Painting Tips

With spring right around the corner, here are some handy painting hints:

• Out of masking or painters tape? When painting windows only, carefully rub Vaseline or shortening on the glass along the wood. Clean with dish soap when the paint is good and dry.

• Wrap a rag around the handle of your brush and it will catch any runs from the brush instead of your hand.

• When you are finished painting, make a quarter size circle on the lid so you know what color is in the can.

• Pour a small amount of the paint into a container you can hold in one hand; it keeps your can cleaner and you aren't carrying around a heavy paint can.

• Mark how much paint is left on the outside of the can.

• Punch a couple of holes in the rim under the lid for extra paint to drip back into the can from your brush.

• Wipe the extra paint out of the rim before putting the lid back on it will make getting the lid off next time much easier.

• Lay plastic wrap on the surface of the paint sealing the air out, it will keep the paint from drying out.

• If you are going to be painting with the same roller or brush within 24 hours or so, tightly wrap both or either in plastic wrap and submerge in water. Place outside or in a cool place.

By Ann Winberg from Loup City, NE