Do It Yourself....Painting Tips for a Great Project!

by Sally Boone
(Detroit, USA)

Painting is a great way to transform the appearance of a single room or an entire home, but it is important to prepare for the job the right way. A professional looking paint job is well within the skills of most homeowners, but it is important to gather the knowledge, materials and supplies you will need before starting the project.

In fact the right preparation is an important part of any paint job, and a big factor in the ultimate success of the project. It may be necessary to spend an entire day preparing for a painting project, but it will be time well spent in the end.

The surface to be painted should be clean and dry, and it may be a good idea to lightly sand the entire surface to remove any dust and debris Paint will adhere much more easily to a clean, dry and smooth surface.

If there is any mold or mildew on the surfaces to be painted, it can be removed using a mixture of one part bleach to three parts soapy water. If the surface contains any nail holes or screw holes, be sure to patch them before getting started. Leave yourself plenty of time for this important prep work before getting started.

It is also important to gather all the materials and supplies you will need before starting the painting project.

When painting with latex paint, a synthetic polyester/nylon brush should be used, while oil based paints call for a bristle brush.

In many cases it maybe necessary to apply a primer before applying the paint. If the surface to be painted is in good condition a primer may not be needed, but if the surface contained old paint, holes or other debris, a primer is a good start. A primer will also be needed when applying light colored paint over a dark paint.

When applying dark colored paint over a lightly painted surface, a tinted primer should be used. This primer will help to reduce the number of top coats that will be needed.

Do It Yourself....Painting Tips for a Great Project!

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