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How to Paint Like a Pro:

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This is the time of year for indoor projects. Few things are as gratifying as changing the whole look and feel of a room with a simple, inexpensive can of paint. It is a simple D.Y.I project that most of us can tackle in a day or weekend. The wall I recently painted was due to a pipe from our shower busting. Not fun. But that's just life in an old farm house. I repaired the leak, patched the wall and now we’re ready for paint.

Before you begin, do a little planning. Get all your supplies together first.

Paint
A good brush
Paint tray
Paint Roller with proper nap for the wall texture to be painted
A #2 pencil
A flat bladed screw driver
A hammer and nail. (I'll explain this one a little later).
A paper plate
Medium grit sand paper
Stirring stick
Drop cloth

Unless you're doing intricate designs, you probably won't need painters tape.

The key is to take the time to prep your wall surfaces before you begin. Wash the walls down with a small mixture of dish washing detergent and warm water. Most people don't do this but it removes any built up dirt and grease that may be on the surface. It helps for the paint to adhere and makes for a cleaner project.

Lightly sand the entire wall with medium grit sandpaper and light pressure. Again most people don't take the time, but this smoothes out any rough surfaces and gives a much better overall result.

Take your screwdriver and open the can of paint while it rests on a paper plate; this makes for less clean up and no paint ring on the floor when you're done. Now take your hammer and nail and poke 5 or 6 holes in the lip of the paint can. That lip is there to help seal the lid to the can, but it can also build up with paint. When you go to hammer the lid back on after your project is done, paint flies everywhere. Poking a few holes in this lip allows the paint to drain back into the can, and the mess is avoided.

The transition between wall and ceiling is tough for most of us; ceilings and walls are seldom ever truly flat or square, so tape really doesn't help. Take your #2 pencil and lightly draw a line where the two meet. This gives you a visual line to paint up to without getting it on the ceiling. Try it, it works. Mix your paint well, especially if it has been sitting for a long time; the ingredients in paint separate over time and a good mix will give you more even color. When doing the edges of the wall, or what painters call "cutting out", make long strokes with the brush, with only a little bit of paint. Paint goes a long way, so you don't want to layer it on too thick or the paintbrush lines will show later. Dip your brush no more than 1/2 the length of the bristles into the paint and then pull the brush out of the can, scraping one side of the brush to clean it. You don't need paint on both sides of the brush since you will only be using one; that's how drips happen.

When your trim is done you can roll with your roller for faster coverage. Don't roll in straight up and down lines. Paint in series of "W's", moving back over each line to get the best coverage and less little spots of the original color showing through. These spots are called Holidays by the professionals - don't ask me why, they just are. Most good latex paints only need one coat now days so the project goes fast and you get to sit back and enjoy the look of your new room.

Final hint: Pick the right paint for the project. Water Based Latex is easiest to apply and clean up. Oil based paints require lacquer thinner for cleanup and can be tricky. There are three basic levels of shine. Flat, for most walls and all ceilings; semi-gloss for those walls that require more clean up like bathrooms and kitchens; and high gloss, which is usually reserved for trim work and moldings.