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The secrets of professional painters

The secrets of professional painters

Ever wondered how when you paint a wall it looks just OK, but when a professional paints the walls, it looks superb! What are the secrets of professional painters? Read further to find out how they do it.

  1. Clear the area
    Move everything out of the room including furniture, lamps, accessories etc. If you’d like you can move the bigger furniture to the center of the room; covered of course. Invest in good quality drop clothes like canvas or paper-backed plastics that will absorb the paint.
    Professional painter’s secret: Don’t use linen such as bed sheets as the paint soaks right through. Also don’t use plastic as a drop cloth; it doesn’t absorb the paint and you end up having a slippery surface. 
  1. Prepare the surface
    Search the surface for any cracks or dents and use painter’s putty or lightweight spackle to fill the damaged areas. If a wood surface like the trimming is cracked or has a dent in rather use painter’s putty or two-part wood filler as spackle won’t stick.
    Smooth your repairs or any bumps with a drywall sand paper. Most professional painters sand the previous painted wall regardless of how they look. Not only does sanding smooth out the chipped paint but provides “tooth” for the next coat of paint.
    Professional painter’s secret: If you want a silky trim use a sanding sponge instead of sandpaper. Sponges mold to the shape of the trim and also last longer than sandpaper.
    Cleaning the walls
    If you don’t like textured walls don’t paint over dust, instead wash the walls with a mild household cleaner. For a smoke stained wall use a 50/50 solution of water and bleach. When you clean the walls use two buckets: one for the solution and the other for clean water. Soak up your sponge or rag with the solution, wash the wall and before redipping first dip the sponge in the clean water.
    Professional painter’s secret: Use painter’s tape (blue) for cutting instead of masking tape. The latter causes the paint to bleed behind the tape or even removes the paint it’s stuck to. To prevent paint from bleeding use a putty knife to bed the tape and once the paint has dried use a utility knife to score the edge of the tape line to prevent the paint from being torn off.
  1. Selecting the paint
    Use a quality primer
    Primers establish a solid and even base; cover stains, gives the surface a smooth finish and ensures the top coat paint adheres to the surface. The professional painters urge you to use alcohol and alkyd primers instead of latex as it covers almost everything.
    Professional painter’s secret: Don’t spot-paint your wall as a primer affects the outcome of your wall.  However, you can spot-paint your ceiling.
    Purchase quality paint
    Although some of the painters use oil-based paints, the majority prefers using latex paint for interior walls and new trim.
    Glossy paints are more stain-resistant and easier to wash than flat finishes; however it does highlight any imperfections to the surface. Flat finishes are good for formal rooms that don’t receive a lot of traffic but for rooms that do receive a lot of traffic such as bathrooms, children’s rooms, kitchens etc. use an eggshell finish.
    Professional painter’s secret: Use two coats of paint for the best results.
  1. Use the right equipment
    Choose a roller that has a long nap; it will hold more paint and create more texture. Use a bucket with a roller grid instead of a roller pan because they hold more paint than the roller and don’t get tipped over that easy. A painter’s rod or pole is also necessary to paint the ceilings more quickly and eliminates having to climb up and down a ladder and be splattered by paint.
    Professional painter’s secret: Most of the professional painters prefer a 9 inch roller above an 18 inch roller because they say they are lighter, cheaper and easier to use.
    Paint brush
    When purchasing a paint brush take a look at the bristle. Poly bristles are stiff and appropriate for exterior work whereas a nylon bristle is softer and good for interior work. Most brushes are available in 1 to 4 inch widths. For small surfaces and corners use a small width paint brush.
  1. The professional’s painting tips
    • Dip your brush one and a half inches into the can, then tap each side of the brush against the sides of the can to prevent paint from dripping and forces the bristles to absorb the paint.
    • When cutting in, dip your brush, spread out the excess paint then move your brush towards the line between the wall and the ceiling.

Looking for more professional painter’s secrets, painting supplies or advice on your current paint project? Contact Warrior Paints.

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