Stuck indoors and running out of things to do? Nooooo. Paint. Paint. Paint! You can transform a boring old room in no time with a quick coat of paint. Just make sure you do it like a prop and avoid these mistakes when painting indoors.

1. Using the Wrong Brush

Natural bristle brushes work best with oil-based paints and synthetic brushes work best with water-based latex paint. If you’re going to be cutting in, by a good-quality, angled sash brush. You can easily cut in perfectly into the corners, edges, and around the doorframe with the right brush.

Also, people tend to use their brushes over and over and they simply don’t last forever. A good paintbrush can have the ability to spread paint on the walls with an even and rich coat every time so it really pays to buy the best paintbrush for the job. If you’re planning on painting several rooms or need to several different angles, finding a pro-grade pack of three or four brushes in various sizes and angles is really the best option. You’ll want thick, synthetic filament to hold more pate and insurer a smooth finish.

2. Leaving that Funny Blue Painter’s Tape Up too Long

You’ll need tape if you’re painting indoors. Don’t let it sit too long or else! Yes, it might be painter’s tape but if you let it stick for too long, it could peel off the paint underneath. Don’t let that painter’s tape wrap around door frames, windows, and other items for too long. No more than about 24 hours. If you did leave it on too long, try a blow dryer to heat it up to ease removal.

3. Not Watching the Weather.

Summer is typically the best time to paint for a variety of reasons. Warmer weather means less moisture in the air making the paint more adhesive. Higher temperatures will allow the paint to dry quicker as well. With more moisture in the air, the paint will feel tacky even after several hours of drying. If you are going to paint in the cooler seasons, and let’s face it, it doesn’t get that cool around here, try doing it on at least a sunny day with lower humidity.

4. Not Using Primer

Unless you want to see that old color shining through, it’s best to use a primer. Can you use a primer that’s built into the paint? Yes, but cheap paint is exactly that… Cheap paint. If you’d like it to stick, last, not give streaks and not show the old paint through, it’s time to pony up a little bit more money and go for a higher quality paint. When talking paint, you definitely get what you pay for.

5. Roller Marks on the Ceiling

roller marks on the ceiling… I’m sure we’ve all lived in a house where we’ve laid down on the bed only to see the evidence of a previous poor paint job. Avoid this by leaving yourself some room at the top and then go back later and paint that strip. Use window cleaner to clean up wet paint spots.

6. Trying to Cover Wall Paper With Water-Based Paint.

No. No. No. You must use Oil-based paint for this. Seriously, don’t do this. You will regret it and it will be a pain to try to take off later on. It’s best to use heat, moisture, steam, or other methods to take off the wallpaper ahead of time and then put up the right type of paint. Yes, you can use oil-based paint to cover up wallpaper, especially old wallpaper that simply is not going to budge, but it’s best to remove it, scrape it, and start all over if possible.

If you are working with an older home prior to the 1970s, this might be a little more tricky as most paint may have led base materials in it. You may want to enlist the help of a professional to remove the paint or any asbestos or popcorn ceilings before painting.

Paint is really one of the best things to give you a good bang for your buck when it comes to staging or to simply changing the look and feel of a room. However, don’t cut corners. You’ll regret it.

Looking to buy or sell your home in Santa Monica or Pacific Palisades or anywhere throughout Los Angeles County? Give me a call. I’d love to help price your home correctly, get it sold quickly, especially in today’s hot market, or negotiate on your behalf to buy the property of your dreams.

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