7 hacks to paint better with items in your home
From playing cards to masking tape and syringes, here are 7 painting hacks to help you paint better with items in your home.
7 hacks to paint better with items in your home
1. Foil for easy cleaning
Line a roller tray with foil before pouring paint in. When finished, carefully pick up the foil from the edges and throw it away.
There should be no paint in the tray to wash up. It’s always better to be painting rather than washing up!
Check out my other lazy tips for washing brushes.
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2. Masking tape for no hassle drawer refitting
When removing drawers from furniture, pop a note on the underside noting where they came from. Some drawers, especially in older pieces, will only fit well in one slot.
Adding paint or wax increases the thickness of the drawer and may then be harder to fit back in place. Knowing it’s going in the right spot at least makes sure you’re not trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
3. Playing cards for painting a mirror cleanly
When painting a frame, lining the mirror with tape isn’t ideal because it doesn’t get underneath the mirror edge.
As playing cards are strong and thin, they slot under the edge so you don’t have to be as precise. Remove the cards before the paint dries, so they don’t get stuck and voila, no paint on the mirror.
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4. A syringe for a clean paint can
Use a syringe to transfer paint to your (cling filmed!) roller tray. This avoids getting paint on the edges of the can. Dried paint stops the seal being air tight and is more likely to dry out the paint. You also have better control and don’t waste paint by pouring out too much at the start.
Have you checked out my 6 painting tips post yet?
5. A syringe for recreating a DIY colour
Don’t feel restricted to only the paint colours you already own. You can DIY a colour by combining different paints.
As syringes have measurements on them, portion out how much you use of each colour and record it. Update it until you have the right colour and you will always be able to recreate it.
6. A spray bottle to keep paint wet for longer
Chalk paint in particular can dry out quickly while you work. Use a spray bottle to spray a light mist of water over the paint to keep it slightly wet. This makes it easier to move the paint around and lengthens the time you have to work with it. It’s especially helpful when blending different colours together.
7. A paper bag for a smooth finish
Not just for school lunches or health food shops… Brown paper from these bags work well as a very final sand on a finished piece. This gives it the ultimate smooth finish. Now you just have to buy something healthy for your free sandpaper.
I hope you enjoyed these 7 painting hacks to help you paint better with items from your home.
Have you tried any of them? Or have any others you can share? Please let me know in the comments.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like to read the 5 must-haves for upcycling.
Hi there! I'm Rachel Bowyer, a passionate DIY enthusiast with a knack for transforming the old into something beautifully new. With a deep love for furniture painting, refinishing, and the art of crafting. I've been documenting my DIY projects and restoration journey since 2018. I specialise in techniques like decoupage, stencilling, and decor transfers. Join me as we explore the world of creativity and home improvement, one project at a time.