Interior House Painting Tips
Painting the inside of your home is a great way to give it a whole new look, and it's not hard to do. You just have to plan ahead and follow a few basic guidelines. Here are some tips to make your next interior house painting project much easier.
First, make sure you give your brush a slosh in your preferred solvent - before you start painting. For latex paints, that means water, for oil, it means mineral spirits or a similar solvent. This simple step keeps you from having trouble cleaning it later in the day. If you aren't able to clean right away, wrap the roller or brush in a plastic bag, then put it in the freezer. This keeps the tools from drying out.
Protect your hands while painting, too. Latex gloves are a good choice, particularly for oil based paints, but if you're allergic to them or don't like the feel, you can also apply hand lotion thickly to your skin before you start. It'll make later cleanup much easier, and reduce paint related irritation. Make sure any room you're painting in has adequate ventilation, and that you're wearing long sleeves and trousers to protect your skin from drips.
Buy quality supplies. Paint that's too cheap won't cover properly, and you'll end up purchasing twice as much and putting on two or three times as many coats as you would with a costlier paint. Cheap brushes leave marks and even shed bristles, and cheap paint roller covers will leave fuzzy spots in your paint. Instead of cutting corners, buy good supplies that are capable of doing the job you want.
Use low stick masking tape - the blue rolls - to mask areas. This will protect existing paint and primer from chipping. However, you will need some extra sticky tape for one job before you begin. Use duct tape or something similar to test your existing surface. If you press a piece over the surface, then rip it away, you should see only tiny specks of paint. If chips come off, sanding and scraping are in your future.
When it comes to the actual painting technique, keep a wet edge, and work away from it. That's because painting over a dry edge will result in marks where the coats overlap. Paint ceilings first, then walls, trim, cabinets and doors. Paint everything from the top down to prevent messes and marks, and be sure not to take on too much area at once.
These aren't the only things you'll need to remember when it comes to interior painting, but they can make the process a whole lot easier. No matter what room you're painting, you'll get great results if you keep them in mind. Painting doesn't have to be a headache, if you remember to pay attention and use quality materials.
Painting Supplies
Whether you're painting a new nursery or the exterior of your home, it can be hard to forget the basic supplies you're going to need. Obviously, you'll require paint, but what other painting supplies are going to be required for your project? Planning carefully and making sure you buy quality materials and tools can make the difference between a frustrating, time consuming situation and one that goes smoothly and easily.
It can be a good idea to make a list of everything you'll need. That lets you easily comparison shop, and it cuts down on trips to the store. There are several major categories to look at - preparation supplies, application supplies, cleanup, protective materials and personal safety items. Let's take a look at each group and see what the options are and what you're probably going to need.
Preparation
You're probably going to need to clean and prepare the painting area before you get started applying paint. That means taking a look at all of it and making sure that there are no cobwebs or dirt, and that the area is smooth and clean. If there are rough spots or loose paint, you're probably going to have to sand and scrape. If you're going to work on an unfinished wall or one that's been painted a dark color in the past, a primer is recommended.
Tags: adequate ventilation, do it yourself, interior house painting, latex paints, masking tape, paint roller, Painting Supplies, painting technique, room painting
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Can Paint Help Make a Room Look Larger?
March 28, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
If you're dealing with an extremely small space, you're going to want to do absolutely anything you can to make it look and feel bigger. One thing that can affect the apparent size of your room is the way you choose to paint it. Here's a look at the ways that painting can make a room seem bigger or smaller, depending on what you do.
The first way to decide what colors you'll use is by looking at the other items you're planning to use in the room, of course. That gives you a general range. However, directly matching can often be a poor choice, as bright or dark colors can make a room seem cramped. If you really want to use that bold color, think about making it part of the trim, or painting only one wall with it.
In rooms with chair rails where two colors are being used, you'll maintain a more open look by using the darker color below the rail, so the lighter one dominates. Remember that most colors look lighter on the walls, but their apparent bright or darkness will also be affected by the room's lighting and the colors around them. Soften colors that turned out too bold by using a lighter color rag rolled, color washed, or sponged over the painted wall.
