close .
Choosing Inferior Applicators
shutterstock.com
After drop big buck on paint , you might be inclined to bribe cheap brushes and rollers in an effort to cut costs . In lodge to get professional upshot , however , you ’ll need to start with good - quality instrument . Select thicket with dumbly packed bristle that completely fill the ferrule and spring back when bended . reckon for flagged tips ( they wait like little split ends at the gratuity of each bristle ) and bristles of motley length that make the encounter wick at the end . Also , opt for nylon or nylon and polyester brushes for latex ; save natural - bristle brushes for oil - based key . Investing in quality applicators is well worth the spare expense .
Improper Preparation
When it comes to house painting , you always want to jump with a clean ticket . Wash yourwallsand ensure all repair workplace , including exhaustive sanding of any spell , is done before applying any paint or fuze . For key to go on swimmingly , the walls should be clean , dry , and free of any slack debris .
Skipping the Tape
Attention to detail is what separates good work fromgreatwork . For clean lines and professional - look result , do n’t skip thepainter ’s mag tape . Taping ascertain that you ’ll have the uninfected edges you need . To prevent bleeding , verify the tape is seal tightly around mopboard , windows , and molding .
Leaving Surroundings Unprotected
Paint has a way of ending up in places we never intend . Before you even launch the can of paint , check that your piece of work zone is protected . If it ’s viable , move out all the article of furniture and take the switch plate off yourlight switchesand electric issue . Then , cover the total base with adrop cloth . You ’ll give thanks yourself for this quick prep later , when you ’re not cancel paint splatter off your hardwood floor .
Painting Without Primer
Nevereverskip the primer . This step preps the wall surface so paint adheres to it more easily , and it ensures that the dead on target color of the blusher will be represented on your walls . These years , you could even grease one’s palms a 2 - in-1 pigment and primer — it does n’t get much easy than that .
Dunking Your Paintbrush
When you submerge apaint brushentirely in pigment , the rouge can dry in the bristle and be hard to pick later . likewise , a big dunk shot for a tumbler can mat down the roller . or else , dip your key brush only about a third of the path into the can . Two incentive : You ’ll be saving paintandavoiding unwanted drip .
Applying a Second Coat Too Soon
you could ruin your entirepaint jobby not admit enough time for the first layer of rouge to dry out before adding a second pelage . Check the operating instructions on your paint can for a hint ironical time and if you ’re still unsure , waitress 24 hours .
Letting Extra Paint Dry Up
If you do n’t take the right safeguard , an open can of key can dry out so that it ’s virtually unusable by the fourth dimension you need it for touch ups . For water system - based , hatch the top of the can with a piece of clearplastic wrapbefore you varnish it up to assist broaden the life of the remnant paint ; foroil - base paints , add a half - inch of water to the airfoil before closing .
Related:19 Cool Projects you could Do with Leftover Paint
Not Buying Enough Paint
No one want to feed out of paint mid - job , so be certain that you haveenough paint on handbefore you start . It ’s not only a question of comfort station : If you demand to pass to the store to have another gallon mixed up , the unexampled can could have a subtle difference in color that may not be obvious until the key dries . The job will go more swimmingly if you buy all the paint you ’ll need up front .
Painting With Insufficient Light
Depending on the clock time of twenty-four hour period , theorientation of the house , and the time of year , the sunlight that reach the room you ’re influence in may not be bright enough to allow you sincerely see what you ’re doing . To help you catch the bare spot , overlap marks , drips , and other imperfectness that mar a timbre rouge job , bring in extra lamp to brighten the work quad .
Getting Paint on the Ceiling
As you ’re rolling the walls , it ’s disturbingly wanton to bump the roller into the ceiling , messing up that sassy coat of white blusher overhead . To preclude this from happening , alwayscut inalong the cap using an angled girdle brush , and then roll paint on the paries while the brush strokes are still squiffy . As you go , keep a tight paper towel or rag handy to wipe off the occasional ceiling smudge .
Not Keeping a Wet Edge
You may be tempted to cut in along the cap or trim throughout a room before rolling blusher on the paries , but do n’t give in ! Painting wet paint over ironic results in circuit mark , which show up as darker or shinier streaks in the finished job . To avoid this , always maintain a stiff edge . Continue working in the area where you just applied key , and work in manageable chunks — for representative , finish paint one wallbefore make a motion on to the next .
Not Caring for Brushes and Rollers Properly
When the line is done , cleanpaint brushesandroller coverspromptly . This will help them last longer and ensure that they ’re always ready for the next job .
If you need to take a good luck from painting but plan on finishing up the next twenty-four hours , there ’s no need to clean the brushes . Just spread over each brushwood or roll tightly in shaping wrap , conjure out the air , and set it aside until you start working again .
This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation
Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we weigh this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
