10 Painting Tips & Techniques

Have you ever wondered whether it was possible for you to get the perfect results with a paint job without calling in the experts? It is, indeed, possible. In fact, with a few guidelines, you can do Mesa painting in your home without any problem.

Here are some tips to help you:

Avoid Lap Marks

Lap marks occur when you apply paint unevenly, especially when you apply a layer on a section that has not dried properly. To avoid lap marks, make sure your paint strokes are overlapping one another before the previous one starts to dry. Always make sure that the roller is at least half-loaded with paint.

Mix Paint in a Large Bucket

To get consistent results, mix all the paint you need in a large container. Running out of paint and mixing a fresh can in the middle of the job will almost certainly end up with a noticeable difference. Get your estimates right and then mix paint for the entire job.

Paint the Trim First

Professional painters have a unique order when painting. They start with the trim, the ceiling and then finish up with the walls. The concept here is that it will be easier for you to remove the tape from the trim than the walls. Besides, this will allow you to paint over the drips from the trim.

Avoid a Blotchy Finish

A blotchy finish will make your work look sloppy. The sheen might not be consistent either. This usually happens because of the cracks and holes you might have patched with a drywall compound or filler. Before you paint, always make sure you prime these patches until you get a fine texture.

Let the Paint Dry for a Perfect Edge

To achieve a perfect edge, you should first allow the paint to dry out. Once that is done, you can then cut the tape loose. If you pull it off abruptly, you will end up pulling paint off the walls, which might leave an unsightly impact. Also, make sure you cut the tape at 45 degrees for the best results.

Roll Paint along the Edges for Consistent Texture

To get a consistent texture, roll the paint near the trim, especially on the parts close to the trim and the corners because they get brushed over when doing Mesa painters. For consistency, use a roller over them after brushing the paint just before the paint dries out.

Clean Dirty Surfaces

Never paint over a dirty surface. Clean the walls first to remove the debris, so that the paint will bond strongly to the wall. You do not want to have paint peeling off your walls a few weeks or days after you finish the job.

Use Cotton Drop Cloths

Whether you are careful or not, you will still have splatters when applying paint. Don’t use plastic drop cloths because they stay wet for a long time, and you will end up with an untidy workplace. Instead, use cotton drop cloths because they will absorb the paint.

Sand Trim between Coats for Ultra-Smooth Finish

Between each coat, try and sand the surface so you won’t have a grainy texture when you are done. Make sure you use a proper sanding sponge. This allows you to apply pressure evenly and also reach into crevices where sandpaper can’t reach.

Feather Paint with a Dry Roller

In some sections, you might not be able to maintain a wet edge. This applies to parts like stairwells, the ceiling or a very tall wall. To reduce lap marks, simply feather paint along the edges that don’t stay wet.