DIY painters can achieve professional-looking results

From giving a room a whole new look to protecting the walls and boosting the value of your home, painting delivers many benefits — all at a fraction of the cost of other improvements. Tackle the job yourself, rather than hiring a professional painter, and you can save even more money.

Follow these guidelines, and you can achieve professionallooking results with your own hands:

Professionals know that properly preparing their work space is a key factor in achieving a good end result. Before you crack open that paint can, take these preparatory steps: • Gather all the tools you will need in one place. • Protect surfaces, such as baseboards, woodwork and windows, by taping off with a good-quality painter’s tape.

• Completely cover carpet or other flooring with a good-quality drop cloth that will resist punctures and rips.

• Some jobs require the application of a primer before putting the final color on the wall. Primer prepares the surface and helps the final coat adhere better.

The quality of the paint directly affects how the completed job looks. For a good-quality finish, select quality paint, which adheres better, gives a uniform finish and will last longer. Also, look at the latest color trends and select a color that will meet your style.

Before you buy paint, research the brands available. Check out consumer-review websites, paying particular attention to those that feature reviews from homeowners who’ve actually used the products. These independent, real-life reviewers can offer valuable insight into how well a paint might work.

Many professionals use paint sprayers to achieve smooth, fast results, and homeowners can achieve professional results. The Flexio 570 and Flexio 590 from Wagner, are designed to help DIYers achieve the same speed and good looks as the professionals do. The sprayers allow you to cover an 8-by-10foot surface in just two to six minutes. Both sprayers can be used inside the house or outside on decks, fences, sheds or any other surface you need to paint quickly and easily.

Because both sprayers feature nozzles that allow you to precisely adjust the flow of paint, overspray is minimal — meaning that since you’ve already prepped by taping and draping, you can use the sprayer indoors with confidence that you won’t get overspray on areas where you don’t want paint.

Another bonus: These sprayers are quieter than traditional sprayers, making about as much noise as a hair dryer. Finally, unlike other sprayers, the Flexio models don’t require you to thin the paint with water; thinning can hinder the performance of even the best quality paint.

Details such as painting baseboards, woodwork and ceilings are the crowning touches for any paint job. Professionals know it’s these finishing touches that pull together the look of a room.

With the right tools and professional approach, you can save money by doing your own painting — and enjoy the pride and satisfaction of a job well done.