In the few years that my family and I have lived in our new house, we have painted almost all rooms including the kitchen!
The only place left with its original paint is the upstairs hallway and the bathrooms.
I love the appearance of a newly painted room but I never used to look forward to painting.
Who does, anyway?
Today, I’d like to share with you some tips about interior painting, how to paint around molding or against a ceiling without using any tape.
I’ve said “interior” painting because external painting is a whole different thing!
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How to Paint Without Tape (Step by Step Guide)
To get the best results when painting without a painter’s tape, follow this guideline:
Don’t spend much on supplies.
Initially, I used to use big box brand paint and generic brushes.
However, my paint would go on thin, leave streaks, spray all over, and I would have to paint on numerous coats to obtain the right color.
I learned my lesson! I have since moved to Benjamin Moore paint and it does produce wonders.
It covers beautifully and I have never had to use more than two paint coats.
I would recommend that you use cheap rollers to use together with the primer, and sponge rollers or fine fuzz for the topcoat
Purchase a metal paint tray and cheap liners in bulk.
Use old bed sheets, towels, or curtains as drop cloths.
Purchase a great large-angled brush to use in edging – you will never have to tape edges again!
Prime everything. If you want to cover both the trim and wall, priming will be quite easy because you will don’t need to know where your edge is except for the ceiling.
Edge without tape.
Take a clean, large-angled brush, load it with paint, and gently rest it close to the edge that you intend to paint.
Ensure that it does not glop a lot. Move the brush carefully until you reach the edge.
Use the brush’s side to create a straight edge.
Move the brush against the edge steadily until you begin running low on your paint.
Now move your brush perpendicularly from the edge and complete your stroke.
Here is a useful tip to keep in mind – never try edging if you’re cold or drunk.
Roll along with the bead of paint.
If you notice a bead of paint, push against the molding to create a straight edge until the bead goes away.
When painting your walls, ensure that you maintain a wet edge.
I prefer to edge a nit then roll a bit because the roller offers a smoother finish which better blends the edging.
If you roll first on the paint then proceed to paint your edges with a brush, you will observe some brush marks.
Painting Without Painters Tape
In our home, we have eventually lost track of the whereabouts of our blue painter’s tape.
We still use it from time to time to cover the hinges and doorknobs that we are lazy to remove, but we no longer waste our time taping and painstakingly stripping the tape.
We do all that without ruining our painting efforts.
More so, we have adapted to nearly all bumps in the wall.