Painting a room may seem straightforward, but achieving a professional finish requires more than a brush and a paint bucket. Understanding experienced painters’ techniques can help do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts achieve great results on a budget. This guide delves into the secrets of pro painters, covering everything from essential tools to creating smooth edges and achieving even coverage with a roller.
In the video above, Kevin O’Connor meets expert painter Mauro Henrique to discuss painting techniques. Henrique covers properly holding and coating a paintbrush, paint cleanup, and painter’s tape benefits.
Essential Tools and Materials for Professional-Quality Painting
Good results begin with high-quality tools and materials. Professional painters invest in top-notch brushes, rollers, paints, and primers to ensure their work stands the test of time. Here’s a closer look at the essential tools and materials.
High-Quality Brushes and Rollers
A good brush can cost between $15 and $25, but it’s an important investment for a smooth finish. Synthetic bristles are most practical for all-purpose and water-based paints, commonly used by professionals and DIYers. Tapered bristles and flagged tip brushes provide better control and a smoother application when considering a new brush.
A 2 to 2.5-inch angled brush is highly recommended for edging and detail work. When it comes to rollers, most professionals prefer a 9-inch roller for covering large surfaces efficiently. Medium 3/8-inch roller covers are also a good choice, microfiber being the best for different paint types to ensure a smooth finish.
Professional-Grade Paints and Primers
Quality paint can significantly affect the final look and durability. Glossier paints are more stain-resistant but highlight imperfections such as brush or roller streaks and marks. For most rooms, an eggshell finish balances durability and appearance while being easier to clean.
Paints that prevent mold and mildew are a good option in areas like your bathroom, where steam and water are more common. Primers are equally important because they seal stains and provide a uniform base, ensuring that the paint adheres properly and looks even. Tinted primers are useful if you’re covering darker colors, as these primers can help achieve better coverage in fewer coats.
Specialized Painting Equipment
In addition to brushes and rollers, specialized equipment helps professionals achieve their results. Roller pans are a frequent DIY purchase, but roller grids that can fit inside a 5-gallon bucket. Professionals frequently use these since they reduce splatter and don’t require paint refills.
Painter’s poles are also useful as they can attach to rollers and extend to make life easier when painting ceilings and high walls. If you need to seal cracks and gaps in the wall along the molding or door frame, dripless caulk guns are a great option for a clean finish.
Proper Room Preparation Techniques for Painting
Preparing your room for painting is essential to protecting your furniture and floors and ensuring a flawless finish. Professionals clear space, address wall imperfections, and clean surfaces before painting.
Clearing and Protecting the Space
Clearing your room of furniture and other items will ensure limited staining. If you can’t remove everything from your room, we suggest covering any remaining items with plastic tarps or canvas drop cloths.
After tackling your furniture, you’ll want to protect your floor using drop cloths if dripping or splattering occurs while painting. Professionals often use canvas or paper-backed plastic cloths since they are more effective at absorbing stains, preventing paint from leaking through the fabric and into the floor.
Addressing Wall Imperfections
It’s not uncommon for walls to sometimes have cracks, dents, or even small holes that should be addressed before you start painting. Spackle, putty, caulk, or wood filler are most frequently used to address and repair these areas. Once dry, you’ll want to sand them to ensure a smooth surface before painting.
Cleaning Surfaces for Optimal Paint Adhesion
Cleaning surfaces helps the paint adhere better and smoother. Professionals usually wash the walls they’re working on with a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution to remove dirt, grease, and other residue. For walls stained by smoke or other contaminants, bleach solutions can remove stubborn stains while sanitizing the surface.
The Art of Cutting In: Achieving Crisp Lines and Edges
“Cutting in” is a technique for painting the edges and corners of a room to create crisp, clean lines without using painter’s tape. To achieve this technique, professionals start lower on the trim and gradually work up to the edge to ensure a precise line. This skill requires a steady hand and practice, so painter’s tape is still a good option if you don’t have much painting experience.
