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