In the past I’ve painted using very light colors and just cutting the wall color by half for the ceiling.
My wife wants darker colors and I’m having a hard time with the line between the wall and ceiling.
How can I get this line straight? I’m thinking of using the easy off masking tape and being carefull not to flood it so the paint doesn’t get behind it.
What has worked for you?
Replies
Painting the ceiling first, with the ceiling paint coming down on the wall a half inch or so. Then using a high-quality synthetic angled 1½" brush. Going real slow and steady by hand. Have a wet rag handy on the ladder for oopses.
They also make a painting pad with little rollers that roll along the ceiling, but I've gotten better results with a good brush.
Thanks, That's what I've done in the past. I thought I might be missing something.
get yourself a good angular brush 2" will do fine and take your time, do not load the brush. Before you even start, take the brush, wet it and the spin it to release excess water and you should be able to cut a fine line. Remember, do not try to make a straight line with the first cut in, it will take at least 2-3 coats to get that dark color to blend. Good Luck, Jim Z
I've been doing just that. I'm almost done. I had to cut in around a tub enclosure as well. That was even more tedious. In places I flooded the corner and then wiped of the paint on the fiberglass with a cloth wrapped around a small screwdriver.
Thanks to all, David
The method wayne describes only I would use a 2-1/2" brush so I wouldn't have to load it up as often. Angled brush, cutting in dark to lite, wall to ceiling. And don't drink espresso b/4 you start.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Don't drink lots of beer while you work either, because the paint will look absolutely perfect till next day.
I was having the same problem until someone told me to buy better brushes - I've been using a Purdy angled 3" (you have to buy the one with the long bristles - I think that's an XL-Glide {latex}) for the job with only occassional touch-ups needed. Someone here instructed us quite a while back that you need to get the bristles to "roll" under so that you're putting most of the paint on the wall > 1/4" from your final line and then making your line with last inch of the brush-width (sort of a snow-plow effect).
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Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Edited 10/5/2003 3:31:53 AM ET by Phill Giles
masking tape is a pain in the butt, its twice your labor, you rely too heavily on its ability to make your line, and if your wall has any texture it will bleed under the edge.
High quality brushes and practice will be your best bet. I only use sash brushes in tight corners and regular brushes cutting in elsewhere, I like the 3inch brush to cut in the long stretches.
Placing your fingers on the ferule and the web of your hand just on the handle will let you have the best control. The farther your hand from the tip of the brush, the more wavy your line can be.
I like sherwin williams brushes for latex. Floetrol helps for blending away your brush marks. Penetrol for oil based (make sure, sometimes i get the two confused)
Two things you should never skimp on while painting, your paint and your brushes! Its amazing what quality those two items has on the results.