Getting a perfect line on the edges and corners while your painting a wall can be so stressful! So how do you make sure paint stays only where it’s supposed to? Here are some of the best tips for keeping your lines straight while you’re painting. Hopefully this will help you out with your next DIY project!
Buy a solid brush. This isn’t something to scrimp on. And it’s generally better to get a brush with a shorter handle. It will allow you to get into small nooks and crannies. Image via I Have to Have It.
Clean off the surface you’re painting. Paint won’t stick as well to dirty surfaces, plus you don’t want dirt or dust clumps on your wall. Image via Lugaluda.
Practice your line painting. Try in a spot that doesn’t matter so that you can get a feel for the brush and how slow you need to go. You can always paint over the spot. Image via Family Handyman.
Use a drop cloth. You don’t have to buy an expensive one from the store. You can just use old sheets instead. Cover up anything you don’t want to get paint on. You might be surprised how far paint splatters. Image via House Logic.
Store your paintbrush in the refrigerator. If you need to take a break, put your brush in a sealed baggie and then place it in the fridge. This will keep it from drying out. Image via Condo Chroma.
Skip the tape. You’ll probably get a cleaner line by just eyeballing it. Tape is a pain to put up, and if not done absolutely perfectly, you won’t get a very straight line. Image via Home Guides.
If you do end up using tape, make sure you peel the tape off before the paint has completely dried. Otherwise the tape will peel off some of the paint and you’ll be back at square one! Image via Make It Love It.
If your tape is rock solid, heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds. This will make it a piece of cake to roll and stick anywhere you want. Image via Office Supply Hut.
Take it slow. There’s no reason to speed through painting the edge. Let your hand go a slow as necessary to get a crisp line, and take breaks when necessary. Image via Family Handyman.
Move the ladder. Sometimes you may be tempted to reach while you’re painting the edge of the ceiling. It’s better just to take the time to move the ladder. You’ll give your hand a rest and have an easier time painting. Image via People Equation.
If you finish the edge and it end up looking messy than you’d like, Makely Home suggests taping both angles and then caulking the middle. You’ll get an amazing edge.
Keep a wet rag handy. If you accidentally paint something or somewhere you’re not supposed to, you’ll want to wipe it off quickly. Image via Paint Quality.
Cover hardware with petroleum jelly. Then you can paint over it without worry and just wipe the paint off when you’re done. Thanks for the idea, Sweet Pickins Furniture!
Don’t put a paintbrush in the fridge that was used for tremclad. The refridgerator will smell of tremclad for years after.
Amy,
Thank you for the tip!