Painting a room or rooms in your home can be a relatively inexpensive way to renovate and change the mood and atmosphere of a room. Before you should start picking out paint colors there are a few things you want to consider and plan for before you start going crazy at the hardware store. Proper planning and knowledge of the materials and tools you will need to accomplish the look you are going for are going to be paramount in the painting process.
Here is a list of items, supplies, and techniques you are going to need when you are beginning to plan your latest interior painting project.
Picking the right paint
When it comes time to picking paint you’ll want to consider the type of finish you want. Also, the type of paint will determine how the will be painted and might call for different techniques. So, when it comes time to pick between Latex or Oil based paints you know that you are not going to be compromising on any of the following as both types of paint are specially formulated to ensure:
Stain resistance and “scrubbability”.
Great coverage
Spatter/splash resistant
Easy to touch-up
Latex vs. Oil paint; what’s the difference between the two? Today, interior paints are either latex or oil/alkyd based. Most oil-based paints are made from synthetic resins (alkyds), which have proven to perform better than paints of the past based on natural oils. When it comes to their finish Latex and Oil based paints offer two different results:
Latex: longest lasting finish with the best gloss retention. Easy to work with, dries quickly and are extremely durable. Cleans up easily with soap and water.
Oil/Alkyd: great adhesion, excellent durability, and stain resistant. Ideal for high traffic areas of the home like kitchen and bathrooms. Cleans up with mineral spirits.
Each type of paint offers unique characteristics and uses that you can ask your hardware store paint expert about if you need more information and insight into finding the paint that is right for your project.
Paint Brush Guide
Paint brushes come in such a variety of shape, sizes and bristle that it can be overwhelming when it comes time to picking out the right brush for your paint project. Professional grade brushes will almost guarantee a better-looking finished product with less effort that brushes of a lower grade. Professional grade brushes hold more paint and apply it to the surface more evenly. Saving you time and money it also promotes the satisfaction of a job well done.
Different projects call for different tools. Refer to this paint brush guide when you are ready to start planning your project to get the perfect brush for the job:
Types of Brushes
Polyester: Best for latex paints. The polyester bristles make it easy for them to retain their shape and firmness after repeated use. Any paint that is applied goes on smoothly and evenly.
Polyester/Blended Nylon: Between nylon's durability and polyester's shape retention this makes for a professional grade, high-quality brush. Capable of producing beautiful paint finishes. Easy to clean and even easier to work with making these brushes top choices in professional painters and homeowners like yourself. What's better is that these brushes are designed to handle multiple projects. Provided proper care and protection these brushes can last you a few years.
Natural Bristle: Made of a collection of animal hairs these brushes are used for applying oil-based paints, varnishes, shellac, polyurethane and other oil-based finishes. These brushes have a tendency to split at the end of the bristles. The natural "flagging" of these bristles make it easier for the brush to hold more paint and apply it to a smooth release and finish.
Brush Sizes
1”-2” – Use for small spaces on windows and other small trimmings.
3” – Ideal for glossy paints for doors and cabinets.
4” – Perfect for getting large, flat surfaces.
Brush End Types
Angled Brush: The bristles have been cut at an angle to make it easier to apply paint to window trim.
Square Trim Brush:The ends of the bristles have been cut at a blunt angle to make it square. These brushes are primarily used to paint over larger, flat areas.
Chisel Trim Brush:These brushes have a slanted cut in their bristles which produce a steady straight line, ideal for trimming in corners and edges.