Share on ThriftyFunThis guide contains the following solutions. Have something to add? Please share your solution!
You'll keep the floor neater during the next painting job if you glue a paper plate to the bottom of your paint can, instead of trying to move newspapers under the container every time you set it down.
By Ron from Cortez, CO
Some jobs need all kinds of 'taping off'. Try using Press 'n Seal instead of tape. It adheres to itself and is so easy to get where you want covered up. I'm repainting a step stool here, and it was so easy to cover all the legs and step attachments. A lot cheaper than a roll of blue tape, too!
I have been painting the house, so I have had to wash out my paint tray. I found a tip to avoid having to rinse out your tray for the next colour. Just put a plastic bag over your tray and push it down before you dump in the paint. When you're done, just remove the plastic bag.
By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario
With spring right around the corner, here are some handy painting hints:
By Ann Winberg from Loup City, NE
Painting the inside door moulding around the hinges is a job I've never relished because it's picky work. I always ended up getting paint on the hinges no matter how careful I was. It looked awful and needed scraping off when the paint was dry.
In each room I store a paint chip from the store for that room. Should I need to touch up the paint for that room or want to repaint it, I have all the information on that card.
When painting, don't take off door handles just cover them with tin foil. It makes the job a whole lot easier.
I have been painting the last couple of weeks and all the rooms are different colors. To save a lot of work on clean-up I put the painting tray in a plastic grocery bag.
When painting a room, if you find the touch-up tedious, use a tampon. This is how it works. Push a small portion from the applicator. Dip just the tip in the paint. Remove the drip. Blot on the mistake whereas your paint touched the ceiling or vise versa.
I attach a can opener, to the end of a paintbrush, that is removable. This makes things so much more simple instead of searching for the opener every time.
Keep a small container of your wall paint in your refrigerator for quick touch up jobs. The paint stays fresh and you don't have to drag out a heavy messy paint can for small jobs.
Before painting, clean walls with white vinegar and let dry before painting. Inexpensive and easy. Also put your paint brushes in white vinegar and rinse well and dry before using.
Want to save having to wash paint out of that paint tray or the cost of replacing one? How about the cost of liners?
Apply a coat of lemon oil to woodwork if you are painting around it. If any paint spatters onto the woodwork, it will wipe off without any trouble. You are also conditioning the woodwork at the same time.
When doing painting, staining, or polyurethane projects; I keep Wet Ones pop-up wipes handy to clean my hands, wipe off paint brush handles, or wipe up small accidents.
Here's a tip that I use all the time. Wear your clothes inside out! Sweats work the best.
When you're painting and you need to put your brush down it can be messy, not to mention losing it. Just use a hot glue gun and attach a magnet on to your brush handle.
When you need a small amount of paint for touch-up check the craft department. Walmart has every color and they cost about $1.
Keeping Paint Off Hinges. It can be difficult to put masking tape on hinges to keep paint off them. Instead, cover them with petroleum jelly.
Always use blue painter's tape, not regular masking tape to mask areas when you are painting. Blue tape peels off easily, masking tape often doesn't.
When painting, write down the brand of paint and color of paint and any numbers on the can that identify the type of paint. Keep this info in a binder or on your computer as a good reminder if you ever have to buy more.
If you are painting and don't want to get paint on your shoes or the floor throughout the rest of your house, tie plastic grocery bags over your shoes.
If you like a quick painting job, paint your entire room with a Flat Latex paint, trim and all...
When you are involved in a painting project, you may need to take a break. It's important to store the paint filled brush properly so that you can come back to painting later. This is a guide about storing your paint brush between painting.
Placing a rubber band so that it crosses the top of your paint can provides a way to remove excess paint from your brush while working on your painting project without messing up the rim of the can. This is a guide about use a rubber band across paint can.
Plastic wrap can have many uses when painting that will help control the spread of wet paint. This is a guide about use plastic wrap when painting.
Using a roller with too rough of a nap is a common cause for having bubbles in paint after it has dried. This is a guide about air bubbles in wall paint.
When painting a room with different colored walls or trim, it can be a challenge to have a clean, clear change of color. This is a guide about painting sharp, straight lines.
Avoiding paint spills and splatters on carpet is a major concern for DIY painters. This guide has advice about protecting carpet while painting.
