Painting Tips from Rocky′s
Painting may seem simple, but it is a serious project and investment in your home. Skipping steps like proper surface preparation can cost you plenty of time and money. Here are a few tips from Rocky′s Ace Hardware to help you end up with a professional paint job quickly and easily.Be Prepared
Always thoroughly clean the surface to be painted. Dirt, grease or loose paint will stop your paint from adhering properly. Use a wire brush, sanding block or power sander to remove loose paint and grime before applying any primer or paint.Take time to fill in all joints, cracks and seams in the surface before painting. This is easy and quick with a caulking gun or wood putty and a putty knife. Don′t start priming or painting until the caulk or putty is completely dry. See manufacturer′s instructions for recommended dry times.
Use a special V-shaped putty knife for puttying along a window sash. This special tool is inexpensive and helps you do a professional-looking job much more easily. You can ask a Rocky′s associate to help you find this tool.
A power drill with a sanding disk attachment can make sanding wood and putty much faster.
Use plastic or paper drop cloths to cover any surfaces that you want to keep paint-free. This includes sidewalks or plants outside or floors and furniture inside the house. This is an inexpensive way to save yourself a lot of cleanup time and protect your home.
Paint Like a Pro
Paint should always be thoroughly mixed before use.- First, pour off any thin portion of the paint that is floating on top into an empty paint container. Rocky′s stocks empty one- and five-gallon containers that are perfect for mixing paint.
- Second, use a wooden paint stick to stir the paint from the bottom of the can.
- Third, gradually mix the thin paint back into the can using a figure eight motion.
- Finally, pour the paint back and forth from one container to another. These steps will make sure that your paint is completely mixed so thickness and color are uniform.
Save cleanup time by lining your roller tray with a plastic tray liner.
Use painters′ tape where two paint colors come together to keep your edges neat and clean. Apply the tape at the point where the two colors join. Carefully paint one or both colors, and then remove the tape when the paint is dry.
When painting corners, always use the large, flat side of the brush. Painting with the side or tip of the brush causes "fingering," which can make your paint job messy and shorten the life of your brush.
Avoid paint rings and drips on the floor by sticking a paper plate to the bottom of the paint can before you start the job. Just apply a little paint to the bottom of the can and press the paper plate against it. The paper plate will catch any drips that fall.
Avoid paint ridges and lap marks on a flat surface by always stroking into the wet paint area, never away from it.
Paint wire fences with special long nap rollers. As the roller is pushed across the face of the fence, paint is applied to the front and sides of the wire. Repeat on the opposite side for a smooth, even coat.
When painting with a roller, start by making several overlapping, crisscross strokes on the area to be painted. Then continue to work up and down to spread the newly applied paint evenly over the area.
Clean Up Your Act
Special waterless hand cleaners remove both latex-base and oil-base paints easily and quickly. These cleaners will not irritate your skin like many solvents. Wipe the cleaner on your hands, wipe it off and the paint will come off with it.Wash latex paints out of a brush with clear warm water and oil-based paints with paint remover solvent. Use a brush comb to prolong the life of your paintbrush.
Clean rollers with either warm water or solvent, depending on the type of paint. A roller cleaner can spin out excess water and paint, helping your rollers dry faster and stay cleaner.