Thursday, August 15, 2013

Painting Hints and Tips

My master bathroom needs painting. It's going to require a TON of cutting in and edging - around the bath, around the shower, counters, toilet, cupboards... It's going to be a nightmare FUN ! Do you have any painting projects in the works? If so, here is a list of painting tips that, I hope, will come in handy.

Tinted primer.  I've never bothered to use tinted primer.  But tinted primer helps if you're going to use a color, because the darker the color, the more transparent it is.  Weird (to me), but true.  If the primer is tinted you will use less paint.  Grey is the perfect “neutral” to correctly display a color. Even a white ceiling should be primed with a very light grey. This not only helps your white color show it’s correct tone, but, will also prevent you missing any spots because the grey is so easy to spot next to the white. (source) For a darker color paint, use a darker tinted grey primer.

Floetrol.  Paint conditioner or extender. Eliminate brush marks with a paint extender. A quick drying time seems like a good thing.  But when talking about paint, you want it to dry slowly. Floetrol slows down dry time of the paint which gives you more time to blend the brush and roller marks.  Just make sure to follow the manufacturer directions for mixing it in the paint.

Textured ceiling.  I do not have a textured ceiling, but this is a cool trick if you do.  Just run a flat edge screw driver along the perimeter of the ceiling to remove that small area texture.  This leaves a ridge so your brush bristles won't go into the texture.  Don't worry, you wont ever notice the missing texture.

painting tips, painting walls
source

One wall at a time.  It seemed natural to me to do all cutting in for the whole room, and then go back and roll. However, I've read on more than one occasion that this is wrong, with a capital W. (Sadly, I had to google whether it was capital or capitol - now I know!) Finish one wall before starting another.  The paint blends better for a more professional look.

Cutting In. Pour a little bit of paint in a small container, like a bowl or Tupperware container, and that way you can carry it with you as you paint your edges.

Painting Perfect Lines. If you're painting your walls different colors, and need perfect lines, go to House of Hepworths for details! In this super easy tutorial, Allison, shows you how to get perfect lines every time.

5 gallon bucket. If you have a lot to paint and need more than one gallon, use a 5 gal bucket and mix your paints.  Even though the paints are the "same" color, they can vary and it's best to mix!  PLUS, no need to use roller trays.  Roller trays are flimsy, and if you're anything like me, you may step in it.  Just sayin'.  A 5 gallon bucket is wide enough for your roller and a screen.

Fuzz free rollers. Wash your roller brushes before you use them.  Just put them under warm water with a drop or two of dish liquid. Run your hands up and down the roller until the soap runs out.  This eliminates all the fuzzies from the roller which will get stuck in your paint on your wall.

Canvas Drop Cloth. They're not just for making super creative inexpensive rugs!!! Use a canvas drop cloth when you paint.  Not plastic.  Plastic does not absorb paint, and two drops of paint on the bottom of your shoe can cover A LOT of floor! Trust me.



18" Rollers. For very large walls, use an 18" roller. This can save you a substantial amount of time.

Telescoping Pole. Use a painters telescoping pole. Saves time because you don't have to move a ladder or step-stool, and your shoulder and neck muscles will thank you. 

Further to these professional tips, here are three tips, specifically from moi:
 
Move everything out of the room you are going to paint.  Just do it.

NEVER, ever, ever paint with a kid, a dog, or a cat in the room.
 
Never paint in your favorite jeans. (Seems so logical doesn't it?)
 
So do you have a room you've put off painting because of all of the edging involved? Do you have any additional tips for me before I begin?

LINK PARTIES for each day of the week. I can't say I make it to every one of these, but I'd like to!

If you have a link party I haven't listed, please email me or comment below!


SUNDAY

 

Sunny Simple Sundays Party at Sunny Simple Life
Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime
Think Pink Sundays at Flamingo Toes
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things
Restyled Sundays at Stylish Once Again
Silver Pennies Sundays at Silver Pennies
Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop at A Blossoming Life

 
 
MONDAY

Before and After at Thrifty Decor Chick (first Monday of the month)
 
TUESDAY
 
WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY
 
FRIDAY
 
 
SATURDAY
 
 
 

14 comments:

Amy@BuffaloRoam said...

Stupid bloglovin. After I made the switch, I KNEW a few of the blogs I followed didn't import. I got them all added. And then when I'm not looking, apparently they drop them? And here I was just assuming y'all haven't been posting. Grrrr....

Wilted Acres said...

I'm in the process of peeling paint off of my walls and ceiling because it wasn't done correctly (latex over oil) in my kitchen. Thanks for the tips. Some I knew, while others will make this process (hopefully) a little easier!

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

You know what's really weird? I have a crazy obsession with cutting in paint. It's my favorite part, getting the line just right with no tape or other tricks. Sneaking that brush just under the popcorn ceiling... what a rush!

(because I do miss from time to time, I just keep a rag cloth in my pocket and wipe it away when I do. )

Unknown said...

Amy - what's happening? I will check my bloglovin'. ???

Valley girl - good luck! If you have any other hints, please share!

Susan - hahaha! My hubs likes to cut in and hates rolling. I like rolling - so it works out well for me!

Julia

Sarah Coggins said...

Interesting about the textured ceiling edge trick. I've always just carefully painted up to mine without any worry about a "perfect" edge knowing the texture would help mask that. Best of luck in painting your bathroom! Mine is on the "to do" list, but after a LOT of other projects. Good think I enjoy DIY. ;)

Angela @Angela Says said...

Great painting tips! I use some of them myself. I just learned you can defuzz a roller by running on some tape. I also love cutting in; it satisfies the perfectionist in me.

Stopping by from House of Hepworths.
Angela

Unknown said...

Running the roller over tape is a good idea! I love it!

Sarah, my bathroom has been on my list for 2 years! (embarrassing!)

Julia

Sonny G said...


Thanks for all the great tips and tricks.
I paint reborn dolls which are extremely detailed and require a magnifying light.. But dang I cannot paint a wall or cut in. I've been known to take the crown molding loose- paint and put the molding back up lol.. otherwise the ceiling in the wall color in a smacked and splattered form. I guess I could call my ceiling Distressed and be right in style:)

good luck and looking forward to seeing your freshly painted room.
Sonny

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

Hi...thanks for stopping by - are you also from central NY? We don't seem to have a lot of local bloggers!

Jenna said...

I've never used Floetrol, but I really want to try it out soon! Great tips!

Unknown said...

Sonny - that's funny! Ironic I guess!

Patti - yes I'm from Skaneateles -- do you know it?

Jenna - let me know if you try it!


Julia

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Great painting tips..especially the one about textured ceiling....I have some of those! Thanks for sharing these awesome painting tips and for taking the time to leave me such a sweet comment:) It warms my heart! Have fun with your painting project:)hugs,Poppy

Ivy and Elephants said...

That's a neat trick! Thanks so much for the great tips, I have a few rooms that I need to take a brush to soon.
Good times!
Hugs,
Patti

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Great tips Julia! I scraped all the popcorn off all our ceilings (except one bathroom). What a job. But this is one tip I hadn't heard before. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays.

Hugs,
Deborah