When you decide that your home needs a new look, painting is the first thing you usually consider.You look around your home and realize that you have enough accessories and junk to open a small gift shop or have a yard sale. So a new dash and splash of paint is all you need to get your makeover started.
Painting is usually characterised as a sweaty, messy, smelly time consuming affair that you frankly wonder why anyone would want to do. But, painting can be a nice neat and quick experience that can lead to a feeling of accomplishement and a new personalised look for your home.
The only challenge is the know how, since you’re not a professional and you don’t want to make amateur mistakes with your home, you need to bear in mind before taking on any project how much peparation is required. To only realize you hate the colour once it’s done or, discovering you did such a poor job and have to spend more getting professionals to do it all over again is as amateur as it gets. Keep the following tips in mind the next time you want to take on painting project.
1. Tint the primer
So assuming you’ve managed to negotiate the hurdles of paint selection and have what you want, you need to prep your paint.
The primer is what is considered the undercoat. A coat or primer is important in obtaining professional-looking results. The primer serves three main functions: First, it blocks stains and resinous knots from bleeding through; second, it provides one-coat coverage for the paint topcoat; most importantly, it improves adhesion, which greatly reduces blisters and extends the life of the topcoat.
To get a better look once the topcoat is put, mix a small amount of topcoat paint into the mixer. Makes sure they have the same coating. Don’t mix water-based with oil-based paints. This will enhance the ability of the topcoat to hide the prepped surface completely, especially when painting a lighter topcoat over an existing darker colour.
2. Roll with a pole
When painting, don’t use ladders (pro’s only). Instead get a telescoping extension for your paint roller. One that extends from about 18 inches to 30 or 36 inches should do the trick as it gives you plenty of reach to cover rooms with ceilings that are 9ft or lower. The pole makes your paint have smoother finishing and you use less energy and time on a specific part of the room.
3. Paint off a metal grid
Get yourself a metal grid to help you paint without being messy. This works better than trays. Once you get the roller out of the bucket, roll off the excess paint on the metal grid. It drips back into the bucket. You end up spending less as compared to when you use trays, also it’s less messy. You won’t end up covered in paint after using the metal grid.
Get yourself a metal grid to help you paint without being messy. This works better than trays. Once you get the roller out of the bucket, roll off the excess paint on the metal grid. It drips back into the bucket. You end up spending less as compared to when you use trays, also it’s less messy. You won’t end up covered in paint after using the metal grid.
4. Record the colour
Have you ever painted your home then when you wanted to redo it you couldn’t remember the name of the paint or the shade it comes in? This happens to a lot of people. Writing down the information on a notebook doesn’t really work since you almost always lose them after redecorating. A solution would be to write it down on masking tape and sticking it near a power outlet in the room so it doesn’t take forever to find it, and it will always be where you left it.
Have you ever painted your home then when you wanted to redo it you couldn’t remember the name of the paint or the shade it comes in? This happens to a lot of people. Writing down the information on a notebook doesn’t really work since you almost always lose them after redecorating. A solution would be to write it down on masking tape and sticking it near a power outlet in the room so it doesn’t take forever to find it, and it will always be where you left it.
Painting is a skill that can be acquired. With these few tips, you won’t need to call in professionals every time your home needs a new look. But one thing you should keep in mind is to be relaxed when painting. Stressing over it will only make things complicated. Relax and have fun painting your home!
Painting is a skill that can be acquired. With these few tips, you won’t need to call in professionals every time your home needs a new look. But one thing you should keep in mind is to be relaxed when painting. Stressing over it will only make things complicated. Relax and have fun painting your home!
Image courtesy of:www.wallsave.com
