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Pull painter’s tape off in a slow, continuous motion at a 90º angle to the painted surface. The tape will “cut” the paint in a clean line.
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How to
Pull painters
tape off slow...
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Your Home
Don't forget
the primer!
PRIMER
Preparation is key....
Painting the interior of your home can be one of the most rewarding and cost-effective ways to transform your living space. Here is the secret that professionals know: a good paint job is only as good as the preparation that goes under it. As a general rule, walls should be clean, dry and dull. If your existing surface was painted previously with semi-gloss or gloss paint, the surface should be lightly sanded to a duller finish and all sanding dust removed. You can also use a chemical de-glosser, such as TriSodium Phospate (TSP). For previously painted walls, thoroughly wash them with a mild soap and water solution, then rinse with clean water and allow them to dry. If there is loose or peeling paint, scrape and sand the area. Be sure to apply appropriate patching material to cracks, nail holes, or other surface imperfections, then sand smooth and remove sanding dust. Pay close attention to drying times for patching materials before priming or painting. A base coat of primer should always be used to protect bare, unfinished drywall. Walls that were previously painted can also benefit from a primer if they’re stained, painted with a dark color, or in general disrepair. Use painter’s tape (low-stick masking tape) to keep paint off the trim and windows. Make certain there are no bubbles or folds in the tape for paint to wick under the tape. This is the advantage of using low-stick tape: you can press it down very hard without worrying about the tape pulling the paint up. Starting in a corner, paint the ceiling first, and walls second. Always work from the top down and keep a wet edge. Next, paint the trim, the cabinets, and the doors (remove them and paint them flat if you can). Finally, once the paint is dry, pull the tape off in a slow, continuous motion at a 90º angle to the painted surface. The tape will “cut” the paint in a clean line.
A good paint job is only as good as the preparation that goes under it.
