08 Jun Tips For Your Next Painting Project

Painting seems like it should be an easy project. Head to the home improvement store, pick-out
your color, grab some rollers and brushes, and off you go! But anyone who has embarked on a
painting project knows it’s not always that simple. Here are some tips to help you achieve a
picture perfect paint job!

Samples:
Before you decide on a color palette, grab some samples from your home improvement store and put the swatches up on your wall. Visit your sample wall at different times throughout the day when natural light is different so you can get a feel for what the color will look like. It’s much more cost effective to invest in a handful of sample paint colors than to have to repaint something you dislike.

Calculate:
The last thing you want is to have too much or too little paint to complete your project. But you can easily tackle this by calculating how much paint you will need to complete your project. Generally speaking, one gallon of paint will cover 350 square feet. So measure the space you’re painting to determine how many gallons you will need, keeping in mind that certain paint types and colors will require multiple coats. Work with the experts in your paint department for help here.

Organize:
Before you pop open that can of paint, you will need to prep your space and get organized. Don’t forget to purchase drop cloths or tarps to protect your flooring, and plan to move as much furniture out of the room as possible to clear the area. And plan for more time than you think you need to tape off the room. This is one part of the project
that you want to nail to ensure your lines are clean once the paint has dried.

Prep Your Tools:
You may not think of them as such, but your hands are going to be one of the most important tools that you use during a painting project! Protect them with a pair of gloves, which can help avoid blisters and also maintain your grip on brushes and rollers. Speaking of rollers, make sure you de-lint your paint rollers with masking tape
before you start. This will keep the fuzzies off of your walls. You can also prevent drips on paint cans by punching holes around the rim about 2” apart with a hammer and nail. This allows paint to drop back into the bucket instead of onto your floors.

Paint In Daylight Hours:
If at all possible, try to paint during daylight hours. And put the lights on as bright as they will go. This will help you spot mistakes as they are made, which will be much easier to correct in the moment.

Invest In Good Products:
Brushes and rollers are not created equal, and as they say, you get what you pay for. Consider investing in good products to help you with your job. Paint poles can make your job so much easier versus climbing up and down a ladder multiple times, especially if you are painting a ceiling.

Are you considering building a custom home in the Marion, Cedar Rapids or Iowa City area? If so, please contact us at Dahl Custom Homes! We are experts at custom home construction and would love to help you build the home of your dreams.

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