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Painting | Pad Patter 10.27.22

Ferdy said:
please, hire someone!! it's worth your peace of mind and your body aches and the perfect results!!
I tried once painting my room, some friends said they were going to help, only one showed up and we totally regreted the idea. It took a real long time, I hurt my leg and the results were lame...

BUT if you decide to go for it, good luck! LOL and don't forget to protect your floor, it's an important tip!
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lol I love your advice Ferdy. I think I could handle one wall but it’s very tempting to hire someone to do the whole room instead.
 
ArmyGrl said:
Don't forget to pull any nails etc from the wall and patch the holes.

Best to remove electric outlet covers rather than use tape to "protect" them.
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Good reminders Lisa! I have one spot where the paint has peeled and I can’t decide if I’ll be able to sand or blend it very well. That peeled bit is the main reason I want to paint! It’s an ugly dark gray on the edge of my yellow wall; such an eyesore!
 
Memaw2Wm said:
I've done a lot of painting and wallpapering in the past. My last paint job was the bathroom which I never finished ...oops!

I've never had much luck with using tape, so I have a "paint shield" similar to this https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-12-in-Paint-Shield-PS2-HUS/310955108. I also removed light switch and outlet covers before painting, along with picture hooks, etc. from the walls.

Like most things painting is a matter of practice and patience.
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I’ve never seen those paint shields before so thanks for the info!
 
dawnmarch said:
I've done a bunch of painting too. I've had pretty good luck with using the brown paper tape stuff -- it's like a small roll of craft paper but sticks along one edge. I put that along the baseboards to catch drips. You have to mentally prepare yourself that the prep is the hardest part -- move furniture, clean the walls, patch holes, tape or otherwise protect what you don't want to get paint on, put down tarps. The painting itself is relatively easy. My only tool "hack" is to use one of these edgers for edging along ceilings and windows, etc. I agree with the tip to put your roller and brushes into zip locks if you need a break, even overnight. I also use one of the pouring lips that attaches to paint gallons that helps you pour without making a huge mess.
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Ooh I definitely want that pouring lip! Thanks! Any tips on cleaning the walls before painting? Do you use any soap or cleaner or just water?
 
umyesh said:
Ooh I definitely want that pouring lip! Thanks! Any tips on cleaning the walls before painting? Do you use any soap or cleaner or just water?
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I just used a big clean broom to clear off dust. (We have textured walls that would have made using rags and such difficult.) There wasn't really anything that needed "washing". If it's an area like a kitchen that might have grease residue, then I would consider something more aggressive. My mom did clean an entire room with magic erasers instead of repainting. It was after I'd moved out, so I didn't see it, but she said it looked like new. :)
 
Oh, I just reminded myself of a funny story. I worked in a retirement center kitchen in high school. One of our tasks was to clean the break room. One of my coworkers got in trouble for mopping too aggressively. They said she was taking the paint off the bottom of the walls. Nope. Turns out she had just washed the smoke off (these were the days when people could smoke inside). :lol
 
Use a good quality paint - I like Behr paint since it has a primer in it. Unless you are covering a dark color or something else unusual (like when I did a faux marble sponge thing back in the early 20's), you only need 1 coat of paint - no primer.

I don't think anyone mentioned this one - get a small hand-held bucket (mine uses disposable liners) for doing the brush work. Much easier than using the roller pan or directly out of the big can. Get the one with a handle you slide your hand into for ease in holding it. Maybe something like this.

I have also used a roller on a stick that had a section to load paint into, like this. My entry hall has 17ft high ceilings (it is 2 stories) so I needed to reach really high while on a ladder. It worked well and held quite a bit of paint (much more than a regular roller would). That said - if we ever repaint that area, I will pay someone to do it.
 
KimJ said:
I just used a big clean broom to clear off dust. (We have textured walls that would have made using rags and such difficult.) There wasn't really anything that needed "washing". If it's an area like a kitchen that might have grease residue, then I would consider something more aggressive. My mom did clean an entire room with magic erasers instead of repainting. It was after I'd moved out, so I didn't see it, but she said it looked like new. :)
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Thanks for the cleaning tips Kim. I’m tempted to try your mom’s magic eraser method!

