With the holidays approaching many of us will be grabbing a brush to refresh our homes. Here Jim hits on a few painting basics that he often addresses with his listeners.
Spray vs. roller & brush
For outdoor jobs you can only spray on a perfectly calm day. Even at that, you are going to have some overspray on the shingles of your roof, so be prepared to cover everything to keep the overspray off. To spray the inside of a home it has to be unoccupied because you can't cover the inside of the home well enough to keep the paint off of the contents. Inside rolling or brushing is typically the best, and if you are doing sheetrock walls, roll the paint evenly. When applying use up and down rolling strokes, and then ome back and start at the top and pull everything down one row at a time in order to pull all the sheen in the same direction. Remember, if you are using a semi-gloss or a gloss, the glossier the finish the more important it is to pull the paint in the same direction with all your finished strokes, so you have it all pulling for the same sheen.
How to use painter’s tape
There are several different types of painter’s tape each designed for different surfaces, so match the right tape for your job. The adhesives are all heat activated. When you put one along an edge keep it nice and tight. Then make sure you take your finger and rub all the way down rapidly, so you generate some heat to seal that bond; otherwise, the paint will actually leach underneath the tape. Once you are done with your painting, you need to make sure to remove that tape while the paint is still somewhat tacky. If you wait until it's totally dry (like a day or two) you are going to have a rough edge because some of the paint will come off with the tape. If it's still a little moist, you are going to have a nice clean edge.
Purpose of primer
Primer soaks into the material and seals it, providing a clean consistent surface ready for paint. Without a primer your paint will get absorbed into the surface. Sheetrock, for instance, has a paper on the outside of it, and will absorb the paint and change the sheen of your paint if you haven't sealed it with a primer first. Don't be fooled into buying a "primer-paint-in-one" thinking you can skip a step. That is only fine if the walls are already painted with a similar color. If you have a bright red wall and you are wanting to go back to a light color, use primer sealer on it first or you are going to repaint that wall several times.
Selecting the paint
Jim always gets the higher-grade paint – don’t be tempted by cheap paints. Splurge on the good stuff you will paint less coats and have a durable, washable surface that will last years longer.
Storing leftover paint
It is a great idea to save leftover paint for future touch-ups, but proper storage is imperative. To keep the water in and the microorganisms out store it in an airtight container. You can use the original can or transfer the paint to a clean jar with a screw-on lid. Keep it at room temperature. Texas heat will kill paint so don't put it in the garage or shed!
How to tell if it has gone bad? If the lid is popping up or the can is bulging microorganisms are eating the paint and giving off gas. Other signs that a paint is past its prime include a thick, rubber-like film topping the paint, or when the paint won't mix well or stay blended
