Your best painting tips

Painting can be a fantastic low-cost way to freshen up a room and add value to a property. For a small investment, the right paint job can make a big impact.

Painting is also something that anyone can do. But I'm sure the Workshop community has plenty of great tips for getting the best result possible.

Please share your painting tips in the discussion below.

Jason

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Comments

Kermit

One of my favourites is to wrap paintbrushes in cling wrap between coats to stop them drying out rather than washing your brushes in water.

RenoQueen

Just tap the brush gently against the side of the paint can. I see a lot of people wiping the brush against the lip which takes all the paint off. And when you dip the brush into the paint just cover half of the bristles.

ProjectPete

Don't go cheap on paint and equipment like rollers. A great quality roller makes a world of difference with the final finish and makes your paint go a bit further too.

Don't tape door frames. Even with expensive tapes I've found the paint peel right off. Instead I corner up to the frame and simply wipe any paint overflow on the frame off with a baby wipe.

+1 to @Kermit tip above re wrapping brushes in cling wrap - works a treat.

When painting entire walls, roll from top to bottom in full length rather than doing top half of wall then coming back to do bottom half. Avoids the darker/thicker paint through the middle of the wall.

Hope those few tips from an amateur help

Isobel

Preparation, prepartion, preparation.

There's some good tips here:

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/432#Comment_432

I also liked these:

KingStreetReno

Use a spray gun for outdoor projects like fences. I recently bought the Dulux Rapid Spray Paint Sprayer for $99.

It will save you HOURS of time and lots of paint 🙂

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62524#Comment_62524

I really like that rubber band tip. I am going to try that.

Jason

Joker

Make sure you sand your walls before you paint. It will help ensure a nice smooth surface, getting rid of all the bumps and flaky paint from previous paint jobs. Use a pole sander to save time instead of a sanding block.

_Marley_

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/767#Comment_767

I always use a black garbage bag to wrap the paint roller tray, tape it up so it fits well. Then when you are finished you can just throw the plastic bag away and don't have to spend hours cleaning the paint tray.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63705#Comment_63705

Anyone planning to get stuck into some painting over the Easter break?

Jason

RenoQueen

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94374#Comment_94374

There's some good painting tips in this article - https://www.domain.com.au/advice/get-grip-discover-best-paintbrush-job

I can especially relate to the one about investing in quality brushes. I don't understand why people spend heaps of money on paint but then use cheap brushes and don't get a good finish.

Prof

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/429#Comment_429

Also if you put your wiped brush in a freezer bag and wrap it very tightly and then put it in the fridge, it will keep like that for weeks..

Prof

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63705#Comment_63705

That's a good tip Marley..I'll do that next time..

CathD

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94469#Comment_94469

Some good tips here for painting ceilings - http://www.handyman.net.au/10-tips-painting-ceilings

SammyE

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113639#Comment_113639

Thanks a lot for the tips here. We've just started painting and I can definitely agree with the quality of the accessories. First we thought the paint wasn't good as we went for British Paint and not Dulux. Then we upgraded our roller and it worked like a charm! It really made a difference.

Also learnt the tip on wrapping the roller in a plastic bag instead of washing, which did save time and water. It was so convenient!

Btw, can someone tell me what we can do about sliding doors and windows with metal frames? They don't seem like we can paint them all over. We have all frames in beige and we'd like to have them in white. Tnx!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124753#Comment_124753

Good stuff @SammyE, glad to see that some of the tips were helpful to you.

You might also like to check out these discussions regarding painting alumnium doors and windows:

Painting 80s aluminium doors

Painting aluminium windows

Hope that helps. It would be great if you could share some before and after photos - it's certainly a common project.

Jason

SammyE

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131910#Comment_131910

Thanks for the tips Jason. Sure will do,

@Jason wrote:
Good stuff @SammyE, glad to see that some of the tips were helpful to you.
You might also like to check out these discussions regarding painting alumnium doors and windows:
Painting 80s aluminium doors
Painting aluminium windows
Hope that helps. It would be great if you could share some before and after photos - it's certainly a common project.
Jason

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136263#Comment_136263

Visitors to this popular discussion might like to check out this - Preventing paint bleed while using masking tape

There's a great tip from some videos shared by @Brad about using chaulk to help ensure sharp lines with no bleeding.

Jason

melheasman

Jason,

Do you happen to know the name of the paint used in the above picture?

