Prep work important before painting

Painting a home's interior can give it a completely new look and feel. A fresh coat of paint can make a room feel more vibrant and up-to-date, creating a whole new attitude within the room without breaking the bank.

Whether creating an accent wall or painting each wall within a room, painting is a relatively easy and inexpensive home improvement project. But that doesn't mean painting does not require a little prep work before the project can begin.

* Address any holes or bumps on the wall. Holes or cracks in the wall will need to be patched with spackle, which then must dry before the wall can be given a new coat of paint. In addition, sand down any bumps until the walls are smooth and free of any unsightly abnormalities.

* Wash the walls. Walls can get dirty, and that dirt may or may not be masked by paint. Before adding a new coat of paint, wash the walls and inspect them for dust. Dust can collect on molding, especially in rooms that get little natural air. When dust has collected on the molding and around doorways and trim, use a damp cloth to wipe it away before adding any new paint.

* Apply primer. Primer can serve many functions, not the least of which is its role as a bonding agent between the wall and the top coat of paint. Primer can also help conceal dark colors, prevent stains and increase the life expectancy of the paint job you are about to undertake.

* Prepare your paint. Preparing the paint is a simple task, but one novice painters may not be aware of. When opening a new can of paint, stir the paint before using it. In addition, even if you don't plan to use a roller when painting, do not paint straight from the can, which can be heavier to hold than a small bowl, and a light bowl is less likely to be spilled than a potentially heavy can of paint. In addition, once paint has been removed from the can, replace the lid so dust and other impurities do not settle in the can.

* Purchase painter's tape. Painter's tape can be especially valuable to novice painters. Painter's tape makes it easier to paint smooth and clean paint lines, giving a room a more professional looking coat of paint without the cost of hiring a professional painter.

Painting can be an inexpensive and fun way to upgrade a home's interior. But even though painting does not require the technical know-how of more large-scale home improvement projects, it still requires some prep work and attention to detail to ensure the job is done right.

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Not All Painter's Tapes Are Created Equal Four qualities to look for that will assure a superior paint job

Whether you're an experienced DIYer or painting your first apartment, one of the most important decisions you can make in assuring a quality paint job is the choice of painter's tape. The right painter's tape can make all the difference in achieving clean, straight paint lines, and protecting surfaces that you don't want painted, such as glass, woodwork, wallboard, ceilings, and carpeting.

Before you buy your paint and painting tools, do your homework on the variety of tapes on the market. Read package labels carefully before making your selection. For most surfaces, a premium-quality painter's tape will do the job. Here are four essential qualities to consider:

Resistance to "bleeding." One of the biggest problems painters face is paint seeping under -- or "bleeding" -- beyond tape edges. This can cause messy lines and uneven workmanship, and result in the need for frequent touch ups. One product painting professionals recommend is Bloc-it(R), a high performance, professional grade painter's tape from IPG that's treated with a proprietary formula that eliminates bleed through, and delivers a consistently clean paint line. An independent comparison study of leading brands of painter's tape found that Bloc-it had the least amount of bleed on a painted drywall surface, which is among the most common wall surfaces in homes today.

Flexibility. If you have many architectural features or curved surfaces to paint around, consider tapes with fine crepe paper backing which bend and "drape" easily around light switches, moldings, window sashes, and door frames.

Ease of removal. A low-adhesive tape allows for easy removal, without leaving any residue or damage to the surface to which it is applied. It's a good idea to test your tape to make sure it doesn't pull off the paint; if it does, you'll need to purchase one with less adhesive.

UV resistance. Look for ratings that indicate the number of days the tape can be left in place and in direct sunlight. This is important to know to avoid adhesive transfer from the back of the tape to the wall surface.

It's essential that you educate yourself about the characteristics of painter's tapes and understand the surfaces you will be working with before you make your tape selection. It's a decision that will go a long way towards helping you achieve a quality painting job. For more information on Bloc-It by IPG, visit www.itape.com and select Bloc-It under the Consumer tab. Bloc-it is available for purchase on Amazon.com or HomeDepot.com.

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