Would you love to paint faster with better results? Here's a one of my best painting tips with information on what brushes to use, how to hold it, and what to do with it for the best results.
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I've you've looked through some of our DIY projects, you've probably figured out that I've painted a lot.
Walls, furniture, accessories, exterior siding and trim (maybe that was finished a year after the cottage was painted, a-hem). You name it.
We painted our entire 1982 ranch when we moved in, the exterior after adding window trim and a porch, and later the main and master baths when we did those renovations.
Note: You can check out the whole house tour of our 80's ranch-turned-cottage here as well as the DIY before and afters of our current 1900 farmhouse here.
I'm not saying it all looked perfect, just that I painted a lot.
I'm sure my first paint projects back in our first home, a 1940's Portland bungalow, were nothing amazing, but they certainly did the job. Plus, paint almost always makes things look better and cleaner.
But there's something to be said about experience...I've found that the old "practice makes perfect" saying is right.
Or maybe just "practice makes better." Because we're not after perfection around here.
And while there were times I wished we could've hired someone else to paint, it's really one of the easiest do-it-yourself jobs you can do - and a fairly inexpensive way to improve your home.
Along the way I've discovered easier ways to do just about everything, but specifically regarding painting.
The best painting tip I have, though, doesn't just make it go quicker and easier, it also results in a better finish. Promise.
When we were doing a surprise makeover for our son's bedroom in the cottage, Brian and I put together this video to be able to share with you the painting tip that has saved me countless hours in preparation and results in a cleaner finish:
How I paint edges and trips without taping any edges before painting.
My Best Painting Tip - Video
In this short video you'll learn:
- Why painting without taping is the best way to paint.
- Why the right tools are important, and which ones.
- The specific technique, including how to load your brush and how to hold it.
- Trim and ceiling edge painting.
Just be sure to watch it to the end because my husband added his own ending...
Here are some brushes I recommend for trim painting and cutting-in around wall edges:
And here are even more painting tips when you need to touch up your painted baseboards and trim. (Spoiler: I sometimes do use tape...)
Tonya says
I'm curious what brand of brushes you like best.
Jami says
I'm not brand-loyal, Tonya, so I just try to choose something that doesn't make me feel sick at the price (for a PAINT brush...). 🙂 I try to choose a good quality angled brush in the middle-of-the-road price range - about $7-10. In my experience, they do fine and I don't have to be sick all over again when they get unusable -'cause they all do eventually!
shelby says
You must tell us what he was up to!!
Jami says
Ha - nothing, he was just being funny and taking my special brushes! 🙂
~ Lisa ~ says
You and your husband are so cute. Love how he is "borrowing" your brushes. LOL....
~ Lisa from Indiana ~
Stark Radio says
Great tips, and fun sneak ending!
Heh, hope he didn't do anythng too crazy with the brushes.
Melody says
Yup, yup, yup! No more taping for me either. I do the exact same technique and it works beautifully and quickly every time. ....ok except that I love super white trim on almost every single trim spot there is so I paint the trim first and actually bring the white onto the wall a little. Then I go back in with the wall color right up to the corner where the trim meets the wall. It's easier for me to do it that way because I lean toward bright vibrant colors or dark ones...my living room is dark chocolate brown with bright white trim....and going over any over painting of the darker color with white would take 6 zillion coats to cover properly.
Try it it works wonders.
[email protected] An Oregon Cottage says
Mary Ellen- Oh yes, that's a good tip which I will try next time...although after awhile painting I'm sure the other side of my brush would end up with paint on it. 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Did you get your brushes back in one piece!!!?????
My DH painted for a living when he was younger and one tip he gave me when painting edges like you showed is to only load the inside part of your brush so the brush area that is touching moulding or ceiling does not have paint on it just the under side. (does that even make sense??)
Allison Shops says
I hope he brought them back! lol Nice video. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Dropping by from The Inspired Room. Come see what has inspired me in Blog Land, and don't forget our giveaway ends Saturday night - so be sure to register at AtticMag!
Allison