How-To Booklet: Interior Painting

Natural Bristles - A brush with natural bristles should never be used with water-based paint because the bristles absorb water, becoming moplike. Use alkyd-based paints instead. The tips are flagged to hold more paint and provide more brushing surface.

The nap of the roller cover will be specified on the package as short, medium, or long for specific surfaces. Short nap is used to apply paint to smooth surfaces such as gypsum wallboard and plaster. Medium nap covers are used for semi-rough surfaces. Long nap covers are used for rough surfaces such as concrete block, stucco, and brick.

Ninety percent of a pain job is preparing the surfaces for the paint.

Rent a wallpaper steamer or use glue-loosening chemicals if you must remove the paper, and scrape it off witha razor knife.

When using a brush, dip only one-third of the bristle length into the paint.

A method for beginners is to use a painting edger to seperate the different areas being painted.

The method for painting a double-hung window is to lower the top sash and raise the bottom sash. Paint the outside sah first as far as you can reach, then paint the inner sash. Reverse the position, but do not close either sash all the way. After the windows are painted paint the sill and casing around them.