Must-Know Painting Tips

Before diving into your next paint project, read these helpful tips to ensure a smooth painting process that looks clean and professional.

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Spend More for Quality Paint

Consider Luster

Choose Color Wisely

Test Paint Color Before You Buy

Use the Right Equipment

Determine Paint Needs

Do the Prep Work

Paint Top to Bottom

Choose the Right Roller Cover

Use Painter's Tape

Use High-Quality Brushes

Keep Paint Fresh

Mix It Up

Wrap Up Brushes During Breaks

Store Extra Paint

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Spend More for Quality Paint

The accrued costs of frequent repainting cancel the "savings" you enjoy by buying the cheap stuff. Good-quality paints cost more because they have a higher percentage of titanium dioxide, which determines covering ability, and other additives that increase durability. The heavier bodies of high-end paints help them go on smoother, splatter less, and resist fading.

Consider Luster

Sheen refers to the degree of shine. Generally, the higher the gloss, the better the finish will stand up to stains, abrasions, and cleaning. Choosing sheen can be a matter of personal preference, but there are some general guidelines to follow. Flat paint is widely used for ceilings but is not a good choice for walls in high-traffic areas. Eggshell works well in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways where frequent cleaning is not needed. Easier-to-wash satin or semigloss paints are good choices for bathrooms and kitchens. Use high-gloss paints for trim, cabinetry, and doors that are in perfect condition.

Choose Color Wisely

Light colors tend to open up a room, making it seem lighter and more spacious. Dark hues can add depth and warmth. Use a dark color on a single accent wall to create visual interest without making the room feel smaller. Before painting a room white, pay special attention to how surrounding elements will reflect light and alter the color. For example, red furniture or carpeting might make white walls look pink.

Test Paint Color Before You Buy

The only way to be certain about a paint color is to see it on the intended surface, surrounded by the room's other elements. Some paint manufacturers now offer large paint chips, as well as in-store or online programs that virtually paint a digital image of your room. But the best test is to buy quarts or sample sizes of a few colors, paint small sections of a wall, and observe during different lighting conditions.

Use the Right Equipment

Choose brushes with long and dense bristles -- nylon for latex (water-base) paint and natural for oil-base paint. A 2-inch angled sash brush, a 3-inch trim brush, and rollers are enough for most jobs. For rough or textured surfaces, get a roller with a 3/8-inch or thicker nap; for smooth surfaces, use a roller with a nap of 1/4 to 3/8 inch.

Determine Paint Needs

Some manufacturers include calculators on their websites to help you figure out how many gallons of paint to buy. You can also use this formula: Add the widths of the walls, multiply that figure by the room's height, then divide the total by 350 (the square footage that 1 gallon typically covers). This formula doesn't factor in doors and windows, so you should have paint left over for touch-ups.

Figure out how much paint you'll need.

Do the Prep Work

Paint will cover more uniformly and adhere better to clean, dry, nonglossy surfaces. Scrape off any flaking paint, fill holes with spackling compound, and sand walls. Wipe off sanding dust, and wash dirty walls with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution. Remove switchplates and other hardware, and apply a primer, which helps to conceal stains and ensure uniform color and absorption.

Paint Top to Bottom

Begin with the ceiling and work your way to the bottom of the room for best results. Once the ceiling has dried, paint any crown molding, trim around windows and doors, and baseboards. Finally, paint the walls.

Choose the Right Roller Cover

For a smooth surface, choose a short nap or pile. Rough surfaces require a longer nap. And the higher the gloss level of the paint, the shorter the nap of the roller cover should be.

Use Painter's Tape

Apply no more than 8-10 inches of painter's tape at a time to be certain of a straight edge. Smooth the edges with a putty knife. Wait until paint is dry to the touch and remove the tape slowly at a 45-degree angle. If the tape begins to tear, run a crafts knife along the seam to loosen it from the dried paint.

Use High-Quality Brushes

High-quality brushes apply paint in a thick, smooth film. Examine a brush for a good taper, with bristles in the center slightly longer than those at the edge. The bristles should be at least half as long as they are wide and should be bound with a rust-resistant metal ferrule that is nailed on, not just crimped to the handle. Look for a well-shaped, bare wood handle large enough to grip comfortably.

Keep Paint Fresh

Punch a series of holes around the bottom of a paint can's rim with a nail. The holes will let paint drain down into the can and keep it from pooling around the rim when you pour it into a roller tray or other container. It also will ensure that your lid goes on tightly. A good seal will help keep the paint fresh.

Mix It Up

When using more than one gallon of the same paint, mix all gallons together in a 5-gallon bucket. Called boxing, this procedure will ensure that the color is uniform throughout the application. This is particularly worthwhile if you're using a custom-mixed color.

Wrap Up Brushes During Breaks

When you take a break from your paint job, wrap your brushes and rollers in plastic bags or aluminum foil, squeezing the air out, and sealing with twist ties or rubber bands. To leave them overnight, place the sealed tools in a refrigerator.

Store Extra Paint

Store paint successfully by keeping air out of the paint container. To accomplish this, add a gasket between the cover and the can using a circle cut from a heavy-duty trash bag. Spray vegetable oil on one side of the bag and set it on the can with the lid on top of the plastic. Tap the lid to seat it in the well. Store the can upside down in a room free from temperature extremes.

Must-Know Painting Tips

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