Don't start till it's smooth, spotless, and dry. A clean, properly prepped surface is the key to professional quality painting.
Paint Choice
Use a semi-gloss or high-gloss sheen for trim, woodwork and high-traffic areas and flat, eggshell or a satin sheen on walls.
Surface Prep
Patience pays. Make sure your patching compound is fully dry before you start painting.
Masking
Put down plastic drop cloths and then cover the drops with newspapers before you begin painting. Paint dries easily on paper.
Painting
Always paint on dry days—humidity is not your friend. Read on for more painting tips.
Clean lines, perfect corners, smooth finish—all the technical tips you need to pull off a long-lasting, quality paint job.
After painting, store paint and tools for later use, and recycle or dispose of paint you don’t need safely and effectively.