6 Painting Problems That Are Really Easy to Avoid

Turns out, the frustration you feel every time you attempt to paint a room has much more to do with incorrect technique than bad paint or weird walls. Specifically, you're probably using your paint roller or brush wrong. But we believe people can change! Read on to get the deets on the six painting problems you can easily avoid, therefore pre-empting a paint-induced shame spiral next time you decide your bedroom needs a makeover.

1. Don't use a bone-dry paint roller

Before you do anything else, you actually want to wet the paint roller cover with water. This primes the roller cover to soak up as much paint as possible. But don't go too crazy. We suggest removing excess moisture with a paper towel and a good shake of the roller so it's just slightly damp. If your roller cover is completely saturated with water, it won’t be able to take on any more liquid (in this case, paint!).

2. Don't assume you can use the same type of paint roller cover for all projects

Fun-ish fact: The best roller varies depending on the job and the type of paint you're using. Cohwa recommends a 3/8-inch-thick roller cover for most finishes, but for high-gloss, you should use a thinner, 1/4-inch-thick cover. For textured walls like brick, you'll need a 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch-thick cover to get in all the nooks and crannies.

3. Don't wipe your paintbrush against the can's rim

This is a common bad habit we all need to break. When you go to put the lid back on later, you'll be faced with a mess. Instead, let the brush drip over the can to remove any excess paint or, if you must, gently tap the bristles of the brush against the inside of the can.

4. Don't dip your paintbrush all the way to the handle

It's tempting to saturate the brush, but that's not a good idea. The paint should only come up to the halfway point on the bristles. Any more, and you'll be at risk for unnecessary messes and wasted paint.

5. Don't make paint strokes shorter than 12 inches

This is how you end up with the dreaded uneven finish. Cohwa suggests making your strokes longer—up to the length of your arm—and smoother (no stopping and starting in the middle!) for the best results.

6. Don't leave your tools out during a break

When you come back, you'll be faced with a crusty, unusable paint roller or brush—no thanks. Try this method instead: If you’re reusing the paint color and applicator the next day, wrap or place the applicator securely in plastic wrap or a grocery bag and place it in the fridge. This will save you the step of washing the applicator and starting the saturation process from scratch.