7 DIY painting tips
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to revamp your space and get a whole new look. That is unless you’re doing it all wrong. But, a quality paint job is easy to achieve — when you prepare the surface correctly and use the right tools and products.
We’ve rounded up the most common painting mistakes that you may be making as well as simple fixes to get your projects done right.
1. Pulling painter’s tape up after the paint dries.
It’s best to rip it off right after you apply, otherwise the dried latex may come up with the adhesive.
2. You scrub your bushes at the end of each day.
If you haven’t completed your project, you can wrap them in plastic wrap and secure them with a rubber band. The bristles will stay moist and ready to go.
3. You dip your paint brush into the can too far.
There’s no reason to dip it all the way to where the bristles meet metal. Only dip it one-third of the way into the can, otherwise you’ll be wasting paint.
4. Using Latex Paint over Oil-Based Paint.
Unintentionally applying latex paint over an oil-based formula seems like a shortcut, but one that you’ll pay for in the end with peeling and cracking.
5. Painting a Second Coat Too Soon.
We admit it. When it comes to painting, we want things done ASAP. But applying that all-important second coat before the first layer dries will completely mess up the whole job.
6. Over Applying Paint.
It might seem like it would be better to apply just one thick coat to the wall and call it a day…but that’s where gloppy drips come from.
7. Not Using a Primer.
Whether you’re going from dark to light or just painting over a different type of surface (like wood), a primer really is a must.