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12016#Comment_12016

Sorry @melheasman, but I'm not aware of the paint colour. You might like to take advantage of the colour matching service available in all Bunnings stores. You simply need to take a sample of the colour into the store and the team can attempt a colour match for you. The sample just needs to be at least the size of a five-cent coin.

Let me extend a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's always fantastic to have a new member and we look forward to reading more about your painting project and about all the others you might have planned for around the house and garden.

Please don't hesitate to post anytime you have something to share with the community, need a hand with a project around the house and garden, or ever need assistance getting the most from the Workshop site.

Thanks,

Jason

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/12016#Comment_12016

Hi @melheasman,

I've picked out a few colours to steer you in the right direction. Since the paint in the picture is wet, it will dry up to two shades darker. I have a feeling it is something similar to Surf Wash. You can always pick up a sample pot of a few of these colours in store to see which one you like. The full range of Dulux colours is available online at their Colour Wall. Please remember that your screens' colour calibration will affect the result, and a hard copy of the Colour Atlas is available at our stores.

Please let me know if you need further assistance or had questions.

Mitchell

Paint match.png

TheRenoDad

Paint hack that’s so easy you will wonder why this is the first time you're seeing it.

Do you ever dip your brush into a paint tin and it goes just that little bit too far.

You know the feeling when it hits the metal and it makes the painting and cleaning so much harder.

Well here comes the bombshell solution you have been searching for.

All you have to do is drive a screw into the metal cover (preferably with a flat head on it).

When you put this screw in make sure that it is not screwed all the way in.

The below image is a good gauge and will work on most tins or pales.

Now bare with me, because here comes the crescendo.

As you can see below you have now created a hook for your brush.

You can now hook the brush onto the side of the paint tin or pale and it won’t fall in.

How simple is that!

You can find a video tutorial of this over at my Instagram - The Reno Dad @therenodad

That wraps up my first post to the Bunnings DIY community.

I’m excited to share more tips and projects in the future and connect with like

minded DIY’ers

Luke | The Reno Dad

@TheRenoDad

prettyliving

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/20140#Comment_20140

Welcome to Workshop ☺️ @TheRenoDad
I love that hack, great idea!

TheRenoDad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72759#Comment_72759

Thank you @prettyliving happy to be here and join the community to learn and bounce off like minded DIY’ers!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99802#Comment_99802

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community Luke (@TheRenoDad). It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing this nifty trick.

I trust our members will appreciate this hack, as I can't be the only one that regularly soaks my paintbrush right up to the handle.

I look forward to seeing what you've been up to around the home and garden. Please don't hesitate to reach out whenever you need assistance or have something to share.

Mitchell

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116738#Comment_116738

Hi @TheRenoDad

Certainly a quicker and easier method than Reader's Digest...

TheRenoDad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116738#Comment_116738

Thank you Mitchell! ( @MitchellMc )

More than happy to share plus bounce and learn off other members in the community.

One of the best things about DIY is there is always something new to learn and add to your skill set.

Thanks again for the welcoming!

Luke | @TheRenoDad

TheRenoDad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126474#Comment_126474

Hi Graeme @Noyade

I also like the hack that you've shared from Reader's Digest..

Sometimes there is situations where some hacks work better than others.

Always good to learn something new.

Thanks again,

Luke

VivMartin

I flinch when I see projects big and small, on the TV, open new tins of paint and wipe the brushes on the lip of the tin. BIG Tip from an old painter given to me - use strips of aluminium foil and work it around the lip of a new tin BEFORE wiping the brush and filling the lip. When you are finished peel the strip off the tin and dispose of it. You will have a clean lip on the tin and ensure a perfect seal like new!

Also, I drill a fine hole in the brush handle to take a stiff wire and suspend the brush in turps with the tip of the brush not touching the bottom of the tin. I do this when there is a meal break and continuing painting afterwards. I saw a professional using enamel paints put his brush in water and just shake the water off after lunch. He claimed the water acted as a seal.

paint pot with foil suspend brush on wire in turps.jpg

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/34920#Comment_34920

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @VivMartin. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for sharing your painting tips.

Using aluminium foil to keep paint tins clean is such a clever idea, and suspending brushes in turps during breaks sounds like a great way to keep them in good condition. It's always awesome to learn new tricks from experienced painters like yourself.

Looking forward to more of your insights and contributions!

Mitchell

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