A good paint job is as good as gold. When someone is in the market for a new house, painting is one of the first things that makes an impression on them — either good or bad. As a contractor, you might not be a professional painter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t paint like one. Use these tips from the pros to make your house sparkle and look like an expert job.
Soak brushes in fabric softener
To apply an even and non-scratchy coat of paint, you need a nice soft paintbrush. Over time, if you use a paintbrush more than once and wash it, you might dry the bristles out. That can lead to streaking and a sloppy appearance. The best way to keep your brushes working perfectly is to rinse them first and then soak them in a mixture of half fabric softener and half lukewarm water. At nighttime lay them flat or hang them on a peg to dry them out. Not only will it create a better appearance on the wall, but it will also actually help you to distribute the paint more evenly and cost you less.
Use drop cloths
There is nothing that can ruin the appearance of your home than sloppy painting. To keep paint from getting on the appliances, sinks, and floors, you can’t ever be too careful. Either use drop cloths around items in the room or cover them with plastic to keep them paint-free. The local hardware store sells self-adhesive painter’s tape, which will cut back on cost and time. Most importantly, it will protect the house from getting paint drops and splatters that just leave a poor overall impression.
Use lemon and vanilla extract to reduce fumes
Nothing can turn a homebuyer off more than the smell of paint. It’s hard to concentrate when you are breathing in all the fumes, so try mixing your paint or varnish with lemon or vanilla extracts before applying. Not only will it help for the house to smell better when you are ready to show potential buyers, but it will also make it much less caustic for you and your employees to work in. Just be mindful that vanilla can taint the paint color, so only use it with dark-colored paints.
Use old towels and rags to save on painting costs
Any time that you can cut costs on your home building, you should. Instead of buying towels to use when painting, look around your own house for old t-shirts or rags to make cloths with. The fabric is a great tool for fixing up spots, the cotton will better absorb paint, it will cut costs, and the fabric is much more environmentally-friendly.
Remember the Q-Tips
A great way to fix up small accidents is with a Q-Tip. When you are painting, keep them nearby to help with things like window frames or cabinets where spaces are tight. Just put some in your pocket, so they are ready and waiting when you need them.
Apply Vaseline to places that you don’t want to get paint on
To ensure that you don’t accidentally get paint in tight spaces, apply petroleum jelly to them. Things like hinges and door handles are easy to accidentally touch with a paintbrush. If you cover the surfaces with Vaseline, all you have to do is wipe them clean without having to use chemicals to remove splatters or droplets.
Use a hairdryer to remove paint tape
Nothing is more discouraging than using painter’s tape that ruins your paint job when you take it off. If you want to make sure that the tape doesn’t wreck your paint job or the drywall, use a hairdryer to loosen the adhesive so the tape doesn’t stick and end up causing damage.
You don’t have to be a professional painter in order to paint like one. When developing condos for sale in Winnipeg, a major component of painting is about the prep work that you do and the patience you have to take your time and do it right the first time. It is much easier to prevent paint spills than to try to undo them afterward. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in the painting world. Use these expert tips to have your painting looking more professional.
