Goodbye to the Painting Season
For a majority of the country, painting projects were scheduled for the “honey-do” list only during months when it was bearable to keep the windows open rather than be fumed out of the house. With the dawn of low- and no-VOC paints, there’s no more putting off what can be painted today.
No-VOC paints, like Olympic Premium or the Freshaire Choice, contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are what cause paint to have such a strong and lingering odor. No VOCs. No smell. Feel free to paint whenever inspiration strikes, no matter the temperature or weather outside.
Release Your Inner Designer
If it’s as simple as covering the edges of a chair rail or as complicated as creating intricate stripes, keeping paint only where you want it is the key to professional-looking results. To keep the paint where it belongs, a good painting tape is a must. Look for a tape that adheres well, peels off cleanly and, most importantly, stops paint from bleeding under the tape.
FrogTape brand painter’s tape (www.frogtape.com) is treated with PaintBlock Technology, which allows the tape to absorb and retain liquid, forming a barrier between the tape and the paint. This technology helps to ensure clean, crisp lines, while limiting the time needed for touching up.
Sometimes It’s Best to Stick With the Classics
Yet, even with the best inventions, there is still no substitute for a good paint and roller to get the paint job done right. For latex paints, use a brush with synthetic nylon or polyester bristles. Natural bristles will absorb the water in latex paints, causing them to droop. Keep the natural bristled brushes for oil-based paint applications.
For larger applications, like walls, a roller is a great time saver, but again choosing the right one will make all the difference. For smooth or lightly textured walls, select a roller cover with a 3/8-inch nap. For rougher walls such as textured plaster or concrete, go with a 3/4-inch nap. Check out Wooster Brush (www.woosterbrush.com), which covers all nap lengths and offers most with a plastic core to help the roller remain sturdy throughout the paint project.
So, no matter the reason and no matter the season, if now is the time to DIY, rest assured, painting like a pro has never been easier. From start to finish, tools available today allow DIYers to create a pro look — without the pro.
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