Tips for A DIY Paint Job in Oakland

The secret to a successful paint job is choosing materials carefully. Here are some guidelines:

1. Choose the right color. Take paint brochures home and pick the color during daylight in the room you’ll be painting. Buy a quart (1 liter) of the color, paint part of the wall, and live with it before making a final decision.

2. Cheap paint is expensive. You’re more likely to save money with a top-of-the-line paint. Cheap paint usually requires two coats to cover what’s on the wall, thereby doubling your cost. Low-quality latex paint also gets chalky as it ages and needs to be repainted sooner.

3. Get the right paint finish. Paint comes in glossy, semi gloss, eggshell, satin, and flat finishes. Use glossy or semi gloss on woodwork. In areas likely to get dirty—kitchens and baths—use semi gloss or eggshell on walls. The glossier the paint, the more durable and easier it will be to clean. Flat, on the other hand, hides wall defects and touched-up areas belier.

4. Match, don’t mix. Simplify your life. Use the same color paint on trim and walls even if they’re not the same sheen. You’ll have to do far less masking, and touch-up is simpler since paint splashed from the walls onto the trim (or vice versa) is virtually invisible.

5. Pick the right applicators. Select a short-nap roller for smooth walls and a longer nap for stucco, concrete, and textured surfaces. Make sure the roller has slightly beveled ends that won’t drag paint onto adjoining surfaces. Choose a nylon-wool blend roller for a (oil) paint, but get an all-nylon roller for latex (the water in latex swells natural fibers). Similarly, choose a natural bristle brush for alkyd and synthetic bristles for latex. Look sideways at a brush. A good brush comes to a dull point; a cheap one is cut square. Look at the bristle ends. Split ends (properly called flagged ends) help spread paint for a smoother finish.

As one of Oakland’s top painting Companies, you can trust that Rayco Painting Company will provide you with the professionalism and knowledge necessary to satisfy your needs. If you are interested in having a quality paint job on your home, Call 888-320-7566 or fill out the easy to use form on our website for a FREE no obligation estimate.