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The Secret To Crisp Interior Paint Lines

Painting Secret Pads
Many professional interior painters will tell you that it takes an artist-like touch to get crisp lines on textured walls in areas where the color changes like trim, ceilings and contrasting walls. It is true that cutting-in (as it is called) the interiors walls is what separates a great paint job from a bad paint job. It is not true that it takes special skill. It just takes the right tools and a special technique.

First, buy a really good tapered 2 or 2-1/2 inch nylon brush. You must have a tapered brush if you want to reach into corners and other confined areas. I also think that a tapered brush also flows paint better as you are cutting-in. This brush should cost about $12-16.

Next, buy a cheap painting pad for about $3. Try to find one that has rollers on one side. You may have tried one in the past and found it did not work well but you need to know the proper technique.

Getting started Install masking tape on any smooth surfaces like trim (baseboards, crown, windows and doors) and put down a drop cloth to protect the floor and any un-movable furniture. Remove outlet covers and everything from the walls. Fill any holes in the walls.

Before you start to roll any walls, you want to cut-in (make crisp lines) all around the wall or walls that you will roll. This requires BOTH the brush and pad. You can transfer some of the paint from the bucket to a cup (I prefer a disposable plastic cup).

Dip your brush in the cup and then wipe any excess paint on the side of the cup. Now use this to add paint to the pad. DO NOT TRY TO DIP THE PAD IN THE PAINT. Repeat this operation until the pad is saturated but not drippy. Work the paint around the pad so that there is an even amount everywhere, especially the side with rollers. If you get any paint on the rollers, remove it with water and rag.

Place the pad on the wall about 4 inches from a corner or trim piece. Align the rollers with corner and start moving towards the corner. Make sure that the paint is flowing smoothly and then move the rollers against the other non-painted wall or ceiling. As the paint starts to run out, reverse your direction and go over the new paint again before moving to the next area. The pad should leave a 3 inch crisp line, even on textures walls. Continue to add paint to the pad with the brush and don?t ever dip the pad directly into the paint.

When you reach a painted corner, use the brush to dig into the corner where the pad can not go. Make sure you align the none-roller side of the pad with the second wall (that will be painted) so you don?t risk getting paint on the rollers.

When you reach a double corner (intersection of 2 walls and a ceiling), use your tapered brush to paint the 1 x 1 area the pad won't reach in addition to the valley between two painted walls.

Once you have cut-in all the transitions, use a roller on the larger areas of the wall. This will take 2 or 3 coats depending on the color.

Using a brush and a pad ( loaded with paint from the brush) will give you super clean lines and make your new wall look like a work of art. .


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