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Make My Life Easy

Follow these four easy tips and you can obtain the high-quality results you want.  

1. Get prepared to paint.  Be sure to have all your equipment together including brushes, roller covers and frames, extension poles, paint tray, drop cloth, and masking tape. Cover furniture and exposed surfaces to protect them from paint splatters. You may want to apply tape to the trim to protect it or wipe the baseboards and trim with water to make splatter cleanup easy.

2. Selecting the proper tools. Step one is selecting the right paint brush or roller cover.

   Selecting the right brush and roller is crucial because even the best paint needs to be applied with the correct tools. Cheap brushes can lose bristles and spread paint unevenly. “The challenge is that most paint brushes look the same on the outside; it’s the materials and the way the brush is constructed that count,” according to Bruce Schneider, the Paint Doctor for Purdy.

   Schneider recommends using a brush that has:

a convex chisel shape to the end of the  brush for superior cutting ability
tips that are flagged (split ends) to allow the paint to flow evenly to the wall
a 2-part epoxy adhesive made specifically for paintbrush filaments so the filaments stay in your brush and off your wall
an aluminum insert for strength and durability

Typically, you’ll need two brushes, a narrow 1 to 1-1/2” brush for trim and small spaces and a larger 2-1/2 to 3-inch brush for walls. “Our 2-1/2” XL Glide™ brush is Purdy’s most popular brush as it works with all types of paints,” said Schneider.

A roller cover should be crafted of high quality material and lint-free. In addition, the nap of the cover should match texture of the surface you are painting. You can find this information on the product label. “The White Dove™ 9” x 3/8” roller cover is a good option for bathrooms and kitchens, and our Golden Eagle™ 9” x 1/2” roller cover is designed for flat wall work,” noted Schneider.

View our video to learn more about the proper way to paint and meet the Paint Doctor!

3. Use your brush the way the Pros do.  The best way to load a paint brush is to dip the brush about an inch or two into the paint and then gently tap the brush against both sides of the paint can. Don’t wipe the brush against the side of the paint can; you’ll rub off too much paint.  View a video of the proper way to load a brush.

   Start near the baseboard or trim areas with your narrow paint brush and carefully paint a straight line along the edge about 4” high using an angular trim paint brush. This is what the Pros call cutting in.  View our videos showing the proper techniques for cutting in.

   Once you have finished painting around all the edges in the room, you can begin rolling. Or, if you prefer, use a large paint brush to complete the project.

4. Use your roller the way the Pros do.  It’s not difficult to do, just follow these steps. To load the roller, pour paint into the pan. Dip the roller about one-quarter of the way into the paint and roll it along the grooves of the pan to load. Next, dip the roller half way into the paint and again roll along the grooves of the pan to load. Repeat this process two more times until the roller is saturated or loaded with paint. View our video of the proper way to load a roller.

Begin rolling the wall by creating a “v” shape. Fill the shape and roll smoothly from top to bottom.  If the roller cover was loaded properly, you should get about 6-12 square feet of coverage from each roll. Professional painters also use rollers on extension poles to quickly and easily paint walls and ceilings. View our video to see the proper way to roll a wall.

Be sure to allow adequate time to dry the paint, before removing any masking tape or moving furniture and pictures, back into place.

We hope you found our instructions helpful and that you now feel confident to paint your walls and obtain the professional appearance you desire.

If you’d like even more information, view our advanced painting tips.

Learn how to properly clean and store your paint brushes and rollers.

Purdy's paint doctor, Bruce Schneider, stands ready to help you create the excep-
tional painting experience. Learn from his 30 years of paint industry knowledge!

Select premium painting tools for your next project! Use our tool selector to find the right Purdy applicators for your specific requirements!

Find premium painting tools for your next project! Use our store locator to find a Purdy dealer in your local area today!