25 Painting Tips Will Make Redoing That Wall Way Less Stressful

These 25 Painting Tips Will Make Redoing That Wall Way Less Stressful

Painting a room can be really daunting. After you've chosen the color (which is trouble enough!), you've got to worry about the actual execution of the project. The possible mess and impending screw-ups here and there are enough to drive a person nuts! Luckily, these 25 tips will leave you feeling relieved!

▼​1. Lint-roll your cheap paint roller before you start. That way, the fuzzy bits don't get into your paint.

▼2. Wipe down your walls to make sure they're not covered in paint-ruining dust.

▼​3. Plastic tablecloths are cheaper and more durable than plastic sheets, and less slippery than canvas cloth.

▼​4. Line your paint tray with one of those plastic bags you've been hoarding under the kitchen sink.

▼​5. You can also use tinfoil.

▼​6. A few drops of vanilla extract will take away that horrible paint smell.

▼​7. Use a "W" painting method for full, even coverage.

▼​8. Soak your used brushes in fabric softener. It'll get rid of the crustiness, and as a bonus, they'll smell nice!

▼​9. Soaking your brush in cleaning vinegar is also an option. Check out the steps required to have your brush looking brand-new.

▼​10. Keep your tape right at hand, literally. Cut up an old gym sock and put the ankle portion on your wrist.

▼​11. Just use a precision, stiff-angled brush instead.

▼​12. Cut off those crusty edges on used paint rollers. Wouldn't want to leave weird lines on your freshly painted accent wall, would you?

▼​13. Want to transform your drab concrete patio into something awesome? Turns out you can actually paint it!

▼​14. Just make sure you cover it in a coat of white vinegar first. Or else your paint could crack. This applies to painting metal, too.

▼​15. Painting in a tight spot? Use a pad and stir stick to make this handy contraption.

▼​16. Use screws or nails to elevate light chairs.

▼​17. Paint Vaseline over itty-bitty spots you don't want painted.

▼​18. You can also use lip balm and this trick when you're painting window trim.

▼​19. Use heat to pull off masking tape.It melts the adhesive a little bit so it won't tear while you pull it off.

▼​20. If your furniture feels rough after the paint has dried, rub a brown paper bag over the surface.

▼​21. Stop unwanted dripping with just a coat hanger.You can also stretch a rubber band around the can.

▼​22. Don't waste paint! Scrape it off your roller with a putty knife.

▼​23. If you only have a little bit of paint left, store it in a paint buddy.

▼​24. Before closing your paint can, line it with plastic wrap so the paint doesn't stick shut.

▼​25. Make sure to cover your paint can with some rags or some paper towels before you hammer it shut.

Now all that's left to do is put these tips to the test, and enjoy the fresh new outlook a simple palette change can give you!

10 Tips for Picking a Paint Color

10 Tips for Picking a Paint Color

Helpful Hints

If you’ve ever had to pick a paint color, you know one thing to be true- the options are endless. Choosing the right paint color can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow these 10 tips and take on the paint aisle with confidence!

1. Bring in Inspiration: Take along an existing pillow, piece of fabric, or photo of your space. This will help you make more informed decisions.

2. The Right Light: Make sure to view your paint or paint chips in natural light to ensure you’re seeing the color correctly. Paint looks different under artificial light, so try holding the chip near a window or painting a sample on your wall first.

3. Take Home Testers: All the major paint retailers now sell paint in small, tester sizes. These are perfect to take home and try out before committing to a full gallon of paint. The small amount will provide you with enough paint to give you an idea of what it would really be like to live with the color.

4. Try Multiple Shades: If you’re having trouble choosing, buy multiple testers and paint side-by-side squares on your walls. Live with them for a few days so you get the chance to see how the colors look morning, noon, and night. Make sure to mark them with identifiers so you’ll remember which one you liked best.

5. Choose Your Drama: Take a look at the color wheel for inspiration. Colors close together will make a room calm while those farther apart add drama.

