Tips and Techniques to Help You Paint like a Professional

Painting a room yourself can be a very gratifying and cost saving adventure. Of course, the end result will determine whether or not this statement is true. But by just following these few words of advice and tips, you can become an accomplished painter. You'll get that professional look, yet still be able to say, "I did it myself." In fact, you may be so thrilled that you might paint every room in your house.

The most important part of a painting job is preparation. If you do the preparations correctly, the painting itself will go by quickly. Many people tend to try to get around this vital step by looking for shortcuts. There are none.

The first step in the preparation process is deciding on the color and type of paint you will be using. Most people already have a color or at least a variation of the color they want. Make sure you get enough paint mixed to do the job. If you are using two or three gallons, it is a good idea to mix all the paint together in one large bucket and stir it well. This will ensure that all the paint is a uniform color.

The type of paint you use is very important. There are a few things you should know before you make your decision. Gloss or semi-gloss paint is best for areas like the bathroom or maybe the kitchen. You should also use semi-gloss on woodwork and trim because it is washable. Keep in mind that gloss and semi-gloss paint will show defects in the drywall much more than satin or flat paint. That said, satin or flat usually works best in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. Satin will give you just a hint of a shine while flat is, well flat. Satin and flat paints do not hold up as well to being washed.

The decision you make regarding the type of paint you will be using will help determine your roller types. Some rollers will say which type of paint they are recommended for. The most common types of rollers are for smooth, semi-smooth and rough surfaces. Smooth surfaces includes satin and flat, as well as semi gloss if the surface is in good shape. Semi-smooth rollers can be used on walls that have some flaws, but are in fairly good shape. Rough surface rollers are for ceilings, concrete, stucco, and other uneven surfaces.

You will need a good quality, angled brush for painting around windows, doorways, crown molding, and baseboards. This is called "cutting in."
This is the area that many people want to tape off so as not to get the paint on the woodwork. However, if you have a steady hand, there is absolutely no reason to do this time-consuming chore. The angled brush makes cutting in much easier. Keep a damp cloth handy and if you get paint on the woodwork, just wipe it off and continue cutting in. Just remember to wipe the excess paint out of your brush after you dip it and start at the top of the door or window with the longest edge of the brush. Keep the brush flowing downward and as it runs out of paint, pull it gently out away from the woodword. Most people will do the cutting in before they paint the walls.

You will also need a flat brush for painting the trim. If the trimwork is wide, you may want a three or four inch brush. It is a good idea to have brushes in different sizes on hand. That way you can use the size of brush that gets the job done in the fastest time.

The final preparation step is to get the room ready to paint. If possible, more the furniture out. If not, move it to the center of the room and cover it with a dropsheet. Cover the floors with dropsheets also. Remove all pictures, paintings, shelves, etc. from the walls. Nails and hooks should be removed for easier painting and to keep drips from occurring when the roller runs over the nail. If there are any old nail or hook holes in the wall, now is a good time to fill them in. You can do this with caulking or purchase a small tub of spackling compound. Smooth any repairs with a damp sponge so that you don't have an uneven spot on the wall. Sweep down the walls to remove any dust or, heaven forbid, cobwebs.

If you've never painted a room before, you might want to do a test run on an old piece of wood or maybe in a closet. Different painters have different techniques. Some prefer starting with an M shape and then filling in around it. Others prefer starting at the top of the wall in one corner and working downward, doing a few feet of the wall at a time. Do not press too hard on your roller as this can leave end marks. If you see marks, lightly roll back over them to smooth them in. Never roll from top to bottom and then side to side. Keep your roller going in one direction only.

One last little tip before you start. If the smell of fresh paint bothers you or your family, add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract to the paint. The vanilla will mask the paint smell and will not change the color of your paint.

Now you're ready to paint. If you've done your preparations, the painting will be a snap. You will be finished and enjoying your new room in no time at all.