Mastering Brush Techniques for Flawless Results
Proper brush techniques are important for achieving a flawless finish. Understanding how to load and apply paint with a brush can make your project that much easier.
Proper Brush Loading and Application
Loading your brush is the first step when you’ve prepped your room for painting. Most professionals dip the brush about two fingers deep into the paint, wiping off the excess on the bucket’s side. This prevents drips and ensures you aren’t overloading your wall with more paint than your brush can handle. Drag the brush up to avoid pooling and achieve a smoother coat when painting.
Techniques for Different Surface Types
Different surfaces require different painting techniques. When painting wood, follow the wood grain to maintain its natural texture. Use full strokes across the joints by lightly dragging the brush toward the grain for surfaces with joints or panels. This helps to even out paint and eliminate brush strokes.
Roller Techniques for Smooth, Even Coverage
Rollers are ideal for covering large areas quickly, but achieving a smooth and even finish requires the right technique so you can get larger rooms finished in less time.
Choosing the Right Roller Nap
Roller nap refers to the length of the fibers on the roller cover. Longer naps hold more paint, making them suitable for textured surfaces, while shorter naps are better for smoother surfaces.
Proper Rolling Patterns for Walls and Ceilings
Professional painters use specific rolling patterns to ensure even coverage and avoid lap marks or lines that appear a different color where wet and paint overlap during the painting process. Working in small sections, typically about 3–4 feet square, and blending each section while the paint is still wet ensures a uniform finish.
The “W” pattern is a common technique in which a painter rolls the paint in a zigzag pattern and then fills in the shape by rolling over it. This helps distribute the paint evenly and prevents streaks.
Pro Tips for Painting Tricky Areas
Certain areas, such as windows, trim, doors, and cabinets, present unique challenges. Here are some pro tips for tackling these tricky spots.
Windows and Trim
Painting windows early in the day allows time for the paint to dry before closing them at night. Professionals usually paint the trim before the walls because it’s easier to tape off trim, and any paint that gets on the walls or ceiling from painting the trim can easily be painted over.
Doors and Cabinets
When painting doors or cabinets, most professionals remove the hardware and clean and sand the area to ensure smooth coverage. For doors, it’s best to start with the panels and then move to the stiles and rails. For cabinets, removing the doors and painting them separately ensures an even and professional finish.
Time-Saving Strategies Used by Professional Painters
Professional painters have various techniques to help them work efficiently without compromising quality. Common strategies include the following:
- Covering your brushes and rollers in plastic wrap to keep them from drying out (rather than cleaning them with water).
- Using buckets and roller grips as opposed to roller pans to save time on refills and prevent spills.
- Using a paint conditioner. This reduces brush and roller marks and extends drying time, allowing for a more even application.
The Importance of Proper Paint Application and Layering
Applying paint correctly and using multiple layers can greatly impact the final result. Professional painters typically apply one coat of primer and two coats of paint for the best coverage and durability.
Allowing proper drying time between coats is essential to prevent peeling and ensure a smooth finish. Another application is back-rolling, which involves rolling over the paint with a dry roller after it has been applied to give an even coat.
Maintaining a Professional-Looking Paint Job
Maintaining the pristine look of a freshly painted room requires ongoing care. For touch-ups, keeping extra paint on hand ensures any scuffs or marks can be addressed promptly. Cleaning the walls periodically prevents dirt and grime buildup, helping the paint look fresh longer. Addressing any issues, such as peeling paint or stains, as soon as they arise can prevent more extensive damage and preserve the professional quality of the paint job.
Our Conclusion
A high-quality paint job is doable by yourself as long as you follow professional instructions. Selecting the correct tools and learning how to master brush and roller techniques are key to a clean finish. Proper preparation, attention to detail, and ongoing maintenance will keep your walls looking fresh and vibrant.