Tips to paint like a pro

Do you need paint tips to give your walls a new look and feel? Have you ever gone into a room in your house and thought, "Yuck, this has to change"? One of the easiest ways to change the ambience of a room, or a house for that matter, is to give it a new coat of paint.

Evaluate the current paint job

The first step is to evaluate the condition of the current paint job. Scrape and sand if it is flaking or bubbled. Then, give the walls a good washing with trisodium phosphate or the equivalent. This is to remove grease and dirt so the new paint adheres well. TSP (trisodium phosphate) is a little rough on the hands, so use proper gloves while washing. Always remember to wash from the bottom of the wall to the top to eliminate streaks.

Covering a dark colour with a light coloured paint

If you want to cover a dark paint with a light coloured paint, first paint the walls with a stain blocker. This eliminates bleed-through of the darker colour or stains and will mean fewer coats of the lighter paint are required.

Tape the borders of your walls

Next comes properly taping the borders of the walls. Use a high quality painter's tape. This type of tape adheres well, blocks paint drips, and will come off with little or no gummy residue. Also remove fixtures (lamps, towel racks, etc.) from the wall or tape carefully around them. Press the tape onto the surface you are covering well so it will form a seal that paint doesn't get through.

Start painting

First use a smaller paint brush (about 1 1/2" to 2" wide). Start painting the corners of the walls. You need to paint in about 2 to 3 inches to avoid "roller burn" (the marks left behind when the roller touches the wrong wall). Do not be afraid to load the brush with paint. Stick the brush into the paint about 3/4" deep, remove from the paint and slowly shake it back and forth until most dripping is done. Then put the brush on the wall and cover it thickly. Watch out for runs and bubbles and smooth these areas out. You will want to paint the same type border on the base of the wall as well.

After the corners and base of the wall have borders on them, you may proceed to the roller. Use a high quality roller that is appropriate for the surface you are painting. If there is light texture on your wall, use a semi-smooth or rough texture roller. You will be far less exasperated and will get a much smoother coat of paint if you use the right roller.

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