Gabe used to paint for a side job during summers off from teaching. He’s also been the front man for our past adn current home renovations, and has tried many paint brands and products over the years. When we asked if you had any questions for him to help with interior painting, you delivered some great questions! We decided to put them all here as an easy reference point. We hope it can be helpful for any upcoming home painting projects you may have.
What finishes on the walls?
Generally you want a low sheen paint on walls to help hide imperfections. My two preferred wall finishes are a high quality matte or flat (Farrow and Ball Dead Flat is my favorite), or a low sheen eggshell (Benjamin Moore Aura is my top eggshell).
Best Paint roller for cabinets?
Tough one. I haven’t actually used a paint roller on cabinets before, as I would usually recommend a quality HVLP spray finish if possible. However, I would assume a good mohair mini roller or Wizz Velvor. The shorter the nap the smoother the finish, but the less paint it will hold. BIG TIP – use a lint roller on the pad before use to help minimize shedding. Also using a paint extender like FLOETROL will extend the drying time and help the surface level out. (Floetrol is for water based not oil based paints)
When do you use a paint sprayer? And when do you do the roller and brush?
Yes this can be confusing! Generally I only spray walls in new construction when I have a lot of the same color going up and overspray is not a concern. Once trim and floors are installed I prefer to roll.
I would definitely recommend to spray doors because it is faster, easier, and provides a much better finish. Just be sure to remove the doors before spraying.
For molding – generally it is more efficient to brush and backroll. I would spray over roller if I have the time to tape it all off, it is all the same color, and there is no furniture in the room. We shared our favorite paint sprayers in this post.
Roller Frame recommendation?
Proform Picasso Roller Frame – very smooth and has the easiest removal of roller pad you will ever find. So amazing I frolic through flower filled fields with this roller in my dreams, especially since mine is currently lost.
How to prep the walls before painting?
Great question, as an amazing paint job starts with the preparation, but most people skip the prep because they don’t want to deal with it. If new walls with fresh unsealed drywall I will wipe down with a dry microfiber cloth then seal the walls with one coat of Zinsser 123 primer. This is followed by a single coat of build primer, followed by two coats of top coat paint. I will gently and lightly sand the walls with 320grit paper on a wall pole sander between each coat to knock down any nibs or debris that may have entered into the previous coat. Do not sand after the final top coat.
If painting old walls, start by sweeping the walls with a broom, or wipe with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any cobwebs or dust. Wash walls with warm soapy TSP water and a damp cloth to remove any dirt or grease and allow it to dry. Patch any holes or glaring imperfections with sparkling compound and sand smooth, then apply a coat of primer to seal the patches. Next lightly and quickly sand walls with 320grit sandpaper on a wall pole sander. You are now ready to paint. Be sure to gently sand between coats for the smoothest results.
How to avoid streaks showing when light hits?
Shut your blinds and turn off the lights so light doesn’t hit the walls. Obviously I’m kidding! Great question and a very common issue. First use a high quality paint with good reviews for working time/leveling. There is a huge difference between a cheap low cost paint and a quality paint, and in my opinion you can’t go wrong with Benjamin Moore Aura.
Second, you want to move quick enough to keep a nice wet edge on your painting area. A paint additive like Floetrol will extend the drying time helping you smooth everything out.
Third, being consistent with the amount of paint being applied and the amount of pressure applied on the roller pad. Save your shoulder muscles and let the roller do the work, and don’t try and squeeze every drop of paint out of the roller. When it starts to get dry, get more paint. Finally, spend the money on high quality microfiber pads with a ⅜ in. or ½ in. nap. Just like the paint, there is a huge difference between a cheap roller pad and a quality roller pads.
Best way to calculate how much paint to buy?
Measure your space and calculate square footage of surface you will be painting. Most companies have a paint estimator based on square footage! If you are spray painting you want to calculate a little more to account for overspray.
Are you color matching Farrow and Ball paint?
We have the honor of partnering with them for these rooms! So we are using their pure formulas:) We have tried color matching before, but it’s hard to get an exact match due to how they formulate their colors. They also have primers that help bring out the paint color. We have had the best luck though at Benjamin Moore – usually depends on the colorist if it can be a close match or not! However, this is a great site that shares a cheat sheet of Farrow and Ball colors and what the closest match is in each paint brand/budget.
(Color: Dorset Cream by Farrow and Ball)
How do you get Farrow and Ball paint?
The best way is through their website. They offer a free color booklet to preview all colors, and sample pots to test on your walls. They have very fast shipping!
How long do you let it dry between coats?
Generally I do my best to follow whatever is advised on the side of the can as every paint is different and with some paints, painting too soon even if it feels dry, can have adverse effects on the long term durability.
YouTube channel for novice painters?
We are hoping to share more YouTube videos on our channel this year, and maybe even courses soon!
Is there a strategy you use with the order you paint a room?
I always have a plan. Like Hanabel Smith from the A-Team, I love it when a plan comes together;) Here is the general order I usually go by:
1) I always gently and lightly sand all wall and ceiling surfaces with 320 grit sandpaper on a pole sander.
2) If I have to paint trim that is high gloss, I will give that a light scuff with sandpaper as well.
3) Wipe down walls and trim with TSP diluted in water to clean and degrease the painting surfaces (ceiling not necessary).
4) Once prep is done, start with the ceiling. I like to cut in the edges before rolling, but only those edges that I am immediately working on to keep a wet edge. I will not cut in the opposite edge until I am ready to paint that side of the room. This helps things blend.
5) On to the walls! I cut in with the brush only on the side of the room or wall that I am currently working on followed by rolling.
6) Once all walls are done I finish up with trim. If the walls are fully cured I will tape the edges of the trim with FrogTape gentle surface tape to keep the wall edges clean.
What roller nap do you use on walls?
My preferred wall roller pads are a high quality microfiber ½ in nap roller pad (preferably one that is thermal fused as it helps to prevent shedding). The reason for a 1/2in nap as opposed to a traditional ⅜ nap is because it holds more paint which allows me to paint faster, but a ⅜ works great as well. Always wet the microfiber roller pad with water, wring it out very well, then fluff just before you start painting for best results.
My favorite would be the wooster roller pads with 3/8 in nap. These can be washed and reused multiple times.
Best brand and finish for a kid’s room?
Farrow and Ball Dead Flat or Benjamin Moore Eggshell. Both are very durable, easy to clean, and have great coverage. All are huge advantages when it comes to battling dirty little fingers
Ceiling tips?
You want a paint with no sheen to it, use a strong and sturdy extension pole, and a high quality roller pad that is 1/2in nap to hold more paint. Don’t be afraid to use a wider roller as well. Ceiling paints are very forgiving if they are of good quality and low sheen. Finally if furniture is not removed, quickly cover in plastic sheeting.
When it comes to paint, does price matter? Are you getting what you pay for?
YES! When it comes to paint, brushes, and rollers, price does matter!!!! Do not be afraid to pay more for quality paint and painting tools as it will provide you with a better final result and a more pleasant painting experience. From the paint to the tools I try to look at it like a long term investment, not a temporary throw away experience.
I would say an exception is Sherwin WIlliams Duration line – better price, but good quality!
Favorite Rollers? Favorite brushes for cutting in?
I shared all of my favorite paint supplies here! Let us know if there are any other questions we can answer. If you are a visual learner, we hope to share more about our painting tips and tricks course coming out soon!
