Painting & Decorating Guide

Best For

Precision work like cutting in along ceilings, trim, corners, and windows.

Bristle Types

Use synthetic bristles (nylon/polyester) for water-based latex paints and natural bristles for oil-based paints to ensure a smooth, streak-free finish.

Pro-Tip

An angled 2.5-inch brush offers excellent control for sharp lines. Don't overload the brush; dip only the first third of the bristles into the paint.

Best For

Covering large, flat surfaces like walls and ceilings quickly and efficiently.

Nap Sizes

Use a 3/8-inch nap for smooth surfaces (drywall), 1/2-inch for semi-rough (textured plaster), and 3/4-inch or thicker for rough surfaces (stucco, brick).

Pro-Tip

To avoid roller marks, roll in a 'W' or 'M' pattern, then fill in the space without lifting the roller. This distributes paint more evenly.

Best For

Achieving a flawless, factory-like finish on cabinets, doors, and intricate molding.

Sprayer Types

Airless sprayers are fast for large areas like exterior siding. HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) sprayers offer more precision and less overspray for fine finishing.

Pro-Tip

Proper masking is critical to prevent overspray. Maintain a consistent distance from the surface and overlap each pass by about 50% for even coverage.

Best For

Creating sharp, clean paint lines and protecting surfaces you don't want to paint.

Adhesion Levels

Use low-tack tape (e.g., FrogTape yellow) for delicate surfaces like freshly cured paint. Medium-adhesion blue tape is great for standard trim and baseboards.

Pro-Tip

Press the tape down firmly with a putty knife for a perfect seal. Remove the tape at a 45-degree angle while the paint is still slightly wet to prevent peeling.

Best For

Protecting floors, furniture, and fixtures from paint drips, splatters, and dust.

Material Types

Heavy-duty canvas cloths are absorbent, reusable, and less slippery for floors. Lightweight plastic sheeting is an economical choice for draping over furniture.

Pro-Tip

Secure drop cloths with tape, especially in high-traffic areas, to prevent them from shifting and exposing the surface underneath.

Best For

Ensuring paint adhesion, improving coverage, blocking stains, and providing a uniform surface.

Common Types

Use a bonding primer for glossy surfaces, a stain-blocking primer (shellac-based) for water or smoke damage, and a PVA primer for new, unpainted drywall.

Pro-Tip

Always prime when making a drastic color change (e.g., dark to light). A tinted primer (gray or a lighter shade of your topcoat) can reduce the number of finish coats needed.