How to be good at painting? (Decorating)

[DaisyDoodless]

Sorry to sound silly. I am so clumsy as a person and not good at the painting job I tried in our house last year ! Always smudge and drop some and go outside lines😫

We need 2 rooms doing. Would be about 1 day per room and DH has offered but he works so long and away during the week. I do want him on the weekends for family time ! (We have 2 kids) hes a contractor so doesn’t usually take unpaid days off unless we do something as a family like a trip holiday day out etc

i can take annual leave as I’m permanent so I thought I should try and also save money as decorators were quoting nearly a grand!!! (The rooms aren’t huge either but I know it’s day rate for them) - without supplies too

So what are the best tips to make the paint go on nice and smooth and keep it neat?? X

I attended a college course many years ago, picked up some amazing tips and techniques. Now we have YouTube, have a look on there, patience is another requirement! 🤗

YouTube is your friend, as a pp just said. But a few tips off the top of my head.

-Cut in first. Include the corners of rooms in the cutting in.

-Don’t dip brush straight into tin, decant into something, I like those plastic takeaway containers.

-don’t use really cheap brushes. Nothing fancy but avoid the real bargain stuff.

-loading the brush or roller correctly. Try to keep the metal part of the brush where the bristles meet the handle (called the ferrule I think) clear of paint, and ideally the very top of the bristles too. If it’s dripping all over this you’ll create mess and drips. Before you go to paint with the brush, wipe any excess using the side of your paint container (I try not to dip directly from the tin- decant it first)

-Spend some time making sure the roller is coated well, I’d guess I’m normally spending 30 seconds or so ensuring it’s soaked into all side of the roller evenly (this is what the angled bit of the tray is for.

-Roll not too quick, reduces splatters and spray

-Watch some vids on cutting in, it’s easier if you follow these to get the technique.

-Masking around light switches and plugs, obvious I know. But don’t skimp on masking tape, avoid cheap and get something decent ie frog tape.