Six tips to avoid common painting mistakes

Over the years, we’ve found many examples of errors that have been made by home-owners when decorating their own rooms. There’s nothing whatsoever wrong with well-meaning amateurs attempting to take on tasks themselves in order to save money, of course, but there are some avoidable mistakes that really should be taken into consideration. Here are some of the most common.

Inconsistency in paint colours

Professional painters and decorators will be able to paint a room with remarkable consistency, and one of the ways they do this is by mixing their paint before applying it to the walls. If you buy more than one tin of paint of the same colour, there could be slight differences between one can and the next, so mix them in a larger container first. The overall finish will then be far better to the eye.

Make sure all surfaces are clean

For most amateurs, cleaning surfaces thoroughly before painting is a tedious and time-consuming job that is all too often skimped on. Doing so is a major mistake, however, because the overall finish will inevitably highlight some imperfections. Always use a heavy duty cleaner on oily, dirty surfaces; if you don’t, the finished paintwork will almost certainly end up looking unattractive. And the chances are you’ll notice those particular areas every time you are in the room

Take extra care with room edges

When painting walls, it’s best to be extra vigilant about the edges of the room. The areas around door frames and light switches tend to be the ones that draw the eye first, so it’s best to be careful here. It’s a good idea to apply paint with a brush, but then to use a small roller to distribute the paint in a manner which is consistent with the rest of the room. The overall finish will then look far better.

Avoid plastic drop cloths if you can

Plastic drop cloths tend to be cheaper than cotton or canvas ones, but in general that’s the only benefit they have. Plastic sheets tend to move around as you walk and they can be extremely slippery, especially when you’re using a ladder and need extra stability. And while they will catch paint splashes, the paint will often remain wet. If it gets on your shoes, you can all too easily walk it onto carpets in other areas.

Pay close attention when painting skirting boards

The finish of the skirting boards can make a huge difference to the quality of the room’s overall look. In order to avoid a grainy finish, it’s a good idea to use a fine sandpaper on the skirting boards before the first coat and again before the second one. A sanding sponge can be particularly effective because it can easily get into all the crevices.

Empty the room before you start

It perhaps goes without saying that you could conceivably pile up all the room’s contents in the middle of the area before painting the walls, but it’s far better to remove all the furniture completely if you can. A room that’s totally empty will be far more practical to work in, and of course you have the added bonus of not getting paint on anything valuable.

Here at Tayside Construction, we offer a range of services to home and business owners, including decorating, plumbing, flooring, electrics and roofing. We have all the skills, all the experience and all the attention to detail you’ll ever need, so call 01738 505 888 today to find out more.