How to Hold a Paint Brush
To paint like a pro, you have to hold the brush like a pro. Lay the handle of the brush flat over the back of your thumb while holding the ferrule (the metal part that holds the bristles together) between your index and middle finger. The point of a slanted brush should be on the finger side, not the thumb side.
How Long Does It Take To Paint a Room?
Painters spend two to four days painting an average-sized room. That’s how long it takes to prep, prime, and paint correctly. It’s more work, but when you stand back to admire the results, you’ll agree it’s time well spent.
21 Tips for Painting Like a Pro
1. Clean Up Mistakes While They’re Wet
If an errant brushstroke should touch down on the wall, don’t worry—wet paint is pretty easy to clean. If you keep a damp cloth nearby, you can stretch the fabric over a finger and wipe the wet paint off the wall. Just be sure to wad the excess cloth up in your palm to prevent it from touching the wet baseboard.
2. Even Pros Use Painter’s Tape—Sometimes
There are times when even the pros use painter’s tape. When they’re painting against finished surfaces like flooring and woodwork, they’ll often stretch tape across the surface to protect it. However, when it comes to painting walls and trim, they typically forego the tape in lieu of their skills and steady hands. Most of us can do an okay job of painting a room. But a seasoned professional does a great job. Obviously, pros have more experience than the average homeowner, but they also know techniques and tricks that make them better painters.
3. Remove Everything From the Room
To begin, move everything out of the room. Every painter we spoke with had a horror story about the time he didn’t follow Rule No. 1. Bigger pieces of furniture can sometimes be left covered in the center of larger rooms, but if you are repairing drywall, says Chris Span, of Span’s Quality Painting in Mobile, Alabama, “Take everything out. Drywall dust goes everywhere.” Remove doors, light fixtures, and hardware, and label everything with masking tape. Also, invest in drop cloths. “It’s surprising how well a few drops of paint can cover a floor,” says Rich Maceyunas, of Maceyunas Painting and Wallpaper in Waterbury, Connecticut. Buy high-quality drop cloths, such as canvas or paper-backed plastic. A note that, paint soaks right through lightweight fabrics and bedsheets. Plastic sheeting works, but it’s very slippery and doesn’t absorb drips.
4. Find, Then Fix, Cracks and Dents
Even an old lamp with a bare bulb held close to a wall will make minor cracks, bumps or nail pops jump out. Carmen Toto, owner of C. Toto & Sons in Madison, New Jersey, uses painter’s putty or a lightweight spackle for minor cracks and dents; he uses plaster of Paris for dents deeper than 1/8 inch. Instead of the standard tape-and-spackle method for bridging over recurring stress cracks, Maceyunas uses a rubberized spray-on primer called Good-Bye Crack. Damaged wood requires a slightly different approach. “Don’t use spackle on wood,” says Toto, “because it just won’t stick.” For damaged trim, he uses painter’s putty or a two-part wood filler, such as Minwax’s High Performance Filler. Smooth any repairs, bumps, and nibs with a drywall pole sander. For smoother walls and better adhesion, some of our pros sand all previously painted walls regardless of the shape they’re in.
5. Do the Sanding Two-Step
Sanding not only feathers out chipped paint but also provides “tooth” for the next coat of paint. For glossy trim, use a sanding sponge rather than sandpaper. Sponges mold to the shape of the trim and last longer than paper. When applying latex over alkyd paint or when he is not sure of the original finish, Brian Doherty, a painter in Richmond, Virginia, follows the hand-sanding with liquid sandpaper to make sure the surface is completely deglossed to prevent incompatibility problems. “I’ve seen homes where latex was used on oil-painted trim, and the paint started to peel in less than a year,” says Doherty.
6. Sponge-Bath Walls
Unless you like textured walls, don’t paint over dust. Wash the walls with trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a mild cleaner, like Jasco’s TSP No-Rinse Substitute. For smoke-stained walls, Toto uses a 50/50 solution of bleach and water. To clean a wall, use two buckets. Load up your rag or sponge from your cleaning-solution bucket, and scrub. Before redipping, rinse the sponge in a second bucket filled with clean water.
7. Caulk All Cracks
Filling gaps with a paintable acrylic-latex caulk cuts down on drafts and makes your trim look better than new. The secret to using caulk is to cut the tip smaller than you think it should be; too much caulk makes a mess. Also, instead of using a nail to break the inner seal, use a small wire so you don’t stretch out the nozzle. Also consider buying a dripless caulk gun, which will automatically back off the pressure after each pull on the trigger to prevent unwanted oozing.
