9 Tips for Painting like a Pro

You decided on a color, so the hardest part of painting is already behind you. Now you want to get to the actual job of painting, and you want it to look like it was done by a pro.  Not to worry. Follow these guidelines and you can achieve a paint job that will make any professional take notice.

1.  Choose the Right Type of Paint

Latex, or water-based, paints are the most popular choice because they emit fewer fumes, dry quicker, and have an easier cleanup process. Latex paint is also less prone to fading or yellowing and provides a breathable surface that allows moisture to escape.

Alkyd, or oil-based, paints have the advantage of being more durable. Alkyd paints can also be applied in lower temperatures than latex’s 50 degree cut off point. You should always choose alkyd paints when repainting exterior surfaces with heavy chalking (that powdery substance that comes off on your hand) or when repainting interior or exterior surfaces that have more than three layers of paint. Alkyd paints can be trickier to apply than latex paints, because they are go on thicker and require the use turpentine, paint thinner, or some other solvent during clean up.

If you are unsure of the nature of the old paint, a bit of denatured alcohol applied to a rag and rubbed onto the surface is a good test.  Latex paint will come off on the rag, oil/alkyd will not.  You need an oil primer to cover existing oil paint if you want to use latex as your top coat.  It is generally a good idea to ask your local paint store what they recommend.  On exterior surfaces, oil should not be painted over latex, however, many experts suggest that the best exterior starts with an alkyd primer followed by latex paint.

When you’re painting a kitchen or bathroom, choose paint specially designed for these areas. These paints are more mold, mildew, and humidity-resistant. Although it may seem like an added expense, the cost is worth it.

2.  Choose the Right Finish

Flat, eggshell/satin, semi gloss, high gloss—the right finish is important, especially since most paints come in all four varieties. Flat paints attract mildew quicker than semi gloss or high gloss paint. This is because glossier paints have fewer pores for the mold to grab onto to grow. Semi gloss and high gloss paint are also more durable and wipe clean easily. They stand up to stains and scuffing, which makes them perfect for high traffic areas.

However, flat paints are better at concealing imperfections in the surface. They make surfaces appear smoother and more uniform. Paints with an eggshell, or satin, finish fall in between the flat and semi gloss. They are ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. They give a room more depth and warmth and are slightly more durable than flat paints.  Several manufacturers have formulated flat or matte finish paints that are guaranteed scrubbable.  Ask for these, but expect to pay a little more.  Homes with small children are excellent candidates for this type of paint.

3.  Purchase and Prepare all the Paint You need at Once

One gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet of surface. If the area you’re painting requires more than one gallon, mix all the paints together before you begin. This is called boxing.  Different cans can have subtle color variations that might not be evident in the can, but will become obvious on your walls. If you plan to do two coats, you can mix only half the paints at first. Then, mix any remaining paint before starting your second coat.

4.  Choose the Right Tools

While power rollers and paint sprayers can be time-savers, they are not practical for smaller or complicated rooms. Painting these rooms is better done in the traditional manner. For most jobs, all you need is a roller, a tray and a few brushes that vary between 1-inch to 4-inches wide for the trim and detail work. Make sure you also have the equipment needed to prepare and protect surfaces around the area you plan to paint.

5.  Prepare the Surface

Failing to prepare your surface before painting will diminish the durability of your paint. Even worse, all the blemishes, marks, and imperfections you are trying to cover will remain visible.

The first thing you need to is remove everything from the walls. Take down the curtains and remove the switch plates and any pictures or other objects hanging on the walls. Then, cover all surrounding floors, cabinets, and fixtures with drop cloths, flattened out corrugated boxes, or heavy, brown paper.

Next, if you are painting a kitchen or walls that have a greasy or dirty buildup or residue, you want to clean the walls and trim thoroughly. Use hot water and a little bit of detergent soap, then rinse thoroughly. Otherwise, it is not necessary or recommended to wash the walls.  Once the walls have dried, patch any holes, cracks, or joints with spackling compound. Let it dry and the sand with fine grade sandpaper until smooth. Also, sand down any glossy surfaces. Wipe all sanded surfaces with a damp cloth to remove all residues. Wipe down the trim to assure a clean, dust free surface for your paint.  

6.  Protect the Surfaces

If you have a steady hand, you might not need masking tape to cover the edges. If you don't, invest in the special blue painter’s tape rather than using regular masking tape—especially on painted surfaces. Regular masking tape might damage the very surface you are trying to protect.

Wrap hardware such as doorknobs, hinges, and pulls in foil to protect them before painting. Finally, keep a damp cloth around and paper towels handy when painting. Most spilled paint can be removed with these if it’s caught soon enough.

7.  Prepare ahead for Cleanup

After opening the paint can, use a nail to tap about five or six holes into the retaining grove. This allows the paint to run back into the can. Make sure you have paint thinner or turpentine handy if you are painting with any oil based paints. Latex paints will clean up with soap and water. If you need to stop for a short period instead of cleaning your brushes, seal them into a plastic bag or wrap them with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

8. Prime when You Need To

Certain situations, like new drywall, covering stains, covering a strong color and changing to a dark color will be greatly helped with a coat of primer before you paint. Use the right type of primer and have it tinted the same color as your paint. It might seem like an additional step, but primers help reduce the number of coats you have to do. Not every job requires it, but in these special cases it really makes a difference

9. Paint like a Pro

Use a brush to cover any area that is too tight to accommodate a roller. Brush a one-inch border of paint around any windows and doors, where the wall meets the ceiling and floor, and in corners. Work in small sections so that the paint will still be wet when you go to use the roller. When using a brush, dip the bristles of the paint about halfway into the paint and then tap the brush against the edge to remove any excess. Hold the handle at the base and press gently so that the bristles flex slightly. Lay the brush on the wall slightly away from the trim.  As the paint leaves the brush, it will fill in that space.  Let the tips of the bristles lightly touch the trim as you apply slight pressure.  Feather the stokes away from the trim, floor or ceiling to keep a hard, dry line from forming before you roll into that area.  Brush in both directions to avoid any streaking.

Rollers provide even coverage with little color variation and are much quicker than painting with a brush. Make sure your roller has the right nap for the surface you’re painting. Dip the roller into the paint so that it is well covered, but not saturated. Roll the roller over the ridges of the pan to ensure that it will spread the paint smoothly. Prepare to cover about four feet of surface for each "dip" you do with your roller. For the best results, paint a large M onto the wall, and then roll from side to side to spread the paint, filling in the M. Finish up with light up and down strokes for an even finish.  Consider using an extension pole.  This will help you achieve a nice even stroke from the floor to most 8 to 10-foot ceilings.

With a few pro tips in your bag of tricks, you can complete your paint job quickly and easily, and produce a finished product to be proud of.