Tips for Professional Looking Paint Job

(ARA) - Painting is the easiest way to make a dramatic and instant impact on a room. Adding color not only allows homeowners to personalize a space with their own decorating style, but also provides functional benefits, such as making a room look larger or more cohesive.

Such a dramatic impact doesn't have to have a dramatic cost! In fact, even for the most novice DIYer who may be apprehensive about home improvement, painting is a great starter project. It is easy to learn, and if you mess up, you can just paint over it! And once complete, you'll have the satisfaction and pride that your painting project looked like a professional did it, without professional costs!

The key to achieving a great-looking paint job is to follow a few simple rules:

Don't Fall through the Cracks

Like most remodeling projects, the key to success is preparation. Be sure to seal any cracks and gaps around windows and baseboards with a water-based, paintable caulk, such as Polyseamseal All Purpose Adhesive Caulk (www.polyseamseal.com). Water-based caulks are low odor, easy to use, and easy to clean up with soap and water. Plus, the fast-drying formula will help to minimize your preparation time!

Additionally, be sure to repair any nail holes in walls or any areas where there is cracked paint with a paintable, fast-drying, shrink-free patching compound. Once the patch is dry, sand smooth for an ideal paint surface.

Mask Your Imperfections

Even professionals know that painting a straight line is nearly impossible. That's why spending the extra time to line baseboards, trim and ceilings with masking tape will "mask" all the imperfections that may occur while painting along edges. Be sure to use a low tack adhesive masking tape, such as Duck brand Perfect Release Plus Painter's Tape (www.duckproducts.com), to ensure that delicate surfaces such as wallpaper, treated woodwork, and drywall will not be damaged when removing the tape.

In addition to protecting surfaces close to where you are painting, be sure to protect floors and woodwork from the inevitable drips and spills with drop cloths. Cloth drops are more expensive than plastic sheeting, but they work best, especially over carpets. However, if cloth isn't in the budget, try statically treated, pre-taped drop cloths that feature a pre-taped top edge of professional grade masking tape.

Choose Wisely

When choosing a paint color, find one that is going to inspire you, make you happy and create a desired mood. Dark, dramatic colors are great for those who are not up for frequent changes. However, neutrals, available in light, medium and dark tones, are the most accepting of other accent colors, which is ideal for those who want to continually add the latest color trends or seasonal decorations.

Once you've chosen the hue that's you, determine the paint finish that best suits your room: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and glossy. Flat paints offer a matte finish that are excellent for covering imperfections in walls since it will not reflect light, however they are typically not washable. Satin and eggshell finishes are very popular for wall paint since they have a very slight shine and hold up well to cleaning. Semi-gloss and glossy tend to be used for trim applications since they create a shiny, enamel appearance to surfaces.

Roll with the Punches

While you are purchasing your paint, be sure to choose the appropriate paint brush and roller. A quality brush makes it easier to apply paint evenly and accurately. Use a one- to two-inch, high-quality, nylon/polyester, angled brush because they can be used with all coatings, hold paint better and provide better brush control.

Rollers should be selected based on the type of paint being applied and texture of the surface. The rule of thumb is that the rougher the surface, the longer the nap (or depth) of the roller covering. For a semi-gloss or gloss paint to be used on very smooth surfaces, choose a roller between 1/8-in. and 1/4-in. nap. For flat paints, on medium surfaces, such as lightly textured drywall, choose a roller between 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch nap.

With these few tips, your next painting project will be a sure success!

Courtesy of ARA Content