3.
If you are painting a large room, don't
try and same money by purchasing the cheap
rollers and brushes. The money you save
will be minimal and won't make up for
sore hands. Plus, better rollers and brushes
will help you work quicker.
4. Have your primer tinted the same
color as you intend to paint. This will
ensure that the paint covers well and
could cut down on the need for an additional
coat.
5. Use a nail to tap about five or
six holes in the retaining grove of
the paint can. This will allow the paint
to run back into the can. If you need
to reseal the can, you can put the nails
into the can or put a little play dough
or clay over the holes.
6. Glue a large paper plate to the
bottom of any open paint can you are
using to catch any splatters or drips.
7. Flattened out corrugated boxes are
perfect to cover the floors with when
painting.
8. Have a wet rag and paper towels
handy to wipe up any drips or mistakes.
Most of them—including accidental
dabs on the ceiling—can be removed
this way.
9. Keep some patching compound and
a spackle handy. You'll be surprised
at all the little holes and marks you
can find on your wall. They might not
have been visible with the old color,
but they can stand out with the new.
10. When stopping for short periods,
seal your paintbrushes inside a Ziploc
or plastic bag. This will keep them
"fresh" without having to
spend the time cleaning them. Plastic
wrap and aluminum foil work almost as
well.
11. Line the inside of your paint tray
with aluminum foil or plastic. It will
make the clean up easier.
12. To make cleaning your brushes easier,
use an old baby-wipe container. Poor
paint thinner into the container and
push the handle of the brush through
the hole in the lid. This will allow
the brush to soak without bending the
bristles. If you don't have any baby-wipe
containers, try cutting a slot into
the lid of a coffee can or similar container.
13. Wipe paint rollers on old newspapers
before cleaning. Getting rid of any
excess paint will make them easier to
clean.
14. Rub hand lotion on your hands and
arms before you begin. It will make
the paint easier to wash off your hands
when you're finished. Also, baby oil
is sometime better at removing paint
from your skin that soap.
15. If you have a steady hand, you
might not need masking tape to cover
the edges.
16. Wet newspaper can work great at
protecting windows. You can use one-inch
long strips of newspaper to protect
the windowpanes around a window. Dip
each strip into water. Pull the strip
between your thumb and index finger
to remove the excess water. Press the
strips onto the glass close to the wood.
Do only two at a time and remove them
as soon as you're through.
17. If you're painting a bathroom,
use wet newspaper to cover the bottom
and sides of the tub. The newspaper
will click and keep your tub paint-free.
18. Wrap hardware (doorknobs, hinges,
pulls, etc.) in foil before painting.
19. Use old milk jugs to store paint.
It will keep just as long and the paint
is easier to access if you need to do
some touch-ups.
20. Write the date, brand and color
of paint used under the light switch
for a handy reference.
Copyright © 2006 Ian White
