Painting Tips

31 Painting tips, hints, and tricks

Painting Windows

Soap the windows when you're painting the trim Alongside them. The paint won't sick to soaped are areas of the glass.

Paint Spatters

Small paint splatters on windows can be removed by applying polish remover to them and wiping off.

Painting Doors

Coat locks, hinges knob, etc with petroleum jelly to prevent scraping later.

Antiquing

A small piece of carpet gives a lovely grained effect when antiquing furniture.

Storing Paint

Store paint containers upside down with lids tightly fitted to prevent skin from forming on the surface.

Paintbrushes

Sock brushes containing hardened paint in hot vinegar. Then wash in warm, sudsy water.

Removing Varnish

Old varnish can be removed by scrubbing with a stiff brush in a strong and hot solution of washing soda. Wipe off loose varnish with an old cloth.

Popsicle Sticks

When painting, dip a popsicle stick into the paint. Later it will make a handy color guide to match colors when you shop.

Loose Brushes

Paintbrushes won't shed if you apply nail polish at the base of the brush.

Washing Paintbrushes

Use fabric softener in the final rinse water when washing paintbrushes to keep then soft and pliable

Non-Yellowing White Paint

Add a drop of black paint to white to keep the white paint from yellowing.

Ridding Room of Paint Smell

A tablespoon of ammonia in pan of water banishes paint odor form a room.

Paint Remover For Skin

Apply cooking oil to skin to remove paint.

Clean Paint Tray

Line your paint tray with a large plastic garbage bag before pouring in the paint. Discard when through and there will be no tray to clean.

Moist Paint Brush

Paint rollers or brushes won't dry out for several days if they are slipped into an airtight plastic bag'

Touch-up Paint

Fill small bottles with leftover paint for touchups.

Storing Paint

Mark the level of the paint on the outside of the can before storing to quickly tell how much paint is left.

Plastering Tip

When repairing holes in plaster, mix food coloring with plaster in eliminate repainting.

Painting Kitchens

Be sure to wash kitchen surfaces thoroughly before painting - paint will not stick to greasy film.

Paintbrush Tip

Buy the best paintbrush you can afford. Cheap brushes will leave streaks.

Two is Better Than One

Two thin coats of paint are better than one. It will take more time and work, but the end result is worth it.

Paint Remover

Mix equal parts of turpentine and ammonia to remove even harden paint from clothing.

Painting Baseboards

Use a dustpan with a rubber edge to push wall to wall carpeting down while painting baseboards.

Quick Paint Job

To quickly paint a large surface where not a lot of care is required for instance, a front porch use a cheap sponge instead of a paintbrush. The job will be done in half the time.

Buying Paint

As with  paintbrushes, buy the best paint you can afford. It will go farther and is cheaper in the long run.

Paint Container

For small paint jobs, pour paint into clean empty milk cartons. The edge is easier to wipe the brush on than on the rim of a can.

Painting Wire Fences

Use a paint roller to paint a wire fence more quickly.

Painting Information

On a piece of masking tape, write down the date the room was painted, number of coats, color of paint, and quaintly of paint used. Stick the tape inside the light switch plate before replacing.

Puttying and Painting

Mix putty with paint to avoid having to paint later.

Staining Woodwork

Apply stain to woodwork with cotton balls for even coat.