Tips and Tricks for Painting and Decorating

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for a room, but it can be a time consuming business. Having said that, it can provide you with an onerous sense of satisfaction once completed. If you are going to paint and decorate any room yourself. You may find the tips below useful.

Those who fail to plan....

You'll enjoy the job a lot more if you get everything together at the start. Organize a tool station in the middle of the area you'll be working in. Gather together your paint, brushes, rollers, hammers, screwdrivers, plastic bags, plastic wrap, rags, paint can opener, and drop cloths.

Plan a Day for Prep

Don't try to get everything done in one day, it rarely works out that way. Use the day before painting starts to gather furniture into the centre of the room, patch cracks and holes, put blue painter's tape around doors and windows, and cover wall and ceiling light fixtures with large plastic bags.

Clear the Room

If you can, clear out all the furniture and accessories.

Take everything off the walls. If you can't move everything out, place the furniture and lamps in the middle of the room and cover them with a good drop cloth. Be sure that you tape the cloth around the furniture. Then put a second cover of plastic or old sheet over everything.

Remove All Knobs and Handles

It may seem easier to paint around door knobs or cabinet hinges, but unless you're a professional or a very experienced painter, you're bound to get drips. Always carry around some zip top bags and remove all cabinet knobs and hinges, door knobs, light switch plates and outlet covers as well as light fixtures. Place the pieces together in separate bags and clearly mark the contents and location (top left cabinet, bathroom door, etc.)where you took them from. Put them back when you're done painting.

Prepare Yourself

No matter how hard you try, you're bound to get drips of paint on whatever you're wearing. So take off all jewellery. Reserve some old, but comfortable clothes for your painting jobs. Slip-on shoes are easy to take off if you need to leave the room. That way you won't have to worry about tracking drops of paint into other rooms. When you paint the ceiling, put a scarf, shower cap, or old baseball hat over your hair and some plastic over your eyeglasses.

Don't Paint Over Problem Walls

If your walls have holes or cracks, fix them before you start with the paint. Any home centre or paint store has knowledgeable personnel to guide you to the best products for the job. Wide cracks and large holes can be "bridged" with fibre glass tape and poly filler will fill small holes and cracks. What you put in on your prep, you will get back on the finish.

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