In terms of colors chosen, you'll find that warm colors often close spaces in, since they tend to feel like they're advancing toward you. Cool colors are considered to recede, and make the room seem larger. However, when used in very dark shades, cool colors will also make a room feel small. The traditional choice for opening up a small room is white or a light neutral, though you can feel free to experiment with other light shades.
For a higher ceiling, use a lighter color. White or off white is traditional, since it makes the room look more open. Once again, you can play with other light colors, but beware using medium to dark shades, as they'll make your room feel like a cavern. Shiny finishes are easy to clean, but may also make the room feel closed in, while matte finishes are more likely to recede.
If you're interested in using faux finishes or other decorative detailing, you should pay close attention to your choices. A very busy pattern will tend to create a feeling of closeness, and will reduce the apparent size of a room, even if it's done in a light color. Less complex patterns are a better choice when you want to use paint to help make your room look larger.
If you're not sure about whether or not something will work, remember that you can always ask an expert for more advice. He or she won't have seen the room you're working with (something to keep in mind), but may be able to advise you on generalities that tend to work well. The right paint choices and painting methods can make your room seem much bigger!
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Exterior House Painting Tips
Exterior painting is one of the most important pieces of home maintenance you can do. After all, caulk and paint are all that stops most homes from weather damage. If they aren't in good shape, you could incur siding damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. If you're planning on doing the painting yourself, be ready for a big project. There's a lot of time and effort involved, but in the end, it's worth it. Here are some tips to help you successfully paint the exterior of your home.
Step one requires you to take a look at the condition of your home's exterior and think about what you need to do to get them in shape for painting. While sanding, chipping off old paint, and priming may be time consuming, don't consider skipping them. You won't like the results. Take some time now to add years to your paint's lifetime.
Then, you'll want to decide on your preferred paint and how you'll apply it. Don't skimp on the paint quality. You usually get what you pay for when buying paint and supplies. Cheaper paints just don't coat as well. Rolling and brushing are common, old fashioned painting methods. Sprayers are a more modern method that gets the job done faster, but they can cost more.
Trim will still probably need to be painted with a brush, however. Rollers and brushes work very well for homes that are single level, while multi-story homes may benefit from the use of a paint sprayer with an extension. You may need to combine methods to get the best results. Just remember to use professional grade supplies and tools, no matter what methods you try.
You can paint the surface of just about every home. Wood siding is the most commonly painted, but there are others as well. Brick, cinder block, stucco, and even steel, aluminum and vinyl siding can be repainted to give them a fresh new look. Just remember to choose a paint type and application technique which is compatible with your material. For instance, brick and other rough surfaces can damage brushes, so they may be more easily painted with a sprayer.
Remember that this is the kind of job you'll probably need help with, unless the home is small. Invite family and friends to help you with your exterior painting. The job will go quicker, and it'll be a lot more fun, too. Don't cut corners, and remember to mask off all glass and other items that should not be painted. It's never a good idea to rely on your ability to paint around something - all too often, you'll find your hand has slipped.
Exterior house painting is an important part of keeping your home in top condition. Without a good coat of paint, it could be damaged by weather and many other factors. Take the time to do it right, and your home will keep looking great for many years.
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DIY House Painting: Should You Use a Paint Sprayer?
March 26, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
If you're thinking about doing your own house painting, either interior or exterior, you might be wondering if you should use a paint sprayer. After all, a sprayer can make the job go much more quickly. In many cases, if time is a concern and you know how to use the equipment, this could really help. Just remember that there are some jobs that a paint sprayer isn't ideal for. Let's look at the process of painting both the inside and outside of the house using a sprayer.
Interior Painting With A Sprayer
If you're going to paint inside the house, choose an airless paint sprayer. These have less overspray than other kinds, minimizing problems. Mask off the walls if they'll be a different color, then start painting the ceiling. Remember to drop cloth the floors, and wear long sleeves and long trousers. Light gloves and safety glasses are also a good idea.
