Painting sounds like one of the easiest DIY services that a homeowner can tackle, but the job is actually not that simple. So, to avoid any potential mistakes and to make the process as smooth and easy as it can be, here are 8 home painting hacks that will change your life and make home painting stress-free!
If you go anywhere, even paradise, you will miss your home. -Malala Yousafzai
Use Rubber Bands to Prevent Drips
For a smooth painting process, without any clumps and weird “textures, the first thing to know is how to get the right amount of paint on your brush. Instead of scraping the excess paint against the can’s opening, use the help of a rubber band wrapped around the can, vertically.
The rubber band will:
- Prevent drips
- Allow the excess paint to drip back into the can, avoiding waste
- Keep the can mess-free, without any paint running on the opening and seeping into the seal
Use Petroleum Jelly or Aluminum Foil to Protect Surfaces
Painter’s tape is great for protecting surfaces, but you don’t need to waste rolls and rolls of them to cover something that aluminum foil does easily. Things like doorknobs, light fixtures, and other trinkets can easily be covered in tin foil, without the need of adhesive.
If you need a more intricate protection, in places with ridges or bumps like in some windowsills, then petroleum jelly is your go-to protector. Simply run it along those crevices or places!
Use a Plastic Bag As a Tray Liner
Dreading the task of cleaning the paint tray? Don’t worry, this trick will make it super easy and fast: simply line your tray with a plastic bag or garbage bag, just like in the video above, and then use it normally. When you’re done, simply take the plastic out and throw it in the trash!
Here’s another trick with plastic bags:
When you need to take a break from painting, simply wrap a plastic bag around the brush and secure it with a rubber band. This simple but brilliant hack will keep paint on the brush from drying out and hardening.
Tip: If you don’t have a plastic bag around, aluminum foil also works perfectly.
Remove Paint Odor With Essential Oils
You don’t need to postpone the painting job just because of the paint odor: you can actually make the painting smell really nice! You’ll only need to enlist the help of your favorite essential oils.
Choose any essential oil, like citrus, lavender, peppermint, etc., and add 1 teaspoon per gallon of paint. If you’re using a 5-gallon bucket, you can go for one 15-milliliter bottle. The odor won’t linger and will make the painting process much more pleasant.
Blend Paint Colors of the Same Shade
Has it ever happened to you that the painting on one wall seems slightly brighter than the other? Don’t worry, you’re not going insane: it can actually happen. Many times gallons of the same shade of paint can vary, even if ever so slightly.
Create a more even tone by blending some paint from the first bucket onto the next one, to avoid that slight color change.
Use Fabric Softener to Clean Brushes
Forgot to use that plastic bag trick to cover your brushes? It’s okay, you don’t need to throw them away. Simply combine warm water with 2 tablespoons of fabric softener, and let the brushes soak in the mixture overnight. Give them a good scrub and they should be as good as new on the next day.
Use a Putty Knife to Create Accurate Lines
Doesn’t it break your heart when you take the masking tape out and you discover there were bleeding and painting seeping through to the protected area? Avoid the stress and create perfect lines by using a putty knife or other similar object to press the masking tape onto the surfaces that you want to protect. It’s easy, simple and will leave you with perfectly accurate lines!
Invest in Canvas Drop Cloths
Believe me, canvas drop cloths are super important for a stress-free painting job, and they are definitely worth the investment. They will:
- absorb the paint
- bend around corners
- avoid slippery
And it gets better:
You don’t need to throw them away after using. They are reusable and reliable, saving you money in the long term.
Which of these hacks was more interesting to you? Let us know at our Facebook page or in the comments below!
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- The Essential Guide on How to Choose and Buy Paint
- How To Paint Over a Dark Wall