How To Handle A Paint Brush
A successful paint job starts with clean, organized tools. You'll feel much better next time around when you don't have to buy brand new brushes and rollers. Take care of them now because it means less work later!
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Properly handling a paintbrush
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Soak and then squeeze out paintbrush before use. Moisten in water if using a water-based paint or moisten in solvent if using a solvent-based paint.
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Never dip a paintbrush into a full can of paint. Instead, pour the quantity of paint needed into another container to avoid contamination. Make sure you have enough space wthin the new container to tap off excess paint.
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Dip paintbrush about one third to one half the length of its bristles into the paint.
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Tap off excess paint inside the container. Do not simply wipe paintbrush across the container’s lip. The latter makes it difficult to mark out sections or apply paint, because it leaves too little paint on the brush.
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Hold paintbrush firmly but do not apply too vigorously. Just make sure you have good contact with the surface.
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Apply paint with long continuous strokes using the face of the paintbrush. Smoothly lift off brush at the end of each stroke.
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Always paint from an unpainted area to a painted area to conceal where the areas join.
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Don’t force paintbrush into tight spots. If you do, you will ruin its shape and smear the paint.
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If using a fast-drying paint, wash brush occasionally to keep paint from building up on the metal band (ferrule) that holds the bristles in place.
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Use different paintbrushes for each type of paint.
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If you want to take a break, hang the paintbrush in a can of water (for water-based paints) or thinner (for solvent-based paints) and make sure the ends of the bristles do not touch bottom.
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When done, immediately wash paintbrush with warm water and dish soap (if using a water-based paint) or with a paint thinner (if using an oil-based paint).
Care for your roller
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Pour paint into the paint tray until it comes halfway up the slope.
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Place roller in the deepest part of the tray, soak in paint and then roll it back and forth.
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Remove excess paint from roller by rolling it up and down the ribs along the shallow portion of the tray.
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When painting, make sure the amount of paint on the roller is even.
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Place moderate pressure on the roller. Do not apply too quickly or you may splatter paint.
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Foam may form in some paints. If you can’t find a way of preventing this, immediately smooth over the wet paint with a paintbrush to get rid of the bubbles.
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