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Paint Like a Pro House painting tips for beginners. Mind your edges. The biggest sign of a below-average paint job is the occasional spot of paint on the trim or ceiling. Pros have safeguards against going "outside the lines," so you should, too. Whether it's lining edges with painter's tape or using a spray-painting shield, having a physical barrier will keep lines clean, even when your hand isn't steady. Press down on the tape as you go to form a tight seal and reduce the risk of bleed-through, and properly secure a spray paint shield to stop slipping or sliding. This will save you hours of backtracking and corrective touch-ups. Never paint over glossy paint or varnish. The color you choose isn't the only thing that'll influence your results—the surface's texture also matters. While your existing glossy paint may be excellent at repelling scuffs, it'll do the same with a new coat and look streaky. Luckily, there's a simple fix. Before painting over a glossy surface, sand or wipe it down with a liquid deglosser. Work with your lighting. It's important to approach your paint job with your eyes wide open; you need to see everything clearly. Don't paint at night or on a dreary afternoon when the lighting is low—you won't get an accurate picture of how well your paint covers up the old color. Instead, paint on a sunny day with plenty of natural light and minimal humidity. Good lighting makes thin areas obvious right away, and mild temperatures make the paint dry faster. Be speedy. Overlapped brush marks are an unsightly error, more evident with darker colors and higher glosses. Prevent this by keeping a "wet edge" with your painting, quickly moving between sections so there's a seamless blend. Always paint walls from top to bottom in one direction, working in about six-foot squares for uniformity. If you need a second coat, roll it on the opposite way. Use paint conditioner for details. Paint from the can is thick enough to cover walls, but it's too dense and gloppy for places with finer details, like woodwork, doors, cabinets, and textured molding. Paint conditioner thins out your paint so you can apply coats delicately. Read the instructions and mix a small amount of conditioner with a can of paint to achieve your desired consistency and a professional finish. Don't skip the primer (especially on dark walls!). Priming should be your first step. A base coat applied before paint, a primer will neutralize the previous color, conceal imperfections, improve adhesion and durability, and cut down the number of coats you'll need. Just make sure your primer dries according to the manufacturer's directions prior to adding your topcoat. VALUE-ADD One of the most novice-friendly DIY tasks, painting can boost your home's appearance with a fresh new look. However, going into a paint project without knowing some basics can make a seemingly easy job ten times sloppier. We're here to tell you: picture-perfect painting is possible. Just follow our six proven tips to create a head-turning masterpiece. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 29