I have interior walls painted with contrasting colors that meet in the corners and at the ceiling. Whoever did the original painting got perfectly straight lines. I tried painting the walls of a small laundry room the same way and got poor results. I tried taping the corners and cutting with a sharp knife but found that the knife wandered leaving a snaky line. Even where the line was straight the paint would wick under the tape leaving a mess. Worse yet, the knife cut through the dry wall backing paper and the tape pulled some of it loose. Would a straight-edge and spayer give good results? What about putting the paint in a small hand operated spay bottle? How do I get decent results? Thanks.
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I'm going to guess that the painter before you was experienced, using only a high quality angle brush and a steady hand.
Not being a painter I can get reasonable results with that method.
The only way that I know of to use masking tape for lines is to use a sprayer with multiple light passes. Also steady hand brush like Scott said. I have also used one of those pad painters with the edge rollers with acceptable results- still takes a good eye and steady hand, though.
Ken Hill
Paint can bleed under tape regarless of how it is applied if the tape is not good and adhered to a clean, smooth surface. I am betting that the original painter either did the work freehand as a professional or had new clean, smooth, primered surface to stick the tape to. he made sure the corner edge of the tape was stuck by rubbing his finger or thumb down it. I can't figure out why you needed a knife to remove tape. Peel it when the paint has just been applied before it cures solid.
Excellence is its own reward!
I find painting relaxing. A no brainer job. Since the whole neighbour hood seems to know I end up doing alot of painting for others as well. Of course I charge which helps my pocket as well. What I'm getting at is PRACTICE. Been painting since I was a teenager with my Dad. He never used masking tape to cut in. Always used a 4" paint brush too. Even for the smallest of mullions.
Scott R. was right about the brush. A good brush makes all the difference. Go cheep and get cheep results. A good brush will cost but cleaned properly and stored with the bristles wraped in a towel to dry straight will only get better with age and use.
On a similar thought, watching trading spaces drives me nuts to watch these "guys" paint. They smear paint in the middle of the room to show the viewers the color choice, they never seem to trim out the corners, and they never seem to roll in both directions to "pull" the paint. Then the end result looks good. Of course they use a wide angle lens and take it from as far back as possible.
Sorry for kvetching like they do in the kitchen. Good luck and practice
On a similar thought, watching trading spaces drives me nuts to watch these "guys" paint.
You're not alone on that! It also helps that resolution of stndard broadcast TV is crude, at best. They say the switch to hi-definition TV is going to significantly increase set costs because of the increased level of detail which will show.
Yeah, lets not start or we will hijack this thread. Maybe start one in the tav. I'll start under "Trading Spaces etc.."
First, mask a straight line in the corner, then BRUSH a quick coat of laquer on your" tape to paint" line to seal the" masking to wall "line before you paint. Now paint away, brush, roll spray...no matter. Peel tape when dry...perfect line.
keith
Seen that on Bob Vila show, a woman was pin striping some stenciling and she did it with a clear water base sealer and it worked great.
After Bob told her how to do it did she say "Yes Bob, but today we're gonna do it a little different" This is what every other person has said to "Bob"
"Yes Bob, but today we're gonna do it a little different"
Maybe 'cause Bob's a little different ???
"If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?"
We spray the trim in our houses first, then tape it all off to cut and roll the walls. Since we always have laquer around, that's what we use, dries fast, flakes off easily when done, and doesn't leave a build-up line on the wall under the paint. We seal all the tape, around windows, doors , mantles, base etc...