The following tips and ideas will help to make your painting projects easier. These instructions and suggestions can save you time and effort while helping you end up with a better-looking paint job.
Thoroughly Mix the Paint: Pour off, into another container, any thin portion of the paint that is floating on top (A). Use a paddle to stir the paste settled in the bottom of the can (B). 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 (C). Finally, pour the paint back and forth from one container to another (D). This will thoroughly mix the paint and bring it to the proper thickness for application.
Line the Roller Tray: Save a lot of clean-up time by lining your roller tray with a plastic tray liner. If you do not have a plastic liner, use aluminum foil (Fig. 8). Press a large piece of aluminum foil tightly against the sides of the tray. When you're finished painting, you can simply remove the aluminum foil and throw it away. This leaves little or no clean up.
Use Masking Tape: Use masking tape where two paint colors come together for a much neater job. Apply the masking tape at the point where the two colors join. Then remove it when the paint is dry for a much smoother joint between the two colors than you'll get by free-hand painting (Fig. 9).
Use the Flat Side of the Brush: When you're painting corners, always use the flat side of the brush (Fig. 10). Painting with the side of the brush causes "fingering." Your paint job will be neater and your brush will last a lot longer when you use the flat side of the brush, as illustrated.
Painting the Right Way: Fig. 11 shows how to use a paint brush for best results when painting exterior surfaces. First, dip the paint brush into the can to load the bristles about half-way with paint. Never dip more than half of the brush into the paint. After loading half the bristles with paint, touch the brush lightly to the surface at several points to apply spots of paint (A). After applying the spots of paint, use long leveling brush strokes to smooth out the spots (B). Finish each area with back and forth motions and zig-zag strokes (C). A little practice with a brush will enable you to complete a professional-looking painting job with minimal effort.
Cleaning Your Paint: If you've had the paint for a long period of time, it may contain impurities such as dirt or lumps. There is no need to throw this paint away. Instead, cut a disk of window screen to fit just inside the paint can (Fig. 12). The screen will sink down into the paint and carry the lumps to the bottom of the can as the level of the paint is lowered.
Avoid Unsightly Rings: You can avoid paint rings and drips on the floor by sticking a paper plate to the bottom of the paint can before you start the job. Just apply a little paint to the bottom of the can and press the paper plate against it. The paper plate will stick to the bottom of the can and prevent the paint from dripping onto the floor.
Avoid the Ridges: Avoid paint ridges and lap marks on a flat surface by always stroking into the wet paint area, never away from it (Fig 13). Blend each stroke of the brush toward the wet paint area, bringing the layer you're applying into the wet paint previously applied.
Keep the Bugs at Bay: 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. Do not use too much - a small amount will do the trick without damaging the color or quality of the paint.
Painting a Wire Fence: Paint wire fences with special, long nap rollers (Fig. 14). As this type of roller is pushed across the face of the wire fence, paint is applied to the front and sides of the wire. Repeat on the opposite side and the job is done. The fence can be painted in almost a single stroke if the correct roller is used.
When Painting With a Roller: 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. For painting trim work, use a special trim roller or a brush.
Custom Rollers: You can purchase special rollers for painting beveled or weather-boarded areas (Fig. 16). Use a special "doughnut-shaped" roller to paint the underedges of weather board. Use a wider type roller for painting the main surface area. By using rollers of these special types, you can paint the entire exterior of the house without touching a brush.
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