Painters in Pleasant Hill have their own approaches and preferences in order to get things done (and done quickly and on time). However, they stick to the same rules and tricks that they cannot do without (and that DIYers can learn from). Check them out and you’ll be surprised at how basic and uncomplicated they are.
1) Wait for dry weather
We know that some DIYers cannot wait to go out and paint the exterior walls even while the day is still wet. But painting over damp surfaces can cause some major problems! Not only will the paint dry more slowly, but it will develop bubbles and begin to peel soon after the work is done, making an ugly mess.
You don’t want to end up burning through your time, effort, and money by painting outside even when the weather conditions aren’t yet that good. Instead, abstain from painting while the day is still wet. Professionals do not begin painting until they are sure that the weather is dry and expected to remain dry for a couple of days.
2) Clean the walls before painting
Cleaning the walls is one of the things that DIY home painters are usually loath to do because it is the most unexciting part of the job. But true professional painters cannot afford to skip this step. They know that if the walls are not cleaned (as well as repaired and primed) well, the paint job will result in a disastrous finish.
Painting dirty walls or walls that have lots of surface flaws will result in adhesion problems. You don’t want dust, cobwebs, or grease sticking to your paintbrush. Remember to clean the walls first. A simple wiping with a damp, clean rag will usually do the trick.
But if you’re dealing with kitchen walls, use a degreaser for cutting oils, grease, and grime.
Bathroom walls, on the other hand, are usually exposed to humidity which can cause mold and mildew to grow and spread. The most common cleaning solution consists of mixing two parts bleach with ten parts water in a spray bottle. Spritz the bleach-water solution onto the affected area to kill the mold or mildew. Your painter may use a professional-grade mold or mildew killer, but the results are just pretty much the same.
No matter which cleaning method you choose, make sure that you let the walls completely dry after cleaning and before proceeding to the next step (such as making repairs or priming right away).
3) Buy only quality paint supplies
No matter how high-grade your paints are, if you have cheap and inferior paintbrushes, rollers, etc., it will result in a sloppy job, and you will end up wasting your money.
If you use cheap brushes – the plastic types, for instance – the paint on the wall looks like it’s been smudged on the wall using a rake. Worse, some of the plastic bristles may come off the brush and end up sticking to the walls along with the paint. You don’t want that. In most cases, the plastic bristles may also have trouble holding paint.
Buy only the best paint supplies. They may cause some dent in your budget, but their durability (even after many uses) will be worth the price. Buy only paintbrushes with nylon bristles (if you use latex paint) or natural bristles made from animal hair (if you use oil-based paints). They’re washable and can be used again and again.
If you want to cover areas that you want to paint, buy only painter’s tape. Many DIY painters make the mistake of using the cheaper masking tape, but this is not advisable. Because of its strong adhesive, masking tape may leave a residue on the wall or strip away the layer of paint from underneath when it’s ripped off. Painter’s tape, on the other hand, does not create such problems because it’s specifically made for paint jobs. A bonus tip: make sure to press the painter’s tape in place by using a putty knife.
4) Paint the trim first
Ask any professional painter about which to paint first – the walls or the trim – and they will answer you invariably: the trim always goes first. After the trim, it is followed by the ceiling, and finally, the walls. This is because it’s much simpler and faster to tape off the trim than the walls.
5) Load up your brush right
Many DIYer painters load the paintbrush and then scrape off the excess on the rim of the can. But professional painters don’t do that – instead, they load the paintbrush and start painting right away.
6) Don’t forget to caulk
If you genuinely want a beautiful and professional-like paint finish, don’t forget to caulk – around the trim work, baseboard, crown molding, and door and window frames. Whether you want to caulk before painting or after the paint dries, it’s up to you. Another benefit of caulking is that it can prevent an unwanted cold draft from sneaking into the room.
While many pros won’t tell you their best-kept secrets as part of the trade, other painters in Pleasant Hill are more than willing to share them with you.