Tips For Painting Like A Pro
When looking for things to do during a pandemic, changing up your paint color isn’t as terrifying as cutting your own hair. With proper guidance and the right tools, you might fall in love with painting like I did, and that means you’ll be able to make big changes in your home whenever the spirit moves you.
First you need to decide on what color you want and get yourself some swatches so you can see the actual color in your own environment. Have a look at my post “How To Pick The Perfect Paint Color” to see exactly what you need to do to land the right color. It’s really important to do the due diligence up front so you don’t wind up with a color that looked great online but is somehow too bright/dark/light/intense/faded than you imagined. Painting is fun, repainting is not.
As for finishes (or what type of paint to use), in general, if your walls are in good shape, matte is a gorgeous finish, but it’s not really meant to be cleaned with soap and water and has a tendency to show scuffs. Eggshell has a bit more sheen to it and can be scrubbed with a sponge but, unfortunately, the more sheen, the more surface imperfections (like the ones found in plaster) will show. Another thing to note is that it’s easier to patch, or paint over, matte paint because it blends, while eggshell tends to show a painted patch. Each choice has some tradeoffs so it’s important to know how the different finishes will clean and/or if you can paint over dirt and markings. The bottom line is that you’ll need to assess the condition of your walls and the room’s use (what level of cleanability do you need) before you choose. Luckily, paint colors can usually be mixed in any finish.
Painting tools are also pretty important for achieving a professional look and for making life easier for us amateurs. In the ongoing battle between taping vs. freehanding your trim, if you’re an experienced painter and have a steady hand, freehand is going to be faster. If this is your first painting rodeo, take the extra time to tape around windows, doors, and trim and you’ll get a nice smooth line. Just follow the directions on how to use the tape or you can wind up with a real mess and I can tell you that Frog Tape is the best out there.
A good brush is worth its weight in gold. There are many great brushes out there at various price points, but the Corona Excalibur Chinex Angled Brush is the Cadillac of brushes for me. I’m a serious freehander and Corona is great at giving you a smooth line and getting into tight corners. You’ll need rollers (and these differ depending on what type of wall you’re painting), a roller pan and disposable pan trays, a ladder, and painting rags to wipe up mistakes before they dry. I also recommend getting a paint cup with a magnetic tag for holding your brush, and a paint comb to clean your brush bristles. Good care and cleaning of your tools is a worthy investment. I’d know since some of my brushes are from the Mesozoic Era and they’re still good as new.
As for paint brands, Benjamin Moore is my go-to paint and, since I have personally painted and repainted all of the rooms in my house multiple times, I can attest to its quality and durability. There are other brands like Farrow + Ball, Sherwin Williams, and Behr but I find Benjamin Moore to be in the middle price-wise and their color range is unmatched.
There are obviously many options when deciding to tackle a painting project. I hope that sharing my experience, my process, and some of my faves will give you the confidence to roll up your sleeves and dive in.