I love your “mopping too aggressively” story haha I need that kind of mopping in my house for my baseboards!
 
BevG said:
Use a good quality paint - I like Behr paint since it has a primer in it. Unless you are covering a dark color or something else unusual (like when I did a faux marble sponge thing back in the early 20's), you only need 1 coat of paint - no primer.

I don't think anyone mentioned this one - get a small hand-held bucket (mine uses disposable liners) for doing the brush work. Much easier than using the roller pan or directly out of the big can. Get the one with a handle you slide your hand into for ease in holding it. Maybe something like this.

I have also used a roller on a stick that had a section to load paint into, like this. My entry hall has 17ft high ceilings (it is 2 stories) so I needed to reach really high while on a ladder. It worked well and held quite a bit of paint (much more than a regular roller would). That said - if we ever repaint that area, I will pay someone to do it.
Click to expand...
I wondered how many coats might be needed so thanks for that info. I’m glad to know Behr is a good brand.

Thankfully we have one of those handheld buckets. The disposable liners are my favorite!
 
Yes. I've always painted until we had renovations done, and it was included in the price. Now I'll go back to painting again! I've always loved doing it, it was something my dad and I would do together at home whenever it needed to be done, and I learned a lot from him.

I'll admit I haven't read what other's have said, but take it or leave it, here's mine:
  1. No matter how hard I try, I always make a mess. Always.
  2. Wet down the brush bristles before you start painting. It will keep the paint from sticking to the bristles further up on the brush, and will make cleaning the brush much easier.
  3. Periodically clean your paintbrush just to keep the bristles from getting clogged with paint.
  4. Splurge on one of those $1 metal paint can openers. They're a godsend.
  5. Put masking tape around the edges of the paint can so paint won't get in there when you're pouring it out.
  6. If you start running out of patience, take a break. You'll thank yourself later.
  7. It will take at least a day longer to complete than you think.
  8. If you get acrylic paint on any good clothing, immediately rub dish soap into it. It will keep the paint from adhering to the fibers and can wash out later. If it does set in, don't wash/dry it. Soak it in rubbing alcohol, then gently scrape with a knife. The longer the paint dries, the harder it will be to remove, so try to get to it ASAP.
  9. Wear a painting hat (or old baseball cap) if you're painting a ceiling to keep those paint splatters out of your hair. And use a paint roller extension handle if you're painting a ceiling!
  10. Keep a lot of rags around to clean up drips, or whatever. Make sure one is damp. Makes some clean-up easier.
  11. Line your painting tray with aluminum foil. Much cheaper than the disposable ones and easy peasy to clean up.
  12. Place your painting tray/container in a shallow box or lid. It makes it easier to slide around and will catch errant spills and drips.
  13. If you can handle it sensory-wise, you know those thin disposable gloves that everyone was wearing during the shutdown? A better use for them is to keep paint off your hands, especially if you have a nice manicure you want to protect. No scraping dried paint out of cuticles - or from under your fingernails - when you're done.
  14. Keep some paint in a small jar for easy touch-ups. Seal it, then store it upside down to keep air from seeping in and drying it out.
  15. If you need to stop painting for a bit, re-use shopping bags to put around your paintbrush/roller to keep them from drying out in the meantime, even overnight if needed. Better than having to continually clean everything just to get it messy again.
  16. Be liberal with your use of painter's tape. Tape everything, and make sure to secure the edges so paint won't bleed underneath.
  17. Aluminum foil is also a good way to cover door handles.
  18. Recycled plastic containers with lids, like yogurt or cream cheese, are great for using when painting with a brush. It's got a lid and is easy to carry around.
  19. And last of all - if you don't like the color? Paint over it! And have fun!!!
 
We painted two entire houses when we first built, then repainted ten years later. It was so much easier to do when the house was new - no floors or baseboards to worry about. I've read most of the tips above and don't have much to add but buying really good quality paint would be #1. I always use Benjamin Moore and have been able to get away with only one coat sometimes, depending on the colour being covered.
I don't use tape, it always seems to leak underneath, so I do keep a damp cloth nearby to wipe up any drips.
I always use a small container with a lid for the cutting in/edging and do all the edging first.
If you have a fairly narrow wall. say a pillar, a smaller roller is pretty helpful, it prevents a larger roller from splattering around the edges.
Dropcloths for the floor are a necessity.
I line my paint tray with a plastic bag. It makes cleanup much easier.
If you are covering a reddish colour, be sure to reprime over top. Red is the most difficult colour to cover.
Never use latex paint over acrylic paint, as it will bubble up later.
Semi-gloss finish is best for trim and doors. It stands up much better to the wear and tear.
 
