4 tips to make your next painting project a success

Tuesday Jun 06th, 2017

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Everyone wants their home to stand out and look beautiful, and an easy way to achieve this is with a fresh coat of paint. From preparation to flawless finish, there's a lot to consider if you want the job done correctly. These easy-to-follow tips will help you obtain the best results on your next DIY adventure.

1. Picking brushes. Choose your brush based on the project and type of paint you'll be using. A wall brush is great for painting large flat surfaces, and they generally come in various sizes. When painting grooves or close to another surface, such as between window trim and walls, opt for an angled sash brush as the bristles are cut at a slant for clean lines. For more control in tight spaces, consider a short-handled trim brush.

2. Selecting the appropriate tape. Read labels to ensure the tape is made for your specific painting surface, as they're often designed for multiple applications and materials. Consider selecting a tape that can be left on dry surfaces during prep for a weekend or longer. Get professional-looking results without breaking the bank by using a trusted painter's tape like Painter's Mate Green, which helps prevent paint bleed, is easy to remove and can be left on surfaces for up to eight days before painting. For best results, carefully remove painter's tape at an angle while the paint is still wet.

3. Choosing a paint type. Different finishes are developed for high- and low-traffic areas, and generally range from completely flat or matte, to shiny or “high-gloss.” A flat paint is ideal for low-traffic areas like a bedroom, whereas a satin glaze is fitting for most rooms as it provides a soft, velvety appearance. Semi-gloss offers some shine and maximum durability for high-traffic, high-moisture areas such as bathrooms or kitchens. A high-gloss finish is very reflective, which is great for accents like trim and moulding.

4. Purchasing the right amount of paint. Having a little paint leftover for touch-ups down the road can be great, but you don't want litres left over. Meanwhile, if you purchase too little paint, it may be difficult to get a perfect colour match if you need more. Start by determining the surface area of the walls you plan to paint, and remember to subtract spaces for doors and windows. Many retailers offer paint calculators, so check online before visiting the store. Factor in how many coats will be needed and the type of surface you're painting. For example, textured surfaces and painting a light colour over a darker shade will often require more paint.

Find more tips online at www.paintersmategreen.com.

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Tags: paint

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