3 Tips (Including Virtual Reality) For Avoiding Home Improvement Blunders

Want proof of how carefully you need to weigh the alternatives before making upgrades to your home? Look no further than the Florida couple who last year decided to have their house painted to look like artist Vincent Van Gogh’s famous canvas "The Starry Night." It wasn’t just that it was such an odd choice for an exterior that it attracted tourists – sort of the local answer to New York’s Madame Tussauds – it was that the city of Mount Dora took them to court over it."Graffiti," the city called it."First Amendment!" countered homeowner Lubek Jastrzebski, an immigrant from Communist-era Poland, who argued that the city code didn’t address house colors and aesthetics.Yes, that’s an extreme example of unintended consequences.


But even though legally the homeowners wound up off the hook, anyone now contemplating shelling out significant bucks on home improvements should read on for some tips on avoiding costly missteps.* Don’t paint your house brown either. Since most people have it in the back of their minds that they’ll eventually want to attract buyers other than those obsessed with Dutch post-impressionist painters partial to yellow and blue swirls, know that Zillow.com just concluded that medium brown and taupe were the worst exterior color choices in terms of resale value. Both depressed the sales price by $1,970 compared to homes painted white, an analysis by the real estate website of more than 32,000 photos from sold residential properties around the country found.


 "Greige," on the other hand – a combination of gray and beige – was the big winner, fetching $3,496 more than its drab brown counterparts.* Tech is your friend. It was two years ago that a noted design guru had this to say to the New York Times about online virtual reality, augmented reality, and 3D rendering tools: "It’s definitely the wave of the future, because it allows the general population to make design decisions without feeling hesitant or insecure," said Khoi Vo, a professor and the chair of the department of interior design at Savannah College of Art and Design.Well, the future is undoubtedly here, with programs like Room Sketcher even allowing you to play architect by creating your own floor plan, furnishing the space, and then visualizing your work in 3D.But say what you’re interested in is boosting your home’s all-important curb appeal with a roof upgrade.


The Virtual Home Remodeler from GAF (gaf.com), North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, lets you experiment with different looks by first either downloading a photo of your own home or choosing from among the many styles – everything from Victorian to ranch to French country – pictured on the website."It’s an easy way to see what would look best with your home," said Paul Dellanno, assistant marketing manager at GAF. "Because what may work for a ranch-style house may not work for a Tudor."Once you’ve picked a house style, the process continues.


Do you prefer the Antique Slate color shingles from the company’s Camelot Shingle line you clicked on, for example, or the Golden Prairie color ones from the Glenwood Shingle line?And the house trim and exterior walls? White or something more daring?As Dellano explained, "you can even check how the result looks at different times of day and seasons."* Be wary of fads. "It looked like Darth Vader had moved in," is how a writer for Realty.com described the latest trend of painting houses black in her Brooklyn, New York, neighborhood.Word to the wise: The classics are classic for a reason.



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Home décor Q&A: Zoning in on colour

Q: What is colour zoning?

A: Colour zoning (also known as colour blocking) is the intentional painting of shapes of colour within a room and it's a very hot trend in today's home décors. It opens up a whole new way of using and defining colour in a space. It's a great technique to add “punch” to a room without being overwhelming. Colour zoning can add definition, highlight interesting architectural elements, create a focal point, or function as artwork.

It's all about using colours creatively to add interest to spaces and bring rooms to life. People today invest more time in decorating their surroundings and are demonstrating this by using colour in unique ways to deliver personal style to their living spaces. Colour zoning is changing the way people think about paint and colour and the only limit is your imagination.

This technique usually requires a very small quantity of paint so it can be a very inexpensive way to accessorize your décor with fun shapes and colours. More information on colour zoning is available at www.sico.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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The pros and cons of flat paint finishes

(NC)—Do it yourself homeowners across the country are often faced with the uncertainty of when to choose between flat, eggshell or semi–gloss finishes for certain paint projects in their home.

Even after you choose the perfect colour for a room, there's another very important decision to make – the paint finish. With different paint finishes to choose from, it's important to know the benefits of each to determine the right one for your paint project.

Dominique Pépin, Marketing Manager for Sico Paints and a Chairholder of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group, explained that the finish you choose depends largely on the space and the uses and functions of the room.

