EXPERT ADVICE
How to Avoid Common Painting Mistakes
DIY expert Mandi Gubler of Vintage Revivals shares seven common painting mistakes and how to avoid – or fix – them. For more helpful tips, check out Mandi’s blog.
By Mandi Gubler
MISTAKE 1
Using the Wrong Roller Nap
The “nap” of a roller is the length the material is from the core of the roller. Longer naps are better for high-texture surfaces, and shorter naps work best for smooth surfaces.
MISTAKE 2
Using the Wrong Brush
Never cheap out on the paint brush. Using a high-quality paint brush ensures a smooth, brushstroke-free finish.
MISTAKE 3
Not Mixing Paint Before You Pour
Color pigments and paint sheen naturally separate over time. Not mixing paint thoroughly before painting can result in uneven color and flashing (the paint appears to have different sheens in some areas).
MISTAKE 4
Not Fully Loading the Roller
The roller needs to be fully loaded with paint to the core, otherwise you’ll get air bubbles on your wall, resulting in “paint acne.” To avoid this mistake, roll back and forth on the roller tray until all bubbles are gone and the roller feels heavy.
MISTAKE 5
Overworking the Paint
Paint starts to dry as soon as it’s on the wall, so you want to work quickly and make sure you’re not adding wet paint on top of dry or you'll end up with an unwanted texture.
It's helpful to work in 3 foot by 3 foot squares so you can easily see any touch-up areas before they’ve dried.
Tip: When painting in 3 foot by 3 foot squares always make sure you’re working off a wet edge.
MISTAKE 6
Using the Wrong Amount of Paint
Using too much or too little paint will result in an uneven finish and can add unwanted texture to your paint job.
If you load the roller or brush too much, it can cause drips and sags. It also extends dry time.
Using too little affects the texture because you have to paint more coats than necessary.
Tip: You should be able to paint a 3 foot by 3 foot square of wall space without any drips or sags.
Tip: Another thing to look out for are roller lines – sometimes the edges of the roller leaves trails of paint. Simply roll back over the lines gently in the opposite direction.
MISTAKE 7
Not Waiting for the Paint to Dry
It’s important to wait for each coat to dry completely before moving on to the next. Wet paint is a slightly different color than dry paint, so wait until all blotches are gone and the color is uniform across the room.
