Fresh paint can make a dramatic difference to your home
Whether the paint is peeling or you just want to change your home’s look, a fresh coat of paint can make a dramatic difference.
Colour can be used to create a mood and evoke an emotional response. Certain colours can energize – think red, orange and yellow – while others can be calming – blues, greens and purples. Neutral colours like white convey simplicity and cleanliness.
But before the first brush is dipped into the paint can, make sure to prep the surfaces. On the exterior, peeling or chipped paint needs to be scraped away and bare wood needs to be primed. Inside, walls need to be cleaned and trim taped off.
PREPARE THE SURFACE BEFORE PAINTING
Take time to caulk all joints, cracks and seams in the surface before painting.
Before painting windows, check around the window panes for loose or missing putty. Replace the putty in these areas before starting the painting job.
Always clean the surface to be painted. Use a wire brush, sanding block or power sander to remove loose paint and grime before applying the primer coat
Use plastic or paper drop cloths to cover sidewalks, shrubbery or other areas needing protection before you start the painting. Use drop cloths to cover floors, furniture, etc., for indoor painting.
PROVEN PAINTING POINTERS
Thoroughly mix the paint by following the steps outlined in this image. Pour off, into another container, any thin portion of the paint that is floating on top. Use a paddle to stir the paste settled in the bottom of the can. Stir in a small amount of the thin portion of the paint and use the paint paddle to stir with a figure eight motion. As you stir, gradually mix the thin portion back into the main paint can. Finally, pour the paint back and forth from one container to another. This will thoroughly mix the paint and bring it to the proper thickness for application.
Use masking tape where two paint colours come together for a much neater job. Apply the masking tape at the point where the two colours join.
When you’re painting corners, always use the flat side of the brush.
Avoid paint ridges and lap marks on a flat surface by always stroking into the wet paint area, never away from it. Blend each stroke of the brush toward the wet paint area, bringing the layer you’re applying into the wet paint previously applied.
If you are planning a small outside painting job, you may be bothered by insects flying into the newly applied paint. To avoid this problem, add a small amount of insect repellent to the paint when it is mixed.
When you’re painting with a roller, start the job by making several criss-cross strokes on the area to be painted. After you’ve made these strokes, continue to work up and down to spread the newly applied paint evenly over the area.
CLEANING UP AFTER THE PAINT JOB
Special waterless hand cleaners remove both latex-base and oil-base paints easily and quickly. These waterless hand cleaners will not irritate your skin like many solvents.
Take care of your brushes by cleaning them carefully after each painting job is done and then wrapping and storing them for future use.
Wash latex paints out of a brush with clear warm water.
Clean brushes used with oil-base paints with regular paint cleaner or some type of solvent. Clean the brush thoroughly, then wrap it in wax paper and store it for future use.
Clean rollers in the same basic way as paintbrushes. Take time to clean them thoroughly.
Source: fremonttribune.com
