KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – PAINTING 101

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – PAINTING 101

Painting and wall repair is something we believe everyone should know how to do especially in this current trend of the do-it-yourselfer. We’re are starting a series on basic painting skills.

Before you start to paint you need to prepare the walls. Use a solution of half bleach and half water. This will remove dirt oil grease and any loose paint. It also will remove any mold or mildew. Make sure you use rubber gloves and have plenty of ventilation. Always wash from the bottom up to prevent streaks. Use a large sponge and change the water frequently. Let dry thoroughly.

Repair any holes or cracks with spackle or similar product. This is available at your local hardware store or home improvement center.

Here are quick steps for patching holes in plaster or plasterboard.

1. Remove loose plaster. Scrape out plaster from the back of the crack or hole until the back is wider than the front. Dampen the surface with a wet paintbrush.
2. Fill the hole. Smooth the surface with a medium width putty knife. If the hole is very large use layers of spackle letting each dry thoroughly before applying the next. Even out the surface with a damp sponge.
3. After the patch has dried it’s time to sand. Start out with a rough grit such as 100 or 120 then go to a 240 to finish. Wrap the sandpaper around a wooden block and staple at the top where you hold it. This will make sanding easier and more even.
4. If you are dealing with a very large hole fill in first with wadded up newspaper. Apply in the layered method working from all sides again let dry thoroughly between layers.

Next week- brushes and rollers!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO