From Martha Stewart Living
Painting a floor can give form to a room where everything is function. Before you start painting, take a long look at the shape of the room: The more complicated its layout -- the more radiators and hearths and pillars it has -- the less complicated the floor pattern should be. A home office, formerly a small bedroom, seems to be enlarged by a floor painted with oversize squares in closely related tones of blue and green.
From: Martha Stewart Living
If you're getting ready to paint a room a different color, you might consider changing the color of your ceiling as well. Look to your furniture, upholstery, carpets, and artwork for color inspiration. If blue is dominant in your furnishings, you might paint the ceiling a light shade of blue and the walls and trim neutral complementary tones. Before your final decision, it's always a good idea to purchase small cans of your color choices and paint test swatches on your ceiling and walls. Then check those colors at the time of day when you plan to use the room because the quality of natural light changes considerably throughout the day. If you're not happy with one combination, try something else until you find just the right tones. When you're ready to paint, always start with the ceiling. Use a 3- to 4-foot extension handle on your roller to make painting the ceiling a lot easier.
Memory never seems to serve very well when it comes to color -- especially when you're trying to recall the exact shade of your living-room wall while shopping for fabric and furniture. Here's a way to eliminate the guesswork: After stirring paints, let stirrers dry, then write the color and room on each. Pierce ends with an awl, and string together with twine.
By Sherwin Williams
Clean-up procedures depend largely on the paint you use. Here are guidelines for cleaning up. To maximize your investment on painting tools, make sure to clean them right after use.
Latex Paints
•· Clean any spills before they dry with a paper towel dampened with water.
•· Clean brushes, rollers and other tools with soap and water.
•· After cleaning, flush spraying equipment with mineral spirits to prevent rusting. Follow manufacturer's safety recommendations when using mineral spirits.
Oil/Alkyd Paints
•· Clean any spills before they dry with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
•· Oil-based (alkyd) paint must be removed from tools with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
•· Pour the cleaning material into a clean bucket and rinse brushes and rollers well.
•· When done, allow the solids to settle out of the cleaner, then strain the liquid back into the original container for reuse.
•· Allow the settled solids to air-dry away from children, pets or open flames, then dispose of the container in the trash.
Brushes should be kept in their original wrapper or paper-wrapped in a manner that retains their original shape before storing.
Protect Your Paint Job
Wait at least two weeks before washing the newly painted surface. After that, clean with a mild household detergent and a soft cloth or sponge.
Tips To Protect The Environment
Try to buy only the amount of paint you need so there is little to dispose of when you complete your project. If you do have leftovers, follow these guidelines:
•· Save small amounts of leftover paint for future touch-ups. To keep it fresh, place a layer of plastic wrap over the mouth of the can before replacing the lid. Pound down the lid securely.
•· Check with your local waste collector to see if it accepts dried latex paint. If so, place the open can in an airy spot away from children and pets. When the paint is completely dry, put it in the trash.
•· Or, seal oil/alkyd paints in the can and store them safely away from heat sources until you can take them to an appropriate waste-disposal site, such as community paint/stain collection events where you can safely dispose of leftover paints.
•· Never pour stain down a drain, into a storm sewer or anywhere else that might contaminate the environment.
By Sherwin Williams
Getting Ready to Paint
Before you paint your entire house, it's a good idea to test the paint you plan to use. Prepare, prime (if necessary) and paint an inconspicuous spot. Wait the appropriate drying time as specified on the label, and then look for any adhesion or compatibility problems before proceeding with a full-scale application.
Use a paint scraper, wire brush, sandpaper or power washer to remove all surface contamination, such as oil, grease, loose paint, dirt, foreign matter, rust, mold, mildew or mortar efflorescence. Make sure that cracks and imperfections are patched or caulked.
Warning! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in U.S.) or contact your local health authority.
Don't paint immediately after rain (or if rain is predicted), during foggy weather or when the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (unless you're using products specifically designed for these conditions).
In addition to friendly expert advice, you can find the right brushes, rollers, ladders, sprayers, caulk and more at your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams store.
Painting Order
It may seem obvious, but when you're painting outside, you want to start at the top and work down. Even the best painters using the best paints have drips, splatter and occasional spills. Make sure you try to follow the painting order below.
Ceilings (under eaves, porch and overhang ceilings)
•· Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall.
•· Work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.
Walls
•· Use a roller or brush (depending on the surface).
•· Start at the top of the wall and work horizontally on horizontal siding and vertically on vertical siding.
Trim
•· Paint all molding, shutters, windows and doors.
Floor (porches and decks)
•· Start in a corner diagonally opposite the exit.
•· Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the floor where it meets the wall.
•· Start in a corner and work across the short side to maintain a wet edge.
Painting Techniques
Using proper painting techniques is key to achieving professional-looking results. Another tip is to use enough paint. Get into the habit of going to the paint can often. Let the paint do the work, and you'll save time and get the finish you want.
Using a Brush
•1. Hold a brush near the base of the handle.
•2. Dip half the bristles into the paint and tap on the lip of the can. Don't wipe it on the side.
•3. Paint with enough pressure to bend the bristles slightly - don't bear hard on the brush.
Using a Roller
•1. Roll the roller slowly into the paint in the tray. Then, roll it back and forth until roller cover is evenly coated with paint.
•2. Roll onto the tray's ridges to remove excess paint.
•3. For smooth surfaces: Cover about a two-foot-square using the N pattern shown. Cross roll to spread the paint. Finish, with light roller strokes in one direction, at a right angle to the cross roll. View an instructional movie.
•4. For horizontal or vertical siding: Follow the direction of the siding and cover about four linear feet at a time (with a nine-inch roller cover).
Painting Double-Hung Windows
•1. For double-hung windows move each sash to the center of its track and paint the inside sash, starting with the crossbars. Then, paint the frame. Don't paint the top edge of the inside sash; you'll use it to move the sash. Next, paint the top half of the outside sash, starting with the crossbar, then the frame.
•2. Close the sashes to within several inches of the closed position. Paint the rest of the outer sash and the top edge of the inner sash. Paint the window casing, then the sill.
•3. Paint the check rails. Move both sashes down as far as they will go, then paint the upper rails. Once the paint is thoroughly dry, move both sashes up and paint the lower rails of the window.
Professional Painting Company. "We Make You Look Good."
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