| Choosing Your Color | | | | textured thinking about a roller cover with a 1/4" |
| Consider going to your local Lowes or Home | | | | to 1/2" nap. This usually comes down to personal |
| depot or both and get as many color swatches | | | | preference. A lot of professionals tend to like a |
| as possible for color you are thinking about. If you | | | | thicker nap. |
| are interested in a sky blue get as many blue | | | | Prepping the Wall |
| swatches as they have just so you have as | | | | All you need to do to prepare the wall is simply |
| many to choose from as possible. | | | | wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any |
| You could get your paint mixed right there if you | | | | dust. If there are any dirt spots you can add a |
| know what color you want or you might want to | | | | little soap to the damp rag and then wipe down |
| take the swatch to a professional paint center like | | | | the wall. |
| Sherwin Williams or Iowa Paint and have them | | | | Painting the Wall |
| match the color. That way you get the exact | | | | Here comes the fun part. Simply pour the paint |
| color you want in a professional quality paint. | | | | into your paint pan and get your roller cover |
| If you'll be painting an interior wall then most likely | | | | totally covered with paint. If there is paint dripping |
| an acrylic latex paint will be the best choice. It | | | | off the roller cover then you've got to much paint |
| makes for easy cleanup and is much less messy | | | | on it. Just roll it several times in the pan to get rid |
| than an oil based paint. | | | | of some of the paint. As you roll the paint onto |
| Brush Selection | | | | the wall make long strokes from the top of the |
| You are going to need a good quality brush for | | | | wall to the bottom. Don't worry about covering |
| cutting in the ceilings and and trim. Most | | | | every single little spot because you're most likely |
| professional painters prefer a quality Purdy brand | | | | going to give it a second coat. |
| 3" brush. You can find one at your local paint or | | | | Cutting in Ceilings |
| hardware store for around $12. This will be a tool | | | | This is the part that takes the most practice and |
| that you can use for years to come if you take | | | | where a good quality brush will make all the |
| care of it. | | | | difference. Put the brush on the wall close to the |
| You are also going to need a roller and a few | | | | ceiling and run the brush along the wall to form a |
| roller covers. Buy roller covers that are individually | | | | line. The idea is simply to fill the unpainted area of |
| wrapped so that you can put the roller cover | | | | the wall that is between the ceiling and the |
| back in the plastic between the first and second | | | | painted wall that you painted with your roller. |
| coat of paint. A lot of people make the mistake | | | | Finishing Up |
| of using a different roller cover for each coat | | | | So you've got your first coat on. Wait a few |
| because they leave the first one sitting out after | | | | hours and simply apply your second coat using |
| the first coat and it dries out. | | | | the same techniques. Once everything is finished |
| If you are painting a textured wall consider a roller | | | | throw away your roller cover and clean your |
| cover with a 1/2" to 3/4" nap. If the wall is not | | | | brush with warm water. |