A seasoned painter has way more experience than an average homeowner or newbie painting service contractor. We have a few tricks up our sleeves and some unique basic techniques that make us better painters. But let me cut the suspense and share some tips that I have picked up, after having supervised both residential and commercial painting projects in Auckland for over a decade. If you are looking for tips to cut down painting time, you will sadly be disappointed. When we paint an average room, we take two to almost four days to finish the job. Painting walls, roofs or anything else is much like creating a piece of art and it does take time!
Have a look at the list of tips I have outlined for you-
1. As a rule, clear everything from the room that has to be painted. Huge pieces of furniture can be moved to the centre and covered with sheets. All light fixtures should be either removed and labeled or covered properly, to protect them from wall dust.
2. Most DIY enthusiasts have no idea of the amount of paint that will drop on the floor. Buying a handful of drop cloths beforehand is a good idea. Your first choice might be a thin sheet, but that fails to prevent the paint form reaching the floor.
3. A plastic sheet will not absorb paint at all and in the end you will end up walking on it and staining the whole house. I always go for canvas and paper backed plastic sheets. I have been advising the same to many house painters in Auckland for many years now.
4. Before you actually start painting, you have to be ready to put in a tedious effort to prepare the surfaces. I use painters putty or a dose of spackle lightweight for cracks that are minor.
5. For dents that are deeper than one eight of an inch, Plaster of Paris is much more effective. Some of my colleagues have switched to spray on primer in a rubberized base to fill the cracks. I would not suggest us of Spackle on wood at all, as it doesn’t to get attached to the grain at all.
6. The next step is sanding and it plays a pivotal role in giving an even finish to the walls. It will remove all chipped paint and also make the surface more adaptable for a fresh coat of paint.
7. For walls that have gloss on their trim, I suggest using a sanding sponge rather than sandpaper. You will see that the sponge will mold itself to the shape of the trim and be easy to use.
8. If you have just moved in and are not sure about the original finish, do not sweat. Just treat the wall with liquid sandpaper and remove all trace of the previous finish.
9. Do not ever paint over dust or dirty walls. All your effort, time and money will be a waste. Give the walls a sponge bath with TSP- or trisodium phosphate, a mild cleanser. If you have smoke stains, mix equal parts of water and bleach to clean the wall.
10. Please let go of your belief that diluted paint is called primer. It is very essential to give the paint job a solid and long lasting look. It is like the glue between the paint and the wall. I always use primers that have an alcohol or alkyd base, as they are great with all kinds of surfaces.
11. As a rule I always suggest egg shell gloss to my customers. It is stain resistant and easy to scrub. The imperfections are not highlighted; it works great for the kids’ room, kitchen, hallways and baths.
12. Lastly, I always super charge my paint by adding a good additive to it. By adding just a few ounces, the paint will last longer.
That’s all an Auckland painter with 20 years of work experience has got for now to share with you!
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