DIY Professional Paint Jobs Tips
| Organization First |
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| You'll enjoy the project more if you get everything together at the start: |
| Collect/purchase the proper tools and painting products for the job |
| Assemble your tools & painting products in the area in which you will be working |
| Clear out the Furniture and Accessories |
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| Attempting to work around objects in the room, will slow you down and can lead to accidents: |
| Remove everything off the walls |
| If possible, clear out all the furniture and accessories |
| If you can’t move furniture from the room, place it in the middle of the room and cover with a drop cloth |
| Preparation |
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| Don't try to get complete the project in one day. Use the day before painting for these prep activities: |
| Gather furniture in the center of the room |
| Remove hardware |
| Patch cracks and holes |
| Put blue painter’s tape around doors and windows |
| Cover wall and the ceiling light fixtures |
| Remove Hardware |
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| For a professional look without unsightly drips and smears, remove all hardware: |
| Remove all cabinet knobs & hinges, door knobs, light switch plates, outlet covers, and light fixtures. |
| Place the pieces together in individual bags |
| Mark the contents and original locations |
| Consider replacing any hardware which is broken or has lost its appeal |
| Repair/ Don’t’ Paint Over Problem |
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| Painting over cracks or blemishes will not hide or fix the problem: |
| If your walls have holes or cracks, fix them before you start to paint |
| Wide cracks and large holes can be “bridged” with fiberglass tape |
| Spackle will fill small holes and cracks |
| Texturizing products are available to match your existing wall finish |
| Painting the Room - Ceiling First |
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| Many first timers make the mistake of painting walls before finishing the ceiling |
| Cut in first along the ceiling line with a brush. Then switch to the roller |
| Load the roller with paint. To help the paint load, first dampen the roller cover with a wet rag. Dip just a little ways into the paint and roll onto the grid or liner a few times to even it out. |
| Resist the urge to submerge the roller - it’ll make a mess. |
| Starting a few inches away from the edge, roll the paint on the ceiling in a zig-zag pattern. |
| Overlap your lines and go slow to avoid paint spatter. Avoid squeezing the roller against the wall to get more paint out of it. Just reload. |
| Painting the Room - Walls Second |
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| This is often the most satisfying phase of the project; except for when it's done, of course |
| Cut in the corners with a brush |
| Using the roller work in four foot sections, top first, then the bottom |
| Paint one wall at a time. Apply two coats |
| If you need to take a break, cover your bucket with a lid and cover pans with plastic wrap. Also use plastic or aluminum foil to cover your brushes and rollers |
| . If you’re not going to paint for a while, wrap the tools and store them in the fridge |
| Painting the Room - Finish with Trim |
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| Don't rush the trim - the walls and ceiling must be completely dry first |
| Apply painter’s tape along the wall-trim edge. Press it down with a plastic putty knife |
| Paint the trim with a brush. Two coats |
| Simple Tips for Cleaning Up Your Paint Project: |
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| When the project is done - it is time to protect your tools & hardware |
| For latex paint, soak your brushes or rollers in a solution of water and laundry fabric softener for 10 minutes. Swirl the tools in the solution for 30 seconds. Rinse well in clear water. Remove excess moisture. Air-dry prior to storage |
| Collapse nearly empty cans of paint into labeled glass jars |
| Once painted area has thoroughly dried, re-attach hardware, return furniture and accessories |
| Take a picture of your fantastic professional paint job! |