Painting tips: Paint with ease

Priming and painting
For best results, always begin with a primer. Jerry recommends tinting this undercoat to the colour of your paint so that you can see what the colour is going to look like. "If you don't like it you can change it with your finish coats," he says.

With your windows open and a fan on, saturate a trim brush and "cut" a three-inch border on the ceiling along one wall. Fill in the ceiling near the border with a saturated roller, moving it in a "W" formation.

If you have a partner helping, one of you should cut, while the other rolls to maintain a wet edge for blending. Complete the entire ceiling before taking a break.

When the ceiling is dry (allow 24 hours) mask its edges with painter's tape. Cut into the wall with your brush and roll to fill in. Always start rolling in the middle of the wall, not the top or the bottom, says Jerry. This way, any excess paint can be rolled out.

Next come the windows. Tape the edges and use a sash brush with a small amount of paint. Complete the room by painting the doors with a three-inch brush, and the trim and baseboards with a two-inch trim brush. Apply at least two coats of finish to all surfaces.

Cleaning up
If you used an oil-based paint, first rinse brushes with solvent, then in soapy water until the water runs clear. (Do this outside with a hose, to avoid pouring solvent down the drain.) Latex paints don't need solvent. When dry, wrap brushes in heavy paper.

For rollers, remove the covers and submerge in solvent. When they are clean, rinse them in detergent until water runs clear. Don't forget to wash the frame.

Now you're done - and not a bubble or drip in sight.

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