8 Tricks to a Pro-Quality Paint Job

What to know before you pop the lid...

Quite simply there is no quicker, less expensive way to revamp a space.

1. Pick Your Paint Type:

Water-soluble latex is DIY-friendly because it cleans up with soap and water and dries quickly. Oil paint dries slowly and requires mineral spirits for cleanup, but it hardens into a very durable finish.

2. Choose Your Sheen:

Flat and low-luster paints give a rougher surface that hides flaws; glossier finishes highlight imperfections but for a smoother, more water-resistant surface that can stand up to the high traffic and moisture-think kitchen and bath.

3. Start with Good Tools:

Look for brushes with bristles that are tapered, split and arranged in multiple lengths to for a slim tip. A mix of nylon and polyester will hold and release latex paint particularly well, while natural bristles work best with oil based paints. With rollers, match the nap to the surface texture: 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch nap for most drywall.

4. Invest in Quality:

Cheaper paints and primers swap more pigment for costlier resin, so they cover walls well when wet but show bare spots as they dry. Quality primers, such as those from Zinsser, will adhere to glossy painted or stained surfaces without sanding, ultimately saving you time and money.

5. Prep:

To make the job easier, take the time to clear out the room and cover floors and fixtures with drop cloths. Spackle any damaged drywall, scuff and sand the surfaces to be painted, and vacuum up all the dust. Wipe down ceilings, walls, and trim with a damp sponge. Finally, prime the entire surface.

6. Cut In:

Use a 2 1/2-inch angled brush to pint the border of the area you're working on. Framing in your field this way buffers the roller from mussing adjacent surfaces.

7. Learn to Lay Off:

After you've rolled a section, make a series of long vertical strokes up the full length of the wall, moving in one direction (left or right). This last step, called laying off, will distribute wet paint in a nice, even layer.

8. Score Carefully:

If you've masked off baseboards with painter's tape, pull it off the same day you paint-but first run a putty knife blade held at a 45 degree angle along the edge so that you don't accidentally pull away any paint.

This Old House: Your New Home, "8 Tricks to a Pro-Quality Paint Job". Pg. (14) Spring 2011

Be the Best on Your Block

The 7 essentials to boost curb appeal (and bragging rights)

*Taken from “This Old House: Your New Home, Spring 11’ Pg. 7

1 Highlight with Paint:

Set off architectural details and textures by painting them in separate colors. Moving away from a monotone palette brings definition, and choosing historically appropriate colors enhances character.

2 Spruce up the Siding:

See that clapboards, shingles, or masonry sheathing are in top condition. They add color, texture, and polish to your home’s exterior.

3 Perk up Windows:

Trim windows in a contrasting color to the siding, or add window boxes or shutters to highlight them. Breaking up the façade in this way creates interest.

4 Liven up the Landscaping:

Plant layers of greenery and bright blooms-along the walk, in hanging pots, and in window boxes. Nothing offers such a cheery “hello” from the sidewalk.

5 Roll out the Red Carpet:

Create a welcoming walk to your front door with brick or stone pavers flanked by plantings, and the stroll to your entrance becomes an event.

6 Play up the Porch:

Replace metal poles with period appropriate columns or posts, repaint railings, and lay wood over a concrete slab to warm up a porch or portico. Don’t have one? Start collecting ideas and add on when the budget allows.

7 Tend to the Roof:

Keep tabs on the state of your wood shakes, asphalt shingles, or tiles to make sure they’re in good repair. Not only does the roof protect all the other architectural details, it’s very visible.