Professional Brisbane painters know tips and tricks that can help you get a polished, finished look for your home. These tips will save you time and money, while making the painting process easier.
It will be easier to complete the project if you remove items from the room, and cover the floors with canvas dropcloths. Use quick-drying Spackle to fill in nail holes and cracks.
Preparation is the Key
Many homeowners can do an okay job when it comes to painting, but a seasoned pro will get the most out of their materials and produce a top-notch finish. A lot of what makes a paint job successful is the preparation work that takes place before a single brush stroke is made. If this work is done poorly, it can ruin a project quickly. It’s important to use the same tips and tricks as professional painters when preparing a room for painting.
For example, a pro will remove anything that isn’t being painted from an area, such as furniture and light fixtures. This protects them from paint stains and drips. They will also cover any surfaces that can’t be removed, such as windows and doors, with tarps to keep them from being stained or damaged. Paint soaks right through lightweight fabrics and plastic sheeting, so it’s important to invest in high-quality drop cloths.
A professional will also sand the surface to ensure it is smooth, free of bumps and cracks. This will ensure the paint is applied evenly and looks great after it dries. They will also wash walls to ensure they are clean, free of dirt, dust or other debris.
This is especially important for exterior painting projects as mildew and mold spores can ruin the finished product. Some molds are so strong they can lift the paint off of the surface, causing it to flake. It is therefore important to use an exterior paint with mildewcide, such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, or Kilz Total One.
Don’t Skip the Drop Cloths
Drop cloths are used by professional painters to protect surfaces from paint splatters and spills. They come in multiple sizes and materials. Paper is great for small dry messes, while plastic works better for bigger oily ones. Canvas, however, is a better choice as it’s durable and reusable. It can also be washed if it gets splashed with paint or soaked by rain.
Before you lay down your drop cloth, a good idea is to sweep or vacuum it to remove any loose dust and debris. If you don’t, it may scratch the floor as you move it around. You can also secure the drop cloth with tape, to prevent it from sliding or falling while you work.
If you’re working indoors, cover any furniture you can’t move with a drop cloth as well. Then, tape down the edges to avoid them sticking to your walls and baseboards. Use painters tape on light switch covers, outlet covers, vents and other features in the room you don’t wish to paint.
Once you’re done, allow the drop cloth to dry completely before washing it with cold water and drying it with a towel. Fold it up and store it until your next painting project.
Wear Your Tape
Painter’s tape can be a valuable tool for both professional painters and DIYers. But it’s not foolproof and there are some things that can cause your masked paint lines to look blurry or messy. The most common problem is paint bleed-through, which happens when the paint seeps under the edge of the tape. This is a problem if you are painting a surface that is uneven or bumpy.
To avoid this, use a product of high quality that is designed to be used for painting. For example, 3M Precision Tape. Apply it carefully to the surface you want to paint. Always use short strips of the tape to prevent it from stretching, which can cause bleed-through. Before you begin painting, it’s a great idea to break the seal at the edges of the masking tape by running a utility blade along the edge at a slight incline.
One final tip: When it comes to masking off wood trim, be sure to use true painter’s tape, and not masking tape. Masking tape leaves a sticky residue and doesn’t hold up well to the paint. Painter’s tape, on the other hand, is designed to withstand days (some types up to two weeks!) Painter’s tape, on the other hand, is designed to withstand days (some types up to two weeks!) of paint. It will also not leave behind any sticky residue after removal.
And if you are going to paint over your masked line with the same color, be sure to do this with a wet coat of paint. This will ensure the first paint layer dries out before you peel it off, and will create a barrier that will prevent other colors from bleeding.
Use Quick-Drying Spackle
A few dents, dings, and holes in your wall are a normal part of life, especially if you have kids. You can make the situation easier by learning how to paint and patch them yourself. However, the process can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with spackle or other related products.
Spackle is a paste-like white substance used to conceal and fill in recesses on surfaces such as wood and drywall. It comes in both a lightweight and heavy option. The lightweight variety is ideal for small dings and dents, while the heavier option is best for thickening walls or large hole repairs. Both are typically applied using a putty knife and smoothed out using sandpaper.
The main advantage of spackle is its ease of use. It is typically sold premixed, eliminating the need for powder to be mixed prior to application, and is usually easy to work with for even the most novice DIYer. It also tends to dry quickly, making it well-suited for quick touch-up jobs.
Depending on the type of spackle you’re using, though, its drying time may vary. Temperature and humidity are other environmental factors that you should consider. These factors will help you decide how long you should wait for the spackling before painting.
To speed up the drying process, try turning on a heater and placing fans in the room where you’re working to blow warm air on the spackled area. This will help it to dry faster and will prevent the spackling from becoming swollen or distorted while it’s settling. If you have access to a dryer, that’s a great option as well since the hot air can dry drywall mud quickly.
Don’t forget the brushes
If you’ve invested in high-quality brushes, then you want to take good care of them. Proper cleaning and storing will help them last longer, which will save you money in the long run.
It’s also a good idea to use the right kind of brush for the job. This is because the quality of your work will vary based on the type of brush you have at your disposal. For example, natural bristle brushes like squirrel or hog hair will require a different clean up process than synthetic brush.
When you are finished painting, make sure to rinse your brush thoroughly. This will remove all traces of paint and ensure your next brush is stocked with enough paint to complete your project.
It is also a good idea to avoid getting paint on the ferrule, which is the silvery bit that connects the brush’s bristles with the handle. This part of the brush can rust easily when it gets wet and cause the bristles to spread. This will ruin your brush, so avoid painting this area, particularly if you’re using latex paint.
Remember to dry your brushes properly. After squeezing out the excess water, leave them to dry with their bristles facing upward. This will keep them from curling and splaying as they dry, and also in their original shape.
Follow these tips to make your painting experience as enjoyable as possible. Many of these are the same tips that professional painters use, and they can really improve your results. Why not give them a go?