Tips to tackle painting projects like a pro
When it comes to painting a room, Rosslyn Gillan is a wizard.
It all started when she was 18 years old and trying to avoid working at a fast food joint all summer. Instead, she and her brother helped to paint for a family friend, who owned a local inn at the time.
"That summer, we painted the outside and redid the upstairs apartment," says the Kentville woman.
“It was baptism by fire." The following summer, Gillan began working for College Pro Painters, a summer gig she held for a few years. That's where she received some formal painting training.
It's been a couple of decades, but Gillan has still painted every summer since then for family or friends, working around her schedule as an elementary school teacher.
Although Gillan has officially retired from painting, she has amassed a great deal of experience and passes on her top tips to help others.
“We all make mistakes. Wipe them up quickly.” Rosslyn Gillan
SPEND MONEY ON A GOOD BRUSH
"In my opinion, Wooster makes the best brush," she says. Your brush should be a 2.5-inch or a three-inch angled brush for best results, she says.
"This brush makes all the difference when you are cutting in," Gillan explains.
PREPARE YOUR SPACE
Wipe down the walls and baseboards and put down drop cloths. Looking to save some time? It’s not necessary to sand the entire room, just the rough surfaces, she says.
If you are painting a piece of furniture, give it a scuff sand first. Make sure to then wipe it down well before you begin repainting, she adds.
MISTAKES HAPPEN, BE READY TO FIX THEM
Always have a rag handy that is damp on one end.
"We all make mistakes. Wipe them up quickly," she says.
And don't forget to wear “painting clothes” when you are painting, Gillan says, adding, "It sucks to ruin a favourite shirt."
CLEANING YOUR EQUIPMENT
Because you spent the money on a good brush, make sure you clean it thoroughly so it can be reused.
"I use dish soap when I’m washing my brush. I don’t put it in the freezer," says Gillan, although she says many people do that between coats.
Before you put the lid on, clean out the “gutter” on the can. Put a rag over the top of the can before hammering it on. This will prevent any paint that is in the lip from splattering all over the place, she adds.
And make sure you have the right clean-up tools on hand.
"There is a tool called a painter's tool that is curved on one side and has spikes on the other. It's designed to clean roller sleeves and brushes. If you are doing a lot of painting, pick up one of these," says Gillan.
Dish soap also works well for cleaning sleeves and trays. Ideally, they should be washed in a laundry basin, she says.
REDUCE EXCESS PAINT
To prevent having excess paint on your brush when painting, dip your brush into the paint and then lightly shake off your brush while it's still inside the can.
"When you drag your brush across the rim, it takes too much paint off and makes a mess of the can," Gillan explains.
When you are rolling, paint a W on the wall to unload your roller, and then roll this out to spread your paint evenly.
WHERE TO START PAINTING
When doing an entire room, start with painting the ceilings first, then do the walls, and finally paint the trim.
It is better to do two thin coats on the walls, letting them dry in between, than to do one thick — and often sloppy — coat, she adds.
The biggest mistake that people make is not spending the time to properly prepare the walls before painting, says Gillan.
"Take time to fill a hole or do other repairs," she says. “Also, it’s a mistake to think that no one will notice that glob of paint you got on the ceiling."
Dip in and give it a try. As Gillan says, paint is a quick and easy way to dramatically transform a room.