Paint Tips
- Estimate
The first thing you want to do is estimate the amount of materials needed for a particular paint project. To do this, all that is needed is the square footage of the surface that is going to be painted. Your big tip here is to not worry about deducting for windows, doors, etc., By figuring them in you will give yourself room for left over paint for touchup. If the surface is less than one foot wide it is usually figured in linear feet and converted to square feet. - Testing Painted Surfaces
You can avoid paint failures by knowing what paint type you are painting over, and using the proper precautions and preparations. To see what kind of paint was previously used on that surface, you should rub the surface with rubbing alcohol. Latex base paints will dissolve. Alkyd base paints will not. - Textured Ceilings
Some textured ceilings are very difficult to paint. The biggest reason is because the texture is applied over surfaces that have no primer. Because the texture is a water based mixture, painting it with a latex paint will reactivate it, and if not painted correctly will cause it to fall off. Textured ceilings can be painted, but you should use a brush, roller, or sprayer when applying acrylic latex or alkyd base paints.
Calvert Painting is another way to paint a textured ceiling. The theory is that when you apply the alkyd base flat paint, it will soak through the texture and into the underlying surface, bonding the two together and not reactivating it like a latex base paint will. When rolling the paint on the ceiling, roll from one end of the ceiling to the other without stopping. Rolling back over wet texture (with a latex based paint) will pull it off. Wait 24 hours if a second coat is necessary. - Water Stains on Textured Ceilings
Before trying to paint over a brown water stain on a textured ceiling that has never been painted, try this ... Take some straight bleach and put it in a spray bottle. Then spray the stained area with the bleach and let the area dry over night. Depending on the severity of the stain, more than one application may be required. Many times this will take a water stain out of a textured ceiling. If not, be sure to prime the stain with a stain blocking primer before painting. - Tools
Paint with the right tools for the best results. When using brushes, use natural bristle for alkyd or oil based paints and a combination nylon/polyester for latex paints. The combination nylon/polyester last longer than 100% nylon and give a good finish.
Never use natural bristle brush for latex or you won't ever be able to use it again, and a good quality brush can be used for years. Also, note that a good quality brush won't have bristles falling out while it is in use. Before you purchase a brush, give the bristles a good tug to see if they fall out. If they do fall out, it is probably a poorly constructed brush.
The paint project will dictate what size brush to use. Brushes generally come in sizes 1" to 4". Use smaller brushes for trim, windows, doors, and shutters, and a large 4" brush for exterior siding. If you are using a paint product that makes for extremely hard cleanup (i.e. rust inhibitor), a cheap brush might be a great option for you, as it can be thrown away when the job is finished.
Having the right brush is important, but having the right roller and nap type is important as well. There are different naps to a roller sleeve (i.e. 1/2", 3/4", 1 1/2" etc.). A good size to use on flat surfaces is 1/4" to 3/4" nap, and 3/4" to 1 1/2 " nap on rougher surfaces.
Other tools to consider for use on any paint project are scrapers, wire brushes, putty knives, sanding blocks or sand paper, caulking gun, oversized roller tray, and a brush comb, all of which can be found at PaintingSuppliesDirect.com.
