How to paint walls

Step 5 Gettin' Edgy

Make sure the cat is still locked in the bathroom. Open the can. Using your edge brush, paint a band about 2 inches wide around all the edges of the wall and around any doors or windows. This is called "cutting in". In order to get a neat line where the wall meets woodwork or a wall of another color, there are several different methods. Most beginners find using painters masking tape easy. This blue tape is pressed along the edge you are trying to protect, then you just brush along it. When the paint is dry, peel off the tape. I find that the pain can easily leak under the tape, thus not giving a perfect result. Additionally I think it is a waste of money and resources to through out something after only using it once. Another method is to buy a foam pad edger kit and follow the instructions. The final method takes practice but gives superior results. This is to use and edge brush ( a slanted specialty brush) or a small and soft paint brush. You dip the brush into the paint, allowing more than the usual amount to remain on it. This is called "loading" the brush. You then very carefully and slowly pull the brush along the edge. Allowing the excess paint to make a smooth line as you pull the brush down. Learning how much paint to load the brush with so it won't drip, is as important as learning how to push the bead of paint along in a straight line. Practice makes perfect. And a good way to practice is to put on the painters tape and then use the loaded brush method. By the time you finish your first wall, you'll probably be very good at it.