DIY Network

Painting Principles Painting Principles From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-110

Nothing makes a house, room or piece of furniture look better than a fresh coat of paint. Today, we're brushing up on our painting skills.

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Q: Is there a way to prevent paint drips from happening when pouring paint?

A: Use a good-quality drop cloth on the ground to catch paint drips. To prevent paint spatters from running down your arms when painting overhead, wrap old washcloths around your wrists and secure with rubber bands.

Q: Are inexpensive paintbrushes the same quality as expensive brushes?

A: Inexpensive brushes are fine for small jobs, and in some cases even foam brushes are acceptable, but for larger painting projects it pays to invest in good-quality brushes.

Q: What are the proper painting steps to ensure a lasting finish?

A: To ensure a long-lasting paint finish, you must prep and prime the area to be painted before applying a high-quality paint.

Safety Tip: If you suspect that the area being prepared for painting has ever been painted with lead-based paint, do not try to sand or otherwise remove the paint. Lead paint can be lethal and should be removed only by paint professionals.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Furniture Preparation

It takes more effort to get dressed up and prepared to paint that to actually do the job, but the attention to preparation details will make your efforts both neater and longer lasting.

• Dress in old clothes and have a dust mask, eye protection and gloves handy during the prep and paint work. If you are painting a ceiling, a shower cap and a large garbage bag worn as a smock can help prevent paint from falling on your hair and clothes (figure A).

• Spread a drop cloth under the furniture.

• Sand areas to be painted with a fine-grade sandpaper or a sanding block to remove loose or cracking paint (figure B). Sanding blocks provide easy access to nooks and crannies on furniture and molding.

• Feather-sand edges of remaining paint and dull glossy surfaces.

• Fill gouges, splits or holes with wood filler (figure C). Allow the filler to dry according to container directions, and sand smooth.

• Remove dust and dirt by dusting with clean rags and washing with detergent and warm water.

• Cover doorknobs, locks and hardware with a coat of petroleum jelly. Paint spatters on these areas can be easily wiped off when the painting is finished.

• If pouring paint from the can, cover the rim of the can with masking tape.

• If painting from the can, punch several small nail holes in the can rim; drips can drip back into the can instead of spilling over the sides.

• Wrap masking tape around the metal ferrule and wood base of the brush for easier clean-up (figure D). Just remove the tape when you finish painting.

Tip: Write the items or rooms painted directly on the paint can. You'll know exactly which paint can to use the next time you need a quick touch-up.