We would all like to have the luxury of hiring a professional to take care of the hard work of painting, but this is rarely an option! If you are often disappointed by your efforts, here is some advice to help you improve.
Buy Quality Brushed and Rollers
Low price stores (like dollar stores) sell paint brushes and rollers. Their cheap prices may be tempting! However, know that you could be throwing your money out the window as their fibres easy become detached and stick to the wall (not very stylish!) These tools also break easily after being only used once, which is not very environmentally friendly.
Use Effective Tape
You have enough dexterity to paint corners freehand without going over the adjacent wall? Congratulations! But not everyone can do this. It is often essential to lay down adhesive tape made for this purpose to protect nearby surfaces. To achieve clean lines, don’t wait for the paint to dry completely before pulling the tape. Most importantly, don’t skimp on quality: inexpensive tapes can let paint seep under, rendering them useless.
Opt for the “W” Technique
The best paint application method for achieving an even coat with a roller is to initially create a “W” pattern every time you load it with paint. Then, roll over first in slightly angled lines, then vertically. And continue painting until there is no more paint on the roller.
Protect the Room, No Matter How Long It Takes!
It may be tempting to cut corners and not cover the furniture to finish this chore as soon as possible. Yet protecting the floor and objects is essential so as to not add to your workload: having to scrub all that paint splatter! The trick is to place every item that can be moved to the middle of the room and to cover them with large blankets (which you don’t mind dirtying), tarps or undone cardboard boxes. Don’t forget to remove the drapes, the wall shelves and switchplates.
Choose a Fail Proof Finish
Matte, gloss, semi-gloss, velvet, paint can be purchased in several finishes, each possessing specific characteristics. Usually, glossy finishes are easier to wash, but offer less coverage and don’t hide imperfections that well. They are most often used in the bathroom, kitchen or playroom. Matte paints offer optimal coverage (fewer coats are needed) and hide imperfections, but do not wash well. They are preferred for ceilings and smooth walls. Opt for a velvet finish to avoid headaches as it is well suited to all types of rooms.
Don’t Skip the Primer
Bare walls (that have never been painted) act like sponges and absorb everything they come into contact with. It is important that they be primed. This is not a step you can skip. If you do, you may have to apply twice as much paint, which is expensive (and an unending task!). Are you changing the wall’s paint colour? This absorption phenomenon is less of an issue, but it is still recommended that a tinted primer be applied. Good news: some paints already have primer mixed in (more expensive, but much more practical!).
Must Dirty Walls Be Cleaned?
People mistakenly believe that paint sanitizes walls and removes all the filth and germs. This is not completely false; however, the issue is that paint adheres less effectively to surfaces that are dirty, that have been long exposed to cigarette smoke, that have been generously splattered with food or that are covered in finger marks, for example. The entire wall should be cleaned with a gentle soap and allowed to dry before starting.
Patch the Cracks
Repairing the surface before taking out the rollers is one of the more advantageous tips. In fact, even if you become a paintbrush virtuoso, the result will always be disappointing if the painted wall is damaged. Cracks and holes must be filled with plaster, then sanded for an appealing finish.
It is true that painting is a multi-step process, but when well done it can completely change the look of a room. Work one day at a time without hurrying and everything should go well. And don’t be shy about sharing your results with us!