Painting Tips

[ModernStyle]

People always want to know how a professional painter can cut such straight lines. Well it does take time to be able to cut a perfectly straight line, and still be fast enough at it to actually make some money.

For a DIY'er speed is not so much of an issue, so I will tell you to take your time and buy a decent brush. DO NOT BUY A CHEAP PAINTBRUSH !!!

I have been painting for 16 years and I can not cut a straight line with a cheap black bristle paintbrush, you know the type, they usually are sold in packs of 3 and 5. If you want to have a razor sharp cut line you must buy a decent brush.

Alot of people say they would never spend $15 on a paint brush, I dont understand this. If you wash the brush out after each use, a good quality paintbrush would probably last the average home owner a lifetime. Sure it is easier to buy the cheap brush and throw it out instead of cleaning it, but your project will suffer because of this.

The next thing you will need is a good quality roller cover, once again, the multi-pack of 4 covers at Walmart suck, do not buy them. Ever seen a wall with a bunch of little hairs all over, that is the end result of a cheap roller cover. You can get a decent cover for around $6, for around $8 you can get a Purdy Colosus which is one of the best roller covers around, and also one of the easiest to clean.

Contrary to what alot of Professional Painters say, it is ok to tape off the trim. Once again, quality cost money, do not buy the cheapest tape you can find.

Use a quality blue painters tape. Do not try and tape of the ceilings, it will not work, it has never worked, and it will never work. Instead use that quality paintbrush and cut in the ceiling, take your time, it isn't a race.

Unless you really like painting and want to put 3 or 4 coats of paint on your walls, and then do it again in a year , it is really important to buy decent paint. I wont go into my personal preferences, but if it is flat, it isn't for walls. If it cost under $20 a gallon then it will not hold up. Eggshell and satin are the sheens I like to use the most when painting, they are washable yet cover better and have better hiding abilities then semi-gloss.

Another mistake people make is thinking they have to prime a room before painting it everytime, this is not always true. If the walls are undamaged and have been previously painted then there is usually no need to prime, just a quick sanding and then on to painting. Now if a wall has damage and needs repaired with drywall mud or spackle then at the very least it is wise to prime the repair areas if not the whole wall. Certain color will also require a primer under them to help them cover, reds and yellows come to mind.

If you are usig older paint that has been setting around for a while then it is a good idea to strain out any chunks before pouring the paint into your pan or tray. All paint stores carry bag type strainers for doing this, but in a pinch you can also use a women nylons. Trust me straining the paint is a lot easier then picking a million "paint boogers" off the walls.

So now I will turn this over to my fellow painters and let them add to or correct me on what I have said.........

[CreteCoater]

What are your feelings on the "Point & Paint"? Anthony Sullivan makes it look so easy! And just look at that finish!

[Silvertree]

How about a carpenter that once painted with professional painters (3 years).
I have Woosters for oil, Proval and Purdy for Latex. I use pretty good rollers.

I box my paint and use a 5 gal bucket and screen most times. Tape base and cut in casings and ceilings.

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams on my home interior, and Pittburgh exterior.

I let no one use my brushes. My old boss made me do things his way and after all these years I still do it in case he comes back from the dead and yells at me.

[ModernStyle]

Show me the video Cooter, I know you have it saved

[CreteCoater]

Bh_Wd2sYAJA

Nevermind, found the review LOL .... can't post links yet.

[ModernStyle]

I learned to paint from a hack, I didnt know this at the time. I dont think there is one single thing I do now that was taught to me by my first boss.
We used cheap equipment, no primer for anything, and most of our work failed in less then 2 years. After I left him I went to work for a company that was more quality oriented, I caught on quick, I really liked how the quality work looked as opposed to what I had been doing before. I actually got more into being a painter and less of just showing up for a job, it kinda turned into a competition with myself to always try and make each thing I painted look better then the last. Now I just want to be the best in my area, I will never really know if I am because there are too many painters here, but I will keep trying.

[ModernStyle]

I just watched a few videos about it Cooter, it smears paint on the walls. I bet it would take 10 coats to cover with that thing, and I dont even want to think about how bad it would flash everywhere with that thing flipping around and smearing paint unevenly.

[Dusty]

Quality paint and a good brush. I say buy 2 good brushes. A 3" and a 2" angle brush.

People baulk at spending a lot of money on a paint brush. They are a requirement for nice cut lines. Not to mention they clean up well with a little dish soap and water. Shake the water out in the back yard and store them carefully so the bristles don't get mangled.

You guys are going to laugh, but when ever I purchase a new brush I stroke it against my cheek. My boyfriend laughs at me, but they are soft and I can't help it.

