House Painting Mistakes Everyone Makes (and How to Avoid Them)
Choosing your paint color based on a color chip is one of the biggest painting mistakes you can make before even picking up a brush. Almost everyone has made this mistake. You choose a nice color from the strip at the store and order your paint. At home, however, the paint doesn’t match the color you selected.
In order to avoid this mistake and get a better idea of what the paint will look like, always ask the paint store to mix a small sample that you can take home and try out. Observe the object in both natural and artificial light and during the day and at night. Even if you don’t like it, you’re only out a few bucks and another trip to the paint store.
Making Rookie Mistakes
These are the two most common first-time painting mistakes:
- Leaving the lid off of the paint can. The most obvious problem with this bad habit is that someone is bound to step on the lid and track paint all over. But there are other reasons to put the lid back on immediately. It’ll keep your paint clean, and prevent dried-out paint crud from forming in the can or on the lid. Plus, you’re less likely to get the lids from two similar colors mixed up, which can cause a hassle later.
- Forgetting to lock out pets. Dogs can knock over paint cans, brush against wet walls, or even pick up the handle of a dripping paint brush with their mouth. Avoid all pet-related painting problems by keeping your pets locked away from the project at all times. (Then reward them with one of these DIY pet projects.)
Bumping the Ceiling
In one second of inattention, a roller can bump the ceiling and create a messy touch-up. To avoid this problem, paint a horizontal stripe parallel to the ceiling first. Next, roll up vertically. It will be nice to have a 9-inch-wide buffer zone along the ceiling. If you do make a painting mistake on the ceiling, here’s how to cover it up.
Over-brushing
For the smoothest possible finish when you’re painting woodwork, doors or cabinets, avoid too much brushwork. Load the brush and quickly cover an area with paint. Then use a stroke or two to level it off. Brushing over the same area, especially after the paint has started to dry, will cause unsightly brush marks and ridges
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures are hard on paint. If you live in a cold climate, bring latex/acrylic paint inside before temperatures drop too low. And while you’re at it, don’t forget the latex caulk. Freezing ruins both latex paint and caulk.
If it’s going to freeze, don’t paint. The paint won’t dry properly in freezing temperatures. The paint will only partially dry, and it will come off easily when touched.
It’s also a bad idea to paint a hot surface at the other end of the temperature spectrum. The paint starts to dry before you can spread it evenly, and can bubble and slough off. It is best to avoid direct sunlight when painting. The best time of year (and the right temperature) to paint your house
Spray Painting Without Covering Everything
Don’t underestimate overspray from sprayers or paint cans. Make sure to use drop cloths or thin plastic to cover everything in sight. Spraying outdoors on a windy day isn’t a good idea. You may end up paying for a detail job on your neighbor’s car if the mist drifts a long distance.
Letting the Roller Touch the Floor
If you’re painting new walls before the baseboard is installed, leave an unpainted strip along the bottom where it will be covered by the baseboard. If you try to paint too close to the floor, your roller cover could touch it and pick up dirt, lint and hair that you will then spread across the wall. (Here’s how to paint a room fast, according to an expert.)
.
.
