For questions regarding the application of paint to a surface, including preparation and cleanup.
19
votes
8answers
17k views
What's the best/easiest way to paint edges?
Been doing alot of interior painting lately and I always find the edges - by the ceiling, windows, baseboards, etc - the most tedious. What's the best way to paint the edges - old fashioned cut ...
17
votes
4answers
4k views
What is the best order for interior painting (walls, trim, windows, etc.)?
I'm repainting a room. I'm removing wallpaper from the walls, and stripping paint from trim around doors, windows and baseboards. There's no crown moulding. I might repaint the ceiling, not sure yet.
...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
What is causing/caused these brown circular stains in my cabinetry?
Recently moved into a 1950s-built home and have unearthed a number of brown, circular stains on the wood inside various closets. These rings don't appear on the plaster walls, but rather on the wood ...
13
votes
4answers
1k views
What are the qualities of a top end paint versus a low end paint?
I just purchased a home and it needs a good painting (interior). A little research led me to a thread stating that Benjamin Moore has the best paint. How does it compare to Lowe's and Home Depot ...
13
votes
3answers
779 views
How should masking tape be used when multiple coats of paint are being applied?
When painting, sometimes mask-free cutting-in is impractical and masking tape must be used. The advice here is to remove masking tape before the paint has dried. That makes sense when a single coat is ...
12
votes
3answers
5k views
How good do I need to make my primer coat?
When doing a primer coat do I need to get everything or can I pretty much fly through it leaving it kinda blochy?
12
votes
1answer
334 views
Is white paint the same color regardless of the company?
I'm painting and have run out of the particular white paint I was using. I have some leftover white from a different room. Is there a way to tell if the white will be the same and match?
Here are the ...
11
votes
7answers
16k views
Can I paint over wallpaper?
So I have a wall that has a very hard sort of textured wallpaper. Recently though the wall suffered some damage that turned into a hole. The whole has been patched and now we need to paint over that. ...
10
votes
6answers
3k views
Has anyone ever used IdeaPaint?
Someone sent me the link to IdeaPaint which appears to be a paint that turns any surface into a whiteboard. It looks pretty appealing, but I was wondering:
Whether anyone here has ever used it and ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I get a smoother finish when painting trim?
I'm reinstalling some crown molding and decided to do some touching up while it's down. I had previously done some touch-ups on the same style in another room, and never quite got it perfectly smooth. ...
9
votes
14answers
1k views
What is your top tip for painting?
Simple really - add your best tips for painting (a room, that is). Ideally one tip per answer for ease of voting.
9
votes
7answers
6k views
How do I prevent masking tape on paintwork from pulling off paint?
When painting, I often use masking tape, however, when I pull it off paintwork it sometimes pulls off some of the paint with it. Is there a way to prevent this?
EDIT:
A few people have said: "make ...
9
votes
1answer
4k views
How should I clean and repaint a painted wooden deck?
My deck appears to have been painted with just a single layer of paint, which is now peeling off. I like the look of the paint (when it's in better condition, of course), and am uninterested in ...
8
votes
1answer
388 views
How can I permanently seal or cover a crack where a steam pipe enters the ceiling?
We're looking for a solution to cover or fix a crack that keeps reappearing around a a steam pipe we have. No matter how well we patch it and paint over it, it keeps coming back. Can anyone ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I prepare patched drywall to be painted over?
I am in the process of painting my room. I have some big patches on the drywall. I am yet to begin painting that wall. Before i start i wanted to take advice. Is there anything i need to do with those ...
7
votes
4answers
4k views
Can I keep unused paint in the roller tray?
I've partway through a multi-weekend project involving turning two free-standing metal shelving units into a fully enclosed workshop-cupboard. The enclosing material is MDF and since this will be on ...
7
votes
2answers
4k views
What Paint Finish (flat, satin, etc) Should I Use in a Rental Property?
What finish should I use (flat, eggshell, satin, etc) for the walls in a rental home? In the past I've used eggshell and even satin on walls on the theory that I would be able to clean them (as ...
7
votes
4answers
268 views
How can I get a straight line at the ceiling when painting a textured wall?
I'm looking for advice as to how best obtain a straight line between the wall and ceiling which are both textured. I've seen some new homes where the painter masks about 1/8-1/4 inch down the wall ...
7
votes
5answers
2k views
How do you remove paint from hair?
We painted a closet recently with a latex/acrylic based paint and no plastic hair caps. This lead to the issue with some unsightly paint splotches on our hair. After several washes the paint still ...
7
votes
3answers
853 views
How can I paint over a glossy surface that might contain lead paint?
I am repainting a bathroom that includes trim with a high gloss. The house is old (1924) and the existing paint may have lead in it. There was a remodel in the '80s, but I can't guarantee the ...
7
votes
1answer
278 views
Do primer + paint products work well?
Are primer + paint products as effective as using separate primer and paint
7
votes
1answer
298 views
What is the best method for painting a door
I'm planning to repaint a closet door to match a newly painted room. Would it be better to use spray paint or just use a brush and the same paint I'm using on the walls?
7
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I remove or paint over graffiti?
Recently some graffiti appeared on the side of my house. I knew I should have done something right away but I didn't, and now there is more. Here is a picture:
I read this article. I think I just ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What methods can I use to remove exterior paint from brick?
I just purchased a historical house that was painted an ugly peach color. I bought some marine grade paint stripper that I was going to use little by little to strip the whole exterior by hand. This ...
6
votes
6answers
5k views
Do I really need to use primer when painting an unfinished concrete floor?
