9 Painting Pointers to Ace Your Next Home Project (Part 2 of 3)

9 Painting Pointers to Ace Your Next Home Project        

The right painting tips can have even the most inexperienced painters dripping with confidence.

Paint by Number

You don’t have to guestimate how much paint you need to cover the walls of your space. Some paint manufacturers have calculators on their websites to help you determine the number of gallons you’ll need. There’s also a basic formula you can use. It goes like this: add the widths of your walls, multiply that number by the height of the room, then divide that total by 350—which is the amount of square footage that one gallon usually covers—to get your answer. Be aware that the formula doesn’t include doors and windows, so you should have some extra paint left for any necessary touch-ups. Remember to account for a second coat, or a primer.

Let’s Roll

It’s important to choose a quality roller for your painting project. Although there are lots of cheap ones on the market they tend to live up to their price and have naps that shed. Consider using a 3/8-inch foam paint roller, which can help you get the job done with a high level of quality and efficiency. In fact, you can load up to four times more paint on a foam roller than on a nap roller, which allows you to cover more wall in less time. Regarding nap rollers, a 3/8-inch roller is ideal for flat and semi-gloss paints on walls and ceilings.

When it comes to choosing a high-quality brush look for ones that taper, which means the bristles in the center are somewhat longer than those around the edge. The bristles should be bound together with a rust-resistant metal ferrule that’s nailed on. Opt for bare wood handles that are large enough for a comfortable grip.

Painters Tape Tips

Use medium-adhesion tape for woodwork where you plan to use a nonporous paint finish like a gloss, or a semi-gloss. Choose low-tack painters tape for delicate surfaces, since its mild adhesive won’t damage the paint when it’s removed. To ensure that you maintain a straight edge when using painters tape don’t apply more than 8 to 10 inches at a time.

After you apply tape smooth the edges using a putty knife. This will create a heat seal and keep paint from seeping through. After your paint has dried remove the tape at a 45-degree angle.

Are You Buying a Home in Lakewood?

If you’re not already living in Lakewood, or if you are but you’re looking for a new home, we’re here to help. Call us right now at 562-882-1581 or start browsing our Lakewood real estate listings to find your dream home today!

You can also browse:

• Long Beach real estate listings
• Anaheim real estate listings
• Bellflower real estate listings
• Signal Hill real estate listings

Check out Part 1 of this post here.