[00:00] When you're finishing a new wall or looking to spruce up a room, a fresh coat of paint
[00:16] can give your home a new look. Painting involves a lot of prep work. Take the time to get your room ready. Cover plates for electrical switches and sockets.
[00:31] Tape over switches, receptacles, and the edges of baseboards and moldings with blue or green painters tape. Remove furniture or group it in the center of the room and cover it with a plastic sheet
[00:45] or drop cloth. Fill in cracks, nail holes, and dents in the wall with a quick dry poly filler. Type the walls with a tack cloth or damp rag to remove dust.
[01:00] Make sure the walls dry before you start painting. Also, lay down a wall-to-wall drop cloth to protect your floor. Your painting tool list will vary depending on the space you're working in.
[01:16] Pick up a copy of Home Depot's Home Improvement 1-2-3 book for more tips on tools and paint selection. Turn your walls for a good-looking finish, Home Depot offers several products with paint and primer in one.
[01:31] Start your cutting in at the ceiling or wherever the wall meets the crown molding. A good quality angled brush is essential to cut in around the edges and corners of a room.
[01:47] Work along the masked trim and up to the tape without slopping over it. You don't want the paint to seep under the tape. Use both your wrist and your arm to ensure better control and less fatigue.
[02:05] Hold the brush handle between your thumb and forefinger with your fingers on the metal feral. To prevent paint from drying with bristle ridges, lightly feather the paint around the corners
[02:17] and onto adjoining walls. Cut in around the edge of the entire space you're painting before you begin rolling with paint.
[02:31] Use a 9-inch roller for large expanses. For a smooth and consistent finish without ridges, start from a corner and paint a 3x3 foot section in a W pattern.
[02:46] Use light, long strokes to blend the paint. Change the direction of the roller slightly each time until the W disappears.
[02:59] Take your time with the roller and move at a steady and moderate pace to avoid splatter. With any paint spills, clean it immediately with a damp rag.
[03:18] Continue the same procedure across the wall. If you're reaching high on walls, use an extension pole for your roller.
[03:34] Alternatively, a 6-foot ladder is the most versatile for painting projects.
[03:48] Use a 4-inch roller or a good brush for small areas around windows, doors, and moldings. Allow the painted surface to dry for a few hours before applying another coat of paint.
[04:03] The procedure for a second or third coat is the same as the first. Allow the final coat to dry before removing painter's tape and replacing cover plates.
[04:16] Your room now has a fresh new look. Here's a reminder of the tools and material you'll need to complete this project.