Painting contractors in Pleasant Hill do not have it easy when it comes to their trade. After all, it takes many years of training and experience to get things right and proper.
Anyone can hold a brush and paint a room. Anyone can also afford a couple of gallons of quality paints and the best paintbrushes and rollers. However, very few people know how to do a perfect paint job.
Professionals know all too well that there are no shortcuts to delivering a perfect paint job. There is no substitute for learning the proper steps and taking the time to do the job right. But the good news is that many professionals are also willing to share their tricks of the trade that DIY home painters can learn.
If you plan to paint a room in your home, especially for the first time, consider these tips that can help you pull off the perfect paint job.
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Take time to clean and prep the surface
Do not skip this step. A considerable portion of any paint project is devoted to cleaning and preparing the surface. Most people want to skip this step and jump into painting right away. It may not be the most fun part, but cleaning and preparing the surfaces are the most essential parts of any paint job – that is, if achieving a smooth paint finish matters to you.Clean the walls thoroughly. Most walls can be cleaned with a simple sponge and water. For cleaning walls exposed to oil, grime, and soot, warm water and mild detergent will generally do the trick.
Using a sanding sponge, smoothen the rough spots or errors from previous paint job. Fill the cracks, dents, and holes with painter putty, and let it dry. Once dried, sand off the excess to smoothen the surface. Use caulk to seal the gaps between doors. Apply a good quality primer to help the topcoat to adhere better to the surface.
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Invest in premium paint
Buy the best quality paint products you can afford. While they are indeed more expensive, they have better ingredients and formulations to cover the surfaces better in fewer coats. Plus, premium paints are more durable, and they hold up better when compared to cheaper paint. -
Wait for dry weather
You’re quite excited to hold the paint brush but weather conditions do not permit you to go out and paint yet. When it’s too humid, moisture in the atmosphere becomes too high, which means slower drying time for the paint or possible problems in the future. It is best to wait until the weather is dry to ensure proper adhesion. -
Buy high-quality tools, including rollers and painter’s tape
If you’re splurging on high-quality paints, you definitely don’t want to scrimp on tools needed to apply the paint. Brushes and rollers of good quality hold paint better, which means they provide better coverage. That way, you don’t have to waste your time repeating the process if the paint job goes wrong due to using cheap but inferior materials. Good quality painter’s tape will provide better protection to surfaces you don’t want to be painted. -
Use primer
You can use paint and primer in one product if you already have a clean, smooth surface. But if there are any issues with the surface or it’s been a long time since it was last painted, go with a separate primer. Let the primer dry before applying the topcoat. -
How to load a brush
Don’t plunge your brush too far into the paint gallon. Instead, dip it only a third of the way up the bristles. Loading only this much paint will allow your brush to hold enough paint without getting it too deep into the bristles, which can be challenging to clean. -
Paint the trim first before the walls
Many homeowners paint the walls first, then move on to the trim while waiting for the first coat to dry. However, it’s better if you paint the woodwork first – the first and second coats – then move on to paint the walls. Painting the trim first allows you to create cleaner cut lines. If you paint the trims first, the paint may go onto the walls a bit, then cut over it in one application.Professional painters usually begin with the trim and then finish with the walls. It’s easier to cover the edges of trim, baseboards, and crown molding with painter’s tape when they’re completely dried, rather than trying to cover the walls with tape to avoid splashes. Some painters also find it easier to cut in over the wide, flat walls than needing to cut in on the narrower (and often curved) trim.
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Paint from top to bottom
Always start near the ceiling and then paint your way down for a smooth and even finish. Painting in this direction also allows you to catch drips as you paint.
Painting contractors in Pleasant Hill may provide more painting tips and tricks for their clients. While the approach may be slightly different for every project (such as choosing colors and finishes), following these basic tips will ensure you a fast, efficient – and perfect – paint job.