“Typically, higher gloss finish paint is more durable and is formulated to hold up very well to cleaning and scrubbing. However, the major drawback to this finish is that it will magnify any surface imperfections, so careful preparation and sanding is essential before painting with glossier paints,” she explained.

Pépin actually does not recommend using semi–gloss paints for walls and ceilings in rooms, such as living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms, to avoid showcasing ceiling and wall imperfections on these larger walls. “For wall colour beauty and richness, it's recommended to choose flat finishes that will add depth to your colours and hide irregularities and defects, as these finishes do not reflect light.” she added.

One of the highest performing flat finish paints over the last few years has been Sico's Cashmere paint. It's an elegant finish with no gloss, which adds extra depth to your colours thanks to exclusive thermoplastic beads that also makes it more washable than conventional flat paints available on the market. A favourite with designers, it's ideal to dress up walls in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms with high hiding power and saves you time and money as it's a paint and primer in one formula. To top it off, it's also more eco–friendly choice since it's part of Sico's line of VOC–free paints, making future paint projects more enjoyable. More information on the latest paint finishes is available at www.sico.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Demystifying doors and trim paint projects

(NC)—Whether you're painting your interior doors and trims for the first time or giving worn out surfaces a fresh new coat, there are certain steps to take according to paint experts to make this project flow with ease.

Your first step is to choose the paint colour and the gloss level of your paint. According to Dominique Pépin, Marketing Manager for Sico Paints and a Chairholder of the international colour forecaster Color Marketing Group, today's approach to doors, mouldings and trims typically involves painting them a warm white, such as Sico's popular Drum Skin (6210–11), which is a designer's choice.

“However, you can also try using a colour two shades lighter or darker than that of the walls to achieve a more subtle contrast,” she advised.

As for the finish, Pépin said most people prefer a higher gloss such as a pearl finish for painting interior trim and doors. These areas usually get lots of traffic and require regular cleaning. The higher gloss paints can be easily cleaned using a mild detergent and water. Flat paints cannot withstand this type of cleaning. Glossier finishes are also used to create pristine contrasts bringing to life beautiful details in the mouldings.

To make the job even easier there are manufacturers who have introduced specific doors and trim paints to the market to ensure homeowners and professionals alike achieve the desired results.

In the case of Sico's new Doors and trim paint you get a peal finish that is 100% acrylic, ultra–washable and scrubbable and offers a maximum durability and exceptional adhesion. Easy to apply, the paint is also recommended for walls. More information on paint tips and advice is available at www.sico.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Product Innovations Make DIY Painting Easy and Convenient

It's a DIY world. Whether it's to save a little money or just a desire to personally express one's own style, more people are doing it themselves. And nowhere is the DIY trend more apparent than in interior painting. Now, thanks to some innovative product breakthroughs, what once was considered a chore is now a whole lot easier and convenient.

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 (http://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 (http://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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Make your paint job look better and last longer

(ARA) - Now that the weather's turned cooler and you're spending more time indoors, there's no better time to paint. It's one of the easiest and least expensive ways to change the look of your home. It's also a project that even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer can do with confidence. With thousands of colors from which to choose, it's the perfect way to express your unique style and personality at a fraction of the cost of other home improvement projects. Yet even experienced do-it-yourselfers sometimes neglect the first and most important step in achieving the perfect paint job.

Professional painters know that the key to a beautiful paint job isn't buying the most expensive paint. They know that one coat of primer and one coat of paint will give them a better, longer-lasting paint job than two coats of paint. That's why they prime first, then paint.

"Paint is formulated with more pigment than resin to provide rich, beautiful color. Primers are resin-rich to provide the ideal foundation for paint," says Frank Glowacki, Zinsser Primer brand director at Rust-Oleum. "You can't expect a paint, or a paint-and-primer-in-one product to do the job of a high quality stain-blocking primer. Having a sealed, stain-free surface is the key to getting the best paint job possible, and this is accomplished by using one coat of primer and one coat of paint."

