Dust, fuzz, and dirt can accumulate in paint cans during storage or transportation, leading to an uneven application and a less-than-perfect finish. Screening paint is the secret to achieving a smooth, professional-looking finish. This often-overlooked process removes tiny impurities that can clog your painting tools and mar the final result. Screen your paint to make a significant difference in the quality of your paint job.
Paint Screening Tools
There are several tools for screening paint, each with its own advantages. Let’s explore the most common options.
Disposable Cone-Shaped Filters
Disposable cone-shaped filters are a popular choice for paint screening. They’re readily available at paint and hardware stores and typically cost about $1 each. They’re designed for one-time use, making them convenient for smaller projects or occasional painters. The conical shape helps funnel the paint, catching impurities as it passes through the filter.
Aluminum Window Screen
A scrap of aluminum window screen is an effective and economical alternative to disposable filters. This option is useful for those who paint frequently, as it can be cleaned and reused multiple times. Aluminum screens are durable and can handle latex and oil-based paints without deteriorating.
Fiberglass Screening
Fiberglass screening is another reusable option for paint filtering. It’s similar to aluminum screening in terms of effectiveness but may be more flexible and easier to work with. Secure it to prevent sagging into the paint bucket.
Pro Tip: TOH general contractor Tom Silva finds fiberglass screening “more forgiving than aluminum” when working with it. “If you mess up, just take it out and do it again,” he says. “Metal stays kinked.” That same forgiveness applies when repurposing fiberglass screening as a paint filter — it conforms to the shape of your container without creasing, and it can be rinsed clean and reused multiple times without losing its form.
How To Screen Paint
Screening paint is a straightforward process that can improve your painting results. Follow these steps to screen your paint.
- Before you begin, set up a clean, well-ventilated area for paint screening. Cover your work surface with a drop cloth or newspaper to catch any spills. Gather materials, including your chosen screening tool, a clean bucket, and a stirring stick.
- If you’re using a disposable filter, place it securely over the clean bucket. For aluminum or fiberglass screening, lay it over the bucket and press down slightly in the center to create a shallow depression. This will help guide the paint through the screen. Secure the edges of the screen to the bucket with tape to prevent slipping.
- Slowly pour the paint from its original container through the screening tool and into the clean bucket. Pour steadily to allow the paint to flow through the filter or screen evenly. Stop when the bucket is about half-full to make it easier to work with and to prevent spills.
- Remove reusable screens carefully from the bucket and blot out excess paint with a clean rag. Rinse the screen with water for latex paint or mineral spirits for oil-based paint. Allow the screen to dry completely before storing it for future use.
Benefits of Screening Paint
Screening your paint can lead to a flawless, hassle-free paint job. The main benefit of screening paint is the removal of unwanted particles. This process eliminates dust, dirt, dried paint chips, and other debris that can affect the smoothness of your paint application and the quality of the final finish.
Screened paint flows more smoothly through brushes, rollers, and sprayers. This improved flow leads to better coverage and a more even application, reducing the likelihood of streaks, bubbles, or other imperfections in your painted surface.
By removing impurities, paint screening contributes to a more professional-looking final product. The resulting finish is smoother, more uniform, and less likely to show flaws or inconsistencies once dried.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Screening Paint
To ensure the best results, be aware of these common pitfalls when screening paint:
- Forgetting to stir the paint: Always mix the paint thoroughly before and after screening for consistent color and texture.
- Neglecting to secure the screen: Ensure the screen is firmly attached to the bucket to prevent sagging or slipping.
- Overfilling the bucket: Keep the paint level at about half the bucket’s capacity for easier handling.
- Rushing the process: Pour the paint slowly to allow proper filtering and prevent overflow.
- Using dirty or damaged screens: Clean reusable screens and inspect for tears or damage before use.
Screening Different Types of Paint
Different types of paint may require slight adjustments to the screening process.
Latex Paint
Water-based latex paints are generally easier to screen and clean up. Rinse your screening tools after use with water. Latex paints may have fewer impurities but can still benefit from screening, especially if they’ve been stored for a while.
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints often contain more particles and may require more careful screening. Use mineral spirits for cleanup and dispose of used solvents properly. Ventilation is crucial when painting a room with oil-based paint.
Pro Tip: Norm Abram recommends a simple method for getting the most out of your mineral spirits: “I pour all the dirty solvent created during cleanup into a settling bucket and cover it with plastic wrap. After a couple of days, the paint solids sink to the bottom, leaving relatively clean mineral spirits above. Then I gently pour the solvent into a clean, tight-lidded jar and save it for the next cleanup. The paint residue in the settling bucket eventually solidifies and can be tossed into the trash.”
When working with oil-based paints, always wear rubber gloves during solvent cleanup, as solvents are toxic on contact. For proper ventilation, use a respirator with a chemical cartridge for indoor work, and wear clear wraparound safety glasses to guard against splashes and debris. If your home was built before 1978, be especially cautious—sanding or scraping older oil-based coatings may disturb lead paint, posing serious health hazards.
When cleaning oil-based paint from brushes, use a multi-rinse approach: start by soaking bristles in old, dirty solvent to pull out the bulk of the paint, then follow with at least two rinses in clean solvent, draining and spinning the brush dry between each pass. As John Dee, a professional painting and decorating contractor in Arlington, Massachusetts, advises: before using any brush with oil-based paint, “first soak the bristles for a few minutes in the liquid you use to clean the brush—paint thinner for alkyd, oil-based paints. Spin it dry. A brush treated this way can be used longer before it needs to be cleaned. It cleans up easier, too.”
Specialty Paints
Textured or metallic paints may require special consideration when screening. Follow manufacturer recommendations for these specialty products so you don’t remove important components that contribute to their unique properties.
Professional Tips for Optimal Paint Screening Results
To achieve the best results when screening paint, consider these expert tips:
- Always screen paint, even if it’s new, as manufacturing and transportation can introduce impurities.
- For large projects, consider using a paint strainer bag, which can filter larger quantities of paint more quickly.
- Stir the paint thoroughly before and after screening to ensure even distribution of pigments.
- Use a clean stirring stick to scrape the bottom of the original paint can so you capture any settled particles.
- When working with interior paint, screen in small batches to maintain consistency throughout the project.
Pro Tip: John Dee, a professional painting and decorating contractor in Arlington, Mass., always filters paint from previous jobs through a paper funnel with mesh at the bottom. As he and other pros know, “the bits of dried paint and grunge that collect in opened paint cans will ruin a finish.” Screening is especially critical when reusing leftover paint that’s been sitting in storage.
Troubleshooting Paint Screening Issues
If you encounter problems while screening paint, like clogged screens or uneven filtering, clear the mesh and reattach it to your paint bucket. If the paint isn’t flowing through the screen easily, it may need thinning according to manufacturer instructions.
