Refresh Your Space/5 steps to simplify your next paint project
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A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your home.
Whether you're revamping a main living area or freshening up your home's curb
appeal, some planning and preparation, plus the right painting tools, go a long
way toward helping you achieve a professional-looking finished project.
Execute your paint project flawlessly with these tips and tricks from Jennie
Kitchen, product manager, Valspar Applicators at The Sherwin-Williams Company,
Consumer Brands Group:
Step 1: Choose Your Color
Selecting a color can often be the most difficult part of a paint project. While
browsing through all the colors can be overwhelming, a resource like AskVal.com
offers a variety of tools to help you select the perfect shade. You can also
have paint chips delivered to your home for free, allowing you to see how they
look in your space.
Step 2: Pick Your Tools
Every paint project is unique and may require different tools depending on the
size of your space and type of paint you choose. However, there are a few
must-haves for nearly every project such as brushes, rollers, roller frames, an
extension pole, a paint tray with liner and rags.
"The quality of your paint rollers and brushes is just as important as the paint
you use," Kitchen said. "For a smooth finish and easy application, I recommend
Valspar's line of applicators and accessories, which are now available at Lowe's
and work well with all paints and stains. Our quality painting tools make it
easy for DIYers to bring their projects to life."
Step 3: Prep Your Space
Start by removing all of the furniture or pushing everything to the center of
the room and covering it with a drop cloth or plastic sheet. Remove outlet and
switch covers, and clean dirt, dust or grime from the walls using a microfiber
duster or vacuum attachment. Don't forget to lay drop cloths, tape off trim and
fill in any small cracks or holes.
Step 4: Apply Your Paint
Start at the top, beginning with the ceiling, and work your way down to the
walls and trim. A tool like Valspar's Wall and Trim brush is ideal for most
interior painting projects. Its thin, tapered design provides ultra-clean lines
when cutting-in around windows, door frames and molding.
When you're ready to roll, start at a corner of the room in a 2-by-4-foot
section at the top of the wall. Then roll downward into a narrow V shape,
filling in any unpainted areas as you go. Once you are done with the top
section, move down and repeat until you've reached the baseboard.
If you're painting standard height ceilings or taller, it's helpful to use an
extension pole. For a seamless finish, it's important to always keep a wet edge
and let the weight of the loaded roller do the work. Some pressure can be
applied as the roller cover starts to run out of paint, but if you hear a
"sizzling" sound, that means it's time to reload with more paint. To finish, use
the roller and roll straight down all the way across your walls.
Step 5: Clean Up Your Mess
Remove tape while the paint is drying to avoid paint peeling, remove drop cloths
and then rearrange furniture. Between paint projects, always clean brushes with
soap and water, but don't leave brushes soaking in water. Always save the
package, known as the keeper, to help the brush retain its shape.
Find more tips and tricks for your next paint project at
valsparpaint.com/applicators.