Here are just some of the benefits of priming before you paint:
* Priming saves you time and money. Primers are formulated to seal the surface - and when the surface is sealed, you use less paint. No more multiple coats of paint to get an even, consistent finish. If you tint a quality primer like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, one coat of primer and one coat of paint is usually all you need for a great-looking paint job. Just ask the paint desk to tint your primer toward the color of your paint. Since a gallon of primer is less expensive than a gallon of paint, you'll save money too.

* Priming makes paint colors richer. Primers hide previous colors - even the darkest blues and deepest reds - and prevent them from showing through and changing the color of your paint. Your paint colors will be more vibrant and beautiful if you prime first.

* Primers block stains. Most stains - water stains, crayon and marker, lipstick or nicotine - will bleed right through paint. This is where primers earn their reputation: they seal in stains and prevent them from ruining your paint job. New advanced technology water-base primers like Bulls Eye 1-2-3 PLUS take the guesswork out of primer selection because they block all stains - even water stains - so you start your paint job with a clean canvas.

* You can paint anything if you prime first. If you've ever tried to paint a slick surface like vinyl or plastic with paint alone, chances are it just didn't stick. Primers are formulated for tenacious paint adhesion to all surfaces, so you can paint anything - even ceramic tile and Formica cabinets - when you use a primer as your first coat.

* Primers make your paint job last longer. Primers prevent common paint problems like cracking, peeling and blistering and your paint will retain its original color longer, so you'll have to paint less often.

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2011 Paint Color Trends: Affordable Remodeling Drives New Paint Palette

Individual style, mixed with budget-conscious decorating, will drive 2011 paint color trends, according to Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.

"There's no escaping the state of the economy, even for homeowners who want to beautify their homes," says Zimmer. "Rather than diving into large-scale renovation projects, in the coming year, consumers will search for inexpensive ways to freshen and update their homes. Many will conclude that painting is the perfect solution."

By incorporating a few new paint colors, either as accent walls or throughout a room, consumers will be able to enhance their living spaces economically with paint, she says.

Zimmer shares three likely color directions for 2011:

Back to Basics

"Homeowners seeking comfortable and serene spaces will gravitate toward a range of casual neutral and pastel hues to create warm and inviting spaces," she says.

According to Zimmer, "Neutrals provide versatility and allow homeowners to quickly change the look of a room just by adding a few new accessories, without spending time and money to remodel or repaint again. This is the ultimate in practical remodeling, and the time is ripe for it."

Warm whites, tawny tans, "barely-there" coral, and green are some of the colors that will find their way into countless kitchens, bedrooms, and baths, she predicts.

"Well Worn" Hues

Like a pair of favorite jeans, blue will grow in popularity as not just a wall color, but also as a ceiling choice, says Zimmer. "Well Worn Hues" are represented by blues across the spectrum, from denim dark to blue-grey.

"Since most blues tend to be calming colors, this hue helps to create a perfect retreat from many of life's stresses," says Zimmer. "As a secondary or complementary hue, yellow or yellow-green adds a bit of 'spunk' when used in family spaces," she says.

According to Zimmer, the Well Worn Hues can be used virtually anywhere in a home.

Shimmer and Shine

For thrifty consumers looking for a bit of sparkle, higher paint sheens and metallic finishes are on the radar for 2011, says Zimmer.

"Don't be surprised if you see spaces such as hallways and living areas painted top-to-bottom in a very glossy hue. More gloss means more reflectivity which means more light. Gloss can subtly create a brighter, more upbeat mood in a home. At the same time, it adds style and pizzazz," she says.

According to Zimmer, dining rooms and master bedroom and bath spaces are the perfect areas for this sophisticated choice.

Coupled with the "high shine" trend, gold will return as both an in-demand paint hue and a key metallic choice, she adds.

"Paint color is a homeowner's most versatile decorating tool," says Zimmer. "You can use it to change the appearance of a room, the perception of its size, and even how warm or cool it feels, through the simple use of paint color."

For more information on color and decorating, or to download the Paint Quality Institute's free app, visit www.paintquality.com. 

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Economical Remodeling Tips on Color Selection for Affordable Interior Painting

(MS) -- With money tight and household expenses rising, there's a natural tendency to put your remodeling plans on hold. But even if your budget is limited, there's one home remodeling project that is still affordable, and fun, too: interior painting.

