Top Painting and Decorating Tips
Any painting professional can tell you that the job is not as easy as many amateurs may think. From choosing colours to the preparation and eventually the actual painting, many things can go wrong. However, there are steps you can take to ensure that the job goes as smoothly as possible. Below, we outline some painting and decorating tips to ensure a successful project.
Prepare for the Job
One of the keys to a successful paint job is preparation. Set aside a day for preparation and free up space so that nothing on or near the walls will slow you down. You can simply move these items to the middle of the room and cover with a drop cloth or remove them from the room altogether. Remove any hardware parts such as doorknobs and cabinet hinges and store in labelled zipper bags and patch up your walls before painting. Ensure your clothing is appropriate and set up a workstation.
Choose Quality Paints and Good Quality Brushes
Cheap and low-quality paint will yield poor results and look uneven. You may also end up using more coats to get better results, and this will only cost you more. You can spend a few more pounds on quality paint for better results.
A good brush should ideally be a 20-inch synthetic bristle brush that can cut around the edges as you paint.
Clean the Wall Before Painting
Dirty walls are no good because they will eventually peel off. Cleaning the walls before painting ensures your paint will stay on the wall for longer. You can do this by wearing eye protection and rubber gloves and using a heavy-duty cleaning product or deglosser to clean the wall. Clean the walls in circular motions until the stains and marks are gone.
Prime your Wall
Amateur painters suffer blotchy finishes. Flashing (the blotchy finish phenomenon) occurs because there were cracks filled with drywall or a filler or the wall had holes.
Fortunately, you can fix this by using a coat of primer. Use the right nap thickness for your roller, so the surrounding paint's texture matches. The primer seals the patch, brings back the original sheen of the wall and prevents the paint from sinking in.
Paint the Corners and Edges First
Professional painters start by painting areas around door frames, windows, corners and edges so they can tape off these areas as they progress with the job. Also, paint from top to bottom and dip only a quarter to half of the brush into the paint can so it will not spill and mess up your fingers and hands.
Use the W/M Technique to Paint
If you are using a roller when painting, paint first the letter M then follow it with a W until you fill in the empty area. This technique ensures you get an even coat across the entire wall.
Painting can be a tricky affair. However, with the tips we have outlined above, you can have an easier time painting your walls.
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