[ModernStyle]

I just got comped a Purdy Chinex and a Purdy Clear Cut, both are excellent brushes. I had been using cheaper Purdy's lately for some unknown reason, I am switching to these 2 now though. I was taught to paint with Wooster 3 inch Destroyers, I rarely use flat brushes now.

[Mike(VA)]

A tip from a novice painter. Novice because I am a GC, not a real painter. As you said about 'boogers' in the paint, I used to get them all the time but not from the can. They came from the pans and liners from HD. I like their wood handle rollers but they barely fit in those trays. Halfway through a room, the paint is starting to dry along the sides of the liner and pieces get hung up on the roller since it peels off the plastic so easy. Changed to the larger pans; no more problem.

[Allrounder]

Another pro trick is to sand the walls before painting and between coats. Not just where you patched, but the entire wall. This knocks down all the little bits and nibs that get stuck to the wall, and assures you of the smoothest surface possible. Don't forget to wipe off the sanding dust.

[WarnerConstInc.]

I was going to say, I hit the primer with my PC drywall sander and once between coats.

[Winchester]

I was going to say, I hit the primer with my PC drywall sander and once between coats.

PC drywall sander? What have I been missing out on?

How much are they and do they have a special vac?

[WarnerConstInc.]

http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7800_drywall_sander.htm?mv_source=adpc&gclid=CIO60rajgZwCFQoKswodVHSBdA

They do have their own vac. I usually use one of my Rdgid ones with a bag.

These things rock, I would guess, 85%+ dust collection.

[tomstruble]

hmm sand beteen coats,i have to try that
thanks

[Mike(VA)]

Tom, that's why we imported some painters here.

[Silvertree]

Pap48As6H04

[ModernStyle]

Take that thing down Silver before someone actually thinks we endorse them. It looks like a Swiffer wet mop that someone filled with paint.

[Workaholic]

Take that thing down Silver before someone actually thinks we endorse them. It looks like a Swiffer wet mop that someone filled with paint.

That is one of RC's new sponsers, you will see there add at the top of the page shortly.

[TulsaRemodeler]

I was in Blowes and needed some white trim paint. I got Valspar and wasnt dissapointed, never tried it before. One coat over new primed wood, two coats over primed dark previously painted.

[nEighter]

really paint is the most picky thing you can use/do. It takes constant care.. like a high maintenance woman does. You constantly have to check to make sure it is ready to go out (out of the can) and make sure it looks it's best when it does, otherwise it will whine and drag and make your life and work a living hell..

AND if you want this "high maintenance" material to work the best for you.. you have to deliver it in the best vehicle your money can afford (brushes or sprayer) otherwise it will leave you making excuses why it acted so nasty and made you look so stupid.

You will notice a TRUE professional painter will have clean equipment. That is the type of professional that is worthy of your attention, worthy of the label "professional". All others are wanna bes. Why? Cause everyone knows that a "high maintence woman" (paint) would rather show up (perform better) with a clean and waxed vehicle (equipment) than a rust bucket, never washed pacer.

[ModernStyle]

I will let you inspect my equipment to make sure it is clean and up to your standards

[nEighter]

it was a rant not ment toward you.. just a general statement.

[ModernStyle]

i still want you to take a look at my equipment

[Silvertree]

THE PAINTER



A woman hired a contractor to repaint the interior of her house. The woman walked the man through the second floor of her home and told him what colors she wanted for each room. As they walked through the first room, the woman said, "I think I would like this room in a cream color."

The contractor wrote on his clipboard, walked to the window, opened it and yelled out, "Green side up!" He then closed the window and continued following the woman to the next room.

The woman looked confused, but proceeded with her tour. "In this room, I was thinking of an off blue."

Again, the contractor wrote this down, went to the window, opened it and yelled out, "Green side up!"

This baffled the woman, but she was hesitant to say anything. In the next room, the woman said she would like it painted in a light rose color. And once more, the contractor opened the window and yelled, "Green side up!"

Struck with curiosity, the woman mustered up the nerve to ask, "Why do you keep yelling 'Green side up' out my window every time I tell you the color I would like the room?"

The contractor replied, "Because I have a crew of blondes laying sod across the street."

[orson]

I was in Blowes and needed some white trim paint. I got Valspar and wasnt dissapointed, never tried it before. One coat over new primed wood, two coats over primed dark previously painted.

I just used some homeowner purchased Valspar semi-gloss to paint some casing and I thought it was one of the worst trim paints I ever used.

Won't lay down and shows every brushmark.

My favorite brush is a 2" Silver Squirrel, it's a Duron brush and that has a darker stained handle, great brush.

[Bender]

Don't be afraid to thin that stuff out a little. It will make a world of difference.

Why do we thin paint? 3 reasons.

1. To improve leveling
2. To increase penetration
3. To reduce viscosity


But yeah, Valspar is lowes answer to behr:thumbsdown: