12 Fundamental Painting Tips to Know Before You Pick Up The Brush

Does the thought of painting your own walls thrill you? If you have the time and a whole lot of patience, these valuable tricks and tips will sort you out:

If you are planning for a DIY approach to paint your home walls, you need to firstly accept that the job isn’t so stress-free and mess-free as you might expect. It is recommended to go for a professional painting service, if your home painting requirements are more elaborate and demanding. Especially in the case of exterior painting, which might put you at risk of injuring yourself or painting the entire home, which requires knowledge, expertise and a lot of time on hand (which, let’s admit, most of us just don’t). That being said, if your wall painting requirement is for an accent wall or a quick refresh, with the right approach and plan, you can make your interior painting work a success as a beginner.

Our Express Painting experts spill the secrets of a perfect paint job, so if you are considering home painting by yourself, brush up on these tips and tricks for house wall painting:

Tip 1: Choose colours wisely

Take your time in choosing the right house painting colours since it is a vital part of the room aesthetics. Decide on what you want to achieve by having a particular colour. eg: do you want to create an ambiance that is soothing or energising? If you can’t determine which colour will work the best, look for inspiration around you and on the Internet. Consider the existing colour palette in the room, found in the furniture, textiles and decor elements. Remember that dark hues add depth and warmth whereas light hues add space and brightness, so choose wisely.

Tip 2: Don’t forget the paint finish

Now that you have chosen the paint colour, one factor you absolutely must consider is the finish of the paint. Even the same colour looks massively different in various finishes, be it matte or sheen/gloss. The higher the sheen in the paint, the better it will stand up to stains, abrasions and cleaning. For high traffic areas like bathroom, kitchen, hallways etc. opt for a paint with high sheen. For bedroom and living room, opt for matte finishes since frequent cleaning is not needed (unless you have kids). Always use high sheen paint for doors, windows, trim and cabinets.

Tip 3: Test before you buy

You might have considered testing the paint swatches already, but it is important to test it in different lighting. Paint colours will react differently when in sunlight as opposed to artificial light so remember this in when finalising on a colour.

Tip 4: Determine paint needs

You can’t factor in the amount of paint you will need just by looking at the walls. To help you out, you can make use of handy painting estimate calculators, like this one: Berger Paint Calculator.

Don’t forget the second coat too! For the best finish and durability, most paints require two coats. However, you might need additional coats, especially if you are painting to cover a dark colour with a light colour.

Tip 5: Choose the right tools

You might be tempted to buy cheap tools, but when it comes to DIY home painting, you should not be stingy– even if you have to spend some extra cash. You don’t want bristles to fall out of the brush on wet paint. Good tools will make you reach all the angles and last for a very long time. You can now get quality home painting tools delivered safely to your home step, visit www.shop.bergerpaints.com/browse/tools-andconsumables

Tip 6: Do the prep work

Paint will cover more uniformly and adhere to clean, dry and non-sheen surfaces. Scrape off peeling paint, fill holes and sand walls. Remove switchboards and other hardware.

Tip 7: Use painters tape

Protect the switches, doors, windows and floor using a high-quality painters tape. Use a putty knife or scraper while removing the tape, avoid using your fingers to prevent drips and secure sharp lines. Ensure the paint has completely dried off before removing the tape.

Tip 8: Paint top to bottom

The golden rule of home painting- always paint from top to bottom. This way you can avoid paint spills and drips. So, if you’re painting the ceiling, begin with that and work your way downwards.

Tip 9: Don’t work without a primer

If you ask the experts, they will always recommend using a primer, and for a good reason. It is the best way to get pigment, adhesive and durability from your paint. Apply it on the walls the same way you would apply paint and let it dry completely before you begin painting.

Tip 10: Ingredients of the paint matter too

Water based paints have low VOC (volatile organic compound). At Berger Paints, our paints are made using the best resources and are low in synthetic materials, ensuring the safety of both, our customers and the planet we call home.

Tip 11: Remember these paint brush techniques

• When painting the trims or edges, hold the brush the narrow way around, it creates a much crisper line.
• When dipping the paint brush in the can, dip it only about half an inch. This will prevent overloading the brush and stop the paint from dripping.
• Always paint in long continuous strokes to prevent any marks or rough appearance.
• Wet your brush before dripping in paint and blot it, this will prevent the paint from dripping towards the brush and saves a lot of mess.

Tip 12: For when you pause

If your painting is going to take longer than a day, wrap your tools in cling film and put it in the refrigerator to prevent drying so you do not have to clean your brushes every time. Remove them half an hour before you plan to begin painting.

And that’s it! This guide will help you break down the task of painting a room into a fairly easy process. It takes time to paint a room perfectly but the end result is so totally worth it!