Tips For Improving DIY Painting Skills

When you watch a professional painter doing their work, you get the impression that it would be quite easy to replicate the painter's finish. It doesn't look complicated and, for what appears to be little effort, great results are achieved. However, there are a number of little things that a professional painter does, through years of experience, that allows them to get a great finish with minimum effort.

If you have a DIY painting job to do, use these tips to get a professional result:

Use A Tinted Primer

Professional painters will usually use a primer that is similar to the color of paint that will be used. While the majority of DIY painters will choose a standard white primer, tinted primers excel at covering any original paint. With a white primer, several coats may need to be applied to get the perfect finish; this is especially true if painting over orange or red. Look for a tinted primer that is close to the color of your paint.

Stop Paint Bleeds

Having the paint drip or bleed from the bottom of the walls onto the skirting or the floor creates more work and repairs for you. Use tape to seal off the bottom of the walls and prevent paint from bleeding down. Also, instead of using masking tape (which can leave a sticky substance behind) use painter's blue tape. Run it around the skirting and press it into place with a putty knife.

Use Paint Conditioner

Often, the difference between a DIY finish and a professional finish comes down to brush marks or lap marks. This detracts from the job, and can even cause an entire repaint if the marks are noticeable enough. Purchasing a paint conditioner and pouring it into your paint will slow down the time it takes for the paint to dry, meaning that you won't be painting wet paint from the pot onto half dry paint on the wall. This will effectively rid the finish of unsightly brush marks.

Get An Even Color Throughout

If you are familiar with painting, you may be aware that when you buy two cans of the same color, they can vary slightly in their shades. This can be frustrating and will ultimately cause your finished walls to have different shades of the same color. To avoid this, calculate the number of tins of paint you will need and pour all of the tins into a plastic drum container. Mix the paint thoroughly with a wooden baton to ensure that you have the same color throughout your project.

As you gain more experience with painting, you will discover more tips to help you save time and still achieve a great looking finish. Contact a company like Allure Painting Services if you want professional help and information.