Painting tips you need to know

Take on board these simple tips to help make your next painting job go smoothly.

1. Crisp edgesr
If you don't want to use paint tape to get clean edges, you can always use a paint shield. This is a tool that prevents paint splatters in spots outside your immediate painting area. They come in different sizes according to how big the surface that you wish to paint. They are a great tool because not only do they make the job easier but as a result, they make the job quicker.

2. Hard to reach placesr
To paint the bottom of an object, raise it with a couple of screws. The screws can easily be removed after the paint has dried. This is a very simple, yet ingenious way to solve height or other logistic issues.

3. Less messr
Tape the handle of your paint bucket upwards. This stops any drips from coming off your paint brush. Again another inventive yet effective way to avoid those irritating paint stuff ups.
To stop paint dripping down the side of the can onto the ground, why not place a paper plate underneath it.These are disposable and very cheap to replace after use.

4. Roller maintenancer
Trim the pesky edges off of your paint rollers to avoid creating tracks. The need to look after your paint rollers should be foremost. Other things you need to do are the following;

1. Use a wire roller to get rid of the excess paint, which if left, can make a paint job inconsistent.
2. Always hang the roller upright when drying. In this way the roller won’t have imperfections or different textures, which can cause painting issues.
3. Do not wash the roller by simply cleaning it in cold water. To get the job done properly, wash it with warm soapy water. With latex paint, use hot water and manually push the paint out of the fibres with your hands. If using an oil based paint, use a solvent to rest the roller in and repeat as needed. Whichever method you use, ensure the roller is covered and stored with care.
5. Splash protectionr
Use aluminium foil to cover objects you don't wish to paint. This is great for those small fiddly areas where paint splashing is common and quite difficult to avoid. Foil is great because it is easy to mold around door handles, drawer pulls and other small objects.
Save time and water by wrapping your paint bucket in aluminium foil. By doing so, all you need to do is remove it after your paint job and it will look brand new.

6. Door decoratingr
Stop doors from dripping by placing a layer of petroleum jelly around the hinges. This is a much better option than plumbers tape, which is difficult to use when the edges are curved or not standard shape.

7. Fiddly jobsr
When doing that fiddly touch up jobs, try using a baster. Yes, it sounds a bit silly but it is a perfect way to transfer paint from the paint can to a small container. In this way, you can avoid those paint spills that can become extremely frustrating.

8. Increased comfortr
Another great tip, especially useful when doing external painting, is using a piece of garden hose to help you hold an often heavy paint can. By cutting a short bit of hose down the centre, you can wrap it around the metal hand. This will stop that handle digging into your palm and fingers.

9. External upgradesr
If you’re thinking of painting the exterior of your home but you want a long-lasting result, consider having it rendered instead. This is the perfect solution for Australian homes, as render is made to protect buildings from harsh weather conditions. This is especially the case in Queensland where the Summer sun can be scorching, which is why rendering in Brisbane is a popular option.

10. Window finishesr
Why not try using wet newspaper around windows, instead of masking tape. Being wet it will stick to the surface, prevent spills and is easy to remove when the paint job is done.

11. Increased efficiencyr
When painting those skirting boards, rather than have to crawl along the ground, grab your child’s skateboard. By sitting on it sideways, you can move yourself at ground level, without fear of sore knees and a bad back.

Painting can be a very monotonous job that many of us do not look forward to. However, the many tips listed above are a great way to speed up the process, without being expensive. The cost of paint is not cheap and every little bit not spilt is money saved. The beauty of many of these tips is that you can find most of these items around the house, so no further spending is required. The list is by no means final or complete and with a bit more research, you can even find a few more useful tips!