We’ve all been there: enchanted by a seemingly easy painting project on Pinterest. Before jumping into painting that statement wall or refreshing those bathroom cabinets on your own, be prepared to avoid a splotchy paint job or messy cleanup. Jason Santee, owner of VertexPro Painting in Mentor, shares three tips everyone should know before picking up that brush.
Less Mess
To start out, utilize drop cloths to cover everything from furniture to electronics. This will prevent the paint from seeping through and getting onto carpets or hardwood floors. Plastic coverings can do the trick as well. Keep rags and towels on hand and use blue painter’s tape to ensure clean lines. “If you’re prepared and you have the tools, you’re going to enjoy the project more and are going to have a better outcome,” Santee says.
Prep Time
Before you start painting, you need a smooth surface. Santee recommends taking drywall compound and a mud knife to fill in any holes, marks or imperfections in the walls. For a flat ceiling, try sanding the area lightly. This process will scuff up the surface slightly and knock out any imperfections. “Prep is the most important part of a good-looking paint job,” Santee says. “There are a lot of things in walls that you don’t notice until you start to paint them and really look at them.”
Finish First
When choosing a color, take some time to study the level of glossiness you want. A flat finish hides the most imperfections because there is no sheen in it, but the downside is it’s less durable — a small scratch or bump will show up. A gloss finish is the most durable, but may have trouble hiding flaws. “The shinier the sheen you go with, the more you will be able to see imperfections,” Santee says.
