PAINT
LIKE A PRO
1)
Wash
down walls. If the walls are dirty or
greasy (kitchen, bathroom) use TSP to wash the walls and rinse with a damp
cloth. 2)
Tape
off trim and molding with painter’s tape.
Do not remove until the paint is completely dry, at least 24 hours 3)
Push
furniture into the center of the room, leaving enough room to maneuver around,
and cover with a plastic tarp. 4)
Cover
the floor with a fabric drop cloth, plastic may be too slippery. 5)
Remove
all hardware (light switches, doorknob, etc.) store in a easy-to-find plastic
bag (this will help keep screws with the switches etc). 6)
Calculate
how much paint you will need (1 gal will cover about 375 square feet), and have
the paint mixed at the same time to help ensure a consistent color. 7)
Invest
in a good paint tray and line it with a disposable liner. 8)
Use
rollers for the walls and ceilings and brushes with angled tips for the
trim. The better the grade of rollers
and brushes will give a better finished result. 9)
Expect
to apply at least 3 coats to a new wall.
Best results are made with one coat of primer and 2 coats of the
finished color. If re-painting a wall at
least 2 finished coats will give the best results. (see item #1)
10)
Keep
excess paint in a small glass jar for future touch-ups.
Now you can sit back
and enjoy the “new” room! Painting is
the cheapest and easiest way to create a new look for your home.