Secrets From A Professional Painter

By Author: Susan Hu
Total Articles: 4762
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Painting the home seems like a relatively simple way to renovate the home, but it's pretty easy to spot an amateur job. Just how does a professional painter achieve that expert effect? Training and technique, of course. With the right tools and proper know how, you too can achieve the results of a professional painter.

What are some signs of the amateur painter? If you have come across uneven lines, unwanted texture, missed spots, bubbles or peeling, you might have given up and decided to hire a professional painter. But if you want to try to save hundreds of dollars and still get the desired look for your home, there are just a few simple tricks to know that won't leave you with frustrating results.

Fresh paint is the easiest and most cost effective means to freshen the home. Most home stagers will make that the first thing to do on the list of making a home look its best for resale. What most stagers and even interior designers would recommend is to choose a neutral shade. Choosing the right kind of paint however, is just as important as choosing the right colour.

Paint Finishes (flat/ceiling paint, ...
... matte, semi-gloss, glossy)

What is the existing paint is on your walls and what type of traffic does this room get? Kitchens are typically the busiest and easiest to get dirty so washable paints that resist staining are best. Look for semi-gloss and high gloss paints or eggshell finishes that are less shiny but work as well. Steam and mildew problems are just as much of a concern in the bathroom so here too a glossy, mildew resistant latex or a satin sheen acrylic paint are good choices.

In other rooms of the house a matte finish will work better; use semi-gloss for trim. Choose very flat ceiling paint (it dries faster and doesn't show roller marks) for of course, ceilings.

Proper Prep

You may think that painting is the bulk of the work but proper preparation is what sets the amateurs apart from the pros. Of course there are the basic set up rules that are pretty common sense like protecting the non-painted areas. Start with getting "painters tape" which is specially made to prevent any paint from bleeding through and is easy to remove. Use it to separate areas that will use different colours of paint. Also mask off switches, etc., and protect the floor by taping a 2-inch piece around the edges of the room. Cover anything else in the room with a drop cloth; bring the cloth to cover the tape edging on the floor.

If you are painting any cabinetry, remove the handles and hardware first. Don't forget to remove electrical faceplates, heating register covers, knobs, or anything that might get close to your brush. Also remove any old wallpaper or paint that is peeling by scraping or sanding. Look for holes or scratch marks as these should be filled and sanded as well as those surfaces that are glossy. Check the caulking around doors and windows, sealing areas - make sure there are no cracks and apply new caulking if necessary.

Washing Walls

Peeling, thin areas, bubbles, and cracking can be the result of applying the paint when the surface was not clean and dry. After sanding and scraping the walls and trim, wash those areas with a mild cleanser (if there's mildew to be taken care of, some chlorine bleach will do the trick). Let dry for at least one day

Primer

For a long lasting paint job, prime the area first. But make sure you choose the right primer because there are a multitude of products, each with a specific performance. Super-adherent products are good for surfaces that were originally enameled or varnished. There are some that have stain-blocking qualities to cover existing stains and others specifically for covering steel or iron that are rust proof. If you are painting over oil-based paint with latex, you'll need to use a high-adhesion latex primer first. When it comes to exterior paint, keep in mind that weather will expand and contract paint so it's important to use a first-coat sealer for adhesion and resistance of cracking and peeling. It provides more protection than a primer or regular paint.

The Right tools:

It's a good idea to purchase quality paintbrushes because they will make applying paint easier and give you better control of how you lay it. Get a large brush and one small brush (for cutting edges) plus a good roller with an adjustable roller pole (great for ceilings), and a paint tray with liner and you're good to go.

Painting techniques

Buy quality paint. An inferior product may lead to sagging or require many coats (which ends up costing more) to cover one area. Latex water-based paints are easiest to work with because any spills can easily be wiped up with a damp cloth and you can use just water to wash the brushes. If painting the entire room, it's easier to start with the ceiling first then do the walls and finally the trim. Cut then fill - approach the wall with a brush for cutting, that is, painting along the edge. Outline all the edges in this manner first. Use the roller to fill the other areas. Only paint a second coat after the first one has dried completely.

More Helpful Tips

Not sure if you should commit? Once you've chosen a colour, or a few choices, buy smaller jars to test on a small part of the wall. Or, paint one full wall to get a better idea if it's the right choice. If not, it's only one wall that can be easily painted over.

Think outside the wall

New paint is a great and inexpensive tool for decorating anything in the house. Paint backsplashes, cabinets, base boards, add a splash of colour to your basement stairs or to some big box furniture to make the pieces more unique. However, skip stove tops or floor tiles.

Paint your illusion

Want to make a small room appear larger or have a ceiling that needs to be "brought down". Use light colours like cream, white, pale blues and greens or summery yellows to open and warm up a room. Use dark warm colours to make a room seem more comfy and snug. Light colours for the ceiling will make it appear higher and conversely, a dark ceiling will create a "cave" feeling if you wish to make a very large room feel cozier.

Knowing how the pros do it will make your own paint job go that much more smoothly and get some amazing results.
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The Home Renovation Guide offers its services across North America, throughout both the United States and Canada. We have all essential home renovation categories covered: kitchens and bathrooms, windows and doors, flooring and carpets, home security, organization, lighting, heating and cooling, roofing and siding, plumbing, landscaping, as well as general contractors. For more information on Toronto painters visit us online today.