Tarter Home Maintenance Blog

How to Achieve a Professional Paint Job

Over the years, I’ve come across some excellent paint jobs and some very bad ones.  I find myself inspecting walls wherever I go.  It’s a habit that I can’t break.

 

I’ve tried different gadgets that are intended to provide both a shortcut & a stellar paint job.  After 20 years, I’ve reached the conclusion that the old-school brush and roller is the best way for most projects.

 

Before you get started painting, be sure to fill in all nail holes and chips with Spackle. I use the DAP brand that goes on pink, and dries white.

Fill all the other cracks with caulk.  I use a latex/silicone mix.  This type of caulk tends to be more durable than regular painter’s caulk.

 

The equipment you use matters a lot.  Make sure you have a good quality angle brush, and an appropriate roller cover.

 I usually use a 2  1/2 in. angle brush to cut in the edges and the trim work.  I also use a 3/8 in.  nap roller cover  for smooth walls.  Rougher surfaces require a 1/2 in. or 3/4 in. nap.

 

Make sure you cover things up. Nothing looks worse than when paint is everywhere it’s not supposed to be.  I  use cloth drops whenever possible.   Spilled paint dries more slowly on plastic than on cloth, so the result of using plastic drops is that you’ll track paint throughout the house.

 

I start cutting in with a brush at the top left corner( because I’m left-handed), and work my way across.  This is the most important part of the project.  Please take your time and make sure that the lines are crisp.  If you don’t trust your freehand skills, tape it off.

 

After the cutting is done, it’s time to roll.  Take your time,ensuring that you have good coverage and taking care not to hit the ceiling.  Use a straight up and down motion, and watch for runs.

 

For more info, take a look at the videos from a recent project below…

 

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