A brush with greatness
As the song goes, Mick Jagger saw a red door and he wanted it painted black. It's a pretty dour DIY project, but we're not here to judge. What we can do, however, is point out that taking on a paint job yourself can be tricky, whether it's a door, walls, dresser or anything else.
Still, the prospect of saving money can make learning a few tips worthwhile. Plus, there's nothing like a fresh coat of paint to completely transform an object.
Some professional painters gave Apartment Therapy advice for would-be weekend warriors looking for a brush with greatness:
1. Pick the right paint for the surface. Much as you may want to use leftover cans of Robin's Egg Blue from your bookshelf project to repaint a deck chair, shell out for a surface-appropriate paint. “Each surface, whether its wood, Sheetrock or brick, requires a different type of paint,” says Matt Kunz, president of Five Star Painting. It'll pay off in the long run: “Painting with the wrong paint can cause problems like bubbling or peeling,” he says.
2. Pick the right paint for the space. Satin, eggshell, semigloss or glossy? Finishes can be key in the overall effect of your paint job, and in the case of varying environmental conditions, like in the bathroom, they can be critical.
“When looking for bathroom paint, make sure the paint says mildew resistant,” says Bobby Mikula, product manager in the consumer brands group for Sherwin-williams and Valspar Paint. “Other than that, if you are painting a functional room like a kitchen, bathroom, or mud room, using a premium paint in any sheen like eggshell or above works great.” Beware, though: A higher sheen can spotlight surface imperfections.
3. Don't forget to prep. You may be eager to see Granny's antique curio closet transformed into an electric-blue statement piece, but take time to prepare the old girl for her big makeover. “Unfortunately, this step is often skipped and can lead to a number of failures, such as lack of adhesion, poor hiding, poor sheen uniformity, or an uneven surface appearance,” says Mikula. Depending on what you're painting, first remove wallpaper or loose, peeling paint. Patch any cracks and dab primer on top. A wipe clean is always a good idea. And if the surface is glossy, sand it down so paint can better adhere.
4. Use the right amount of paint on your roller. It can be tough to find the sweet spot. Too little paint and you'll need to apply another coat, too much paint and it can ooze and splatter all over the place. “Apply a generous amount of paint on your brush or roller, being careful not to load so much that it drips everywhere,” says Cindy Praesel, owner of Five Star Painting in Waco, Texas. If you still need another coat, wait until the paint is dry to the touch before applying it.