11 Painting Techniques to Paint Like A Professional
A fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest ways to give a space a new lease of life. Whether you’ve been living in the home for some time and are looking to change things up, or are in the process of selling your home, painting is an easy and inexpensive option when looking to increase the aesthetic appeal. There are many techniques and tricks of the trade that help ensure the result is picture-perfect every time. We’ve put together 11 pro painting tips to help you complete a DIY project you love. And if you ever get stuck, we are always here to help.
Painting Technique 1: Use the Right Drop Sheet for The Job
Designed to prevent paint spills from ruining your floors, furniture, or other surfaces, a drop sheet is one of the most important components of a pro painter’s kit. But which type should you be using? There are 3 types: canvas, plastic, and paper. Each has its own features and benefits, as well as durability and costs. Plastic is a common choice but can slip easily, and any spilled paint will remain wet, which can end up getting tracked around the house! If you’re unsure about which drop sheet is going to be best for the job you’re doing, why not ask your local painting professionals?
Painting Technique 2: Microwave Old Painters Tape to Give It A New Lease Of Life
Painter’s tape is one of those items in a painter’s toolkit that will always come in handy, no matter the type of job. But sometimes you might find that older tapes start to peel away from your walls before its ready to be taken off. Take the roll and put it in the microwave for 10 seconds. The heat should give your tape roll a new lease of life. If you find that 10 seconds isn’t enough, you might need to replace it.
Bonus Tip: Slice Your Painters Tape and Pull Up at 45 degrees
Allow the paint to dry completely, for at least 24 hours before pulling the tape from the trims. Slice through the sticky film and pull up at 45 degrees for best results.
Painting Technique 3: Mix Enough Paint Before You Start
Artists and house painters alike know of this problem. You get halfway through your project, only to realise you’ve run out of paint. Running out of paint midway through painting isn’t just irritating; it can result in lap lines (visible lines in the paintwork where a solid edge has been left and allowed to dry) or, in the case of a completely custom colour, a mismatched paint job. To avoid this, ensure you have more than enough paint to complete the entire area you will be painting in this session before you start.
Bonus Tip: Improve Your Stirring Stick Drill some holes in your stirring stick before using it to mix your paint to reduce stirring time and increase the quality of the mix.
Bonus Tip: Make sure you’re using an appropriately sized roller tray when completing your project. Using one that is too small can slow you down and cause you to make more mess than you would with a larger one.
Painting Technique 4: Feather Edges to Minimise Lap Lines
When painting walls, ceilings, or trims completely in one session, you would keep what is called a ‘wet edge’. But what about large areas like tall walls and stairwells where this is impossible? In cases like these, you can avoid lap lines by ‘feathering’ your wet edges out with a roller that is almost dry outwards in diagonal strokes. When you start again, simply do the same in the opposite direction and then continue painting as normal.
Bonus Tip: Feather Paintbrush Strokes with A Roller
If you use a paintbrush on any spaces where much of the area has been completed with a roller, blend the brush strokes with a smaller roller of the same nap to ensure the texture matches the rest of the space.
Painting Technique 5: Ensure Your Walls Are Properly Cleaned Before You Start Painting
A rookie mistake when completing your first DIY paint job is forgetting to clean the walls before you start. Dirt, dust, and oils can cause a new coat of paint to chip, crack, and peel. Ensure your walls are clean before painting by using a heavy-duty cleaner.
Bonus Tip: How To Tell What Type of Paint Are You Working With?
If you use a latex-based paint over an oil-based one, your hard work will soon become blotchy and peel away. If you need to know what type the existing paint type is, dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and run it across the paint surface. If there is paint residue on the cotton ball, it is latex-based paint, and you can use any type of paint over it. If there is no residue, then it is likely that the paint is oil-based and will need to be primed before using latex paint over the top.
Bonus Tip: Use a Primer to Dull Spots
If part of the wall you are working on is exposed plaster, maybe from a recent repair job, you need to prime the entire wall to ensure that these patches do not create unsightly dull spots that can detract from the feel of a space.
Bonus Tip: Save Cleaning Time on Latex Brushes
When painting with latex-based paint, you don’t need to clean them each time you set them down for a few hours. Instead, wrap the brush in tin foil and store it in the fridge. The cold with slow down the drying process and your brush will be ready to go when you start work again. Just ensure you wait for the brush to warm up before you start painting.
Tips and Tricks That Will Have You Painting Like a Professional
There are hundreds of painting tips and techniques out there and this is by no means an exhaustive list. However, if you’re new to DIY painting projects, we hope that this gives you a solid starting point for your next DIY painting project. If you ever do get stuck or find yourself needing expert advice, our friendly team is always here to answer your questions and provide recommendations on the best products for your latest project.
