A Trick For Getting Better Lines

Most people decide to paint their home because it is one of the most manageable do-it-yourself home remodels. It doesn't require any special training or tools to paint your interior walls. However, there are a few ways you can make your paint job look a lot better. Perhaps the most important part of any paint job is making sure the edges have clean, straight lines. This article explains a helpful technique for getting the best lines when painting on drywall surfaces.

Problems with Painting Lines on Drywall

Many people run into problems when trying to paint lines on drywall. They usually place painters tape down and then paint directly over it. Then, when the paint dries, and they pull it away, they see that the paint has seeped underneath the tape. This creates a sloppy, splotchy line that is obviously not desirable. This is usually caused by the slight texture on drywall, although it can also happen on flat surfaces. In some cases, the tape just doesn't stick well two surfaces that are either too shiny, too rough or to porous. Luckily, the following technique will fix this problem, no matter what type of walls you have.

Using Spackling Paste to Stop Seeping

To master this technique, you just need to apply the tape as you normally would. Make sure you press down the edge very firmly with your fingers. In fact, you should rub it down with something soft, like a washcloth, to make sure it is strongly sealed to the wall.

Then, you want to get out some lightweight spackling paste. The trick is to put on some lateex gloves and use your finger to rub the spackling paste onto the edge you are going to paint. Basically, you want to rub it in as thinly as possible over the tape. You are rubbing it on and essentially rubbing it right off. You don't want to alter the texture of the wall. This will push the paste into the small, invisible crevices underneath the tape. By filling these crevices in with spackling paste the paint will not be able to seep in. At this point, you can paint over your tape as normal. When you peel the tape away, you will be surprised how clean your lines look.

In the end, this extra step will add a couple of hours to your job. Applying the spackling paste might take just as long as actually applying the tape. But, it is well worth it if you want to have professional looking lines. For more information, contact companies like Braendel Painting.