According to the Paint Quality Institute, the do-it-yourself cost of repainting a room is typically well under $100, about the same as taking a family of four to the movies. Unlike a night at the movies, however, the enjoyment of a freshly painted room will last for years.

Start by visiting your local paint retailer, asking to see the color display. The fun begins by looking through the color cards and envisioning what your room will look like with an entirely new color scheme.

If you're the decisive type, you might quickly spot the perfect color for the room you're repainting. For everyone else, it's usually best to take a few color cards home to view in the space you want to paint. Once there, you should follow a few time-tested rules.

First, when evaluating color options, conceal all the colors on the card except for the one you are considering. By isolating the color, you'll get a better idea of how the room will look in a particular hue.

Second, evaluate the color both in daylight and at night when all the light is artificial. You may be surprised how different a color can look when lighting conditions change. (Paint colors usually look darker at night, in shadow, and on cloudy days.)

Third, consider when you most often use the room. If you are painting a breakfast area, be sure you like the way the color looks in morning light; but if you're painting a bedroom, it's more important that the color be pleasing under artificial light.

Fourth, be aware that color tends to be more intense on a large area than a small one. A color that looks just right on a color card may be too dark or too bold when applied to your walls. For safety's sake, move down one degree of intensity on the card and choose a slightly lighter tint or shade.

Finally, if you are still not certain of your choice of color, buy a small quantity of paint and apply a couple of large swatches to the walls. Live with the color for a day or two. You'll soon know if you missed the mark or nailed it.

One final tip: Regardless of the color you choose, the Paint Quality Institute recommends that you use top quality 100 percent acrylic latex interior paint for all of your projects. This advanced type of paint goes on evenly, typically "hides" the color below in just a single coat, has very little odor, and is very durable. By using it, your beautiful new paint job will last for years.

For more advice on affordable interior painting, visit www.paintquality.com. 

CAPTION: Interior painting is an economical way to beautify your home.

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Tips for a Pain-Free Paint Project

Tips for Pain-Free Paint Project

(MS) -- Few home improvement projects can be as fun, satisfying and inexpensive as painting. The excitement of choosing a new color scheme and then watching your home transform makes painting a project the whole family can enjoy.

By following a few simple tricks and tips you'll be painting like a professional before you know it. Bercom, the painting experts behind revolutionary paint products like Handy Paint Trays and Liners, offers an insider's perspective on how to make your next painting project as quick and pain-free as it is enjoyable.

* Plan ahead. Planning is the first step to a successful paint job. Before you start painting, stop by your local hardware or paint store, like Lowe's or anywhere paints are sold, and pick up all your supplies including paint, paintbrushes, rollers, trays, pails, tape and drop cloths. Look for new products on the market today that are long-overdue updates to traditional painting supplies. These next-generation supplies make painting a lot easier, and the time and materials they save you make them a worthwhile investment.

To save even more time, take measurements beforehand and determine exactly how much paint you need to get the job done. If you do this, you will not run out of supplies and end up having to make a trip back to the paint store in the middle of your project.

* Use the magic formula. The condition of the wall will play a role in how much paint is required to complete your paint job. Smooth, even surfaces generally require less paint than rougher surfaces. Make note of the wall surfaces when taking measurements. An easy formula for determining how much paint you need to purchase is:

(wall height X wall width) number of walls 300 = gallons of paint

One gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet, so dividing by 300 will leave you the perfect amount of paint for touch-ups.

* Let the paint do the work for you. For the best results, do not skimp on the paint. Applying a thicker coat versus one that is stretched thin will save time and help you achieve professional-looking results on the first try. The Handy Paint Tray is convenient because it holds up to a gallon of paint, more than any paint tray on the market, so that you can keep working without having to frequently stop and re-fill the tray.

* Prevent a mess by expecting one. Painting might be a fun home improvement job, but even the veteran painter expects a little bit of a mess. Painters can reduce the stress of a mess by protecting floors with old bed sheets or canvas, and covering woodwork, glass and metal surfaces with painter's tape.

Oftentimes, inexpensive, plastic drop cloths seem like an effective way to protect your floor and furniture because you can simply throw them away when you are finished. However, cloth drop cloths tend to be easier to work with because they are more durable than plastic, are rip and puncture resistant, lay flat as you walk across them, and you can easily fold cloth around wall angles and doors without having to tape them to the ground.

