By Thea Mann
Painting is definitely one of the least expensive ways to give the interior or exterior of your home a face-lift. However, painting your own house can be a tremendous chore that frequently ends in frustration. Here are some tips to help you do the best paint job possible.Use the Right Type of Paint
The place to start, of course, is in choosing what tools and what paint to use. Cheaper paint will give you cheaper results. Period. The higher-quality paints are more durable and offer better coverage. This doesn't mean the "big name" paint companies are necessarily better; what you want to look for are middle and high grade paints because these contain more pigments and resins as well as less water. Higher grade paints are easier to touch up and take cleaning well.
You will also want to consider the kind of job you are doing. Interiors and exteriors have different needs, although there are acceptable water-based paints for both. Water-based (latex) offers an easier clean-up, less odor and is more environmentally friendly; however, oil-based paints are often considered superior in durability and performance. With modern advances in paint technology, however, this is not necessarily true.
Interior Paints
When painting an interior room, choose your paint type by the amount and kind of use the room receives.
- Enamel paints are sturdier and less likely to be damaged by frequent cleaning. High traffic areas should definitely be painted with an enamel color as they will likely be more apt to get dinged or need to be washed. Enamels come in a variety of finishes: high gloss, semi-gloss, satin or eggshell.
- A flat finish can be quite durable in an acrylic, but should be reserved for locations that may not need as much cleaning
Exterior Paints
Exterior paint tends to come in water-based due to environmental regulations. However, while in the past these types of paints did not offer the same quality and durability, most paint companies offer formulators in a range of acrylic, water-based resins that have similar performance as oil-based paints. The added benefit is that water-based paints are always easier to clean up after and have very low odor.
Consult with a paint specialist about the different features of the exterior paints, but be wary of the phrase "never paint again." Especially with exterior paint, you will have to paint again, but the quality and type of paint can impact how soon it will be before you have to repaint.
Tips for Painting
Before beginning, make sure you have thoroughly mixed your paint; otherwise you may get streaked and uneven color. In order to prevent your paint from drying, pour only the amount you intend to you in an hour or so into a roller tray or smaller container and cover your larger supply of paint. Cover all surfaces with a drop cloth or newspaper (be sure to secure the seams together to prevent leaks) and tape your woodwork.
Choosing the Right Brushes and Rollers
Make sure you have brushes and rollers that match the kind of paint you plan to use and the kind of painting job you are facing. Natural bristle brushes should never be used with latex paint, but a synthetic brush or roller will be fine for latex or oil-based paint.
When choosing your tools, make sure the brush is half again as long as it is wide, and that the bristles are slightly longer toward the middle for smoother coverage. The bristles themselves should be split on the ends and be very flexible - otherwise you will get a spotty, uneven coverage, which will result in using more paint and dirtier walls.
Smaller brushes are for cutting in work and finer work, and will waste paint, time and leave ridges on larger jobs. A brush that is too big will make cutting in your corners and painting along woodwork much more difficult. With rollers, a shorter nap is suitable for rougher texture, while a longer nap is best for smooth walls. Make sure your roller rebounds when squeezed and there are no visible seams.
If you have pipes or other unusual outcroppings, you can find specialized rollers to help with these. Pipe rollers come with ridges to help ensure a smooth, even coverage, and woodwork sponges are excellent for keeping the woodwork paint where it belongs. Look for varieties with good sponginess and no loose fibers that are in the correct size.
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