Painting is damned difficult – you always think you’ve got it, but you haven’t.
Paul Cezanne
Do you want to learn how to paint like a pro? Everyone thinks they can paint. To the layman painting homes seems very easy. Just slap some paint on the walls. It’s so easy even a child could paint a few walls. right? Nothing could be further from the truth. When most people think of repainting their house they feel a bit overwhelmed. Homeowners often take on paint projects to save money. Painting contractors are not cheap and finding a good one is not always easy. A proper paint job requires a lot of prep work. Although residential painting is not rocket science, it does require a certain skill set. The last thing you want is a sloppy painter that takes short cuts. Believe me there is no shortage of hack painters out there. The good news I can show you a few tips that can help you. These painting tips will save you time and headaches. You will learn how to paint like a pro in no time. Buy good quality paint and supplies…
Start to learn how to paint like a pro by buying the right paints.
Interior Paint
Big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes are good for supplies but their paint is overrated. Home Depot mainly carries Behr paint. Valspar is sold at Lowes. Behr and Valspar are very popular paint for consumers. “Primer plus Paint” brands are aggressively marketed to the homeowner demographic. Behr Premium Plus paint and primer is the most popular and costs about $28 per gallon. Valspar Signature will run you about $34.00 a gallon. Then there’s HGTV HOME Showcase is $40 per gallon. These so called paint and primer finishes are sub par at best. The idea that you can save time and money by buying an all in one paint sounds great. It’s just a marketing trick. Remember there are no short cuts when it comes to painting. Unfortunately if your walls need to be primed you need to prime and paint them separately.
Benjamin Moore (gallon price)
Ultra Spec – $28 *
Ben – $35 *
Regal Select – $40
Aura – $50
Satin Impervo – $70 *
Sherwin Williams (gallon price)
Pro Mar 200 – $27 *
Pro Classic – $30 *
SuperPaint – $44
Duration – $50
Emerald – $60 *
* I highly recommend these interior paints
All of these paints will do the job. I prefer Benjamin Moore over Sherwin Williams but they both carry excellent paint. If you’re looking for the best interior eggshell or semi-gloss I suggest Aura or Regal from Benjamin Moore. The tippy top of the best line of paints is Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo or Emerald from Sherwin Williams.
Paint Brushes
You need to purchase a few quality paint brushes. Start with a 2 inch and 3 inch angled nylon/ polyester (medium stiff) brush. Purdy paint brushes are the industry standard. You can purchase Purdy brushes at Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and Sherwin Williams. When painting with oil based paint use any good quality china bristle brush.
Tools and Supplies
- 5 in 1 tool
- Drywall trowel
- 6, 10, and 12 inch drywall taping knife
- Steel mud pan
- MH ready patch
- Joint compound
- Sanding sponges
- Dust brush (any old paint brush will do)
- Decent caulk gun and tubes of caulk
- 4×8 and 10x 2 drop clothes and visqueen plastic sheeting
- Tack clothes
- 3/8 and 1/2 inch roller covers
- Metal paint tray
- Empty metal paint buckets
- Razor blades
- 4 and 6 foot step ladder
- 17-20ft extendable or 20ft extension ladder
- Shop vac
- Painters putty
