Professional paintersdevelop procedures over time that make their jobs go faster, look better, and finish cleaner.
Remove or Cover Large Items
Remove large objects like sofas, bookcases, and beds if possible.
Bag each item with its own screws in a zip-loc bag.
Ronnie Comeau / Stocksy United
Tape the Ceiling
Run strips of painter’s tape on the ceiling.
Aim for uninterrupted strips of tape.
This reduces the number of colored paint coats needed.
Mix the Paint
Mix the paint.
Unless the paint was mixed recently, it should be mixed again.
Chuck a metal spiral power mixer attachment into your electric drill and mix the paint on slow speed.
If using the cutting-in technique, paint the edges about 4 inches inward as well.
With either method, paint at least two coats.
Roll the Paint
Now you will roll paint on the inner part of the wall.
Dip the roller in the paint tray and thoroughly squeeze it out by rolling it on the tray.
Place the roller on the wall and paint in a “W” shape.
Finish a section before moving onto an adjacent section.
Work quickly so that you maintain a wet edge.
confirm that you are always working off of a wet edge, as this will help avoid streaking.
The glossier the paint, the longer the dry time.
Flat paint can be ready for repainting in as little as an hour in dry, warm conditions.
Paint a second time.
Remove drop cloths and let them air-dry over a fence outside.
Wad up plastic sheeting and throw it away.
Remove the Painter’s Tape
Wait until the next day toremove the painter’s tape.
Pull the tape straight back to cut the paint and create a sharp line.
But here are four tried-and-true methods of speeding up your paint job while still maintaining quality.
