5 Clever DIY Painting Hacks For Beginners
A fresh coat of paint can alter the mood of a room. As well as its aesthetic appeal. Despite what you might think, it is not that difficult to paint a room. Anyone can be better at painting with the right tools and tricks. If you’re looking to learn how to paint your wall perfectly, or even faster, then these tips are for you. I’ve put together 5 clever DIY painting hacks for beginners to help you paint like a pro.
Cutting In
The term “cutting in” refers to art of painting a straight line of your new color only onto the surface you intend to be painting (like a wall). While doing this, you avoid getting any paint on the adjacent surface (like the ceiling). For example, painting the wall alongside the ceiling. You’ll cut in the paint on the wall without getting any of the wall color paint on the ceiling.
Use a good quality, angled brush for this. This particular one by Oldfields is my absolute favorite paintbrush for cutting in.
Dip the brush in to your paint about an inch, then pat the brush against the sides of the pail instead of wiping it clean. You want more paint on the brush than you normally would. Make sure you have good lighting over the area so you can see.
Begin by placing the brush on the wall near the ceiling, but leave a little bit of space, like 1/4″. Begin painting alongside the ceiling while slowly working the brush toward the corner. Fan the bristles out as you work the brush towards the corner to coax the paint along further. When you’ve completed a few feet, take your brush back over the line and feather it out. Or grab your roller and paint down the rest of the wall. This last step keeps build up or ridges of paint along the edge from showing through later.
If you prefer to use painter’s tape, try using a putty knife to press the tape on to the trim or wall. This creates a better seal. When removing the tape, use a utility knife to lightly score it first.
Wrap It Up
To protect surfaces that are not going to be painted from splatters and drips, use drop cloths. Or, for a budget friendly and easy way, use trash bags or plastic cling wrap. Placing a trash bag around a toilet tank for instance is an easy way to protect that surface. Cut open more trash bags and tape them over the sink vanity. Or use plastic cling wrap to cover towel bars, door knobs, or any other surfaces it will stick to.
Lint Free Roller Cover
Even expensive, higher quality roller covers will shed some. To prevent lint and fuzz from your roller covers transferring to your walls when you paint, take a lint roller and brush it all over the roller cover. Or, take some painters tape and wrap it around your hand, sticky side out, and glide your hand along the roller cover.
Erase Mistakes
Always keep a wet terry cloth rag near by. If you get paint somewhere you didn’t mean to, the wet rag can wipe it right up. Cotton swabs are also good to have handy to erase your mistakes.
Prepare Your Walls
A good finish on your wall begins with a clean, smooth surface. Fill in any holes or divots with spackle or joint compound. Once that dries, sand it smooth. Sand out any other imperfections too. After sanding, wash your walls with a wet sponge, or simply use a Swiffer. The Swiffer allows for you to reach up high without the use of a ladder.
Paint is inexpensive and has a big impact on the look and feel of your living space. Whether you want to make a dramatic change to your room, or just add a fresh coat of the same color, these tips can help it go easier. Make sure you use the correct paint finish for the job you are doing. If you need some color inspiration, check out 7 Exciting Wall Paint Colors For 2022.
