3 Techniques to Improve Your Painting Job

Painting is an inexpensive way to bring about dramatic changes to a room and it is important to do it correctly to get the best results from your paint job. Before painting, take the time to properly prepare the walls, choose the right type of paint and use a good quality angled brush. The lack of preparation and the bad execution of a painting job will result in walls with obvious imperfections and it will also be harder for you to cover up these blemishes during the next paint job.

Painting Pointer 1: Prepping the Walls

The first step in prepping walls for painting is to fill in any holes or cracks using a putty knife and nail-hole filler or plaster. Once dried, the smooth walls should be lightly sanded with sandpaper to get rid of any unevenness and bits of debris. The next step is clean the walls thoroughly so that it will be easier for the paint to adhere to the surface. Wipe down any sanding grit, cobwebs and anything else that might be on them. If you are repainting kitchen or bathroom walls, consider wiping them down with a degreaser. Kitchen area walls can be grimy and bathrooms tend to grow layers of film. Wipe the walls with a damp cloth or sponge and allow it to dry before painting.

Painting Pointer 2: Getting the Right Type of Paint

Getting the right type of paint for the job depends on the look, finish and texture that you desire. There are paints specifically meant for ceilings and others made for walls or for wood and metal surfaces. Interior paints are developed specifically for interior walls and surfaces, and are available in a variety of finishes. This type of paint offers stain and spatter resistance, good coverage and allow for easy touch-ups. When shopping for paint, keep in mind the finished texture and level of glossiness that you desire.

Interior paints are available in Latex or oil. Latex has the longest lasting finish and is fast-drying and durable. One of the main reasons that people prefer latex is because clean-up is easy with regular soap and water.

Oil based interior paints offer good adhesion in addition to being durable and stain resistant. However, soap and water is not as effective when cleaning walls coated with oil based paints because mineral spirits are often used as a solvent.

Painting Pointer 3: Getting a Good Quality Angled Brush

If you want your paint job to look great and last for years to come, it's vital that you get good quality angled paint brushes. Look for a brush with tapered long bristles and a wooden handle. The bristles will have split ends which will increase the surface area.

Quality brushes put on a coat of paint that is both thicker and smoother. The thicker the coat, the more it is able to hide blemishes and imperfections on the wall. You will also get a uniform finish. Lesser quality brushes can actually leave behind bristles and bubbles, leading to inferior results that require an entire new coat of paint to repair.

Paint brushes come in two types of bristles: synthetic or natural. If you are using latex paint, synthetic bristles are recommended because they won't wilt when wet. If you are using oil or plant-based paint, or a paint containing lime, a natural bristled brush is recommended for the best quality strokes.

Paint brushes also come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses. Many experts recommend purchasing a trim brush, a sash brush and a standard 4 inch straight brush. Angled brushes make getting into corners easier and result in a better looking paint job. Wide, straight brushes are great for large spaces like walls, floors and ceilings, while rollers are best for larges stretches of flat surface or base coats.

Make sure you get your desired result by following these three techniques: Prepping the walls, getting the right type of paint, and getting a good quality angled brush. Make sure to do your research before purchasing any painting supplies.