Avoid these 8 Painting Mistakes

DIY experts have identified these 8 common painting mistakes that you should avoid

1. Using the wrong roller for the surface

The "pile" is the material that covers the roller and the "nap" is the length of the pile fibres. Rough surfaces require a roller with a longer nap and smooth surfaces require a shorter nap. When you're done napping, you need to get back to work.

2. Using the wrong brush The bristle type and bristle density will have an impact on the quality of the finish and the coverage you get from your paint. Cheap brushes are cheaply made with less-dense bristles made of cheaper materials. A good quality brush will give you a smooth and even finish. The only things that should cheap are birds. Cheap, cheap. 3. Not mixing your paint properly Paint is manufactured from a number of different materials and when it sits on a shelf, these materials will separate - give your paint a proper stir with a flat piece of wood or paint paddle before you use it. This may be the only time that it's okay to be a stirrer. 4. Not fully loading your roller The roller needs to be loaded with paint to the core or it will cause air bubbles and the dreaded "paint acne". Roll it back and forth on the roller tray until the roller is fully covered and feels heavy. Trust me, not even your wall wants acne. 5. Using too much paint Don't overload your brush or roller with paint. How much is too much? If the paint is dripping down the walls or if your roller is "sliding" instead of "rolling" - then you have used too much paint. Stop it, paint is expensive and you're wasting. 6. Using too little paint 2 coats is usually all you would need to properly cover a surface with paint. If you are doing a 3rd or 4th coat - you are probably using too little paint. You will also see unwanted lines and textures. 3 or 4 coats? 'Aint nobody got time for that! 7. Overworking the paint Paint starts to dry the moment it's on the wall - work quickly and try not to add wet paint on top of dry - it causes unwanted texturing. Work in sections of 2m x 2m and then move onto the next section - when the area is covered, don't go over it again and again. You need to move on... nothing to see here. 8. Not waiting for the paint to dry You know the saying, "Like watching paint dry"? It means it takes long and it's a bit boring. It can take up to 4 hours for paint to dry properly (check the paint manufacturer’s instructions), so be patient. When the paint is all one colour (no dark patches) and you can lean against the wall with your white shirt, then it's dry and you can paint your second coat. Sometimes slower is faster, young Padawan. We hope you found these tips useful and that armed with this info, your next painting project is a hugely satisfying success (not a disaster like the last time - remember the last time, when you had to start again - yes, not like the last time).