There’s nothing like a lick of paint to transform a house into a home or to add some much-needed atmosphere. It’s not only a great way to make a space look and feel completely different but is also very cost-effective. There are now more paints than ever on the market and water-based acrylics have advanced to the point that they are really tough, are very durable, and come in a really wide range of colors. In this context, there’s no reason not to have a go at painting the house yourself!
Doing the Job Right
Of course, as easy as painting is considered by some people, lots of people do a pretty bad job of it! This is why people still hire professionals to get the job done well and quickly. Of course, with some thought and a reasonable application of skill in the right areas, painting a home by oneself is not all that hard. In fact, one can make a really good job of it!
If you’ve never painted before or have only done fairly small jobs, the thought of painting an entire room or more can be pretty daunting. To make it easier, here are some tips from the professionals to make the job easier:
- The Right Equipment: Even before picking up a paint brush, it’s important to have the right tools to hand. If it’s a big room, you might want to consider using a roller, for example. You will also need paint, of course, but it’s very important to have enough paint for the job. When it comes to brushes, you also need to make sure that you have more than one to do the job. There are different types of brushes, including sash and wall, so make sure that you ask at your local hardware store about the best way to approach your brush buying.
- Wash Down and Prime: Before you put a splotch of paint on the walls, you need to make sure that they are clean and free of as many stains as possible. This may mean washing them down with a gentle preparation, such as sugar soap. After this, lots of painters like to use a base primer just to cover off the surface and provide it with some roughness, or tooth, so that the final layers adhere properly.
- Drop Cloths: Protecting the floors is really important so make sure that you spread drop cloths liberally over the floors in areas where you will be painting.
- Keep it Wet: Acrylics tend to dry fairly quickly so you’ll need to make sure that the paint doesn’t dry out on the brush bristles. It’s also a good idea to keep the brush wetter while painting so as to produce cleaner edges. A dry brush will feather out the paint and can create rough patches on the wall due to over brushing.
Take Some Pride
Almost anyone can pick up a paint tin and a brush but to do a good job takes time, patience, and some skill. A great finish can be achieved by amateur painters if they put some time and effort into it and are prepared to learn along the way.