Proper info, prep, tools help paint job go easy

By Tim Perryman

Ready to paint the interior of your home but have no clue as to what preparation, paint, or tools you need to do a quality job? Let's see if I can shed a little light on the subject to help you achieve the attractive, long-lasting results you might expect could come only from a professional.

Lets begin by stressing the importance of good preparation. Resist the temptation to take short cuts in this step of a painting project to save time or effort, because proper prep work can make the difference between a good paint job and a great job and help prevent any paint failures.

• First you need to take down window coverings, and remove the switch plates and hardware from doors (and cabinets, if you will be painting them).
• Move all the furniture to the middle of the room and cover it with plastic.
• Enamel paint on trim needs to be dulled using either sandpaper(be sure to wear a dust mask) or a liquid deglosser(be sure to follow the directions on the label). I prefer sandpaper because it enables you to sand out old brush marks and roughness.
• If there is oil based enamel on the trim or cabinets, you'll need to apply a prime coat. I prefer a fast drying oil based primer with good hiding ability(you'll need paint thinner to clean up).
• Next, fill cracks with a paintable latex caulk, fill nicks and dings with spackle of bondo and spot prime these areas. Wall prep usually isn't as time consuming.
• Clean any grease or wax with Tri Sodium Phosphate(TSP) or another degreaser, then rinse.
• Walls that where previously painted with an oil-based enamel(most likely in older kitchens, bathrooms or laundry rooms) should be primed with an oil based primer.
• Smoke stains should be primed with a stain blocking primer.
• Fill nail holes with spackle, applied with your fingertip instead of a knife so you don't fill any wall texture.

I will assume you will be painting with a brush and a roller, and not need to do a lot of masking, as is the case when applying paint with a sprayer.

• Cover base boards with two inch masking tape.
• Use drop cloths and/or plastic to cover floors. You can buy disposable plastic drop

Now you've got your home all prepped and ready to put some fresh color on your walls, you need to pick up the paint and tools required to do a quality job. With all the paint manufacturers and dealers out there offering so many different grades of products, it's no wounder consumers have no idea what products to buy.

Don't buy the cheapest stuff you can get your hands on because it probably won't give you the coverage or durability you need. But you don't necessarily need the most expensive either. Knowing what you are looking for will make it much easier.

The vast majority of finishes used by today are water based latex. Oil based paints are rarely used for finishes anymore because of the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has put a limit on the amount of volatile chemicals can be used.

The first thing to understand is that paints have different gloss ratings(or sheens), from flat to lo-sheen, eggshell, semi-gloss and finally, gloss. Flat has little or no sheen and is used primarily for walls and ceilings. The remaining are considered enamels and can rang from five to 85 percent sheen rating – the higher rating, the higher the shine. These are used for trim, cabinets and walls in kitchens bathrooms and laundry rooms. Many homeowners use enamels on all there walls because they are more durable and easer to clean, but I recommend lo-sheen because it is more attractive than shiner enamels.

To determine how much paint to buy, you will need to measure the square footage of your walls and ceilings. Most paints will cover from 300 to 400 square feet per gallon. Double that because I recommend applying two coats on all surfaces to ensure good coverage and maximum durability.

As for tools you will need:

• at least one good two and one-half-to-three-inch paint brush(Purdy is a good brand and if you keep it clean it should last forever);
• a nine-inch roller frame;
• a nine-inch screen;
• a nine-inch roller cover with a one-half to one-inch nap(lambs wool is best);
• a two gallon bucket;
• a five gallon bucket;
• a four-to eight-foot rolling pole (which

implement) to save your time and your back.

You might also consider foam brushes and rollers (for a smoother finish on trim and cabinets). Make just one final appraisal of your prep work to make sure it is complete.(Remember no short cuts.) Read the labels on the paint cans for any special instructions and familiarize yourself with what you are using. Now you should be ready to go!

• Put your nine-inch screen in your five-gallon bucket (eliminating any need for a roller tray) and pour three to four gallons of paint in the bucket.
• Roll only three feet at a time to spread the paint evenly over the wall, using the roller to get as close to the corners as possible.
• After rolling, pour some paint into the two-gallon bucket, dip your new brush and start cutting in around trim and corners.
• Make sure the paint is completely dry before applying the second coat.

For trim, make sure the surface is clean before painting, some enamels brush better than others, so ask the paint store which product has the best brushability and is user friendly. A product called Floe-tol can also be added to enamels to help them flow better and eliminate brush marks, or you can add a few splashes of water (just don't overdo it).You can also try the foam brush and roller, experimenting to see what is most comfortable for you and effective for you.

Tim Perryman is the owner of Perryman Painting (www.perrymanpainting.com), specializing in residential repaints and new custom homes. Perryman Painting is a member of the Better Business Bureau, the Painting and Decorating Contractors association (PDCA), the National Federation of independent business (NFIB), the International Trade Exchange (ITEX) and the Sacramento trades guild is a free community service which screens local contractors behalf of consumers for licensing, insurance, workmanship and customer service. For free referrals to quality contractors, advice about screening contractors or free guild brochures, call 967-4423. Submit home improvement, repair or maintenance questions to: Household helpline, c/o Sacramento Trades Guild, 2140 Professional Dr., Suit 130. Roseville, Calif. 95661. you may also contact the Guild via there website