One of the easiest ways to make a house a home is to paint the walls in your favorite colors.Many people think painting is messy and takes a lot of effort.It doesn't have to be difficult to paint a room with clean, crisp edges.The results will look professional and amazing with the right preparation, tools, and technique.
Step 1: The gaps should be filled.
Spackle and a spackle knife can be used to fill in holes.Paintable caulk can be used to fill gaps between walls.Run a thin bead of caulk along the edges using a caulk gun and paintable caulk.A damp cloth can be used to remove excess that is on the edge.This step allows you to paint a line on the edges that are even.Allow the caulk to dry for 20 minutes.It shouldn't need to be that long because it should be very thin.Laying out tarps along the walls you are going to paint is one of the things you can do while the caulk is drying.
Step 2: Use a damp rag to clean the surfaces.
Dust can be removed by wiping off the trim edges with a cloth.Go around the room and wipe the baseboards, door trim, window trim and crown molding that are on the edge of the wall.A clean surface will help the tape adhere.
Step 3: All trim and edges should be masked with painter's tape.
The blue tape is made for use with painting.The secret here is to tape slowly and carefully, making sure to press down firmly along the edge of the tape so that it is securely attached.If you use regular masking tape it can cause the trim paint to pull up.You should tape off the corners where there are two different colors next to each other.If the ceiling is a different color, this includes the edge at the top of the wall.
Step 4: Paint from the center to the edge of the tape.
Make sure the paint only goes halfway up the brush by dipping it in.The edge of the container is the best place to wipe off drips.It's important to paint with strokes that move from the center of the tape to the edge.This will make sure that paint doesn't get under the tape.Before painting the rest of the wall, you can paint the taped off edge.One of you can do the edge painting and the other can follow behind and paint the large sections of the wall if you have a helpers.The paint won't leak over the far side of the tape or be forced under the edge if you work slowly and precisely.
Step 5: Allow the paint to dry.
Don't pull the tape off after painting.It is easier for paint to break at the tape line if the paint is completely dry.You don't want to wait long to take the tape off.The paint will be too solid and dry for the tape line to be even.
Step 6: The paint won't be disturbed if the tape is pulled at an angle.
Pull the tape off if you want it to be at a 90 degree angle from the trim surface.The edge of the paint can be pulled off with ease, but this allows the tape to separate smoothly.The paint edge should be a perfect line.If you follow the instructions, you can remove the tape and find a beautiful room.
Step 7: If the paint and tape don't separate, use a razor blade.
You may have thick areas of paint that need to be cut if you have problems with the tape pulling up and stretching the paint.If the paint is not breaking free, use a razor blade to cut the edge.If you want to cut a smooth line, keep the blade parallel to the wall.If you find a lot of areas that don't want to come off easily, it's a good idea to score all the edges so that they will be difficult.
Step 8: Fix.
Paint can be used to fill in small nail and ding holes.To fill gaps between the walls and trim, use a caulking gun and paintable caulk.Remember, nail holes and gaps are obvious after you paint, so take the extra time and make the room look good by doing proper wall preparation.After 20 minutes, let the caulk and spackle dry.
Step 9: Use a damp rag to clean the wall.
Once the repairs are done, you can wipe the surface clean.Use a damp rag.This will help your paint adhere.You should wipe down every surface you plan to paint, which may include the wall, window trim, baseboards, and crown molding.
Step 10: Purchase a tool for painting.
Most hardware stores and specialty paint stores carry tools that are specifically designed to paint crisp edges.You can paint a neat edge with these tools.They use a pad that applies the paint to the wall and wheels that run along the opposite wall to keep it off that wall.
Step 11: Paint the tool surface.
You need to be careful when applying paint to your tool because the paint will get on the other wall and not the painting surface.If you follow the directions that come with your tool, they can move the wheels away from the pad if you fill it with paint and put them back in place.You want to soak the pad with paint, but don't have a lot of paint on it.
Step 12: The tool should be run along the edge.
The tool has directions for painting the edges of the walls.As you move the tool along the edge, make sure to keep it steady.It may take a couple of coats to fully paint the edge, so run the tool back and forth.The edge can be painted before the rest of the wall.
Step 13: Fix any flaws with a paintbrush or rag.
As you use the edge tool, make a note of areas that aren't perfect.You can fix areas that need a little more paint by using a small paint brush.If you don't want paint on the surface, wipe it off before it dries.Most edge tools work great, so once you get the hang of using them, you should have very few areas that need to be touched up.
Step 14: You can fill in the blanks.
To fill bigger holes, use a sparkle knife and spackle.Paint or caulking can be used to fill in small holes between the wall and trim.You should take the time and effort to make the wall nice and smooth before painting because nail holes and other flaws are obvious after you paint.Use a damp cloth to remove excess caulk or spackle.Fix any mistakes if it is still wet.
Step 15: Use a damp rag to wipe down the surfaces.
The rag should be slightly damp.It can be used to clean the trim edges of baseboards, window molding, and crown molding that are going to be painted.Make sure the wall is clear of dust and dirt by wiping it down thoroughly.
Step 16: Get a small brush.
You need a brush that you can control.A brush with an angle tip will give you the control you need.All hardware and home improvement stores carry these brushes.
Step 17: Load your brush with paint.
When painting crisp edges without masking you need to have a constant amount of paint on the brush.The back of the brush should not be covered with paint but the tips should.The paint should only be on the first 1/3 of the bristles.If you have a limited amount of paint on the brush, you can avoid drips and flooding the edge with too much paint.
Step 18: Don't paint near the edge.
It's important to practice painting straight lines if you aren't used to it.Start a practice line away from the edge to get used to it.You should paint the straightest and cleanest line you can.If you have practiced a few times, be sure to brush over the paint in the area so that there are no ridges left.The area won't be noticeable if you paint over it with a roller.
Step 19: Repeated short strokes move in towards the edge.
To make a clean edge, you need to start your stroke away from the edge.You don't have to worry about a pool of paint on the edge.Slowly move the brush towards the edge.Move the brush back from the wall when you run out of paint.To avoid pooling on the edge, you only need to move the brush in and out about 1 cm.Just before the previous stroke ends, start another one so that the 2 strokes can be blended together.
Step 20: You can paint the edges with your brush.
Before you use a roller to cover the rest of the walls, do all your edge painting.You don't have to get too close to the edge when you come back over it with a roller, if you cover each edge with several inches of paint.Make sure the paint you apply away from the edge is smooth.When you are painting the edge of the wall, keep the lump on it.
Step 21: Right away, clean up the flaws.
If you have a smudge, you can easily clean it up.If the wall is still wet, wipe it off with a damp rag or paper towel.You can go back over the area to reestablish your clean line.
Step 22: After painting the edges, paint the walls.
You can focus on the large areas of the walls once you have your clean edges done.If you make your brushed areas wide enough, you can roll over the edge with your roller, making a seamless paint job.