Paint-It-Yourselfer’s—Learn Valuable Tips From The Pro’s

The Right Approach

(HIT) - With a little planning and the right materials—homeowners can enjoy highly successful home painting projects without hassle and without breaking the budget. These important steps from career painters and contractors can help to organize and control you project from start to finish.

Planning The Project

It’s important to define the scope of your project whether you want to make your whole house sparkle for the holidays or freshen up a room quickly and easily with paint new coat of paint. A room by room analysis of what you have and what you will need to purchase will provide an orderly start and enable shopping for the right materials at the best price.

Make your color choices, including accessories and try the colors out in the room with swatches or matching fabric. Decide whether to paint with latex or oil based paint and calculate your room size to determine the right amount to buy. Neighborhood paint stores and home centers have a wealth of information on how to match the proper paint brushes and roller materials with the type of paint you select for the wall surface you will be painting. Ask for recommendations if you are uncertain about the need for a paint primer or thinner in your particular situation.

	More than a ladder—the Werner Painter’s JobStation is a complete work station with all the amenities for a professional looking paint job. Gives beginners the advanatages of safety and convenience—one step at a time.

Equipment Needs

The right equipment is an essential element to painting experience. Start with a good ladder. Werner Ladder Company has a 7' fiberglass Painter’s JobStation Ladder that is perfect for indoor or outdoor use. It easily reaches a single story roofline and lets the painter get close enough for trim work as well as reaching 11' ceilings with ease. Built with Werner’s Ultimate Top—this popular job-focused ladder includes a cut-in pail that locks into the top to keep paint from spilling. A handy ToolLasso® System is included also to secure tools from falling and protect your investment, and of course, a paint shelf for additional working area.

For trimming around windows and walls closer to the floor, Werner makes a handy lightweight aluminum work platform that stands just 21" high with 12" x 39-1/2" inch non-skid surface to enable safe movement without the necessity of moving the ladder.

Werner’s handy lightweight Work Platform might just be a painters best friend. Puts lower trim areas in reach without effort.

These Werner products are currently available at most neighborhood Sherwin Williams paint stores, or for additional information you can contact Werner Ladder Company at 1-888-523-3370 or visit Werner’s comprehensive website at www.wernerladder.com

A good quality latex or oil base paint will provide a beautiful, cleanable surface for years to come—remember to consider the investment of time and energy when considering differences in price. The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, www.paintquality.com has up-to-date information on every aspect of painting.

Likewise, top quality brushes and rollers and disposable trays are worth their weight in gold when time and aggravation are considered in the mix. And don’t forget the drop cloth. If you cover well, clean-up is easy and fool proof.

Organizing Materials For Easy Cleanup

Time is money, not just for painters and other home professionals, but for homeowners as well. Organization can make all the difference between a satisfying, cost-effective undertaking, and one that doesn’t quite measure up to expectations.

Assemble the necessary tools, paint and clean-up supplies, drop cloths, tools, buckets and ladders, and arrange them in a manner consistent with the need for use. Cleanup will be easier and you won’t waste time hunting for what you need to finish your "professional" paint job.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center