If you’re looking to paint your home and have decided to paint it yourself, take a little extra time and spend a little more money to get it right. Colors are subjective, but the quality of materials and brushes is not. In this example we will paint the interior of a typical house. On almost every painting job I’ve done, I’ve insisted that clients use an oil-based paint on the woodwork and doors. Oil paint not only makes wood look and feel better, but also provides a superior durable and washable finish that water-based latex paints cannot offer. There’s nothing worse than seeing a freshly painted door or frame damaged by fingerprints and other stains.

 

First and foremost, don’t buy cheap paint. I prefer Sherwin Williams Duration or Superpaint brands . They cost about $40 a gallon and $35 a gallon, respectively. Expect coverage of approximately 350 square feet per gallon, with two coats required at all times. Another benefit of using higher quality paints is that later touch-ups will blend together perfectly.

 

Do not buy an expensive brush to paint the walls. Spend about $8-$10 for a 2.5 inch angled wing brush. I emphasize buying an angled wing brush because it’s how professionals paint straight lines and cut a space properly. Do not use tape when cutting ceilings. People are afraid that they cannot draw a straight line. Painting isn’t like throwing a 30-yard post pattern in the NFL. You don’t have to be a top athlete to be a good painter. Have you seen the physiques of most professional painters? Patience is key when painting. Don’t try to rush the cutting phase, straight lines are the key to a good painting process. A little trick is to sharply cut the eyes just before the brush. Your hand magically follows your line of sight. Try it, it works.

 

If you have large holes or cracks in a wall, purchase a small can of vinyl repair paste. The reason I prefer it over regular wall putty is that once dry it is much harder and sands easily. In an emergency, you can even use it for minor wood repairs.

 

Never use a cheap foam roller to roll out the walls. Foam rollers never pick up the paint from the pan evenly and actually add time to your project and create even more mess. Get a professional 3/8 lug synthetic reel head for about $6-8. Not only does the paint apply more smoothly, but there is less work and mess.

 

Now comes the fun part of the doors and woodwork. This is where most people choose to use latex, which is a big mistake. Your home is your greatest investment, don’t compromise on aesthetics . You want the finish of your woodwork to stand out against the walls, especially if you have crown molding or Waynes coating . Don’t be fooled by water-based products that claim to give the look and finish of oil. It’s just good marketing that plays on people’s fears of oil painting. Don’t believe the hype as these samples show you have three or four coats professionally sprayed on in a dust free environment. You won’t get the same results, I can promise you that. You have the choice between a semi-matt or glossy surface. I prefer gloss because I think it adds a bit more durability and shine. Either will be fine for your project. Now let’s start.

 

The first thing you need to do is clean your baseboards, doors and woodwork with a damp rag. Yes, your baseboards are so dirty. Now comes the time consuming process of taping. This is a step most do-it-yourself people skip , and I can tell you it shows. As I mentioned earlier, a paint job is only as good as the straightness of its lines. Don’t cheat yourself here. Purchase professional low-tack painter’s tape and allow the walls to dry 918kiss thoroughly before applying. Take your time as this process cannot be rushed but produces professional looking results. If you have carpet, use regular 2 inch tape and tape where the carpet meets the baseboard. Removing the door hardware takes two seconds, and not doing so will only slow you down in the long run. Open the windows and turn off any fans, as painting with oil paint creates paint fumes.

 

Our next step is to mix the oil paint. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. Of course you’ll need to buy some paint thinner, but the main product you need is Penetrol for $12. Take a plastic cup that you want to paint from and fill it about three quarters full with paint. Now mix in a few tablespoons of Penetrol and the smallest amount of thinner. Mix well with a chopstick and you’re good to go. Why Penetrol ? This product is the key to an amazing looking job. Penetrol not only smoothes the surface, but also increases the time (usually around 20 minutes) before the paint starts to become tacky. This allows you to apply a glass-like finish and eliminate brush marks. We’re going to apply two coats here as well to keep the paint from clumping. If you paint the door frames, get used to the color and watch out for drips. After about ten minutes you’ll get used to how the color flows and how darn good your finish looks. Allow to dry overnight before applying the second coat. Tip: After applying the second layer, remove the tape and do not let it dry at first. The tape will get some paint on your hands, but deal with it. If you remove the tape now, make sure the lines are clean. If you let the second coat dry, you may peel off some of the oil paint. It’s not common, but I think why take the risk?

 

When painting your doors, your first step will depend on whether they are flat or raised doors. Once you’ve lifted the plate, have your brush and roller ready. Again, you need to buy the right roller. I prefer a synthetic high quality 4 inch head. Ask your sales professional to recommend the best product for you. Foam rollers are only good for stains and a cheap roller head can leave little hairs on the finish. With the raised panel, your first step is to paint the indentations around the panels and then roll them out. I can’t stress enough that you apply light layers. When you’re done, take another good look at it. It may take a few minutes for drops to form. Before you begin the second coat of paint, sand the door down briefly with a very light sandpaper. I usually use a fine sanding sponge.

 

RANDOM PAINTING TIPS

 

Take the time to paint your closets. Yes, it’s a hassle to remove and paint everything, but not only do you get a chance to throw away some junk, but potential buyers will appreciate that the cabinets are painted.

 

Consider buying a portable paint container and using it instead of a regular plastic one. They are easier to maneuver and usually come with a strap to attach to the hand.