Painting Tips To Make Your Life Easier | From a Non-Painter
Okay, I love most all craftings things – knitting, crocheting, sewing, Cricuting (yes, I made that a verb)….but painting is one thing I just can’t “love”. I love the outcome and the end product, but the actual painting part is not something I love. So here are some painting tips to make your life easier.
Maybe I don’t do enough of it. I know for sure I don’t have the right workspace for it – I often paint on the floor of my garage and in winter, it’s cold out there. Yet I love painted signs and stuff like that. Are you like me? Want to love it, but struggle? Here are some painting tips from someone who is not a painter.
I am not a professional. I envy those who love painting and paint well. Even painting walls – although I like the end product – is not something I’m a big fan of. I’ve done a few painting projects including finishing the frames when doing reverse canvas projects, as well as the Christmas Eve Box.
Those are small projects. I’d love to try bigger painting projects. I am not a painter, but I have definitely picked up a few tips along the way. So even if only 1 or 2 of these tips are helpful to you, that’s something, isn’t it?
Painting Tips from a Non-Painter
- Workspace – painting takes lots of room! Little projects that I can do on my kitchen table or even my kitchen floor are okay. I don’t mind that. But when I’m working on a big order you need space.
Non-painter tip: Find yourself lots of room. For me, that’s the garage. But you know what? It’s cold out there. And I have to sit on the ground and paint. That means bending over. You may need some Advil once you’re done for that sore back or that kink in your neck. At night it’s dark – my garage does not have the best lighting. And did I mention it’s cold? So find yourself a big space. When you have a big order, you want to be able to paint multiple pieces at a time. - It’s messy. Despite what you may think if you walked into my home (!) – I’m not a fan of messy. To me, there’s a difference between having lots of stuff out (because I’m crafting) and mess. I seem to get paint drips everywhere.
Non-painter tip: Put lots of newspaper down everywhere. My drips still seem to manage to miss the paper, however.
Non-painter tip: When finishing wood (not painting), I prefer a gel stain as it doesn’t drip! But it does take longer to apply as I use a foam brush. With paint, you can use a roller and it’s quicker. But, I can also get away with a single coat with gel stain on my crafts. I like the look of a light stain. You can’t get away with that with paint. For gel stain, I use disposable foam brushes and just throw them away afterwards.
Non-painter tip: You’ll need painting clothes. I don’t have painting clothes. Correction – NOW I have painting clothes….some of those drips are on my sweatpants. Most of it washes out. You can scrub it out, but it’s not perfect. Don’t wear your best lululemon to paint! Yes, that may be common sense, but perhaps you’re like me and think, “I’m not a messy person. I can do this without making a mess. I don’t need to change.” I have yet to figure out a non-messy way of painting. When I figure that out, I’ll let you know.
Non-painter tip: Get a box of disposable gloves too. I don’t know how I manage to get paint on my hands and then on the brush handles – it’s a no-win situation. It seems like paint is everywhere. - It smells. It’s not a nice smell.
Non-painter tip: Choose non-latex and non-oil based paints. Those are the smelliest. Make life easier – get the water-based stuff. It’s also easier to clean up. Did I mention I get drips? This is especially important if you are working in your house. - It takes forever! Okay, I’m an instant gratification type of person. I love crafting and I love seeing the end result. Painting delays that. Do a coat. Wait. Do another coat. Wait again. For me, it seems like it takes forever. This is where having a big workspace can help – do as much as you can at once.
Non-painter tip: Look for shortcuts. For painting my wooden crates a colour (as opposed to a stain), I’ll use paint plus primer. It’s one less step. Yes, it costs a bit more, but the thought of doing an extra coat and taking even more time simply does not appeal to me.
Non-painter tip: Since you’ll have to come back subsequently for each coat, wrap your brushes and even your paint tray in saran wrap. This way you won’t have to wash them every single time. Make sure it’s wrapped around the handle to keep it sealed. Not having to clean everything each time was so much easier! - Clean-up. It always seems like a big production when I paint. There’s lots of stuff involved.
Non-painter tip: Again, look for shortcuts. Use the disposable liners in your paint trays. Yes, it’s an added cost, but scrubbing those trays out in my kitchen sink is not a whole lot of fun. Plus I know it can’t be foodsafe!
Non-painter tip: Water-based paint or finish also makes brush clean-up easier too. - Painting takes time. You can’t rush painting. Rushing produces uneven coats and drips. Then you need to go back and either reapply or do touch-ups. I feel like I’m constantly doing touch-ups. The perfectionist in me sees every little imperfection and it drives me crazy.
Non-painter tip: Don’t rush. I don’t accept rush orders on items that need to be painted. Give yourself lots of time. More time than you think.
Okay, so despite all my complaints (boy, I sound like a whiner), I do love painted projects. I have other painted projects planned. Just wait, I’ll be posting more painting projects. These painting tips are to help any of you out there who are like me.
Have some more tips? Share them with us in the comments. I’m all for ways to make painting easier and better.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to love painting. But I’m just not good at it – yet. In school, we talk about the power of yet… This is a good example of a skill that I need to work on and develop over time.
