Most homeowners would prefer to do a job themselves rather than paying extra for a professional, but the thought of doing a poor job often makes them balk. It's sometimes necessary to hire a professional if you want top quality work, but there are several tips which can allow almost anybody to paint a wall to a high standard without having to break the bank to do so. Here are some cost-effective ways of creating the best finish possible:

Treat the Wall Before Starting

The quality of your paint job will be determined largely by the quality of the wall itself. Any bumps and irregularities will result in an uneven coat, so fill large gaps with wall filler, and brush down any light flaws with a sander –ridges around nails and screws  can also be corrected using a sander. Now that the wall is as smooth as possible, take the time to use a degreaser on it. This will remove any grease or mud which would prevent the paint from properly bonding.

Mix in Paint Conditioner        

Nothing's worse than finishing up a wall only to notice that lap and brush marks have been retained as the paint has dried. This usually occurs because the drying process has already started before you can overlap with other areas, but it's something which you can prevent by using a paint conditioning agent (sometimes called 'paint extender').

Paint conditioner slows down the drying process, meaning that the appearance of brush strokes is reduced to produce a professional finish. Just remember to check the container and to be precise when you're mixing it in.

Use the Boxing Method

It doesn't matter how much you pay for your paint, even the highest quality manufacturers will produce buckets which vary slightly in shade. This isn't often easy to spot when you open the lid, but it can become all too apparent when the paint begins to dry. Work against this problem by using a method known as 'boxing'.

This is simply the name professionals give to the process of emptying each individual bucket into one large plastic container. Everything is mixed together, eliminating any colour irregularities. Just remember to find a container which comes with a sealable top if you want to paint across several days.

It doesn't take years of experience or extensive training to become adept at producing a professional paintjob. All you need to do is follow these easy tips. Contact a company like Glendening Painting Services to learn more.

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