6. Do What You Love: Start with a color you love, even if it’s not popular at the moment. Doing this will assure you’ll love the color for years to come. Just remember, your favorite color comes in a range of hues.

7. Lighten Up: If you’re afraid a hue may be too dark, ask the mixer to do a 50% tint of the color to lighten it up. Custom colors can also give a room a designer look, but make sure to jot down the specifics of your color for future touch ups.

8. Room to Room: If you have rooms that are open to one another, avoid choosing radically different colors, which will make the spaces feel chopped up and small.

9. Go Bold: Small rooms that are visited more rarely, like a library or half-bath, can be done in stronger colors that make a statement.

10. Spraying vs. Rolling: Rolling may be the most popular choice, but it’s also the most time consuming and requires touch ups more often. On the other hand, spraying results in a more high-end, professional look that also cuts painting time in half. You can rent high volume, low pressure sprayers at most home improvement stores. With both options make sure you properly cover the areas you don’t want painted.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ROLLER

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROLLER FOR THE JOB

Just as brushes come in different shapes and sizes, so do paint rollers. Selecting the right roller for the job will help make the project easier and give you a better final outcome. There are a couple of things to take into consideration when selecting the right roller.

PILE HEIGHT OR NAP

The pile height, or nap as its more commonly known to painters, refers to the width of the fabric/material of the roller. Generally, the thicker the nap, the more paint it will hold. The rule of thumb here in most cases is, the smoother the surface and glossier the paint, the shorter the nap. The general nap sizes that you will encounter are:

Short Naps or 5mm-8mm : These don’t hold as much paint as the others, but are the best kind to use with a glossy paint as they leave a thin and very smooth coating. Great to use on smooth and semi-smooth surfaces.

Regular Naps of 10mm-12mm : Will hold most types of paint very well and leaves a soft stippled effect. These rollers are better suited to water based paints and to be used on smooth to semi smooth surfaces as well as wall boards and cement render. They hold more paint than the short nap but the finish is not as smooth.

Long Nap 22mm-32mm : These rollers are suitable for all paints and will work well on surfaces like cement and brickwork. They hold alot of paint and are great for surfaces where heavy coverage is important. These rollers can work paint into textured surfaces due to the holding capacity and will produce a deep stippled effect on almost any surface.

NEXT – WE LOOK AT THE FABRIC AND MATERIALS OF THE ROLLER

Materials do come down to a preference, but there are some very good reasons to pick a specific material if you are trying to go for a particular effect or painting a certain area.

Woven Polyester : These are suitable for all types of paints

Knitted Polyester : More suitable for water based applications. Great for epoxy and fibreglass coatings because of the smoother finish they give

Sheepskin : Generally used on rougher surfaces as the thickness of the sheepskin will reach into irregularities

Foam : For use with Full Gloss and Semi Gloss where a mirror finish is required

Micro Fibre : Can be used with most water based paints. Best suited for Acrylic Enamels

Textured : Coarse, medium and fine hairs for different texture effects. Suitable with most paints

The quality of the roller will, in the end, determine the finish. If you require a smooth and even finish on your project, it will be worth looking at options for better quality rollers which will last longer and give you a more even coat.

GST Hardware Sdn. Bhd. at your local nearby store can help you with the right choice to make sure your project looks like it was done by a professional. Come in to store and have a chat with one of their team members to pick the right roller for your job.

13 Painting Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You

1  Sand Away Flaws

2 Use Tinted Primer

3 Press Tape With a Putty Knife

4  Eliminate Brush and Lap Marks With Paint Extender

5  Scrape a Ridge in Textured Ceilings

6  Use Canvas Drop Cloths

7  Finish One Wall Before Starting Another

8  Scrape (Don't Tape) Windows

9  Box Paint for Consistent Color

10  Wash Roller Covers

11  Clean Dirty Walls With Degreaser

12  Start With a Loaded Brush

13  Push Paint to Avoid Runs