A painting project is indeed an expensive and time-consuming job. You'd have to completely commit to it if you're planning to do one because, unlike any other project, you cannot just leave it in the middle and continue it some other time. So, the clear option would be to leave it up to the professionals, who will be certain on how to get the job done and fast. But, paying for the materials needed plus the manpower only bloats your expense further - and if you're on a tight budget, hiring professional painters is indeed out of the question. However, hard and difficult do not mean impossible - with the right tips and tricks, you can do your very own paint project! To guide you in your quest for DIY painting, here are 6 Tips To Keep In Mind When Painting By Yourself in Milford, CT.
1. Surface Preparation
The first thing to keep in mind when painting by yourself would be proper surface preparation. This means you must scrape, sand, patch, fill and inspect for any cracks, holes, or various surface imperfections that are just sitting on your wall. This may not be the most glamorous and fun part of painting, but this is the most important - most paint projects fail due to poor surface preparation. So if you're planning to only do this job once, better do it right the first time and prepare your surface properly before painting.
2. Tinting the Primer
If you've done your research and consulted with professionals, you should know that you should never skip primer, but one pro-tip that you might have missed is tinting the primer. To do this, get your primer and your chosen paint color, pour some amount of paint into the can of primer and then mix it. This is the secret to achieving a better coverage on your surface and a more vivid and vibrant paint finish because it ensures that your primer will be completely covered and colored by your topcoat, which is your paint. Keep in this mind when doing a paint project by yourself, and you'll be amazed as to how neat and clean the results will be.
3. Know How Much Paint You'll Use
To save you from the stress of continually going back and forth to your local hardware store, you should measure beforehand how much paint you'll be using. It would be better to take extra effort early in the preparation than to waste effort, time, and money later on in the process. If you have friends who happen to be paint professionals or have experience with painting, you can ask for their help in measuring how many cans of paint you should be buying. However, if you're completely doing this by yourself, don't lose hope - there are thousands of paint calculators online that could help you give an estimate of how much paint you'll need.
4. Mix Cans of Paint
Another pro-tip that you might not have heard of yet is to mix cans of paint. Professionals would call this "boxing the paint," and what it does is ensure that you will be painting an exact shade of paint all over the surface. This is why it is important to know how much paint you'll use because you'll essentially be needing to mix them in a big container so that they are of the same shade and consistency. Even though you're getting the same shade of paint, the different can might not have the same consistency as the previous one, resulting in a slight shade difference.
5. Recycle Old Clothes and Rags as Drop Cloths
Since you're only saving money by doing the painting project yourself instead of hiring professionals, save more money by recycling old clothes and rags that can function as a drop cloth. It is practically doing the same thing, and you won't even spend a dime on them! Just make sure that they are layered thick and cover the entire floor near the surface you're painting on, so you can protect it from unnecessary paint drips and spills.
6. Check Paint Samples in the Right Light
Lastly, one mistake that is very easy to commit in doing a paint project yourself would be to check paint samples under the wrong lighting. Lighting plays a huge role in the appearance of paint - the same color could look shades darker or lighter under various lighting.
So, to be certain that whatever color you ultimately choose will look good under the light of the surface you're painting on, check paint samples under the lighting of the surface you're planning to paint.
At NHV Painters, we offer affordable, reliable, and durable painting services in New Haven, Branford, Milford, Orange, North Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and the surrounding areas. Book a FREE estimate below to get started, or call us at (203) 606-2346 to talk about your project.
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