Remember to open all windows and doors to get appropriate ventilation, and don't overfill the machine. Plug the sprayer in and paint the cailing, starting in one corner. Use slow, even movements of the sprayer, and cover the area evenly before moving on to the next. Avoid overlapping areas to prevent heavy areas which will drip and appear darker in color. As you need more paint, simply fill the sprayer again. Once you're done, look for missed areas and touch them up.
When you're done with a given color, empty the sprayer and rinse the machine according to the maker's instructions. Once the ceiling is dry, you can remove masking and remask other areas before painting the walls. A paint trimmer is necessary for doing the walls - it shields the ceiling from the wall color. Work across from the top, then down, with slow movements. Once again, clean the machine as soon as you're finished.
Painting Exteriors With A Paint Sprayer
It's not just the inside of the house that can benefit from painting with a sprayer, either. The exterior works very well, too. Start by masking off all glass, and removing spouting and gutters to keep obstackes out of the way. Mask off other items that shouldn't be painted, including trip, cement blocks, wires, supply pipes, and brick. Then, get your paint sprayer readt to use. Usually, exterior sprayers are larger capacity than those for interior use.
Use an extension for the sprayer to begin painting at the top of the walls, and look for an even, smooth coat of paint. There should be no runs or dense areas. Too much pressure or slow movement could cause these problems. Make sure you stand about a foot from the wall, and don't spray anything you don't want to paint. Work your way around to apply a single coat. Once it's dry, you can paint spouting if you choose to.
After the first coat has dried, you'll want to add another. This will keep your house looking good longer. After it dries, you can remove your masking. As before, empty and clean the sprayer right away. Then, finish exterior trip with a brush and reinstall all removed items.
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Advantages of Airless Paint Sprayers
March 26, 2009 by Robert · Leave a Comment
Airless models are among the most popular and effective kinds of paint sprayers on the market. Airless sprayers use an electric pump to push paint through a very small opening. As the paint discharges, it's broken up into an extremely fine mist. That allows for even application without the use of air power.
Paint for these sprayers usually comes through a tube connected to the can or bucket the paint originally came in, though there are a number of smaller models that use a hopper instead. Popular uses for airless paint sprayers include waterproofing, staining and painting of small projects or large buildings, depending on the capacity of the sprayer. Some sprayers can handle only one kind of paint or stain, while others are more versatile.
There are many different types of airless sprayer, allowing everyone to choose the one that's right for their needs. Portable hand held sprayers are great for a small project or unusual spaces. Bigger, more powerful sprayers offer the ability to paint houses, sheds, barns, and other larger structures. It's even possible to find adjustable sprayers that will allow you to choose whether you want a thick coat or a thin one, a stain, a varnish or a paint. Remember that specific models may be made for particular kinds of paint.
When using airless paint sprayers, it's extremely important to make sure you pay attention to the stated operating instructions. Remember that paint is discharged at a high pressure and could easily injure you. The powerful compressors on these machines can cause paint to penetrate the skin!
All airless sprayers should be regularly cleaned and maintained. This keeps solidified paint from building up inside the hose or the sprayer itself. You can flush the sprayer with water, or use the appropriate solvents if you've been painting with oil based materials. Never substitute solvents, however. Some may destroy parts of the sprayer.
Prices for airless paint sprayers vary significantly. The least expensive can run less than a hundred dollars. These are smaller capacity sprayers made for home use, which don't have all the features of a larger one. Big, commercial style sprayers can cost several thousand dollars, but offer a great deal more to the user.
The choice of which sprayer is right for you will depend on your needs and what you want to paint. For a homeowner, a large commercial sprayer simply may not be worth the cost. However, attempting to operate a business using a sprayer without the capacity and durability could cause real problems. Not sure which sprayer to rent or buy? Consider talking to a professional about all your options. He or she can help you make the right choice for your situation.
Tags: Airless Paint Sprayer, graco paint sprayer, House Painting, painting, titan paint sprayers, wagner paint sprayer