Painting and Stencling Tips

Painting may be a time consuming project that is in a high demand for patience, but that doesn't mean that it's a hard thing to do. With a few quality tips and tricks, you can make any painting project both easy and highly successful. Whether you're new to the world of painting, or have been doing it for years, you'll find the following list of painting tips and tricks helpful.

Spread just a hint of color by dry brushing with old paintbrushes.

When using metallic paint, brush one coat in one direction to cover. (The particles all lay in one direction.)

For patio projects such as painting on concrete, use old brushes, then throw them away.

Apply the lightest color first when stenciling and blend to create multiple color tones.

Use as little paint as possible when stenciling. Less is more.

Cover or rearrange sections of a stencil pattern with masking tape to create different patterns from one stencil.

Mix equal amounts of acrylic color and wood sealer for one-step painting on wood.

Wrap cellophane tape around the tip of a paint tube to form a funnel that creates thinner, more exact lines.

Use pre-moistened baby towelettes to clean acrylic paint off most surfaces before the paint dries.

Make a paint wash by using two parts paint and eight parts water; to make a pickling, mix one part color to three parts sealer/finish.

Remove little "fuzzies" and bumps after your basecoat has dried by "sanding" your surface with a brown paper bag.

Rub a fabric softener sheet all over your hands before using paint or glue to make cleanup easier. These sheets are also handy for cleaning glue guns after use.

Think of household items to use when faux finishing...a feather duster makes a beautiful pattern, and crumpled up cellophane can create a marble effect.

Use a turkey baster to move paint from a large container to a small container.

Place your paint pallet on a damp washrag to slow the drying process.

Tint paint to make that special color by mixing colors together in a zip lock bag. There is less mess and you can keep track of how much paint you use.

Use a damp sea sponge to apply multiple base coats of paint. The paint dries faster and the coverage is more even.

Use the laser side of junk mail CD's as a paint pallet. It has a finger hole to hold it and colors mix well, and wipe or rinse off easily.

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