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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Shuttle vision ... Council Corner: In the process of revolution, does Ashland lead or react? ... Ashland church greets Cuba Caravan with potluck Thursday ... Our View: Shuttle vision ... Council Corner: In the process of revolution, does Ashland lead or react? ... Ashland church greets Cuba Caravan with potluck Thursday ... Paint a room or two in a weekend Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jan. 21, 2015 at 6:48 AM Posted Jan. 21, 2015 at 6:48 AM » Social News By Laura Firszt, Networx Painting is perhaps the most satisfying of all decorating projects. It allows you to reap rich rewards — a fresher look and an unmistakable upgrade in style — for a relatively small outlay of cash and time. In fact, it’s entirely possible to paint a room or two of your home in just one weekend. Here are 19 tips to make the job easier. 1. Get organized ahead of time. Make sure you have all the supplies and equipment you’ll need. TIP: Paying a little more for quality will save you time and hassle in the long run. You should have: Trisodium phosphate (TSP) Patching compound and putty knife Paint, preferably no- or low-VOC Stir stick Rollers, roller covers, and paint trays Tapered brushes or paint pads Drop cloths Ladder or extension pole Painting clothes, gloves, hair protection, dust mask, goggles Plastic bags Bucket and paint comb for cleanup 2. Carefully measure the walls and ceilings you plan on covering to ensure you purchase enough paint. Figure a gallon of paint per 350-400 square feet for each coat. If you are planning to paint a room or two, using two coats, you will need one to two gallons depending on the room sizes. It is better to buy too much than to run out in the middle of the job. Not only would that slow you down, but you also might end up trying to complete your work with a new can of paint that doesn’t quite match the first. Leftover paint may be stored in tightly sealed, repurposed glass jars. It will come in handy in the future when you need touchups. 3. Choose good-quality paint for easier, smoother painting and better coverage. 4. Remove furniture from the room if at all possible. Move large pieces to the center of the room and cover them with plastic. 5. Prepare your cleaning setup before you begin to paint. Clear out a sink or get your garden hose ready. Make sure you have a cleaning bucket and a paint comb available for cleaning brushes and rollers. 6. Patch holes or cracks in your walls and around trim with patching compound and a putty knife. Sand with fine grit once the compound has dried. Make sure you clear up any dust. 7. Wash the rooms’ walls to allow paint to adhere properly. Use TSP as your cleaning agent to remove greasy, waxy, or sticky stains and to etch the woodwork, which will also the paint to adhere. In addition, vacuum your floor, baseboards, and other dusty surfaces. 8. Take down light fixtures, outlet covers and switch plates. 9. Prime new or patched walls. You can also save time when you want to cover a light wall color with a darker one by applying primer in a shade close to your intended finished product. 10. Start by painting the ceiling, then the trim for the cleanest-looking results. 11. Keep a moist sponge or rag close by to wipe up any painting “mistakes” ASAP. 12. Cut in your topcoat color. Using a tapered brush or paint pad for fast neat edges. 13. Starting with a moistened roller, roll the wall paint on in “w” shapes for even coverage. 14. Finish each wall before you move on to the next. 15. Remember the first coat does not have to be perfect -- it will be covered soon enough. Do tidy up drips, though. 16. Between coats, cover rollers and brushes tightly with plastic bags. They will stay moist and ready for the next painting session. 17. Allow at least two hours drying time (or more, according to paint manufacturer’s instructions) between coats. This is one area where you definitely do not want to rush. 18. When you’re finished with your final coat, clean brushes and rollers, according to what type of paint you used. Alkyd paint should be removed with solvent, followed by a thorough wash in soapy water. For latex, you can skip the solvent. Rinse well and hang upside down to dry. 19. Consult your local regulations regarding safe disposal of unused paint. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com. This post originally appeared at http://www.networx.com/article/paint-a-room-or-two-in-a-weekend. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jan. 21, 2015 at 6:48 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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