* Paint in the right order. Painting your room from top to bottom will help prevent annoying drips and splatters. For the best results, start by painting your ceilings, then move on to walls. After your walls, paint the woodwork. Save the floor for the very last.

* Keep rolling along. Always begin painting an interior surface by "cutting in" -- paint a two-inch wide strip along the edges with a paintbrush. When using a paintbrush, new-age paint containers, like the Handy Paint Pail, are ideal tools. Look for containers that have magnetic brush holders and adjustable straps that prevent fatigue in your hand or can be strapped to your belt.

After you have cut-in, use a roller to fill in your brushed-on outline. While using a roller might seem simple, a few tricks can make it even easier and less messy. Slowly dip the roller into your paint tray, and then roll it back and forth until it is completely and evenly coated with paint. Then, run your roller across a washboard to remove excess paint. Painters love the Handy Paint Tray's built-in, sturdy washboard because it has deep ridges that remove excess and evenly distribute paint to rollers, preventing drips and splatters as a result. And, the next-generation trays come equipped with a magnetic brush holder that prevents paintbrushes from falling into the tray, which allows you to keep a brush and roller nearby at all times.

* Make clean up quick and easy. Like most projects, clean up is often the worst part of painting. Choose a paint tray with disposable liners, so when you are finished painting, clean up is as easy as throwing away the liner -- then you are instantly ready for your next paint project! Handy Paint Liners are made of recycled plastic that is thick and durable, and can be used will all paints and stains. Plus, they snap into place so you don't have to worry about them shifting around and causing a spill.

For additional painting tips and ideas, visit www.handypaintpail.com.

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Interior Painting Preparation Tips for Walls

Painting interior walls can be more difficult than you can think of. There are problems always occur throughout the painting project most probably are because of inappropriate steps or no steps were taken to make sure the painting was done correctly. Preparation is the key to a successful painting job. If all you want is to have a well painted rooms then you most definitely also want to ensure that your money spent on your interior painting job will work well for you for many years to come. It all begins with painting preparation.

First thing is to make your tools available for use such as paintbrushes as well as paint rollers, including the extensions. In addition, paint pan, painters tape, drop clothes as well as other application tools for hard to reach spaces, such as a flat applicator to slide between tight areas will also be needed. Other than that, you will want to read through the manufacturer’s guides on the appropriate way to apply the paint, too. Through this manufacturer’s directions you will learn what type of paint it is and the amount of ventilation you will need. Also, some paint manufacturers recommend that you invest 12 hours between coats. These details and instructions are important in helping to complete the project.

Next, prepare the walls. Tips on preparing the walls for painting are as follows:

If needed, check to make sure that the walls have been patched using compound as appropriate. Sand down these areas afterwards. If necessary, apply a first coat of flat paint over these areas prior to painting. Check to ensure that the compound has been completely dried before trying to paint over it.

If you identify moisture problems with the wall, take corrective action to fix them. If this is a consistent problem, an ideal solution is to apply a sealant over the walls to protect them and the paint against the moisture.

It’s important to wash down the walls, too. At the end of the project, it’s common to see greasy spots or areas of dirt or debris on the wall. A solution of water and a mild detergent is advised to be used here. Try not to saturate the walls with water, though. Take a break and let the wall fully dry first before you proceed with painting.

There are edges where you don’t want to paint, apply painter’s tape in this circumstance, including window sills, doorframes and both the ceiling and baseboards. Hours of time will be saved if this is done to avoid having to clean up the mess at the end.

If the existing paint on the wall is a glossy paint, then painting a coat of flat paint over the top of it is suggested before proceed to apply the paint you would like to. This will help with adherence of the paint on the space.

That’s all the steps it needs to be taken to be ready for painting the walls in your home. While there are not too many steps involved, missing just one of them can result in the entire project to be more challenging than it needs to be. Most of the tools which are needed during painting preparation phase and wall painting phase are readily available at reasonable price, too.

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Interior Painting Tips, Ideas and Tricks

The followings are tricks, tips and ideas for interior painting that you might find them helpful in making your painting job much easier.

