Painting Tips / Part 3

Painting Tips

This last post is a compilation 

of helpful ideas that I have
found by trial and error 
or from internet research 
that are worth sharing.

Some are super clever ideas -- 
wish I had thought of them!

Keeping track of paint colors you've used

One blogger shares the idea that you
can use a link of popsicle sticks
dipped with the paint color used in each room in your house
with the pertinent information written on the back.





Another blogger
suggests that you write the paint color
information on the back of the light switch
plate cover in each room for safe keeping
and easy access to information.

Such a great idea!
 





Brushstrokes bothering you?


If so, you need to know about Floetrol.
This is a great product if you want 
to give your latex paint the feel of oil-based paint 
without the clean up hassles. 
It's a paint conditioner -- not a thinner.

It allows the paint a little longer drying time and it
enables the paint to fill in between the grooves left
between the hairs in the brush strokes 
(or the nap of a roller) 
creating a smoother finish. 
I use this product when I paint
furniture in a high gloss paint. Works great.





Paintbrushes

I often buy a cheap brush to use
so I can throw it away after I am done painting.
Lazy!
I'm usually so exhausted after a paint project
that rather than washing out a good brush,
I just pitch the inexpensive one I grabbed
when I bought the paint.
NOT a good idea.

If you are going to buy a good bucket of paint,
you should invest in a good brush.
Cheap brushes will lose their bristles in your paint job
and there is nothing worse than finding
random hairs in your paint finish.

Spend the money on a good brush --
when taken care of properly they can
last for years.

Did you know that oil-based paints
require natural bristle brushes
while water based paints work better
with acrylic brushes?

Natural bristle brushes
(made of hog or badger hair)
are not made to be used with water-based
paint because the bristles soak up the water
making the brush too limp to spread the paint.

Acrylic or synthetic brushes 
(made of nylon and/or polyester)
are specifically made for water-based paint.
There are synthetic brushes that can be 
used on both oil and water-based paints
but check the label on the brush to be sure.


 Brush Prep Work Tip

Before you start your paint job,
wet your brush before dipping it into the paint.

If using a water based paint, wet the brush with water
before beginning your project.

If using an oil-based paint, wet the brush
with paint thinner. Preparing the brush in this manner
keeps the ferrule from drying the bristles 
and making them brittle.   





Clean Up

Never soak your brushes in water or paint thinner.
Wash immediately when done using them 
and then wrap in a paper towel to remove excess water. 
Allow to dry by hanging or by laying the brush out flat.
Store flat or with the bristle side up.



Paint Fumes Bothering You?

Did you know you can add 
one teaspoon of vanilla extract 
to a gallon of paint and it will reduce 
and sometimes even eliminate 
the fumes of the paint? 
It's true!
(One more reason to love vanilla.)
:)



Have any paint tricks or tips to share?
Feel free to add them here in a comment.
We would all love to hear about it!


Thank you so much for stopping by.
Feel free to read the first and second parts
to this series of picking paints for your home.

Hope you find it helpful.

~ Alison