When you hire a commercial painter one of the things you'll notice as part of a professional paint job are clean edges.
These clean edges are thanks to years of experience and a few tricks that painters use to ensure that the color does not bleed on to another surface.
For instance, you'll notice perfectly painted walls with no bleed on the ceiling or the floor.
The good news is that you too can paint with clean edges if you know how.
Below we discuss a few tips which should help you with this.
Roll the Paint Out Near the Trim The areas and corners which are next to a trim need to been painted with just a brush will look like a slightly different texture than your surrounding paint.
In order to ensure a well finished texture in all these areas you can use a brush on paint followed by an immediate roll out prior to the paint drying.
A 3 inch roller along with a nap which is of the same thickness as your roller can be used on the whole of your wall.
You should try and roll as close as you possibly can without bumping into the opposite wall or probably slopping some paint on the trim.
Make sure to finish brushing and rolling the paint out in one area prior to moving to the next.
You should Feather Out the Paint Where a Wet Edge is not an Option Always feather your paint with a dry roller when in large areas.
Nobody can cover large areas like a stairwell, extra tall walls and ceilings with one continuous stroke.
The best way to minimize any lap marks here is to feather out all the paint along the surface's edges which you are not able to keep wet.
This thinner and feathered coat will allow you to avoid the buildup which causes lap marks.
In order to paint an extra large section without having to leave behind lap marks you should roll a dry roller in various directions along the dry edges.
Once the whole length is complete you can move on to the next section and then paint right over the feathered edges.
When you apply a second coat make sure it is in the opposite direction.
This crisscrossing will help to eliminate lap marks.
Trip and Sand Between Coats Applying just one coat of paint will not hide the underlying sheen on the trim or color.
If your surface is not properly sanded to ensure a smooth finish you will end up with grainy texture.
If you want a smooth finish professionals advise that you sand the trim prior to each coat.
A fine grit sanding sponge can be used which can reach into the crevices where regular sand paper cannot reach helps you to also apply even pressure.
You then apply the first coat of paint and allow for a 24 hour drying period, then you lightly sand it for a smooth surface prior to a second coat.
In between every sanding session make sure to vacuum the trim followed by wiping it down with a good tack cloth in order to remove all the dust.
These clean edges are thanks to years of experience and a few tricks that painters use to ensure that the color does not bleed on to another surface.
For instance, you'll notice perfectly painted walls with no bleed on the ceiling or the floor.
The good news is that you too can paint with clean edges if you know how.
Below we discuss a few tips which should help you with this.
Roll the Paint Out Near the Trim The areas and corners which are next to a trim need to been painted with just a brush will look like a slightly different texture than your surrounding paint.
In order to ensure a well finished texture in all these areas you can use a brush on paint followed by an immediate roll out prior to the paint drying.
A 3 inch roller along with a nap which is of the same thickness as your roller can be used on the whole of your wall.
You should try and roll as close as you possibly can without bumping into the opposite wall or probably slopping some paint on the trim.
Make sure to finish brushing and rolling the paint out in one area prior to moving to the next.
You should Feather Out the Paint Where a Wet Edge is not an Option Always feather your paint with a dry roller when in large areas.
Nobody can cover large areas like a stairwell, extra tall walls and ceilings with one continuous stroke.
The best way to minimize any lap marks here is to feather out all the paint along the surface's edges which you are not able to keep wet.
This thinner and feathered coat will allow you to avoid the buildup which causes lap marks.
In order to paint an extra large section without having to leave behind lap marks you should roll a dry roller in various directions along the dry edges.
Once the whole length is complete you can move on to the next section and then paint right over the feathered edges.
When you apply a second coat make sure it is in the opposite direction.
This crisscrossing will help to eliminate lap marks.
Trip and Sand Between Coats Applying just one coat of paint will not hide the underlying sheen on the trim or color.
If your surface is not properly sanded to ensure a smooth finish you will end up with grainy texture.
If you want a smooth finish professionals advise that you sand the trim prior to each coat.
A fine grit sanding sponge can be used which can reach into the crevices where regular sand paper cannot reach helps you to also apply even pressure.
You then apply the first coat of paint and allow for a 24 hour drying period, then you lightly sand it for a smooth surface prior to a second coat.
In between every sanding session make sure to vacuum the trim followed by wiping it down with a good tack cloth in order to remove all the dust.
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