8. Pick a Powerful Primer
Primers aren’t just diluted paint. They’re formulated to establish a solid, even base, seal stains and ensure that the topcoats of paint go on smoothly and bond securely to the surface. “Most homeowners use latex primers, but the pros stick to alcohol and alkyd primers because they’ll cover almost anything,” says John Weeks, of John the Painter in Mobile, Alabama. Primer can affect the appearance of the topcoat. “It’s okay to spot-prime the ceilings but not the walls, because primed spots will show,” adds Span.
9. Buy Quality Paint
In general, glossier paints are more stain-resistant and scrubbable. But a higher sheen also highlights any imperfections in the wall or in the paint job. “Flat paints are fine for ceilings and formal rooms, but for most of my customers, I recommend an eggshell gloss. It’s good for hallways, kids’ rooms, even kitchens, and baths,” says Toto. It seems that latex paints have won over even the most finicky painters. “Though we still use oil-based paints for restoration work, latex paints are fine for interior walls and new trim,” says Toto, “as long as you don’t go cheap on the paint.”
All About Painting
All of our pros have their personal favorites, but they agree that good paint does not come cheap. “You’ll spend $20 to $35 per gallon for a top-shelf paint,” says Weeks. The pros also agreed that using two coats of paint will result in the best-looking job. Don’t skimp on the coverage; if you’re covering more than 400 square feet per gallon, you’re spreading it too thin. Also, keep 1/4 to 1/2 gallon on hand for touch-ups.
10. Supercharge Paint
“Modern paints dry too quickly, and are difficult to brush out,” says Dixon, who uses paint additives, such as Floetrol for latex paints and Penetrol for alkyds. “Adding a few ounces per gallon slows drying time and makes the paint more workable,” he says. Another problem is bridging. “Latex paints form a skin,” says Dixon. “Removing painted tape can tear the skin, resulting in a ragged rather than a sharp line.” Lastly, taping takes time. “Learning how to cut in with a brush takes practice, but if you can do it, you’ll leave most tapers in the dust,” Dixon says. Although there are mildewcide additives, our pros prefer using bathroom and kitchen paints that have built-in mildew fighters. “These paints will prevent mildew from forming, but they won’t kill mildew that’s already there,” Dixon points out. Because leftover mold spores can live beneath the paint and eventually work their way through to the surface, you should also prep bath and kitchen surfaces. First, wash down the walls with a bleach solution (3/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water) then seal with a stain-blocking primer, such as Zinsser’s Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or Kilz’s Total One.
11. Roller Rules
The perfect roller would hold a roomful of paint, leave the right amount of texture, wouldn’t spray or fuzz, and would be easy to clean. Until somebody invents the ideal one, follow these tips to choose the right roller. “The longer the nap, the more paint the roller will hold, but it will also create more texture,” says Dixon. “A 1/2-inch nap lamb’s-wool roller holds plenty of paint without too much texture,” says Dixon. “Less expensive rollers can work,” says Span. “Just wash them first in dishwashing liquid to remove any stray fibers.” Most of the pros we spoke with prefer 9-inch rollers over 18-inch models – they are lighter, cheaper, and easier to use. Despite these shortcomings, Maceyunas swears by the wider roller. “The roller can do a whole wall in a few up and down strokes instead of in several dozen W and M strokes,” he says.
How to Choose a Good Paint Roller
12. Use a Bucket
Pros prefer 5-gallon buckets with a roller grid to roller pans. They hold more paint than pans and, says Doherty, “It’s tougher to tip over a bucket.” A bucket also lets you box, or mix, two or three cans of paint to avoid color discrepancies. To use a bucket and grid, dip the roller a quarter of the way into the paint and run it over the ramp to work the paint into the nap.
13. Work with a Painter’s Rod
A painter’s rod, or pole, can help you paint ceilings more quickly — no climbing up and down ladders required. And there’s no need to stand directly underneath the area you are painting, so you won’t catch every wayward splatter. A pole is also great for walls and floors. The pros were split over whether the 4- or 8-foot pole is best for everyday use, but they all agreed that a telescoping rod is the best bet.
14. Buy a Better Brush
A good paintbrush is key to a professional-looking finish. “A quality brush costs $15 to $25, but you’ll discover that pros aren’t as talented as you thought,” says Doherty. “The equipment has a lot to do with their success.” Most of our pros prefer natural-bristle brushes for oil-based paints, but they recommend synthetics for all-around use. When choosing a brush, pay attention to the bristles. Synthetic brushes are made of nylon or polyester, or a combination of the two. Poly bristles are stiffer, which makes them good for exterior or textured work, but for fine interior work, Doherty uses softer nylon brushes. Look also for tapered bristles, which can help you work to an edge, and flagged tips, which help spread the finish smoothly and evenly. Brushes are available in 1- to 4-inch widths. Most painters keep an arsenal on hand to match the job. “Use common sense,” says Maceyunas. “A smaller brush gives you more control, but no one wants to paint a door with a 1-inch-wide brush,” Doherty recommends starting with a 2- or 2-1/2-inch sash brush. The angled brush makes it easier to cut to a line and puts more bristles on the work than a square-tipped brush.
