Painting Made Simpler
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Are you tired of staring at four neutral-colored
walls? Have you noticed that the ‘mauve’ you painted your room several years ago is no longer
en vogue? Whatever your reasons, a new coat of paint
is the fastest, easiest and least expensive way to add
some pizzazz to your home. With the bold palette of
colors available today, there is no better time than
the present to pick up the roller and get to work.
Although painting may be simple,
what’s not always easy is knowing what supplies
to purchase and how to properly prepare the walls. According
to many professionals, the key to success is what you
do before you even put paint on the wall. Let’s
look at the tools you’ll need, the best type of
paint for your project and ways to ready a room.
High-Quality Application Tools
Visit any retailer and you will
be confronted with a myriad of product options. Remember,
the quality of the paint job depends on the selection
of applicators to provide a professional-looking finish.
* Brushes
Quality brushes not only spread
paint evenly over the surface, they also have the ability
to hold more paint, making for a quicker job. In addition,
better quality brushes have a tapered end, giving the
user more control, and will not shed bristles like inexpensive
brushes.
There are generally two types
of brushes -- synthetic and natural bristle. Synthetic
brushes are the best choice when using latex paints.
Natural bristle brushes should only be used for oil-based
paints since they will absorb the water in latex paint,
causing them to become limp.
For the average paint job, a homeowner
should purchase two brushes -- a 3-inch or 4-inch wall
brush for larger surfaces and a smaller, tapered brush
for cutting in and trim work.
* Rollers
The best rollers will have a steel
frame and a threaded handled which can accommodate an
extension pole. When it comes to roller covers, follow
the same rules as for brushes -- use only synthetic
roller covers for latex paint.
For drywall or smooth plaster
walls, select a 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch short nap roller
cover. Light textured or poured concrete surfaces require
the use of a medium nap 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch roller
cover.
To test its quality, squeeze a
roller cover. A quality cover should quickly return
to its original shape. Count on better quality roller
covers to spread paint evenly and not leave fuzz on
the wall.
* Ready to Roll
One of the latest products to
simplify painting is the new Ready to Roll project-sized
paint container from Dutch Boy. This container comes
with paint and a convenient built-in roller tray so
pouring to a separate, messy paint tray is no longer
necessary. Just dip the roller in the paint at the bottom
of the container, roll it along the built-in tray and
you are ready to paint. And, the Ready to Roll paint
container makes clean up easy since it is disposable.
For storage, the unit features a re-sealable, airtight
lid. This project-sized container holds 2.5 gallons,
the typical amount needed to paint an entire project.
* Foam Pad Applicator
In addition to rollers and brushes,
purchase a few foam pad applicators for edging and reaching
into tight areas. Their flat surfaces make them perfect
for this type of work, and they provide a smooth finish
and a professional look.
* Tape
Why do some masking tapes cost
more? Well, painter’s tape may be a little more
expensive than standard masking tape, but it is designed
to be easier to pull off and will not mare the surface
of the wall. Some types of tapes even have a strip of
brown paper attached to the tape providing extra protection
against drips.
Room Preparation
A good looking, long-lasting paint
job is only as good as its preparation. Before painting,
start by removing any loose or peeling paint from the
surface and then sanding down rough edges to blend them
into the surrounding area. Spackle any holes or cracks
in the wall and sand those areas to a smooth finish.
You will also need to sand any glossy areas to assure
that the new coat of paint will adhere to the surface
correctly.
Next, clean all the walls with
a non-abrasive cleaner. Once the walls have dried, test
them to see if they need to be primed. To do this, sprinkle
a small amount of water on the wall, if it soaks in,
a primer coat is needed. Drywall should always be primed
and sanded.
Before starting to paint, remember
to remove door hardware and cover plates and make sure
the floors are covered with a non-slippery surface such
as a canvas. Tape off trim and windows with the painter’s
tape described above.
Quick Painting Tips
Now you are ready to paint. First
cut in trim edges, the ceiling, corners and baseboards.
Then, working in a 2-foot by 2-foot area, use the roller
to apply paint in a V shape. Fill in the center of the
V with horizontal strokes and then smooth the painted
area with vertical strokes. Paint from the top down
starting at the ceiling followed by walls, trim, cabinets
and doors.
To finish trim and corner areas,
another option is the use of a quart container, such
as the plastic Twist & Pour quart container from
Dutch Boy. Quart containers are easier to work from
as you can hold the container in one hand and use a
2 1/2 inch or smaller brush to finish or apply touch
ups.
With a coat of new paint your
room will soon have the pizzazz you crave!
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