Painting Problems

If you’re not afraid of a little elbow grease, you can seriously save yourself some money by DIY. This holds particularly true when it comes to home improvements, like painting. Materials are pricey, but the real costs are in the labour.

This is why you see so many folks wielding the paintbrush themselves. But what happens when these amateurs take on projects- and things don’t go as planned? Not all DIY disasters can be easily fixed, but here are a few hints to delay pressing your own panic button (plus a few preventative maintenance measures).

This colour looked nice in the can

Remember, a small sample of a colour can (and likely will) look completely different on a larger scale. Once the colour interplays with light and space, it transforms. Before you waste time (and money) loading up your walls, test a bit out on a wall in different areas of the room. You can also paint a large poster board and move that around to get a sense as well.

If you truly loathe it once it is up, try putting a glaze overtop to dull the finish and mute the colour.

The drip

I have painted a few rooms in my day (although I was completely fired after my last paint job) and this has happened to me numerous times. You end up with a paint blob drying underneath the paint. If you can get to it when it’s wet, and then rub it out with a rag. If it’s dried, then grab a putty knife and try to lift the blob out gently. You may have to sand it back down and touch it up.

Don’t take too much paint on your brush to start. That eliminates that!

I dropped paint on the carpet!

Yes. I’ve also done that. Try to get to it as quickly as you can to remove paint before it dries and hardens. Use a sponge to blot out what you weren’t able to get to.

Although your inclination may be towards heavy-duty paint removers, believe it or not dishwashing detergent is your go-to on this one.