HOW TO PAINT-"A DAY AT THE PAINT STORE"

HOW TO PAINT- A DAY AT THE PAINT STORE

A day at the “Paint Store” can be quite testing on a person.  Making decision s, thinking of what you want to accomplish and of course the,  morbid fear of failure.

Start this day with the expectation that you will succeed. PAINTING is the final stage or the “icing on the cake”. So do this in stages.

First, grab a handful of color samples.  Go with what looks good at first glance.  Most of these you will throw away because they will have no connection with your room or furnishings.  This will get you off to a good start.

PAINT  COLOR selection is a process that cannot be skipped.  After you have narrowed the first selection, take a look at what you have left.  Now compare them with a fabric or pillow or picture that you have brought with you.  And you say ’these don’t work’!   Yippee the first step is completed.

Now pick up your next handful of COLOR SAMPLES.  If the paint store has a place where you can look at the colors under different types of light then do so.  Pick the lighting that you have in your house or room you are going to paint.

Wow! These colors are more what I wanted.  Take the pillow or fabric and lay them on the color sample.  Almost immediately you will be drawn to the right color choices.  You doubt?  These two steps really do work.

If you are still questioning your choices, take home a small sample bottle of the paint or paints, and put some on the walls of the room you are painting.  If you are close to the paint store then you will be able to return the same day and make you final selections.

But let’s say you pick the color.  “This is it” you say. Very well, now pick the “sheen”.  Most walls have a flat paint on them.  If you are painting a bathroom you may want a “satin” sheen.  Do not pick semi-gloss.  This is for wood work, cabinets or trim only.

Most premium paints in the flat sheen are washable and very durable.  But you have to pick a premium paint.  Paint and Primer combination products are very good.  If available, pick that product.

Now, pick your weapons or should I say ‘tools’ that you will need.

Brushes – 2 ½” nylon polyester of good quality.

Roller Cover -  ½” to ¾” wool

Roller Frame

Handle for the Roller Frame

Drop Cloths (plastic)

Step Stool- Tall enough to reach the ceiling.  Pick a good one.  It will serve you well.

Masking Tape- blue or green, depending on the brand you choose.

Roller Pan

Be sure that you have measured the room and got the right amount of paint.  If you come up short on the quantity you will have a hard time matching another gallon.  And a quart of paint is never the same color as a gallon.  Sorry, “but that is just the way it is”.

Also remember that any project requires two coats of paint.  No kidding, that too “is just the way it is”.  The extra cost for the gallon of paint is a small price to have all the paint necessary for your project.

The time you spend in the paint store can either be dreaded or fun.  Give yourself enough time and go in the right frame of mind.  You can also consult with a painter or decorator.  If you will be using a Painter to do the painting they usually have a Decorator on staff that will give good advice and FREE!  They can even assist in the color selection. You will not have to buy the Tools and will purchase enough paint to do the job.  No guess work on your part.

Many homeowners have successfully done their own painting and you can too. Embrace the process.  Feel the satisfaction of making the decisions. Again, give yourself plenty of time in the paint store.  You may have to make more than one trip.  That happens a lot too.  You are not a failure.  Take enough time and interest to come to a decision you will be happy with.

As Always “Happy Painting”

Ken Rader Interiors  (www.kenraderinteriors.com)