Stirring Paint
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: March 2, 2011
The following tips and ideas will help make your painting projects
easier. These instructions and suggestions can save you time and effort
while helping you end up with a better-looking paint job.
If you have an old can of paint that you want to use again, you will need to make sure that you stir it thoroughly. Pour off any thin portion of the paint that is floating on top into another container. Then use your power drill and a stirring attachment to stir the paint thoroughly. CAUTION! Never use a power drill when working with flammable paint. However to avoid making a mess, take a paper plate and poke a hole in it. Put the plate between your attachment and the drill. Make sure your plate covers the opening of the can and start stirring your paint slowly from the bottom gradually moving up to the top of the paint.
Once you take the drill out of the paint you can use a paddle to stir any paste that may still be settled on the bottom of the can. Stir in a small amount of the thin portion of the paint and use the paint paddle to stir with a figure eight motion. As you stir, gradually mix the thin portion back into the main paint can. Finally, pour the paint back and forth from one container to another. This will thoroughly mix the paint and bring it to the proper thickness for application.
Use the Flat Side of the Brush
When you're painting corners, always use the flat side of the brush. Painting with the side of the brush causes "fingering." Your paint job will be neater and your brush will last a lot longer when you use the flat side of the brush.
Painting the Right Way
For best results when painting exterior surfaces, first, dip the paintbrush into the can to load the bristles about halfway with paint. Never dip more than half of the brush into the paint. After loading half the bristles with paint, touch the brush lightly to the surface at several points to apply spots of paint (A). After applying the spots of paint, use long leveling brush strokes to smooth out the spots
(B). Finish each area with back and forth motions and zigzag strokes
(C). A little practice with a brush will enable you to complete a professional-looking painting job with minimal effort.
Cleaning Your Paint
If you've had the paint for a long period of time, it may contain impurities such as dirt or lumps. There is no need to throw this paint away. Instead, cut a disk of heavy window screen to fit just inside the paint can. The screen will sink down into the paint and carry the lumps to the bottom of the can as the level of the paint is lowered.
Avoid Unsightly Rings
You can avoid paint rings and drips on the floor by sticking a paper plate to the bottom of the paint can before you start the job. Just apply a little paint to the bottom of the can and press the paper plate against it. The paper plate will stick to the bottom of the can and prevent the paint from dripping onto the floor.
Avoid the Ridges
Avoid paint ridges and lap marks on a flat surface by always stroking into the wet paint area, never away from it. Blend each stroke of the brush toward the wet paint area, bringing the layer you're applying into the wet paint previously applied.
Keep the Bugs at Bay
If you are planning a small outside painting job, insects flying into the newly applied paint may bother you. To avoid this problem, add a small amount of insect repellent to the paint when it is mixed. Do not use too much - a small amount will do the trick without damaging the color or quality of the paint.
Painting a Wire Fence
Paint wire fences with special, long nap rollers. As this type of roller is pushed across the face of the wire fence, paint is applied to the front and sides of the wire. Repeat on the opposite side and the job is done. The fence can be painted in almost a single stroke if the correct roller is used.
When Painting With a Roller
When you're painting with a roller, start the job by making several crisscross strokes on the area to be painted. After you've made these strokes; continue to work up and down to spread the newly applied paint evenly over the area. For painting trim work, use a special trim roller or a brush.
Custom Rollers
You can purchase special rollers for painting beveled or weather-boarded areas. Use a special "doughnut-shaped" roller to paint the under edges of weather board. Use a wider type roller for painting the main surface area. By using rollers of these special types, you can paint the entire exterior of the house without touching a brush.
If you have an old can of paint that you want to use again, you will need to make sure that you stir it thoroughly. Pour off any thin portion of the paint that is floating on top into another container. Then use your power drill and a stirring attachment to stir the paint thoroughly. CAUTION! Never use a power drill when working with flammable paint. However to avoid making a mess, take a paper plate and poke a hole in it. Put the plate between your attachment and the drill. Make sure your plate covers the opening of the can and start stirring your paint slowly from the bottom gradually moving up to the top of the paint.
Once you take the drill out of the paint you can use a paddle to stir any paste that may still be settled on the bottom of the can. Stir in a small amount of the thin portion of the paint and use the paint paddle to stir with a figure eight motion. As you stir, gradually mix the thin portion back into the main paint can. Finally, pour the paint back and forth from one container to another. This will thoroughly mix the paint and bring it to the proper thickness for application.
Use the Flat Side of the Brush
When you're painting corners, always use the flat side of the brush. Painting with the side of the brush causes "fingering." Your paint job will be neater and your brush will last a lot longer when you use the flat side of the brush.
Painting the Right Way
For best results when painting exterior surfaces, first, dip the paintbrush into the can to load the bristles about halfway with paint. Never dip more than half of the brush into the paint. After loading half the bristles with paint, touch the brush lightly to the surface at several points to apply spots of paint (A). After applying the spots of paint, use long leveling brush strokes to smooth out the spots
(B). Finish each area with back and forth motions and zigzag strokes
(C). A little practice with a brush will enable you to complete a professional-looking painting job with minimal effort.
Cleaning Your Paint
If you've had the paint for a long period of time, it may contain impurities such as dirt or lumps. There is no need to throw this paint away. Instead, cut a disk of heavy window screen to fit just inside the paint can. The screen will sink down into the paint and carry the lumps to the bottom of the can as the level of the paint is lowered.
Avoid Unsightly Rings
You can avoid paint rings and drips on the floor by sticking a paper plate to the bottom of the paint can before you start the job. Just apply a little paint to the bottom of the can and press the paper plate against it. The paper plate will stick to the bottom of the can and prevent the paint from dripping onto the floor.
Avoid the Ridges
Avoid paint ridges and lap marks on a flat surface by always stroking into the wet paint area, never away from it. Blend each stroke of the brush toward the wet paint area, bringing the layer you're applying into the wet paint previously applied.
Keep the Bugs at Bay
If you are planning a small outside painting job, insects flying into the newly applied paint may bother you. To avoid this problem, add a small amount of insect repellent to the paint when it is mixed. Do not use too much - a small amount will do the trick without damaging the color or quality of the paint.
Painting a Wire Fence
Paint wire fences with special, long nap rollers. As this type of roller is pushed across the face of the wire fence, paint is applied to the front and sides of the wire. Repeat on the opposite side and the job is done. The fence can be painted in almost a single stroke if the correct roller is used.
When Painting With a Roller
When you're painting with a roller, start the job by making several crisscross strokes on the area to be painted. After you've made these strokes; continue to work up and down to spread the newly applied paint evenly over the area. For painting trim work, use a special trim roller or a brush.
Custom Rollers
You can purchase special rollers for painting beveled or weather-boarded areas. Use a special "doughnut-shaped" roller to paint the under edges of weather board. Use a wider type roller for painting the main surface area. By using rollers of these special types, you can paint the entire exterior of the house without touching a brush.
