Category Archives for "Tips and Tricks"

How to Estimate How Much Paint You Need

By Mack.Painters | Painting , Tips and Tricks

 

If you’re painting your home’s interior on your own, especially if it’s your first time through this, you need a solid way to figure out how much paint you’ll need.

Here’s what you need to know.

How to Estimate How Much Paint You Need

There’s a mathematical formula you can use to figure out how much paint you need – and it’ll work whether you’re painting a small bathroom, a big kitchen, or the entire house.

As a general rule, you can get about 400 square feet of painted surface from one gallon of paint. However, some paints provide more – and some provide less. It’s better to have more than you need than less than you need, so round up!

Pro Tip: Even if a can of paint says you only need one coat to completely cover another color, be leery – that’s a bold claim to make, and we haven’t found any that can actually live up to that promise.

The way to figure out how much paint you need is to add up the square feet you need painted, then divide it by 400. The resulting number is the number of gallons you need to buy… but don’t forget to round up.

If you have to paint 2,500 square feet, this is what your math will look like:

Pro Tip: If you know you’ll need 5 gallons, buy a 5-gallon bucket of paint – don’t buy five 1-gallon cans.

Other Things to Know Before You Paint

• Semi-gloss paints usually require more coats than flat paints do.
• If you buy 3 gallons of paint, mix them all together before you start painting – that way you can be sure the color is perfectly matched.
• Standard doors are 21 square feet.

Do You Need Painting Help?

We can handle all your interior painting for you – just call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services. Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach painting pros are right here waiting to help.

 

5 Creative Kitchen Painting Ideas

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Painting , Tips and Tricks

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, or if you just want to freshen up its appearance, a new paint job is in order – but what if you don’t want run-of-the-mill, plain walls? Check out these five creative kitchen painting ideas.

5 Creative Kitchen Painting Ideas

How can you turn your kitchen into a dream space with paint? Check out these five creative kitchen painting ideas.

Ceiling Paint

When you choose a new color for your kitchen, it can be pretty overwhelming – but if you limit yourself to just the ceiling (or even an accent wall), you can create a fresh, amazing look.

 

Chalkboard Wall

Paint a whole section of a wall – maybe the one that juts out on the side of your refrigerator – as a chalkboard. You can also add a colored border for added effect.

Color Blocking

Choose colors that sit beside each other on the color wheel and remember that warm colors look great with cool colors, and create a blocked look by painting upper cabinets one color and lower cabinets the other.

Paint Inside Cabinets

Painting the inside of your cabinets – particularly if your cabinet doors have windows – can create a wonderful look. It can also give you time to adjust to a new color.

Pro Tip: Glossy paint reflects light, and it can brighten and open up your kitchen.

Pantry Paint

Paint your pantry to try out a new shade or design. It’s also a great way to add color that’s too bold to use elsewhere.

Want to Spruce Up Your Kitchen With Paint?

We can repaint your kitchen for you and make it look amazing – just call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services. Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach painting pros are right here waiting to help.

 

How to Fix Latex Drips on Walls, Trim and Floors

By Mack.Painters | Tips and Tricks

If you’re like most DIY home painters, you know that latex drips running down the wall and paint splatters on the carpet are almost inevitable – but how do you fix them?

How to Fix Latex Drips on Walls, Trim and Floors

Seeing dried latex paint drips that ran down the wall before you could catch them is definitely one of those moments you think about how you should’ve hired a professional painter, but don’t worry too much. You can fix them without causing too much damage to all your hard work!

Here’s how to remove drips from walls and trim:

1. Sand down the drip or spill until its surface is smooth.
2. Clean off the area with a damp cloth.
3. Repaint over the spot, if necessary.

To remove drips from floors, use a razor blade – just run it beneath the drip carefully and peel it away.

Pro Tip: Use drop cloths and painter’s tape next time. Also, cover door knobs with plastic bags and tape them in place, and remove outlet covers and tape over the outlets.

How to Clean Latex Paint Splatters From Carpet

Whether you splattered a little paint on the carpet while you were working on the corners or your ladder tipped over with your roller and tray, you may be able to make things right – but you have to act fast.

Here’s how to clean latex paint splatters from carpet:

1. Use a scraper to pick up as much of the wet paint as you can. Don’t spread it on clean areas of the carpet!
2. Use a thick, dry sponge to soak up paint you can’t get with the scraper. You might have to go through several clean sponges.
3. Place a clean, dry cloth over the spot. Leave it there until it picks up the stain, then change it out for another clean, dry cloth.
4. Clean the area with warm water and dish soap once the stain is gone. Allow it to dry completely.

If the stain is already dry, you can buy a paint remover solution – but be careful. Test it in an inconspicuous area before you use it out in the open.

Do You Need Painting Help?

We can help you avoid these issues – just call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services. Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach painting pros are right here waiting to help.

 

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

By Mack.Painters | Tips and Tricks

 

If you’re like many people, you’ve seen how bad a hole in drywall looks – and if you need to paint over one, you know that it’s tough to get it just right.

Here’s how to fix a hole in drywall so you can paint over it. (Remember, if you need help, we can repair the holes in your drywall and give your whole home a fresh coat of paint!)

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

There are basically three categories of holes in drywall: Small, Medium and Large. The size of the hole will dictate how you fix it.

How to Fix Small Holes in Drywall (Under 3 or 4 Inches)

You can use a drywall patch kit for small holes in drywall, like the ones a doorknob would cause. Follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Place a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole.
2. Use a drywall knife to cover the patch with joint compound. Feather the edges so it blends into the wall.
3. Apply a second coat of compound if necessary, but wait until the first patch dries.
4. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

How to Fix Medium Holes in Drywall (Under About 6 Inches)

For holes that are about 6 inches across (or smaller), you can cut drywall to fit inside. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a piece of drywall into a square that’s about 2 inches larger than the hole.
2. Score the back of the drywall about 1 inch inside its borders. Make the cuts close for a perforated effect.
3. Break off the gypsum without tearing the paper backing.
4. Hold the cut drywall over the hole and trace its outline. Don’t outline the paper – just the drywall.
5. Cut out the traced square with a drywall knife.
6. Spread joint compound on the back of the paper.
7. Put the cut drywall in the hole and smooth the paper edges over the wall.
8. Cover the whole patch with joint compound and feather the edges.
9. Apply a second coat of compound when the first is dry.
10. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

How to Fix Large Holes in Drywall (Over 6 Inches)

You can use drywall to patch a large hole, but it might require a different method. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a piece of drywall into a square that’s larger than the hole.
2. Hold the square over the drywall and trace around its edges.
3. Cut a hole in the drywall that matches your patch using a drywall knife.
4. Add a small, thin piece of wood to each side of the hole from the inside, using screws on the outside. Sink the screws beneath the drywall’s surface so you can patch them later.
5. Put the drywall patch in place and screw it to the wooden strips inside the hole.
6. Affix joint tape all around the patch.
7. Cover the patch and the joint tape with joint compound. Feather the edges.
8. Apply a second coat of compound when the first is dry.
9. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

Want to Skip All This Hassle?

We can handle this for you and repaint your wall so it looks like there was never a hole there in the first place. We work in Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach. Call us at 910-725-3227 to get a free painting estimate for any of our services today!