“What Am I Doing Wrong?” 5 Tips for the Home Painter in San Diego

If you decide to take on a painting project yourself, we’ll warn you that it can be easy to start the process with boundless enthusiasm. As you hold swatch after swatch up to the wall and imagine those colors surrounding you, it might feel like the sky’s the limit.

It’s equally common to feel a little frustrated a few hours into the project. After all, there’s a lot to the interior painting process; experience and expertise are invaluable.

To help your project go a bit more smoothly, we thought we’d share a few common painting mistakes. Be warned, and happy painting!

• Peeling Painter’s Tape Too Late - If painting clean lines by hand just isn’t a skill set you have, painter’s tape can be a handy tool. The key is to peel it while the paint is still wet. If you wait until it’s fully dry, it can pull away some of the paint as well and leave a tattered edge.
• Putting Too Much Paint On Your Brush - The more the merrier, right? In reality, less paint equals more control, a smoother stroke, and reduces waste. Try dipping the bristles about a third of the way in.
• Be Patient - It can be tough to wait for one coat of paint to fully dry before applying the next, but it’s important. Stacking coats too quickly can result in hard-to-fix issues like streaking.
• Make Sure the Wall Is Dry - Especially if you’re painting in a room with a high moisture content, like a bathroom, give the space plenty of time to fully dry before you begin painting. Your paint may apply fairly well at first, but there can be adhesion issues right around the corner.
• Use Primer Over a Repair - If you spackled a hole or crack in your wall, be sure to prime it after you sand the repair smooth. Otherwise you can end up with a puckered, or rippled, finish. Taking an extra few minutes to do the job properly will result in a smooth, finished aesthetic.

If you want to give a project a try, we say go for it! But just remember that there is more to painting than simply picking a color, grabbing a brush, and clearing your schedule for an afternoon. Thorough preparation, selecting the right product for your environmental needs, repairs, and flawless application are all components of a lasting, beautiful finish. And, they are the result of skill and training.

If you have a project that you need help with here in San Diego, be sure to contact us at Chism Brothers Painting.