Painting

If you want to re-use a roller cover on several paintjobs, it is best to start with the lightest color, then work in gradually darker colors, following each job with a thorough cleansing of the cover.

If you find lumps in a can of paint that you need, you can “push” them out. Cut out a circle from a piece of wire screen slightly smaller than the can’s inside circumference. Put the screen circle on the surface of the paint. With a little help it will sink to the bottom of the can, taking the lumps with it. Another way to salvage lumpy paint is to strain it through an old nylon stocking.

Like tile, most paint will differ slightly in each lot produced. If you plan to use the same color thoughout your house, it’s a good idea to purchase as much paint as you can at one time. This will avoid any deviations in the paint color and save you an extra trip to the store.

When using a paint roller on walls, always keep a “wet edge”. Once you start a wall, keep moving until done.

When starring out, pre-dampen your brushes slightly before dipping into the paint. Slightly damp brushes apply paint more evenly. When working with latex paints, moisten with water: when applying oil-based paints, first dip them into paint thinner, then pat them with paper towels to remove excess thinner.

Instead of putting a paint smear across the outside of a can to mark the level of paint left inside (which can be messy and obliterate the label), use a rubber band instead. Put it around the can and roll it down to the level of the paint. Just by glancing at the rubber band, which is visible all the way around, you will know how much paint is left.

To be certain you’ll have touch up paint you will want to buy a gallon or so extra and be sure to have the salesperson write down the exact ingredients of the paint you choose. Luckily, there are machines available which can analyze a chip of paint but, there’s that old saying about an ounce of prevention…it could save you from buying gallons later.

When paint fails, it�s usually caused by weak surface preparation. Spend time on a few basics before you begin to get the results you want when you�re done. Simply washing walls with detergent to remove dirt, grease, oil, and fingerprints can make all the difference. A clean everyday floor sponge mop makes a great wall washer. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and give everything adequate time to dry.

One of the most important things to be aware of is that paint is formulated for either interior use or exterior use, and they have different properties: Interior paint is formulated for: Scrubbability and stain resistance; Good hiding ability; Splatter resistance; Easy touch-up. Exterior paint is formulated for: Color retention; Resistance to fading; Flexibility to withstand expansion and contraction due to weather; To provide a mildew resistant coating; Resistance to tannin bleed. Don’t think that you should use exterior paints indoors on the assumption that it is “tougher”. In fact, some of the highest-grade exterior paints can be worse to use indoors than a lower-quality interior paint.

Always seal your paint container tightly between paint jobs. This will help prevent your paint from thickening or evaporating. To seal a can properly, clean excess paint from the rim with a brush and then gently tap the edges of the cover with a hammer.