- Always paint in long, continuous strokes. Not doing so is one of the most common mistakes.
- Keep a wet edge, and always paint from dry to wet. This will minimize brush strokes and roller marks.
- Painting a room is best accomplished by first cutting in (painting along the trim, ceiling, and corners) with a brush. After that has dried, you can go in with a roller for the walls.
- Only dip your brush about a quarter to a half of an inch into the paint, then wipe off one side on the edge of the paint container. This will help you avoid paint runs (from using too much) and keep your brush in good condition.
Top Painting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Picture Framing
A dark color that appears where ceilings, windows, doors, and corners were cut in with a brush.
Cause: Improper cutting in technique with a brush with too much paint and not doing feather-edge brushing.
Solution: Keep a wet edge while applying paint and feather out. Roll into the cut-in areas while they are wet.
2. Sagging
Paint running down immediately after application, leaving uneven coating.
Cause: Applying too much paint in the first coat and/or over-thinned paint.
Solution: Before paint dries, brush or roll out any running paint. Do not thin the paint. Properly prepare the surface by sanding glossy areas.
3. Roller Marks
Undesired texture pattern from the roller.
Cause: Use of an incorrect roller cover with an excessive nap length, overloading the roller cover with too much paint, and failure to spread the paint uniformly are all causes of roller marks.
Solution: Use a quality roller cover with correct nap length. Make sure the roller is rolling and not sliding in a zig-zag motion.
