Painting Tips
Buy an empty gallon also called a "cutting can". When starting to paint, pour out 1/3 of your full gallon into your cutting can. Use this to walk around and do your brush work. This way is lighter, less likely to spill, and allows for a properly loaded brush.
To properly load a brush do not scrape your brush on the rim of your can. This fills the rim with messy paint and removes too much from your brush. Instead, using a 1/4 to 1/3 full can, dip the bristles into the paint half way and 'rattle' or tap the brush's metal piece against the inner rim of the can to shake off excess paint.
Where the wall meets the ceiling always paint the ceiling first, overlapping the ceiling paint onto the wall about one inch. "Cut" the wall paint against the ceiling with a quality sash (angled) brush, held sideways, carefully pulling it across the wall. To draw this line accurately, you need to see what you are doing so make sure your ladder gets you high enough to "see above your hand".
When cleaning your brushes use a brush comb. Without a doubt, the most useful tool most people don't own. A brush comb makes cleaning latex paint out of your brushes quick and easy. Just comb the teeth through the bristles under running water until the brush rinses clean. Use the curved blade to empty your roller sleeve before throwing it away.
Between coats with latex paint, clean out your brush, but not your roller. Simply load it up with paint and wrap it in plastic, making sure to remove any air. With oil-based paints, wrap your brush and your roller in the same way. This will keep your tools soft until the first coat dries.
