Who Likes Painting Projects?

[VaTom]

I am by no means a professional painter but at age 71 I have learned to do a pretty good job since I have been a homeowner for 50 years. Before the project I just finished Saturday, the last large room I painted was during Covid. Some take aways.

1. Buy the best brush and rollers you can afford. A good 2" angled cut in brush is better than the gadgets they sell for corners and around trim work. Purdy brand bushes are pricey but worth it.
2. 3M brand painters tape doesn't do as well as Gorilla Brand painters tape.
3. Hardest part is going to Lowe's with the wife 3 times trying to get the right color!
4. Lowe's Sherwin Williams Showcase brand is really good. It is their mid grade. I have used it twice and coverage is excellent. One coat if you put it on with a good proper size knap roller.
5. The job will take twice as long as you expect. Started Wednesday and finished Saturday.

Glad I am done.

VaTom

 

[Rustyt1953]

Six months ago we moved into an 1800 sq ft home. The color scheme was horrid so we had to paint. It was easy as I have indentured children and grandchildren.

I supervised from a soccer mom chair with a cup holder.

 

[old bear]

Purdy brand brushes are worth twice the amount they sell for.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have over 40 years of commercial expierance painting, mostly repaint apartments after move-outs. I offered everybody in our church one free labor painting project. over the years about 10 took advantage of the offer.

I agree that Purdy and Wooster professional grade brushes are very good.

For flat paint, it's worth getting lamb's wool rollers, they last for years! (if cleaned thoroughly) Buy a spinner for the rollers and brushes, only use outdoors or inside a 5 gallon bucket!

For Eggshell and any kind of glossy paint I throw the roller cover after half a day and start over, and usually bought very inexpensive 6 packs.

Instead of a step ladder I use the 18" tall benches that are 30 to 36" long. That cuts way down on climbing!

I found that the "FROG TAPE" brand is the best there is! There are two types, use according to instructions! Woodwork that isn't freshly painted need at least wiped off, and sometimes scrubbed with soapy water and sometimes with degreaser.

When a can says it is reduced splatter, ignore it and use drop cloths anyway! Old rubber back curtains make great drop cloths (cut off the pleats!)

1" diameter Whiz rollers come in 4 & 6 inch widths, I found 4" more useful and throw away after use. There are "Foam" and "Pile", Foam always splatters more! Great for behind toilets & appliances, also useful in closets.

Even if you used a sample can of paint to check for color match (to decor), make sure you check the big can to your sample! When testing for colors, pant big sections of wall (2'x2') to see if it goes with carpet, furniture, and large photos or paintings! Also check to see if contrasting colors or highlight colors actually go well together.

Last lesson: Closets

Shelves, if at all removable, do so! It is easier to paint shelves out in the room than in the closet!

The little wall the door is in, paint it too, nobody will see it, but it reflects light so you can see better in there! If possible, remove door(s) too!

Paint once correctly and never again. Use a very light color in gloss or semi-gloss. Glossy closets survive even teenager abuse!

I always did closets first! While the glossy paint was out, I coated the fingerprints in any room getting painted.

Have fun painting.

Ivan

 

[glenwolde]

I hate painting.
I do it.
I do it well.
I hate it.

 

[kraynky]

I hate painting as well. However, I started pressure washing my front porch, walkway and back deck last fall in preparation for new paint. The wife's hospital visits put everything on standby before I finished.

Still have s****ing ( c r a pp was not considered part of the word apparently) and more pressure washing facing me this Spring,.......... followed by a lot of painting. Uggghhh........ I hate painting spindles the most...... so many of them....

Roofers just finished a week ago, I tried to talk them into painting for me, but they hate it too.........

 

[Chuck24]

Love painting, hate all the stuff you have to do to get ready to paint.

 

[VaTom]

Love painting, hate all the stuff you have to do to get ready to paint.

