When your home interior is freshly painted, there is nothing quite as attractive as crisp, straight lines at the edges and corners. As anyone who has ever tried to achieve this knows, it’s not as easy as you might think! While anyone can make a straight line on paper with a ruler, getting straight lines for interior painting takes more time and skill. So, what are the tricks?
There is no magic tool or trick that does the work for you, but here are a few interior painting ideas to help you out:
Painter’s Tape for Interior House Painting
While painter’s tape might look simplistic, there is actually a lot of research and science that go into it. It needs to be sticky enough to stay on the wall, yet loose enough to pull away without destroying the paint underneath. Some brands even offer specialized tapes with extra properties preventing paint from seeping beneath them.
The first key to using painter’s tape correctly is to apply it with care. Use short, manageable lengths of about three feet, and apply them carefully to form a straight line. Make sure the lengths overlap at least an inch with each other. Press to seal firmly along the edge of the tape where the wet paint will contact it.
Next, as you do your interior painting, do your best not to get lots of paint on the seam of the tape. In fact, paint as if the tape was not even there, trying to make your straight lines without relying on the tape. This is because pools or drips of paint on the seam might seep underneath the tape, ruining your straight line.
Finally, take care in removing the tape. There are two times you can do this. First, you can do it within a half-hour of applying the paint, while it is still wet, but not too wet. Roll the “painty” tape into a ball as you peel it away to reduce the mess. This way, the paint on the tape has not bonded to the paint on the wall, and it peels away cleanly.
Alternatively, you can wait until the paint is completely dry. Then, take a sharp blade and gently cut right along the edge of the tape, just deep enough to separate the paint on the tape from that on the wall. Then, peel away!
Using a Straight Edge for Interior House Painting
Some people prefer to use a hand-held straight edge when they do their interior edges. With one hand, you hold the straight edge in the corner, and with the other, you paint. This method can be faster, and it can also work in some places where tape can’t, such as along the top edge of a wall where it joins a “popcorn” or textured ceiling.
If you plan to use this method, practice it first so that you get the hang of it. A couple more tips would include…
- Wipe off the straight edge frequently. This prevents it from “stamping” paint unintentionally where you don’t want it.
- Aim to make a straight line without the tool. Just as we said about using tape, the more paint you pool along the edge, the more likely it will seep around the barrier.
Can’t I Just Wing It? Painting Straight Lines by Hand
An experienced painter with a very steady hand can produce a beautiful, straight line with no tape or tools. However, this takes years of practice, and average do-it-yourselfers are not likely to be pleased with the results of this method. That said, here are some tips:
- Get your body as close as possible. If you have to reach high above your head or way out to the side, you are unlikely to succeed. This might mean moving your ladder more frequently.
- Make sure you have good lighting and visibility. Shadows will make it difficult, including the shadow of your own hand and brush, so it is good to have multiple lights at various angles.
- Use a new brush with a clean edge. Nothing is worse for freehand painting than a scraggly, irregular or stiff paintbrush.
- Load your brush with enough paint, but not enough to make it drip or run. Not enough, and your paint line will be patchy and thin. Too much, and you get globs and drips.
Work with a Professional Interior House Painting Company
For best results in interior painting, trust your home to someone who specializes in exactly that! When you work with a house painter like Cherry Hill Painting, you can be assured of crisp, clean lines and beautiful, smooth colors.
Cherry Hill Painting has been serving New Jersey and the Philadelphia region since 1968, offering exceptional craftsmanship and attentive customer service. In addition to interior painting, we also offer wallpaper removal, kitchen cabinet refinishing, exterior house painting, and more. Contact us today for a free interior painting estimate. You don’t need to check the fine print; straight lines are always included!