Painting and Decorating Hints and Tips

Welcome to our web site! As a painter and decorator, I know of different trade secrets which can make the task at hand that much easier. As well as finishing the job with the quality of a professional, I'd like to show you some simple painting tips like preparing a surface, brushing and rolling techniques which can make a big difference to the quality of the finish.

• Paint brush - Choose a good quality brush. This will make a huge difference to the finish of your stroke when cutting in. When painting walls, doors or door frames, a good size brush is a 3" (76.2mm), anything smaller than that will not pick up enough paint and any larger than that will be too hard to maneuver. For someone who has had more experience with cutting in, a 4" brush is good.


• Paint pot - You will obviously need to work out of something. Working out of a full tin of paint is not practical and can be a hazard when climbing up and down a step or ladder. You can buy plastic paint pots from your local hardware store for a couple of bucks. A good cost effective alternative, and what most tradesmen do is use an old 4 liter paint tin. Usually the lip where the lid seals is cut out.


• Roller - A roller consists of a frame and a roller sleeve. Choose a good strong frame as the cheaper flimsy frames tend to bend when applying pressure to ceilings or walls. You will also want to buy a good quality roller sleeve. Cheap roller sleeves can sometimes peal off and/or leave fibres throughout your rolling work. Make sure to buy the same size roller sleeve as the frame, usually 270mm.


• Roller Stick - If you've ever tried to roll a wall or ceiling without a roller stick, you would know how hard it is on your arm and wrists to apply pressure, as well as not being able to reach places. A roller stick is essential when rolling walls and ceilings.


• Roller Tray - When most people decide to take on a painting project like painting a room, they go out and buy one of those cheap roller and roller tray packs for about $20 at K-mart. In my experience, these types of trays tend to warp making it easy to spill paint. They are shallow and if accidentally stood on, they will flip which can be a big mess.


• Drop sheets - It's easy to forget about covering up when starting that first brush stroke but placing down drop sheets over your floors and furniture can really save you from accidental spills, over spray when rolling walls or ceilings, and other spots and drops. Be fussy by making sure you pull the edges of the drop sheet right to the skirting board because I guarantee, the spot you leave will be the place you drop some paint.


• Step Ladder - A step ladder is essential for reaching those high areas such as cutting in the tops of walls, ceilings, around light fittings and other areas too height to reach. Tradesmen often use an old wire handle of a paint tin, bent to shape on the side of the ladder makes for a good pot holder. This frees up your hands to stabilize yourself on the ladder while the other hand cuts in.

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