Time consuming indeed. Do all the prep work before starting each day. Move furniture to the center of the room. Stop when you get tired! More mistakes, spills, etc. happen to me if I keep going when I should have stopped an hour ago. Wrap brushes and rollers in plastic grocery bags when taking a break to keep the paint in them from drying out in case the break turns into a nap!!!

 

[Tom S.]

Another vote for Frog tape over the other brands. And use a small hand roller along the edge of the tape to make sure the tape edge is sealed, air bubbles removed, etc., and you will get a nice clean line every time.

 

[Breakaway500]

I can only paint with a gun.

 

[glenwolde]

I hate painting as well. However, I started pressure washing my front porch, walkway and back deck last fall in preparation for new paint. The wife's hospital visits put everything on standby before I finished.

Still have s****ing ( c r a pp was not considered part of the word apparently) and more pressure washing facing me this Spring,.......... followed by a lot of painting. Uggghhh........ I hate painting spindles the most...... so many of them....

Roofers just finished a week ago, I tried to talk them into painting for me, but they hate it too.........

OK now pressure washing is fun. I could pressure wash the world.

 

[wood714]

I hate painting door trim. House I had in Ohio had a long hallway with 4 bedroom doors, 3 closet doors, and one bathroom door.

Not enjoyable.

 

[StrawHat]

When I was a mere lad, Pop voluntold us we were helping paint the Church. I got to cut in all the stained glass windows! Learned how to cut with either had at age 8, never looked back.

My ex and current wife both say I could paint inside a closet wearing my best suit. I don't think so but I do not drip much.

Kevin

 

[kraynky]

Painting is an "art" for damn sure. It takes a special kind of soul to do it right. Whether it be house painting or automotive painting, it takes commitment, dedication and patience. I'm lacking in the last one big time.........

 

[Nevada Ed]

Back in the 70's a Professional Painter showed me the ropes on how to use
oil base paint and cheese cloth to get a clump free 5 gallon bucket of paint.

He used a schaffle for his big jobs , with a 5 gallon bucket on each side of him
and two 8" brushes in his hands to cover, maximum area.

Minineral spirits etc. were used for clean up and the brushes were NEVER dipped more than 50% of the way into the paint, and were cleaned free of all fresh paint, wrapped and shapped, for their next use.

Today with water base paint, things are a lot easier for clean up but there are still tricks that can help you paint better and faster.


I always add a addative to the paint that smothes it out and makes it flow better
and also add coverage, however it is an extra cost, for you.

I always mask and trim first, then use a brush & roller or sprayer, if outside.

Don't forget a hat.

 

[Dave.357]

I hate it. Just finishing repainting this room.I added it on 20 years ago.
I am 70 and will never do it again.

 

[swsig]

Six months ago we moved into an 1800 sq ft home. The color scheme was horrid so we had to paint. It was easy as I have indentured children and grandchildren.

I supervised from a soccer mom chair with a cup holder.

Good for you! Kids love to paint. It's something they can do that makes them feel grown up. They can also quickly see the results of their labor. When I was a kid, I loved to help my parents paint. Dad showed me how to mask window panes and how to load my brush so I didn't slop paint around (too badly). They got me started when I was only 4. They built a modest house, and my job, because I was closest to the ground, was to use wood putty to fill in the indentations above the finishing nails in the hardwood floor. I scooted along filling every hole, then went back and sanded them smooth when the putty dried. They waited a few years before they let me paint, but I can tell you it makes a kid feel good when they know they've contributed to fixing the house.

 

[chief38]

I used to do my own painting and I was very good at it. The issue is I hate it so much I will not do it anymore! The painting itself is bad enough but the furniture moving, taping and tarping is torture to me. I am happy to pay professionals to do a large painting project. I will do a small project like a garage, a door and similar but anything that takes more than a few hours, nope!

 

[madmikeb]

The three things I dislike the most are paint brushes, snow shovels, and lawn mowers!

 

[sheepdawg]

My favorite brush and roller is a Graco Airless Sprayer.