Apply These Painting Tricks to Paint Like a Professional

If you want your interior paint job to come out looking like a level 5 finish, you must rely on the same tips and tricks professional painting companies use to deliver exceptionally smooth, long-lasting, vibrant results. Continue reading to learn some secret methods used by professionals that can be applied to your DIY painting project!

Indianapolis Drywall & Painting 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall & Painting 317-269-7319

Painter’s Tape

When you tape up baseboards before painting, it can seem like a pretty straightforward task. Apply the tape so that the woodwork is covered and move on; right? Well, many times, after the painting is finished and the tape is removed, you can find streaks or drops that managed to seep their way through. To avoid this, do what the pro’s do and use a putty knife to apply the painting tape on baseboards and molding. Press the knife against the tape to ensure a thorough seal. This prevents any paint from getting through.

Hole-Patching and Sanding

All holes and deficits should be filled in with a joint-compound patching product, smoothed down evenly, and allowed to dry completely. Once these areas of dry, you can sand away all the uneven surfaces. It is vital to sand away any surface flaws, like spackle, joint-compound patches, nicks, nail holes, scores, scratches, chips, and more the best you can. Sand baseboards, molding, walls, and more to get an even smooth surface. Once you have an even and smooth surface, you can move forward with your painting project.

Primer

When joint compound is painted over, it can sometimes absorb all the moisture from the paint and leave a duller, discolored look. This makes all the patched areas on a wall noticeable. To avoid this problem, which professionals refer to as “flashing”, be sure to apply a primer before painting. But to paint like a pro, use a tinted primer. Although white primer is acceptable and frequently used, professionals typically use a gray-colored primer, or a primer that is close to the color of the finishing paint. This covers patched areas and existing paint better than plain white or ivory primers. This results in a more vibrant finish and less applications.

Paint Boxing

Although you can purchase the same color in five cans, it is not guaranteed that all five cans will look exactly the same. This can be evident in a paint job when a new container is opened halfway through painting. It can result in a different color tones on a wall. To avoid this, professionals “box” their paint by pouring all cans into one large bucket to achieve one consistent color.

Paint Application

Ever wonder why a self-paint job looks streaky and a professional’s is always smooth and even? Well the secret is adding a paint extender or paint conditioner into your paint. Popular products, like Floetrol®, are designed to slow down the drying process of the paint, allowing a more balanced application and finish. Not only do paint extenders hide brush strokes, they also eliminate dark lap marks from painting over semi-dried paint.   

Ceilings

When ceilings are textured or bumpy, it can be virtually impossible to paint a clean line between the wall and the ceiling. For this reason, professionals will use a screwdriver to scrape a ridge along the edge of the walls and ceiling. This creates a platform for painting a smooth straight line between ceiling and wall and prevents paint from sticking to ceiling bumps. The resulting ridge should be fine enough so that the lost texture is never noticed, but wide enough for brush bristles to fit.

Indianapolis Drywall and Painting Contractors

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 when you need professional drywall repair and painting service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured drywall company that provides residential and commercial drywall work at competitive prices. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

How to Pick the Perfect Paint Color

Have you ever painted something before only to feel instant color regret once it dried? Or perhaps the color did not end up looking anything like it did on the label? If so, you could use some tips on how to choose the perfect paint color for your intended project application. Continue reading to get started!

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

There are simple methods and techniques you can rely on to ensure you pick the right paint color for your home or project. By using these tips, you can feel confident in your painting results. Below you will find the right advice on how to guarantee paint color satisfaction!

Paint Samples

The most important aspect of choosing the right paint color is using samples. Take advantage of free paint samples at your paint store of choice. But do not just rely on the swatches unless you are ready to gather every single shade group and line it up in a chart to understand how the hues change from one group to another. If you do not do this, you will end up with a yellow-beige, rather than a tan beige. Designate an area of your wall for sampling actual paint. This will allow you to see how the paint applies, dries, finishes, and acclimates with the surrounding lighting and décor.

Paint Finishes

Once you have a color in mind, your job doesn’t stop there. You will also need to choose the proper finish, unless of course, you chose a product that is an All-in-One or dual purpose paint. Your standard options will include flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Here is a little guide:

Flat – This finish is best used for ceilings, bedrooms, and living rooms, or for walls with several imperfections that need to be covered. They are more challenging to clean, so avoid using them in kitchens and bathrooms.

Eggshell – This finish is has low sheen, so it is recommended for bedrooms or living rooms. It marks easily, so avoid using it in high-traffic areas, like hallways and mudrooms.

Satin – This finish has a silky look and cleans up easily. Use it in kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and hallways.

Semi-Gloss – This finish is humidity-resistant, making it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. It is also recommended for crown moulding and woodwork.

Gloss – This finish has a high sheen, so it will show every single imperfect. It is not recommended for walls, but rather moulding and trim work only.

Additional Considerations:

Saturation Points – If you are using more than one paint color in a room, be sure they are in the same hue group. Otherwise, your palette will not be unified.

Ceilings – Be sure to consider your ceiling color. The general rule of thumb is 3 shades lighter than your primary paint color.

Color Pops – If you are painting your walls a light color or pastel, be sure to use a bright white for crown moulding and woodwork to avoid washing out the room.

Drywall Repair – If your walls are not perfectly smooth, you should repair them before applying a new coat of paint for the best results.

Professional Drywall and Painting Work

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 when you need professional drywall repair and painting service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured drywall company that provides residential and commercial drywall work at competitive prices. Call 317-269-7319 to request a free estimate, today.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319