Preparation is everything when it comes to painting, they say.
And real estate agents will tell you one of the cheapest and highest-impact strategies to enhance your home before sale is to paint the exterior and interior.
Many owners will opt to paint themselves, especially if the priority is inside the home.
And while preparation is tiresome but essential, there’s another facet of the task that’s often overlooked – and that’s the quality of your materials.
When it comes to paints, I’d recommend paying extra for a high-quality brand. It’s usually better to avoid having to paint a second or third coat than saving a few bucks on a cheaper paint.
It’s worthwhile speaking with your retailer to find out whether you might benefit from using a primer, or undercoat.
While it will guarantee you’ll have to do two coats, you may save money on your chosen paint and color because you’d only use it for one coat.
Planning your approach will save you time and money – both of which are important when you’re preparing to sell your home.
Purchasing quality paint brushes is also recommended. However, you need to maintain them throughout the job.
Here are six of tips:
Dried paint: Avoid using an old roller that has tiny bullets of dried paint on its edges. It will give you an uneven finish. Take a knife or scissors and cut them away.
Roller lint: Watch for lint on new rollers. The lint will stick to walls or ceiling. An easy fix is to use sticky-tape to pull all the loose lint from the surface.
Brush cleaning: Try to clean every brush immediately after you’ve finished with it. Avoid allowing paint to dry within its bristles. Use an old cloth to wipe the excess paint away and then place it in warm water and gently remove the rest of the paint. Finish the task by putting the brush under a faucet of running water.
Storing for tomorrow: Most large paint tasks take several days. Brushes are best stored in a dry environment and laid flat, rather than on the end of their bristles.
Roller cleaning: Ask your retailer for a roller cleaner. They’re cheap but require a hosepipe. They’re a huge improvement on trying to wring paint out of a roller under a faucet. Rollers should be stored vertically and placed where any water run off will not cause damage.
Cleanest option: Try to stick to water-based paints. If you take the oil route, you’ll need solvents from your paint retailer to ensure your brushes are clean and ready for the next day.