I'm turning a one car garage into an office and want to paint the floor. I bought some Behr concrete paint, and the guy at Home Depot insisted that I have to put down a layer of primer first.
Do I ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Can you paint a popcorn ceiling?
My guess is that a paint sprayer might be easiest, but are the other ways that won't remove the popcorn?
6
votes
3answers
3k views
How can I fill small holes in drywall without painting?
I am taking down several items hung on our walls; this will leave about two dozen holes ranging from small nail holes to anchor holes about 3/8" in diameter. I am looking for a way to fill these holes ...
6
votes
3answers
6k views
How do I smooth out spray paint drips on a metal monitor stand?
I purchased this monitor stand. However, I did not like the color. So I sprayed painted it semi-gloss black with this spray paint. Suffice to say, I'm not very handy. It ended up un-smooth on the ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
Do I need to prime/seal new drywall behind cabinets?
If I were doing it, I would usually prime and paint before installing the cabinets. My painter for this project says he'd prefer that I install everything before he paints.
Do I need to use a sealing ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Can I paint over wallpaper glue?
I have a room where I removed the wallpaper in preparation for painting. Surprisingly, the very old wallpaper just peeled right off, leaving behind most of it's glue. I used some wallpaper remover ...
6
votes
1answer
367 views
Drywall Painting: Do I need to keep priming here?
I am painting a room where the previous paint job was not very good. You can see brush marks from a great distance, it got all over the trim, and the paint looked watered down (thanks builders). It ...
6
votes
1answer
4k views
What is the proper method for rolling paint on a wall?
When rolling a wall with paint, is there an optimal or proper method of rolling?
Usually I just go up and down and make sure the paint is rolled evenly.
I've attached a picture showing some ...
6
votes
5answers
4k views
How can I remove graffiti from painted walls?
How do I remove graffiti (spray paint and permanent marker) from a wall previously painted with oil-base paint (or perhaps nitro paint - not sure) without damaging the original paint?
I've seen a ...
6
votes
1answer
827 views
What type of paint and how many coats should be used to paint a radiator?
We've moved into a new house with a fairly incompatible sense of interior design. To illustrate one room in particular, the walls are orange, the floor to ceiling shelves are orange, the fireplace ...
6
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I cheaply paint walls that duct tape stripped and ruined?
I recently made the mistake of using duct tape to attach pictures and posters on my dorm room walls.
When I took the pictures down today, the tape took some of the paint off the walls along with it. ...
6
votes
2answers
729 views
How do I restore paintbrushes ruined by dried latex paint?
I have had a couple of good natural bristle brushes for several years. I've been careful about cleaning them until now, but a couple months ago I left them in a jar with water "to get back to ...
6
votes
4answers
3k views
How can I speed up the rate at which putty dries?
We're (slowly) renovating the sash windows in our house and the current window is causing problems. What should have been a quick job (especially at this time of year!) has turned into a marathon ...
6
votes
2answers
123 views
How can I strip and repaint a concrete porch?
My porch is concrete and has been painted over several times, the last time by the previous owner using paint that is obviously not appropriate (it's very slick when it rains/snows).
It needs to be ...
6
votes
2answers
374 views
How long should I wait before painting new lumber?
I am building a fence. I just bought some treated 4x4s from the lumber yard and they are water logged from being out in the rain for an unknown amount of time.
The weather has been cool and wet for ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it a good idea to paint during Winter?
I heard that interior painting is not a very good idea during winter. How accurate is this statement and why?
5
votes
8answers
582 views
How do I select a color to paint various rooms in my home? What color guides are best?
I am prepare to paint my "old" house rooms, to clean it up.
But I do not know how to select a color to paint my bedroom, my baby room, and other living room.
This house did not have too much light ...
5
votes
3answers
287 views
Why do touch ups on flat paint show?
I just had my whole house gutted and renovated due to a fire. I am having a problem with the paint they used. The contractor insisted on using flat paint as it could be touched up and would not ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Why don't the textures of drywall patches match the room?
I recently remodeled a bedroom and installed new drywall. We painted the walls and ceiling with flat paint (since this is in the master bedroom and it is supposed to "hide" imprefections better than ...
5
votes
4answers
990 views
How can I finish this “peeled” drywall?
While doing some work in my bathroom, one thing led to another and paint started peeling. I found that under many layers of paint was some wallpaper so it seemed natural to pull...
I started peeling ...
5
votes
2answers
243 views
What do I need to do to prepare this trunk for painting?
I've got this trunk. My eventual goal is to paint it red and use it as a combination storage space and coffee table in my (tiny Manhattan) apartment.
It's about fifteen years old. It's covered in a ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How much more paint does a paint sprayer use than a roller?
I am going to be painting the inside of my 2-story home except for the bedrooms, so I have a fairly large area to cover. How much more paint would a paint sprayer use, compared to using paint ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I get the sheen even?
I am using Behr eggshell paint, and I have put 2 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint, but the sheen is not even in spots. I'm almost ready to give up and get some flat paint. Is there any trick to ...
5
votes
1answer
3k views
How long does paint have to dry before I can tape over it?
I have painted the trim with semi-gloss latex paint. How long does it need to dry before I can mask it with blue painter's tape?
5
votes
3answers
948 views
Mild water damage on drywall from leaky roof
We have a fairly new house (built in 1997). Cheap roof and we had a big windstorm a few years back that resulted in some lost shingles that I had patched -- no major problems. Recently we had a much ...
5
votes
3answers
680 views
When would a paint-roller be considered “worn out”?
I am in the middle of a lengthy project that involved numerous skills, one of which is painting panels of wood. I've got a roller and tray, but this is the first time I have had my own painting ...
