TOOLS YOU NEED
(For latex or water-based interior paint)
Roller
Roller pan
Extension pole for roller
Narrow (2-4-inch) angles brush
Wider brush narrower than the roller
Cans of paint
Stir stick
Paper towels
Old newspapers
Disposal bag for used towels
Screwdriver or paint key to remove paint can lid
Stepladder
Stepstool
Damp lint-free rag
Soap and water (to clean brushes)
Protective hand cream
* The tools you need largely depend on the condition and type of surface being painted, as well as the type of paint used.
SMART TIP
Preserve brushes and paints. Never leave your brushes sitting in paint. Wash them immediately when not using and cover paint trays with a damp rag. Snap the plastic lid back on cans. With metal lids, clean the rim, place a newspaper or rag on top and gently tap the lid into place with a hammer.
Knowing the optimal order to paint a room’s surfaces will ensure your paint goes where it’s supposed to—beautifully.
Okay, you’ve moved your furniture and primed the surfaces. You’re visualizing that beautiful color you’ve chosen and you’re antsy to start painting. But don’t even think about picking up a brush until you’ve first done the following:
• Turn off all pilot lights and extinguish fires before you even open a paint can.
• Make sure you have plenty of fresh, freely circulating air (open the windows, turn on a fan, etc.) .
• Wear old clothes and/or an apron.
• Rub protective cream into your arms and hands (makes cleanup easier).
• Read the label of your paint can thoroughly and follow all instructions for stirring.
• Map out your plan.
Now here’s your plan of action: “Top to Bottom.”
That translates into painting a room in this order: ceiling first, then walls, baseboard trim, door and door trim and finally windows. Follow this order and you’ll keep from painting yourself into a corner; you’ll also cut down on drips and streaks.
Timewise, it’s best to commit to painting an entire wall or section in one session so painted portions won’t lose their wet edges (and thus create nasty lines). So don’t hesitate to put an extension pole on your roller: it really speeds up your work time. Plus, it’s much safer—you’ll be able to stand balanced on the floor to paint most of your ceiling instead of teetering on a stepstool or ladder.
Now you can paint—in this order!
Ceiling. Start by “cutting in”—painting a 2-3-inch wide strip with a brush on the ceiling where it meets the wall. Clean the brush with soap and water and wrap in paper to keep it clean and shaped. Then pour some paint into your roller pan, and lightly roll the roller back and forth over the tray’s ridges to remove excess paint. Ideally, start painting the ceiling at the corner furtherest from the exit door, but if you’re right-handed, start in a left corner (and vice versa). If you don’t have room to zigzag your roller, simply paint horizontally. Finish small sections before moving on.
Walls. When you’ve finished the ceiling, tackle the walls. With a clean brush, paint an edge about three inches out from the corners of the room, around the windows and doors, at the baseboard and below the ceiling. Clean the brush again, and then use the roller to finish the walls.
Baseboard trim. Use a good small sash brush and carefully paint the trim. To avoid drips, hold a piece of cardboard or wallpapering straight edge over the carpet. If you’re painting with a partner, one can “cut in” while the other follows with the roller.
Doors. Paint the frame before the door. If you have raised panel doors, paint the panels first. Then start at the top of the door and work your way down.
Windows. Paint the window sash before the frame. Then work your way down the window casing to the sill.
Final Check. Stand back and check your handiwork. Are there any paint drips or holes? Clean them up now while the paint is still wet to avoid “hat banding”—those stripes that appear when your “cut-in” strokes dry before your roller strokes.