Interior Painting Tips For The DIY Painter

Most home owners are familiar with the basics of painting preparation. Many home owners know to use drop cloths, painters’ tape and thoroughly stir paint. Did you know that using a golf-ball can maintain the quality of paint, or that microwaving tape paint can make it easier to handle?

Knowing a few extra painting techniques will help you achieve the best results with most DIY projects. By storing paint correctly and using the correct tools, you can prevent blemishes on surfaces and ensure an even finish.

The nine DIY painting tips below can help you save money and improve your quality, whether you are preparing for a sale, changing the decor in your home, or performing routine maintenance.

1. Paint doesn’t dry out easily.

Half-empty paint cans will dry. Fill the space in the paint can with golf balls, or use plastic wrap to cover the lid and seal the paint tightly.

2. Choose the right primer.

Use a water-based prime before painting drywall to cover imperfections and create a smooth base. Choose an oil-based prime if you are painting paneling or walls that have been damaged by water, smoke, or other factors.

3. Avoid lap marks.

Avoid stripes by painting the entire height of the wall, then moving slightly to overlap the strokes.

4. Stir paint using a modified stirrer.

Drill holes into the stirrer before you start stirring paint to mix it more thoroughly. The holes allow the paint to flow through the stirrer and aerate it, mixing the paint evenly.

5. Add texture if you like.

Choose a roller that has a 3/4″ longer nap. This will hold more paint and create more texture. The fabric covering the roller is called the nap. Longer naps will create more stippling because their fibers are better at distributing the paint. For the smoothest finish, use a roller with a shorter nap.

6. Do not wash brushes or rollers.

You don’t need to clean your rollers or brushes if you are using latex paint and you do not finish the project within one day. You can wrap your rollers and brushes in tin or plastic foil to keep them from drying out too quickly. Be sure to allow them to fully warm up again before you use them.

7. Problem tape.

It can be hard to remove an older roll of tape without it tearing or sticking. If the house painters in north shore tap continues to peel off, you can microwave it for 10 seconds.

8. Find out what kind of paint is on the walls.

Unsure if the paint on a wall is latex or oil? Rub a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol on a small patch of the wall. Paint residue on the cotton ball indicates that the paint is latex. There is no paint on the cotton ball? If you’re painting over oil-based paint, use an oil based primer first.

9. Invest in paint pens.

You can buy a paint pen to use for touch-ups. Once filled, these pens will keep paint fresh for up to a year. Just make sure to shake the pens well before using to ensure that the paint is evenly distributed.