| Painting is one of those jobs that can | | | | moistening the rollers slightly so you |
| go on forever; repair the walls, primer | | | | don't get fluff all over the walls. |
| the walls, apply two coats of paint, and | | | | Remember, it's a party: Keep things |
| then run around fixing all the spots you | | | | light and fun. Get the music going, as |
| missed. Maybe you've just bought a new | | | | it makes for a more enjoyable |
| home or are trying to get your current | | | | atmosphere. You may even have prizes for |
| house sale ready, a painting party can | | | | the person wearing the least amount of |
| help you get this done quickly. Debbie | | | | paint at the end. It's also a good idea |
| Travis has some great tips for | | | | to take pictures of the day. |
| organizing a successful party to get | | | | Food makes a party: If you want people |
| your home painted in no time. | | | | to work, they need to be fed. Have some |
| Get organized: You've got all those | | | | snacks, pop and water handy, but it's |
| extra bodies at your disposal, and you | | | | not always a good idea to open the beer |
| want to make the best use of them Start | | | | right away. Maybe you could offer them a |
| early; have all the pre-painting work | | | | beer after they finish every coat, and |
| completed before your team arrives. Make | | | | have a big dinner to celebrate. |
| sure the pictures are taken off the | | | | Start early: You tend to get a lot more |
| walls, fill those nail holes, cover the | | | | done if you start early; people are more |
| furniture (if necessary), and lay the | | | | focused and have more energy. Have the |
| drop sheets. Taping off the edges of | | | | coffee and muffins ready, while you're |
| trim, doorknobs and hinges could be done | | | | handing out paint and assigning rooms. |
| now, but keep in mind that sometimes it | | | | Decide who will be painting what, and |
| unsticks if left too long. | | | | remember that the more meticulous types |
| Priming the walls: According to Debbie, | | | | of personality will be best suited for |
| you only need to prime the walls if: | | | | trim or those fidgety types of jobs. |
| You're covering areas where you've | | | | Spread your workers around so that they |
| filled in holes. | | | | don't bump into each other; about two |
| If you're painting a lighter color over | | | | people per wall works well. |
| a darker color. | | | | If you haven't completed taping around |
| If you're painting over alkyd paint or | | | | the trim, get the gang started on this, |
| if you're unsure what the base paint is | | | | and then suggest they begin by cutting |
| - if you simply cover alkyd paint with a | | | | in. Basically this means painting around |
| latex without priming, the paint will | | | | the trim, door handles, hinges and any |
| scrape off. | | | | other place a roller can't reach. It's a |
| She offers the tip that if your base is | | | | good idea to complete the walls and |
| a dark color, it's a good idea to tint | | | | ceiling first, leaving the trim for |
| your primer with it, and you'll use | | | | last. |
| fewer coats. | | | | Time to celebrate: Have a place where |
| Get plenty of tools: Make certain that | | | | your guests can get cleaned up before |
| no one is standing around looking for a | | | | dinner. If the fumes are strong, you may |
| brush or a roller by ensuring you have | | | | want to plan a BBQ or dinner on the |
| enough for everyone. Consider the jobs | | | | patio. Let everyone know how much you |
| you'll be assigning, if the trim is | | | | appreciate their help and pass around |
| being painted, you may need some small | | | | the pictures taken from the day. |
| trim brushes as well. Debbie suggests | | | | |