QuiltyMom said:
Yes. I've always painted until we had renovations done, and it was included in the price. Now I'll go back to painting again! I've always loved doing it, it was something my dad and I would do together at home whenever it needed to be done, and I learned a lot from him.

I'll admit I haven't read what other's have said, but take it or leave it, here's mine:
  1. No matter how hard I try, I always make a mess. Always.
  2. Wet down the brush bristles before you start painting. It will keep the paint from sticking to the bristles further up on the brush, and will make cleaning the brush much easier.
  3. Periodically clean your paintbrush just to keep the bristles from getting clogged with paint.
  4. Splurge on one of those $1 metal paint can openers. They're a godsend.
  5. Put masking tape around the edges of the paint can so paint won't get in there when you're pouring it out.
  6. If you start running out of patience, take a break. You'll thank yourself later.
  7. It will take at least a day longer to complete than you think.
  8. If you get acrylic paint on any good clothing, immediately rub dish soap into it. It will keep the paint from adhering to the fibers and can wash out later. If it does set in, don't wash/dry it. Soak it in rubbing alcohol, then gently scrape with a knife. The longer the paint dries, the harder it will be to remove, so try to get to it ASAP.
  9. Wear a painting hat (or old baseball cap) if you're painting a ceiling to keep those paint splatters out of your hair. And use a paint roller extension handle if you're painting a ceiling!
  10. Keep a lot of rags around to clean up drips, or whatever. Make sure one is damp. Makes some clean-up easier.
  11. Line your painting tray with aluminum foil. Much cheaper than the disposable ones and easy peasy to clean up.
  12. Place your painting tray/container in a shallow box or lid. It makes it easier to slide around and will catch errant spills and drips.
  13. If you can handle it sensory-wise, you know those thin disposable gloves that everyone was wearing during the shutdown? A better use for them is to keep paint off your hands, especially if you have a nice manicure you want to protect. No scraping dried paint out of cuticles - or from under your fingernails - when you're done.
  14. Keep some paint in a small jar for easy touch-ups. Seal it, then store it upside down to keep air from seeping in and drying it out.
  15. If you need to stop painting for a bit, re-use shopping bags to put around your paintbrush/roller to keep them from drying out in the meantime, even overnight if needed. Better than having to continually clean everything just to get it messy again.
  16. Be liberal with your use of painter's tape. Tape everything, and make sure to secure the edges so paint won't bleed underneath.
  17. Aluminum foil is also a good way to cover door handles.
  18. Recycled plastic containers with lids, like yogurt or cream cheese, are great for using when painting with a brush. It's got a lid and is easy to carry around.
  19. And last of all - if you don't like the color? Paint over it! And have fun!!!
Click to expand...
So many tips! Thank you! I love that you painted with your dad.
 
janedee said:
We painted two entire houses when we first built, then repainted ten years later. It was so much easier to do when the house was new - no floors or baseboards to worry about. I've read most of the tips above and don't have much to add but buying really good quality paint would be #1. I always use Benjamin Moore and have been able to get away with only one coat sometimes, depending on the colour being covered.
I don't use tape, it always seems to leak underneath, so I do keep a damp cloth nearby to wipe up any drips.
I always use a small container with a lid for the cutting in/edging and do all the edging first.
If you have a fairly narrow wall. say a pillar, a smaller roller is pretty helpful, it prevents a larger roller from splattering around the edges.
Dropcloths for the floor are a necessity.
I line my paint tray with a plastic bag. It makes cleanup much easier.
If you are covering a reddish colour, be sure to reprime over top. Red is the most difficult colour to cover.
Never use latex paint over acrylic paint, as it will bubble up later.
Semi-gloss finish is best for trim and doors. It stands up much better to the wear and tear.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your expertise! I’ll have to check out Benjamin Moore.
 
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