Little Things Help Make Painting A Success

by Aracontent

(ARA) - Are you tired of devoting precious spare time and money to redecorating, and then never being completely satisfied with the results? You can end a lot of that frustration, at least with the painting end of it, by simply paying attention to a few small, easily mastered details.

We all know that a fresh coat of paint is the fastest and usually most economical way to give a room a bright new look, but getting that "professional finish" makes all the difference in the appearance and in your satisfaction with a job well done.

One of the simplest tricks involves making a seamless transition between the painted wall surface and base moldings, casings, or other trim. Those gaps where trim doesn't perfectly meet the wall turn into black holes in the finished job. Before you paint, run some caulking (acrylic or latex works best) along those edges, to fill the gaps, then smooth it with your finger. Any excess can be cleaned up with a dampened cloth.

Don't stop at the base molding. Check where the door or window casing meets the wall. If your room has crown molding, fill any gaps you find there, too. Now you can paint a neat, accurate edge at the trim line. The difference this small effort makes in the finished job is stunning.

Tricks like this one will increase your satisfaction at the end of the project, but so will using the right tools. Choose a professional-quality angle sash brush for cutting-in the edges, and use a brand name shed-resistant roller cover, too.

A small extension pole can be quite handy. It makes roller painting easier because you may not need a ladder for hard-to-reach areas. Also, you can use two hands to hold the pole and paint with long, sweeping strokes, which reduces fatigue. Choose a pole that's strong and locks into different lengths.

The Wooster Sherlock adjustable pole is a good example. Its fiberglass outer shell in combination with a hexagonal aluminum inner pole prevents twisting.

It's available in various lengths, including a one-to-two-foot version that's ideal for interior painting.

Finally, choose a good-quality roller frame. You will be using it more than the other tools, so make sure it spins smoothly and has a comfortable, "adult-sized" handle. Many economy frames don't hold the roller securely and it tends to slip off the open end. It's a nuisance to continually push the roller back on the cage. Paint can also collect in the open end when the roller starts to slip. This excess paint tends to drip and splash across walls at the worst possible time.

Conversely, it can be very difficult and messy to remove the paint-soaked roller once the job is complete. When you're done with your painting project, the last thing you want to do is struggle with a stuck roller cover.

A new roller frame called the Snapshot, just introduced by The Wooster Brush Company, can solve all these frustrations. It has a full-sized, cushioned handle that promises more comfort and less fatigue than roller frames with hard plastic handles. Another unique feature is a mechanism that literally locks the roller cover on the frame then releases it on command for easy disposal.

Once you "snap" the roller cover in place, it's held tightly and won't slip or walk-off. To release, simply rap the frame over the edge of a large bucket or trash can. The roller will release with a "shot" and slide off.

Just a few extra steps in preparation and using better-quality applicators will make all the difference in how your next painting project looks, and how you feel about it.