Thinking of handling a painting project on your own?

While we would love to always have your business, some projects are so small that our clients like to take them on DIY style. If you're thinking of adding a fresh coat of paint, check out these tips from the family handyman to make your painting projects go faster and smoother.

Roll out those interior projects.

To Avoid Lap Marks, Roll the Full Height of the Wall and Keep a Wet Edge

Lap marks are those ugly stripes caused by uneven layers of paint buildup. They occur when you roll over paint that’s already partly dry. (In warm, dry conditions, latex paint can begin to stiffen in less than a minute!) With these tips learn how to paint interior walls.

The key to avoiding lap marks when learning how to paint interior walls is to maintain a “wet edge,” so each stroke of your roller overlaps the previous stroke before the paint can begin to dry. Here are some painting tips:

• To maintain a wet edge, start near a corner and run the roller up and down the full height of the wall, moving over slightly with each stroke.

• Move backward where necessary to even out thick spots or runs.

• Don’t let the roller become nearly dry; reload it often so that it’s always at least half loaded.

• Keep the open side of the roller frame facing the area that’s already painted. That puts less pressure on the open side of the roller, so you’re less likely to leave paint ridges in your stylish wall painting ideas.

Mix Several Cans of Paint in a Large Bucket for a Consistent Color Throughout the Room

Paint color may vary slightly from one can to the next. If you have to open a new can in the middle of a wall, the difference may be noticeable. Mixing the paints together eliminates the problem. It’s best to estimate the amount of paint you’ll need and mix it in a 5-gallon bucket (a process called “boxing”).

Here are some good painting tips:

• When coverage is difficult to estimate, add more rather than less when learning how to paint interior walls. You can always pour the leftover back into cans.

• For large jobs, use the bucket and a roller screen rather than a roller tray. It’s much faster to load your roller with the screen than to use a roller pan.

• Simply dunk the roller into the paint bucket, then roll it along with the screen until it stops dripping.

Let the Paint Dry, Then Cut the Tape Loose for a Perfect Edge

Once the paint is dry, you can’t just pull the tape off the trim. Paint forms a film between the wall and the tape and removing the tape tears pieces of dried paint off the wall. So before pulling off the tape, cut it loose.

Wait for the paint to completely dry, at least 24 hours, then use a sharp utility knife or box cutter knife to slice through the film. Start in an inconspicuous area to make sure the paint is hard enough to slice cleanly.

If you cut the paint while it’s still gummy, you’ll make a mess. As you cut the paint, pull up the tape at a 45-degree angle.

Prime and Texture Wall Patches To Avoid a Blotchy Finish

Freshly painted walls often look blotchy. The color is uniform, but the sheen isn’t consistent. This usually occurs over the holes and cracks you patched with a filler or drywall compound. The porous fillers absorb the paint, dulling the surface (a problem called “flashing”).

When light hits these dull spots, they stick out like a sore thumb. The smooth patch also stands out in contrast to the slightly bumpy texture of the rest of the wall. A quick coat of primer is all it takes to eliminate flashing and texture differences.

Primer seals the patch so paint won’t sink in and look dull. To match texture, prime with a roller, feathering out the edges. Choose a nap thickness to match the surrounding wall texture (a 3/8-in. nap roller for smooth walls; 1/2-in. for textured).

Roll Paint Along the Edges for Consistent Texture

Corners and areas next to trim that are painted only with a brush have a noticeably different texture than the surrounding paint. To ensure the finished texture will be consistent in these areas, brush on the paint, then immediately roll it out before the paint dries.

Use a 3-in. roller with a nap that’s the same thickness as the roller used for the rest of the wall. Roll as close as you can without bumping the opposite wall or slopping paint onto the trim. Finish brushing on the paint and rolling it out in one area before moving on to the next section.

The truth is a painting project done right, whether DIY or professionally, takes a lot of time, focus and prep work. Be sure you're aware of the scope of a project before taking it on. If you're hiring someone, make sure to ask lots of questions about their preparation processes, their product, their guarantees. Know who you are working with and how they work! Best of luck to you on your project and please feel to reach out for a free quote if you're in need of assistance!