5 Painting Mistakes to Avoid
DIY interior painting can be a money-saver if you know what you’re doing. While saving a few dollars is definitely worth trying out painting yourself, it is important to avoid mistakes often made in the process. Here is how to avoid them!
Mistake #1: Quality Paint and Applicators
The quality of the paint is important. Brands such as Benjamin Moore & Behr apply beautifully and last a long time. There are different sheens to paint, for different purposes. There are also paints that are specific to your purpose, such as ceiling, trim, cabinet and wall. If you are willing to pay for premium paint, you should be willing to invest in a good applicator. Invest in good brushes or rollers up front to avoid hair on the wall or lumps of roller lint under the paint.
Mistake #2: Not Preparing Correctly
You always want to do repair work first so that your walls are smooth, clean, dry and free of loose debris before you begin painting. A repair will be much less obvious if it is done before a new coat of paint!
Mistake #3: Overextending Your Brush Dips
One of the most frequently made mistakes by DIYers is that they often continue applying a dip of paint until the brush or roller is dry. When you overextend each dip, the paint can dry in the brush bristles, and the fabric on rollers can mat down. You want to maintain a smooth line of paint. Once you can see the paint starting to break up, it’s time to re-dip.
The steadiness of your hand can impact your painting. When cutting in near edges or other times when you need to be precise. Go slow and breathe out.
Mistake #5: Allowing Paint To Dry Out
Touch-ups are not ideal if your paint has dried out. To extend the life of water-based paint, place a piece of clear plastic wrap directly on the surface of the paint, then reseal the container. For oil-based paint, add about a half-inch of water on the surface before resealing.
If you are considering home renovations to improve the value of your home or to sell your home, call me to discuss. I am here as your trusted advisor and can provide you with references to contractors, or advice on how to get the best return for your money when making home improvements to get top dollar for your home in New Hampshire. Call me at 603-440-8486, Lisa Waller-Gage, Owner/Broker of Sky Realty of New Hampshire
