Nothing can improve the overall appearance of the interior of your home as a change of color and an interior painting job well done. Interior painting can represent quite a challenge for those not experienced with the proper techniques of application and possession of the right tools. There are techniques and tools listed below that will improve your performance.

Make Sure You Are Properly Equipped

1. Make sure you have enough plastic or drop cloths to cover all your flooring and furnishings. Keep all areas covered always. Cover up may take you only 10 or 15 minutes, but clean up can cost you hours.

2. Make sure you have sheet rock mud and sand paper to repair any dinks in the wall. When you apply the sheet rock mud, apply only a very thin layer. A thin layer of mud will help avoid a lumpy look in your walls and it will sand flat very quickly. Most people make the mistake of applying way too thick of a layer, costing themselves a lot of time in sanding. 3. Use a quality brush. Cheap brushes do not spread paint as smoothly and accurately as good quality brushes. They do not spread paint as evenly or cut in corners as accurately, costing you time and quality of work.

4. Keep 2 or 3 roller naps available with a nap thickness of ½ inch to ¾ inches. If you rinse a roller nap after painting the ceiling, you will need a dry nap to roll your walls. Avoid the dirt cheap roller naps. You want be happy with the nap fibers they leave in your freshly painting walls.

5. Be sure and purchase the blue masking tape designed especially for painting. When you are ready to paint your trim you will want to mask off your walls. Apply pressure along the tape line so that it lays completely flat. This will help prevent paint from seeping under the edges of the tape and compromising the straight line. Give your walls a day of dry time before masking. Masking your walls will allow you to create professional straight trim lines.

More Time Saving Tips

1. The proper order for painting is to always paint your ceilings first, then your walls, and then lastly, your trim. When you roll your ceilings, it creates a mist that can settle on your walls. In addition, you may drip paint on your walls. It makes sense to paint the ceilings first because you will be covering the drips and mist from the ceiling with wall paint when you paint the walls. The same holds true for the trim. You will drip wall paint on the trim and create a roller mist that will settle on the trim. Painting in the order I have described will save you a lot of time, because you are not having to go back and redo areas that you have messed up.

2. I recommend cleaning your brush after you are through painting for the day. Most non professional painters get a lot of paint all over the handle and bristle retainer. For the protection of the brush against dried paint and for a fresh start with a clean brush on a new day, then clean it. If you are absolutely rushed for time, then place the brush in a plastic bag and freeze it. When you are ready to paint again just take the brush out of your freezer and let it thaw. A clean dry brush always gives me a mental advantage when tackling an interior painting project. Complement Your Hard Work with Quality Paint Interior painting is hard work, so why cheapen the quality of your hard work by using inferior paint.

Here are 7 good reasons to use a top grade paint.

1. It last longer. 2. It's easier to clean up without damaging the paint.

3. It covers the old wall color better saving you application time.

4. The color tones are often richer.

5. Top grades of paint usually have mildew inhibitors in them, allowing you to use them in bathrooms and other areas that have high moister.

6. The top grade interior paints hold their color better over time

7. The satisfying feeling that you put the very best into your interior painting project.

Some people just plane hate to paint. Others look forward to the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment. Others enjoy the change in atmosphere the new colors can make to their home. Whatever the reason, following these interior painting tips can save you time, produce a better looking room, and make the project more enjoyable.