As “The Wall Wizard,” Brian Santos knows what it takes to get a quality painted surface.
The painting expert, author of the new “Painting and Wallpapering Secrets” (Wiley), recently shared tips on making the popular fall decorating project easier.
What painting boils down to, he pointed out, is planning.
Photo Courtesy of Brian SantosBrian Santos, also known as "The Wall Wizard," offers tips to make painting your home easier this fall.
“Eighty percent of the job is in the preparation and installation,” Santos said. “People hate to do that, prepare.”
His first rule of thumb is “don’t use toothpaste to fill holes in the wall,” which he calls “an old college trick.” Those containing fluoride can whiten and brighten paint, Santos said. He suggests using the DAP Patch Stick instead. The quick-drying, spackling stick can be used to fill nail holes, small dents or cracks in walls.
He also advises against using soap and water to wash walls and woodwork. Soap can repel paint off the surface, he explained, noting that water followed by a water-based paint doesn’t allow the paint to stick. Use 91 percent rubbing alcohol, a degreaser/deglosser that evaporates and won’t leave a residue behind.
PAINTING FROM THE PANTRY
Other tools for preparation can be found around the home, something Santos refers to as “painting from the pantry.” For example, a few drops of vanilla in a quart of latex paint can take the smell out, he said, while lip balm, like Chapstick, can be applied around the edges of glass windows to protect them from paint.
“If you’re painting the molding, you won’t get it on the glass,” Santos explained, adding that baby wipes can be used to clean off the Chapstick when you’re finished.
To keep hardware paint-free, the expert suggests applying rubber cement around the edges of knobs, handles, locks, etc. Describing it as “ liquid masking tape,” Santos said it should easily peel off the surface when your painting project is completed.
If you’re looking to keep your hands clean as you work, think cooking spray. “By coating your skin with oil, paint won’t stick,” Santos said, advising using the original version of the product.
Once you’re finished painting, use cat litter to absorb leftover paint instead of spilling the toxic liquid down the drain and harming plumbing. Simply line a 5-gallon bucket with a trash bag, Santos instructed, fill it three-quarters full of litter and pour in the paint.
NEW PRODUCTS
Proper preparation also involves choosing the right applicators. Santos, who tests new products, suggests investing in the Green Toad pivoting paint brush, a biodegradable and compostable painting system with a rotating brush head that allows you to paint awkward angles.
“People love gadgets,” he observed, noting, “I look for good, solid investments.”
Santos also suggests investing in a good brush and roller spinner, which uses centrifugal force to clean brushes and roller covers, increasing their lifespan. He also advises pouring a half-cup of fabric softener into a gallon of water and cleaning brushes in the solution every two hours to keep them in tip-top shape.
Another must-have is a good ladder; the painter/author prefers a Werner 264 platform ladder, a two-step version that weighs about 12 pounds and folds up compactly when not in use.
And of course, there’s the paint. Don’t scrimp when it comes to this tool, Santos said, since you usually get what you pay for. He recommends purchasing paints that offer primer and paint in one from companies like Behr and Valspar. This eliminates the need to prime and repaint, thus reducing the time you have to spend on the project. Santos also advises seeking out low-VOC or low-odor paints, which are more environmentally friendly.
“It’s all about the preparation,” Santos affirmed. “If you don’t prepare, it doesn’t matter.”
For more information, visit www.thewizardsworkshop.com.
Andrea Boyarsky is a features reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at boyarsky@siadvance.com.
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