15. Load a Paint Brush the Right Way
Next, you need to know how much paint to load the brush with. Mauro suggests dipping the brush into the paint can just far enough so there is two fingers’ width of paint on the end of the brush. Too much paint and the ferrule will become loaded, affecting the way the brush paints. Too little, and the paint job will take forever. Once loaded, wipe a bit of the excess paint off in the bucket. We asked six pro painters to share those secrets. They shared how professionals paint rooms to help you work more efficiently and get better results. Some of what you’ll read may surprise you. For instance, their secrets won’t cut painting time.
16. Start Low and Work Your Way to the Edge
When painting baseboards, you don’t have to take the brush directly to the seam between the wall and molding. Instead, start lower on the baseboard until the paint is flowing. Then, slowly work toward the seam, dragging paint up to the joint. This prevents puddling at the seam, resulting in much sharper lines. If the paint pooled where you started, smooth it out with the brush.
17. Double-Check Work
Between coats, you’ll want to back-prep or sand off any bumps, before applying the next coat. Use a light to check the surface for drips, roller flecks, or other imperfections.
18. Focus on Windows
The best time to tackle windows is at the beginning of the day when you’re fresh," says Doherty. “But it still takes me an hour to do a standard window.” For double-hung, begin by raising the inner sash and lowering the outer sash until their positions are almost reversed. Paint the lower half of the outer sash first, then the entire inner sash. Once the lower sash is dry, return both to their normal position, but leave them slightly open. Finish painting the outer sash. “Windows take too long to tape,” says Doherty. When painting, overlap the glass by 1/16 inch to seal the wood.
19. Do Doors Right
Most painters have no problem painting doors in place, but they recommend you lay the door on sawhorses and work horizontally. If you have a paneled door, start with the panels and work from the outside edges in toward the center. “Watch the corners — paint loves to puddle,” warns Dixon. While the paint is still wet, lightly “tip off” the panel with an almost dry brush.
When painting the stiles (vertical) and rails (horizontal) just follow the grain of the wood. When the grain changes abruptly, for instance, where the rail meets the stile, don’t stop your brush stroke — you’ll only leave a lump of paint. Apply paint across the joint with a full stroke, and then tip off the overlapping section by pulling the brush in the direction of the grain. “Make sure the door is dry before painting the opposite side or rehanging it,” says Maceyunas.
20. Skip Daily Cleaning
Most pros don’t bother cleaning brushes and rollers if they are going to use them the next day on the same job. “Latex paint dries slowly in cold temperatures,” says Maceyunas. For two-day jobs, he wraps the rollers and brushes in plastic grocery bags and sticks them in the refrigerator. “Just allow the roller to return to room temperature before reusing it,” he says. Roller covers are almost impossible to clean thoroughly. Most pros buy new covers for each job.
21. Expect Touch-Ups
Accidents happen. Keep a cheap sponge brush on hand to blend a patch with the rest of the wall or woodwork. To mimic the look of a roller, simply dab on the paint.
Resources
Mauro demonstrated cutting techniques using a Picasso 2-½” angle cut brush, which is manufactured by Proform Technologies, and a Wooster 3” flat brush. Both of these brushes, among others, can be found at most home centers and paint supply stores. The paint Mauro used on the trim was Ultra Pure White—which is manufactured by Behr.
Dripless caulk guns: Dripless, Inc. Floetrol and Penetrol paint additives: Flood No-Rinse TSP Substitute: Jasco Chemical Corp. Sandblaster Sanding Sponges: 3M, Construction Markets Division Kilz Total One primer: Masterchem Industries High Performance Wood Filler: Minwax Brushes and Rollers:Purdy CorporationWooster Brush Co. Bulls Eye 1-2-3 primer: William Zinsser & Co. Further reading: House Painting Inside and Out by Mark Dixon and Bob HeidtThe Taunton Press, 1997, $19.95.
Special Thanks to the Following Painters
Mark Dixon, Dixon’s PaintingMissoula, MT Brian Doherty, Doherty PaintingRichmond, VA Rich Maceyunas, Maceyunas Painting and WallpaperingWaterbury, CT Chris Span, Span’s Quality PaintingMobile, AL Carmen Toto, Carmen Toto and SonsMadison, NJ John Weeks, John the PainterMobile, AL
