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 (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.
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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. |
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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
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