Color Selection

There are so many choices that the hardest part of painting a room is often settling on a color scheme.  If you need help discovering your colors, vist our interactive color visualizer at acehardware.com/paintingtips or check out the latest color trends for 2010 on the Paint tab of our web page.

When considering a color scheme, don't forget the ceiling.  A ceiling can contribute to the overall design, but it is too often left painted white.  Consider how color, sheen, pattern or texture on a ceiling would transform the room.  Designers often paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color, especially if there is crown molding in a contrasting color.

If you think you've found a color but aren't quite ready to commit, take if for a test drive with Ace Paint Pods (various Ace nos.).  These samples-sized jars provide just the right amount of paint to try out a color at home in the actual room you plan to paint.

Once you choose a color, make sure you purchase enough to cover your room.  Simply measure your room, and then visit the Ace Paint Estimator at acehardware.com/paintingtips.  Choose the floor plan that best suits your room and enter the information about the room or rooms you are planning to paint.  The estimator will automatically calculate how many gallons or paint you'll need for the job. 

Readying the Room

Take down window coverings, wall decorations and remove wall plates from switches and outlets.  Move out any unnecessary furniture.  If some furniture is too big to move to another room, move it toward the center of the room and cover it with a drop cloth.  Lay a drop cloth to catch any paint spatters or spills on the floor as well.

Preparing the Surface

Now, prep your walls so that the color goes on looking its best.  Repair any holes, cracks or flaws and give the surface a thorough cleaning.  Tape woodwork and other surfaces not being painted.  Prime new drywall, unpainted surfaces, or any dark-colored surface you plan to cover with a lighter color.

When painting over an existing semi- or full-gloss finish, the surface must be sanded to give the new paint something to adhere to (paint adheres better to rough surfaces than smooth ones).  Smooth over cracks and other surface imperfections with spackle and a putty knife, and then sand smooth.  Viewing the surface from an angle will reveal any spots that may have been missed.  Clear any cobwebs from the walls and corners of the ceiling.

Painting Tips and Tricks

• Start at the top.  Paint the ceiling first, then the walls, followed by the windows, doors and trim. 
• Cut in edges around doors and windows, above baseboards and at the line where the ceiling meets the wall.  Cutting the edges involves outlining the area to be painted with a 2" angled-bristle brush.
• When painting with a roller, it's important to work in three-to-four-foot square sections to make the job more manageable.  This also works as a guide for "roller loading" - a roller should not be reloaded with paint until the section has been finished. 
• Work in a zigzag pattern:  A "W" should be painted on the surface from top to bottom and left to right.  From there, the section should be filled with horizontal strokes.  To finish off, the section should be smoothed with all-vertical strokes - this will maintain the same pattern and help to fuse the smaller sections into one finished surface when the paint is dry.  For complete coverage, two coats are almost always recommended. 

Clean-Up

Clean-up is almost always a pain, but here are tips to help make it easier. 

If you are using latex paints, wipe your paint brush on old newspaper to remove any remaining paint.  Then rub lukewarm water through the paint brush and hold the brush under running water until the water runs clear.  Blot any remaining water from the brush and then wrap heavy paper around the brush and store for your next project.

If you are using oil-based paints, stroke out any paint onto old newspapers until the brush strokes no longer leave paint behind.  Rub paint thinner into the brush bristles.  Press out as much thinner and paint as possible.  Then, run clean thinner through the brush and dry the bristles with paper towels.  Wrap the brush in heavy paper and store.