Painting your home can be frustrating when little paint drips and splatters can be found all over the floor, walls, or even furniture afterward. These drips can be largely avoided with a bit of effort and some cool tricks.
But is it possible? Can you paint without drips and splatters?
Drips and splatters will never be 100 percent avoidable. However, some tricks can help against unwanted stains and thus prevent grief and frustration for the most part. The basis for this is provided by a good paint and a good painter’s roller.
The right preparation
Proper preparation for painting can make the difference between the matter being tedious and annoying, or rather pleasant and without much hassle.
You should first:
Prepare the substrate
The substrate should be adhesive and load-bearing; otherwise, there will be far worse side effects than small paint splashes. Dust or cobwebs are harmless here, but peeling paint and flaking plaster are much more critical.
Corresponding areas should be treated accordingly. The first thing to do is tap, brush, fill, or even sand off the paint. Then plaster or putty is touched up.
For greasy walls, soapy water and plenty of water can help. Against nicotine on the walls, usually, only a barrier primer helps, which prevents the stains from showing through later. In less severe cases of nicotine, where only the outer layer of the wall is affected, water can also help clean it.
Permanently damp walls should be dried out first. It is best to contact a professional to identify and correct the problem.
Note: Walls that are damp from washing off do not pose a problem for water-based emulsion paints, as they dry along with the color.
The following substrates should be primed to consolidate and unify:
- filled
- with fresh repair spots
- very highly absorbent
- chalking
- sanding
Remove the ceiling lighting.
Often lamps interfere with painting and turn out to catch drops and splashes. The individual types can be treated differently:
Lighting fixtures recessed into the ceiling can be covered or taped off
hanging or pendant lamps should be dismantled
Attention: don’t forget to turn off the fuse first!
Mask everything well
It is always better to be safe than sorry. For this reason, everything that absolutely must be protected from the paint should be taped off or covered. Especially objects from which the color is tricky to remove again, such as fabric furniture, should be protected.
Furthermore, the transitions between the ceiling and the wall should be masked. Use masking tape for this purpose.
7 tips for painting without drips and spills
When painting walls and ceilings, it can quickly drip or splatter, but this is not the only thing that can happen. We have listed the most important tips against spills below.
Tip 1: Use the right paint
First of all, the paint should fulfill the essential properties. Namely, the compatibility with the substrate and the fulfillment of special requirements (smoking household, diffusion, should be washable, etc.).
Only after that, you should look that the paint has good properties in the following categories:
- Opacity
- Yield
- dripping behavior
- Setting behavior
An excellent indicator of high-quality paint well suited for painting the ceiling is the DIN EN certification on the paint can. If the color is wash-resistant according to EN 13300, it has withstood a predefined scrubbing cycle. Without DIN certification, paints are often resistant for far less than 100 cycles, but they can withstand up to 1,000 cycles within the USD standard. Otherwise, the individual color shades may rub off.
Tip 2: Use a high-quality ink roller
For a result that is as splash-free as possible, a high-quality short-pile paint roller should be used. These are well suited for smooth and slightly structured surfaces and have better binding behavior.
Tip 3: Open the paint can correctly
First, make sure that the can is free of damage. In particular, inspect the sealing ring and the lid. If everything is in order, you can open the cover carefully.
Tip 4: Do not pour jerkily
When pouring the paint, use a slow, gentle motion and avoid any momentum.
Tip 5: Wipe the can quickly
After each use of the paint can wipe off the excess paint directly. This keeps the can clean and eliminates the risk of the paint staining other objects.
Tip 6: Choose a stable surface
Make sure that the can is always placed on a stable surface. Never put it on a piece of furniture with a soft cushion. As is often found in the home office, a wobbly swivel chair is also not a good choice.
Tip 7: Pick up paint evenly
Dip the paint roller about 2/3 into the paint and then roll it out on the scraper grid. This procedure guarantees that the roller is uniformly covered with paint and that the color can be applied evenly.
FAQ
What is the best way to start painting?
Start with a round brush and paint the corners and edges first. Next, paint the ceiling to avoid paint splatters on the walls later. Finally, it’s the turn of the walls.
Which is better: short or long pile rolls?
Long pile rolls are suitable for heavily textured surfaces. Short pile rolls are better for smooth and lightly textured surfaces.
What should be painted first wall or ceiling?
The ceiling should always be painted first to avoid splashes or drips on the walls. Spills are usually impossible to avoid altogether, but there are a few tricks you can use to reduce the risk significantly. Here are our tips.
Is a paint grid or paint tray worth it?
A paint tray with a paint grid is worth distributing the paint well on the paint roller and thus avoiding splashes.
How to paint without dripping paint?
There are a few techniques you can use to avoid dripping paint:
– Hold the brush as close to the end as possible. This will help control the amount of paint that comes out.
– Use a light touch when applying the paint. Don’t press too hard on the brush.
– Try painting in short strokes rather than long strokes. This will also help reduce the amount of paint that drips.
– Dip the brush into the paint slowly and steadily. Don’t pour it in all at once.
How do you paint without making a mess?
Here are some tips for painting without making a mess:
-Use painter’s tape to tape off any areas that you don’t want paint on
-Cover the floor with a drop cloth or old sheets
-Wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on
-Use a small brush to get near edges and corners
-Paint in small sections so that you can quickly clean up any mistakes
How do you paint walls evenly?
There are a few key things to keep in mind when painting walls evenly:
1. Use a good quality paintbrush or roller – this will help ensure an even coat of paint.
2. Inspect the wall for any unevenness before starting to paint – if there are any areas that stand out, make sure to even them out with putty or sandpaper first.
3. Use painter’s tape to create clean lines along the edges of the wall – this will help you achieve straight, even lines.
4. When painting, start from the top of the wall and work your way down in even strokes – cross-hatching can also help ensure an even coat of paint.