Painting

Common DIY Painting Mistakes We All Need to Avoid

Here at American Renovation Services, your reliable and trusted professional painting experts here in Nashville, we take pride in DIY projects just as much as our clients do. When wanting to give a home a whole new look and feel, painting is often the DIY project of choice by many homeowners. While the overall techniques for painting are somewhat simple, it is amazing how many common mistakes everyone tends to make. The folks here at American Renovation Services want to share a few common painting mistakes to avoid.

Proper Preparation

When planning a home improvement project, we all get excited and anxious about getting started and surely your painting project is no different. However, when it comes to painting you want to take adequate steps to ensure your project goes well. To begin with, make certain that the surface you are about to paint is clean and has been washed in advance of painting. If you are hoping to end up with a smooth finish and look, ensure that your walls or surface are dry, free of any type of debris or dirt, and clean. You will certainly reap an attractive end product when you prepare accordingly, a necessary step that most people overlook.

In addition to a clean surface, make sure to have plenty of tape on hand. Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the tape if you expect to have clean lines and crisp edges be a part of your painting project. The experts here at American Renovation Services highly recommend you invest in real painter’s tape as opposed to simple masking tape. Also make certain you have a mini scraper or putty knife on hand so you can effectively remove any air bubbles and seal the edges professionally. Cutting corners on tape and edging tools is a mistake often made.

Paint and Primers

If your walls or old surface have been painted previously, are in fairly good shape and have a flat finish, then using a paint and prime in one product will be satisfactory. However, if the surface you are about to paint is challenging, such as wood, plaster, concrete, porous drywall, or covered previously with a glossy paint then using a premium mix (all in one) is more suited to the task at hand. Many people overlook these elements and choose to go with a cheaper paint and prime in one product. Yet another common mistake.

If you are painting over a high gloss paint, then make certain to engage in appropriate sanding. New paints requires some type of texture to adhere to so you want to be certain to produce some type of scuff on shiny surfaces with sandpaper. Follow the scuffing with a quick rinse with clean water and you will be good to go.

Also, painting over wallpaper is a doable task, but you have to use an oil based primer before you begin. Many people opt to use a water base which can actually give new life to the wallpaper glue and cause excessive peeling. Be smart. Use an oil base.

Choosing the Proper Applications to Use

It’s easy to choose cheaper paint applications in your efforts to save money, but not always the wisest choice. You probably have spent a good deal of money on the perfect paint and are looking to save on costs. We understand that purchasing cheaper rollers and brushes is quite a temptation and can certainly save money, but take it from us, don’t do it. If you want your rooms to have a truly professional look, better coverage and save you on paint in the long term, then invest in quality and effective tools and applications to make that happen.

Painting Techniques You Need to Know

So many people make a common mistake of plunging their paint brush deep into their paint. You should only dip your brush in a mere third of the way which will provide sufficient paint needed on the brush. By following this simple technique, you will not waste paint nor force paint deep within the bristles of your brush which ultimately results in a massive challenge to clean them properly.

When you begin your painting project be focused and have a plan. You should always start at the ceiling and then work your way downwards to acquire a smooth finish. By painting downward, you can easily spot and catch paint drips while you work.

Finally, though you are apt to be more than tired at the end of your project, don’t skip the cleanup. Don’t dump the brushes in a hidden area with intentions of cleaning them later, you only create more work than is necessary. Take a few moments to wash them with water and detergent, wrap ‘em up and store them away so they stay in tip top shape for the next painting project.

The experts here at American Renovation Services hope you find our ‘painting mistakes to avoid’ useful and want to remind you, if you feel painting is not a project you want to undertake, then we are the team for you. Contact our highly skilled and certified painters for all your painting needs. We look forward to serving you and send along wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!!

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