In his role as the “Paint Doctor” for Purdy — longtime makers of
handcrafted paint brushes and roller covers — Bruce Schneider fields
queries from intrepid do-it-yourselfers on a regular basis. Who better
to ask about the most common problems that homeowners encounter in their
interior
painting projects?
No. 1: Choosing inferior applicators
Solution: “To get the job done right, you need good quality tools,”
Schneider says. “It always boggles my mind that people are willing to
spend $40 or $50 on a gallon of premium paint but decide to go cheap on
the applicators. Later, when they see a hair on the wall or lumps of
roller lint under the paint, they’ll realize the mistake. Investing in
good brushes or rollers up front is worth the extra expense.”
No. 2: Improper preparation
Solution: “It may seem obvious, but 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,” Schneider advises.
No. 3: Overextending each dip of the brush or roller
Solution: DIYers often continue applying a dip of paint until the
brush or roller becomes dry. The problem? “When you overextend each dip,
the paint can dry in the brush bristles, and the fabric on
rollers
can mat down,” he cautions. “Be sure to always maintain a smooth line
of paint. Once the paint appears to break up, it’s time to re-dip.”
No. 4: Breathing the wrong way
Solution: The way you breathe when painting — especially when cutting
in near edges — can affect the steadiness of your hand. “When you need
to be precise, hold your breath or breathe out,” Schneider suggests.
“Your body moves more when you’re breathing in.”
No. 5: Letting touch-up paint dry out
Solution: To extend the life of your
leftover paint,
try these tricks. “For water-based paint, place a piece of clear
plastic wrap directly on the surface of the paint, then reseal the
container,” Schneider offers. “For oil-based paint, add about a
half-inch of water on the surface before resealing.”
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