Red is perhaps the hardest color for a DIYer to use and get satisfactory results. The reason is that there is so much pigment involved. It is hard to get that much pigment evenly distributed. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success.

Start with quality paints from a paint store. I won't name brands here. It is a topic that generates much heated discussion. The better paints do help get an even distribution of the pigments.

Use quality tools. A $2 brush will give you a $2 job. Better quality brushes and roller sleeves hold more paint and allows better flow of the paint to whatever you are painting.

Use a good primer, regardless of the condition of the existing coating. Have the primer tinted a medium gray. Over the years, several posters have commented on success with the primer tinted a lighter shade of the final color. Recently, black has been touted as a good undercoat.

Do not skimp on the paint. Do not over-brush nor over-roll the paint. When cutting in, brush the paint on in one stroke. Back brush at most one time, and then only if really needed. Do not keep brushing what you have just painted.
A roller sleeve of paint is only good for one vertical strip, floor to ceiling. Paint the strip right next to what was just painted, then one light pass to blend the new strip with the previous strip. No more. Avoid the W pattern.

Keep a wet edge. For most DIYers, this means having help. One will cut in and the other rolls right behind them. If working by yourself, work in small sections of the wall, alternating between cutting in and rolling.

 

Thank you so much for your advice! I followed your suggestions to a T, and got great results. Bought good paint, good brushes/rollers, primed with dark grey (as much black pigment as the mfgr said could be put into the primer) filled the roller and did litterally one (1) stroke from ceiling to floor (sometimes had to go back up to make sure there were no small spots with no red.

I almost could have gotten away with a single coat, but did a second to ensure an even coat and no grey poking through.

A million thanks.

jim

 

I have to agree about the red paint. We have just finished our livingroom with knowing how red paint was and it turned out very nice. We used a high quality paint and primer. After 3 coats and 2 different rollers. I started out with a smooth surface 1/4" lambskin roller and it did not cover well. I then switched to a semi-smooth 3/8" roller and that covered much better with less effort and pain(t).

The challenge I have now is the masking tape. Not having the steadiest of hands, I chose to use the "blue" tape. the problem is now that I am removing it the paint is coming off. Does any one have advise about this? The walls have been dry for 2 days. I am at a loss here after all this work.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

JW1

 

I only say that cause removing the tape is something that should be done before the paint dries. Paint has dried to the wall and the tape and if you think of paint as a uniform layer, what is happening now is that you are ripping the paint. To get the tape off cleanly now you need a single edge razor blade or xacto knife to slice the paint alone the edge of the tape for the entire length. Then there will be a strait edge when you remove the tape.

 

I have painted a lot of rooms red and yes, it is a difficult thing to get a good quality paint where they actually have taken the time to ground their pigments correctly. Don't want to cause a ruckus, but my worse experience was with RL. Depending on your budget and how much room you have to cover, I generally turn to art stores because the grade of paint artists use tends to be much higher than the paints we use to paint our walls. I have recently discovered a swiss brand called Lascaux that is made for interior and exterior painting (I guess it is a popular brand for muralists) and I have been using it in a lot of my professional work. They have a line called Studio that is perfect for painting rooms plain colors. All synthetic pigments, finely ground and manufactured to create one of the most consistent covering paints I have ever used. The problem is finding it, generally you have to try an art store or catalog such as Jerry's or Artist and Craftsman.