Do wash and repair your walls or project item before you start your painting job. This preparation work seems taking a lot of time but the consequences of having an unattractive item or having to redo the project due to a repair that should have been done is also time consuming and will cost you dearly.

Do not paint directly out of a can as the paint can be contaminated by foreign material that dropped into it causing discoloration and unsmooth surface.

Do study a color wheel as different colors put in different mood and depth to a room.

Do not hesitate to experiment with color to avoid end up later choosing another color and repaint which will take you more time on the painting job.

Do bring a color chip home. This can be found in shops where paint is sold or the home decorating stores. Looking at the chip under the natural and artificial light, I’m sure you will surprise at the difference the pretty chip in the store turned out to be in your own home.

Do rub a small spot with a small cotton ball dipped in ammonia. The paint that comes off it can be latex based or else it’s oil based.

Do buy a small can of paint, get ready a sample board or a small area of your project piece and apply the technique for interior painting you have chosen. Different metals, plaster, and woods or if you are painting over an already painted surface or wallpaper will emit different hues and shades that may not be what you are expected for.

Do use plastic wrap around door knobs, hardware and phones to keep splatters off. You can cover your eyeglasses with this to protect them.

Don’t store your paintbrush in the freezer. The bristles become hard and easily damaged and the paint will not bind properly.

Do make sure the paint of the same lot number or color mixture is sufficient to finish your interior painting project.

Do choose the right kind of paint from either latex or oil based paint. Easy of use, quick dry, easy cleanable with water, excellent adhesion to a variety of surfaces are the main advantages that justify you to use latex paint. Oil based paint is water tight. The colors are deep and saturated and have fade resistance in sunlight. Oil based paint needs longer time to dry, can sag during application; can turn into yellowish look after years. Moisture can be sealed in if the surface is not dry and this can end up in rotten. Oil based paints have fumes and the clean up process is more complicated as it involves the use of solvents which are bad for the environment.

Do cover your furniture and floors with drop cloths as this will save you time needed for clean up and can prevent damage to your furniture.

Do look and smell your paint that has been stored. It could indicate mold is being grown if you can feel the mildew or earthy smell. If you find that the paint is dried out or a rust line appears inside of the can, then it should be disposed. Frozen paint won’t bind properly upon application even though it looks like usable.

Interior painting tips, ideas and tricks above have helped making my painting jobs easier in all these years. Hope it can be useful to you as well.

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Top Painting Questions Answered About Interior Painting Methods and Techniques

It can sound easy enough to paint interior rooms of your home until you come across some questions which you just cannot seem to find an answer for them. Some of the most common questions asked about interior painting methods, techniques and more that might address your problems are as follows:

Why is paint chunky and can it still be used?

When you have a can of paint which is not finished yet, it is necessary that this can of paint is stored properly. It is important to ensure the lid has been tapped into place to form a nice, neat seal. If this is not done, the paint within can form a clump. This causes chunky paint that has lumps in it. If the paint has not separated, then you can still use it. An ideal solution for getting the lumps out is to pour the paint through an old pair of panty hose or a fine strainer.

What type of paint finish should you use?

The paint finish is the amount of shine that the paint will have when it has dried. Comparing several of them is the best way to tell the actual look of these. A flat finish offers no shine. It is also the hardest to maintain as well as most difficult to clean up. On the other end of the spectrum you have gloss paints, which have a very strong shine to them. They are durable and they can be scrubbed clean. Something in the middle such as a satin or semi gloss product may be needed for the best of both worlds.

Should a second coat be put on?

There’s no specific answer for this question as it’s based on the type of project or a particular project. Generally speaking the thicker the paint is, second coat is less likely to be needed since this will help to block out anything from coming through. On the other hand, if the wall color under the paint is a dark one, second coat of paint will need to be applied most definitely.

The paint is not sticking well to the wall. Why not?

If you have an existing painted wall and are thinking to paint over the top of it, it is important to apply a flat coat of paint first. This is for the case if you have high gloss paint already on the wall or the wall contains oil based paint. These products generally will affect the paint not adhering well on top of them. Thus it’s advisable to use a flat paint first to create some grip and then repaint in the color of your choice.

The above tips will definitely help you get the professional look in painting interior walls. Most people will love the look of great looking painted rooms after learning how to get it just right.

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