Did you know that painting is one of the most effective ways to make your home look younger while increasing its value? Just like a new, stylish roof, it creates a dramatic “before and after” effect that makes your home look new and improved. Though the cost of hiring a professional painter is still on the lower end of contractor costs, you can save a pretty penny if you do the job yourself. But how do you prevent the pitfall of making your home look worse than how it started? Uneven edges, paint drips, and even choosing the wrong products can make or break your DIY success story. To help you on your home improvement journey, here are 4 ways to make your DIY paint job look professional.
1) Cover Everything That won’t Be Painted
The time you spend covering floors, hardware, and furniture will pay off tenfold when you don’t have to circle back and remove paint from countertops, upholstery, and much more. Drop cloths are cheap and are a must-have for large areas while plastic wrap and bags secured with tape are also great for small items like bathroom faucets and doorknobs.
2) Do the Proper Prep Work
When you cut corners, your final results won’t stand out. For example, globs of paint left on outlet covers and mirrors in your bathroom could easily be avoided if you take the time to remove them before you start painting. You should also place spackle over holes and sand them down to make the wall’s texture smooth. Also, remember to add primer to any place that won’t stick to paint like raw drywall, sanded spackle, and other spots that paint doesn’t adhere to. If you skip this step, you will have to rip off bubbled paint and patch the uneven spots.
- Tip: Paint and primer combos usually work on smooth, already-painted surfaces and can save you time.
3) Cut Your Edges
Whether you prefer to roll your walls first and cut edges last or vice versa, it’s important to make sure that where the walls meet the ceiling and floor have clean edges. This means you should take the time to paint these detailed areas with an edging brush to give you precise results. But whatever you do, do NOT roll from top to bottom and let your roller leave paint on the ceiling and floor.
- Tip: If you absolutely just want to roll, then tape your boundaries precisely with wide tape so that you can rip off everything to reveal clean lines. However, this method takes a lot of time and can take longer than simply painting the edges yourself.
4) Get the Good Equipment
When you paint with a sub-par brush or roll with the wrong “nap” or thickness, then your paint will not look as professional when applied to your home. If you skip the edging brush, your lines won’t be as clean, especially if you try to get by with some art brushes or some budget painting supplies. The right paint matters, too. Lower quality paints usually have high VOC content and smell for hours, while high-quality paint doesn’t smell bad in the house and can be applied while people are living in it. By investing in the good gear, you get the best results and highest satisfaction.
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Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.
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