Drop cloths
As a painting contractor we know mistakes are an inevitable part of the job. Either you will drop a spot of paint or the roller will spray paint in places you do not want it. To deal with such mishaps the best idea is to be prepared for them properly before a painting begins. We use drop cloths big enough to cover most areas we are painting in.
Caulk base boards where there is separation
One of the first things we look for is trim separating from walls and trim. Any areas that are separating we caulk. This looks much better when painting is completed.
Use sheet rock mud on any dinks or cracks.
Nail pops, dents in the wall or cracks will receive sheet rock mud and allowed to dry. Then we sand these places to smooth out that area of the wall. We also apply primer over the spots where we used sheet rock mud..
Use tape to your advantage
Paint rollers often touch the ceilings and walls where they shouldn’t, and cutting in with a brush doesn’t mean you will always have a steady hand. To prevent more paint ‘oops’, taping off the baseboard edges, and sometimes ceilings will allow us to work (and breathe) easier while painting.
Protect face plates and locks
We go over the room thoroughly before we begin painting and look ahead for potential problems. Unless you want your face plates to be the same color as your walls, we will remove them. This same rule applies to door handles and light fixtures. We cover well any furniture that is in the room and send out the dog and kids.
Do not leave painted footprints
If we have a spill or paint drops, we clean it up immediately. Otherwise, we will quickly have a marked trail through your home. Tracking paint is a contractor’s nightmare, so we take steps to prevent it.
Clean paint drops immediately
A wet sponge works wonders when used immediately on paint that has hit the carpet or floor. If our paint is solvent-based, we use thinner to clean it up. We usually take an old sponge or rag with thinner and gently blot the paint spill. If paint ends up drying on the floor, we will most likely use a product called Goof Off. we will also use a clean cloth and generous amounts of hard work to dissolve and remove the paint from bare floors.
If we are using a latex paint, clean up will be easier and more successful than an oil based. We invest in sharp edge razor scrapers, this tool is a big help in removing paint from windows and edges. Woodwork can be rid of paint spots using Goof Off and by simply covering the scraper with a thin cloth and gently going over the area.
