Paint tips
 When painting,
protect your hands and face with moisturizer. Cleanup will be
easier and the moisturizer will prevent paint from seeping into
the pores.
To stop paint
from dripping, punch a few holes in the rim of the paint can.
When the brush is wiped against the edge, the paint flows back
into the can. The lid covers the holes so the paint won’t dry
out.
Before pouring
paint from a can, cover the rim with masking tape. After
pouring, remove the tape -- the rim will be clean and the cover
will fit tightly.
To remove lumps
from paint: Cut a piece of screen to fit the inside of the paint
can. Set it on top of the paint and let it float down to the
bottom of the can. It will take all the lumps with it, trapping
them at the bottom of the can.
When painting a
room, dip a small card into the paint so that you have the exact
colour with you and can match accessories in store.
When painting
inside corners, trim the paint brush bristles to a V to save
strokes and spread paint more easily.
When you poke a
paint brush into corners or allow it to rest on the bottom of
the paint can, the bristles curl and stray. To straighten
natural bristles (not synthetics), try wrapping the brush in a
couple of thicknesses of damp cloth and press gently with an
iron. The steam and cloth binding do the job. Only light
pressure is needed. Let the bristles cool before you unwrap the
brush.
When painting old
woodwork fill in the holes or cracks with a mixture of flour and
some of the paint you are using. It hardens like cement and
matches perfectly.
When painting
stairs, paint every other step first. When these are dry, paint
the rest.
To avoid cleaning
paint brushes and rollers if you intend to use the same colour
later, or if you do not have time to clean immediately, place
the brushes and rollers in a plastic bag, tie shut and place in
the freezer. They will keep for several days without drying up.
Protect hands
from paint solvent by putting the brush and solvent into a
strong plastic bag. With hands outside the bag, work the solvent
into the brush through the plastic.
After cleaning
your paint brush, a few drops of oil worked into the bristles
will leave the brush soft and ready to use.
To clean paint
rollers, fill an empty one-quart milk carton with solvent, put
the roller inside and crimp the ends shut. Give the carton a few
shakes, then let sit for a couple of hours.
Simmer hardened
paint brushes in full-strength vinegar. Remove the softened
paint with a wire comb or brush.
To remove oil or
enamel paint from your hands, rub on paste floor wax and then
wash with plenty of soap and warm water. There is no odor and
it’s easier on the skin than paint remover.
In time, a partly
used can of paint will develop a skin on top. To prevent this,
cut waxed paper the size of the can and drop it in.
To save partial
cans of leftover paint, fill the airspace with a lightly
inflated balloon before pressing on the lid.
A coat of
penetrating stain applied to a smooth wood surface may last only
three or four years, but a second application after the wood has
weathered will last as long as 10.
To give bathroom
fixtures a new look, paint with an epoxy paint, sold especially
for that purpose.
Never stir
varnish. It has no colour pigments which need blending and
stirring will create air bubbles which can ruin a smooth finish.
To frost a
bathroom or garage window, make a solution of one cup of beer to
four tbsp. Epsom salts and paint on the window. It washes off
when you want a clear pane again.
After
wallpapering or painting, write the amount under a light-switch
plate and you’ll always know how much wallpaper or paint you
need for that room. |
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