Painting a house has always been fun! Selecting from the array of hues and playing with the paint-loaded rollers is totally awesome. Yet, for a perfect finish, there is a need of some professional tricks and tips. So, without much ado, here you go with the best advices from the painting contractors.
� No Muss, No Dust
This has to be basic of painting preparations. Start with the scraping and sanding of the wall and make every nook and cranny of the house free from it. Dust can seriously cause hindrance while painting and can lead to the change of color. When paint is mixed with dirt a slight difference in the texture as well as hue is observed. In order to avoid this situation, you have to get rid of dirt on the wall. Mudrooms, kitchen walls, and area around the light switches can be difficult to paint on. Use a degreaser to get rid of these greasy areas. Once done, move ahead with the painting procedure. Also, make sure that you are wearing hand and eye protection while using the degreaser.
� Avoid The Lap Marks
Usually, the lap marks are caused by the uneven layers of paint. The main reason behind this is the repetition of paint on a partly dried surface. To avoid such situation, one has to maintain the wet edge so that each stroke falls on a wet plane. No doubt, it is quite tricky to maintain the wetness, however, with a little care it can be done easily. Start with the corner and run the roller in the upward direction and down the wall. Reload it often to maintain the consistency of the paint. You can also use a paint extender to slow down the drying time. These extenders act as a conditioner and eliminate the brush strokes virtually.
� Mix The Color In One Go
Mixing small amounts of paint in different go will not save you anything, rather it can cause color differentiation. Better mix it all in one large bucket, so that there is no issue with the color consistency. If you are confused about the coverage area, it is recommended to keep the quantity a bit more rather than keeping it less. This way, it also gets easier to dub the roller in the paint bucket.
� Start With The Trim
Painting the ceilings and the wall first, can make you end up in chaos. Professionals always follow the trim part first before proceeding to the ceiling and walls. Paint the trim and leave it for over 24 hours, then get along with painting the ceiling and walls. While painting, don�t worry about your cleanliness; instead focus on the finishing of the wall.
� Avoid the Blotchy finish
Sometimes the wall color is consistent, but still the spark misses. This mainly happens due to the cracks and patches on the wall that is badly filled. Paints are thoroughly absorbed by the porous filler and the wall is left without the sheen. Get rid of the issue by applying a quick coat of primer on the cracks and pits. Primers seal the patches, making the color shine and hence, the luster of the wall can be gained back.
� Use Cotton Drop Clothes
Spills and spatters are obvious while painting. So, how do you plan to manage it? Some go for the plastic coverage while others go for the cotton drop cloth. Between the both, painters recommend the cotton drop cloth. The thick cotton canvas stays in place; hence, you don�t have to tape it. There won�t be any such issues like leaking or spilling like the plastic coverage.
� Pick The Best Stuff
Going for a good stuff can cost a bit more, but it will guarantee for a well-defined texture. Cheap colors may erode over a certain period of time and you may have to paint it again. Low luster paint is optimal for the walls as they do not get washed easily. Also, you have to go for two coats, as the first one may appear to be uneven and streaky.
� Appropriate Tools
Tools play a major role in deciding over the perfectness of paint. Usually a 9 inch roller is opted for painting the walls. The 9-inch rollers are easier to work with due to their lighter and larger rolls. The brushes will also be required to fill the seam between the walls and ceilings. But, before you put these tools in the paint tub, make sure that all the loose fibers attached to them have been removed. Go for brushes of multiple sizes, so that you can pick the best one according to your needs.