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House Painting Danville: Use the Right Techniques


House Painting Danville: Use the Right Techniquestitle

House painting in Danville can be so much work. Consider the following techniques to make your job easier, smoother, and looking like a pro!

1. Do prep work

Even if you have the best quality paints and tools, you will still end up with a poor paint finish if the surface is not prepped properly. Paint won’t stick very well to a dirty surface, so prepping is the essential step to the best results.

Clear the space as much as possible. Remove furniture, or cover it with canvas drop cloths if it cannot be moved. Remove wall hangings, curtains, and drapes, as well as outlet, doorknobs and switch-plate covers.

Clean not just the walls, but the ceilings as well (cobwebs are likely to be found). Cleaning with soap and water is okay, but sometimes TSP is needed for cleaning walls with more stubborn dirt. Use a clean rag or a brush to remove loose dust and dirt. Rinse, and let it dry.

Check the surface for any flaws such as cracks or holes, and repair them by applying patching compound. Once the compound is completely dry, sand off the excess, or you may want to speed up the process by removing the excess compound while it’s still drying.

You may also have to check for possible peeling paint. Scrape it off using a putty knife, and sand the affected area to make it smooth.

2. Tape the surface

Cover any surfaces that you don’t want to paint with painter’s tape. Use a plastic putty knife or even your old ATM/credit/gift card to make a good, secure bond between the tape and the surface. Never press the tape with metal putty knife, as it can leave marks on it. Ensure the edges are attached to what you don’t want to be painted to keep paint from seeping under the edges onto the surface.

3. Prime the walls

Pros usually use primers because it helps the topcoat adhere better on the surface. Although a primer is not necessary, it will otherwise make your paint finish smoother and more professional-looking. A primer will also help cover tiny spots which are noticeable when covered with paint only.

Another tip: instead of using a white primer, use a tinted primer. Pros usually use a gray-tinted primer because it can go well with any other topcoat color. You may want to use a tinted primer whose color is close to the finish paint. If you can’t find a primer that is tinted the color you plan to paint, purchase a white primer and then add some of your topcoat to the primer, mixing well.

4. Avoid lap marks by rolling the full height of the wall

Rolling over paint that’s already partly dry will cause unsightly lap marks. To avoid this, roll the entire height of a wall and maintain a wet edge. In this way, every stroke your roller makes will overlap the previous stroke before the latter starts to dry.

5. Have a bucket and a roller screen

There’s nothing more exasperating than accidentally stepping in or knocking over a filled paint tray! To avoid such messes, use a five-gallon bucket and a roller screen instead. The bucket holds a good amount of paint, and you won’t easily step on it. The roller screen latches onto the edge of the bucket.

Fill the bucket up half way with paint. Dip the roller halfway into the paint and roll it against the screen to drain off excess paint, then begin rolling! This will result into a smooth paint job.

6. Use canvas drop cloths instead of plastic or paper

The canvas drop cloth is definitely thicker and heavier than plastic or paper, so it stays in place. Plus, they’re flexible, reusable, and won’t make you slip if you get paint on it because the paint soaks into the cloth instead of remaining in a puddle on top of it.

7. “Box” paint for a consistent color

Paint color may differ slightly from one can to another can. If you pop a new paint can open in the middle of a wall, the difference can be glaringly noticeable. To avoid this problem, mix the paints together in a large bucket. This process, called “boxing,” ensures that the colors are consistent throughout, from start to finish. This is especially important if you have a large space to paint.

Even if you are a DIY painter, you can make your house painting in Danville look like a professional finish if you use the right techniques!

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