painting ...getting it even?

[aliferste]

Hiya,

I am doing a spot of painting. My gf wants one wall a different colour from all the rest and this is th eone I am painting. I have tried using masking tape in the past and have found it takes off the emulsion on the wall you are trying to protect thus causing even more of a mess so is there any tips to try ?

I tried trying to keep my hand steady and with a tiny brush but still found it pretty messy.....any tips ?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by aliferste

Hiya,

I am doing a spot of painting. My gf wants one wall a different colour from all the rest and this is th eone I am painting. I have tried using masking tape in the past and have found it takes off the emulsion on the wall you are trying to protect thus causing even more of a mess so is there any tips to try ?

I tried trying to keep my hand steady and with a tiny brush but still found it pretty messy.....any tips ?

Place the brush on the wall, a bit away from the edge you're trying to do. Then roll/rotate the brush towards the edge, so you're essentially only using a small bit of the brush. I hope that makes sense.

Edit: that's assuming a round brush

[the_beast666]

a steady hand and a cutting brush , have a look at your choice of diy store for a brush that has an angled edge , not a straight cut one

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

before you put the masking tape on the wall you want to protect stick it to your clothes. This will make it less tacky and it wont damage the wall.

Personally i do it free hand with a brush, 2-3 inch brush running it length ways down the wall

[Rob]

Make sure you buy low tack masking tape. Also don't press it too hard to the wall, and finally don't leave it on for any length of time.

[Angua]

This technique works well. In effect you are almost "pushing" the edge of the brush into the corner.

[lippy]

As said by rob,
low tack tape and remove it straight after.

Tip for doing it freehand is long strokes with a quality 2" brush, don't overload the brush with paint.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by aliferste

I am doing a spot of painting. My gf wants one wall a different colour from all the rest and this is th eone I am painting. I have tried using masking tape in the past and have found it takes off the emulsion on the wall you are trying to protect thus causing even more of a mess so is there any tips to try ?

I've seen tools you can get in DIY stores that are basically a long straight edge with a handle on, you put that along the edge you want to paint, then any overspill goes on the tool rather than on the other wall.

You can probably fake something up with a piece of battening and a drawer handle or similar.

[Theodoric]

Originally Posted by Graham

I've seen tools you can get in DIY stores that are basically a long straight edge with a handle on, you put that along the edge you want to paint, then any overspill goes on the tool rather than on the other wall.

You can probably fake something up with a piece of battening and a drawer handle or similar.

Yes, I used to use them on the windows to prevent paint getting on the glass. They must be dirt cheap so it's hardly worth while making your own.

[Angua]

Originally Posted by Graham

I've seen tools you can get in DIY stores that are basically a long straight edge with a handle on, you put that along the edge you want to paint, then any overspill goes on the tool rather than on the other wall.

You can probably fake something up with a piece of battening and a drawer handle or similar.

IIRC they used to be called a "George" do not ask me why.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Angua

IIRC they used to be called a "George" do not ask me why.

Why not?!

[aliferste]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will try them out