We've helped you avoid common painting mistakes, but what can you do to take your DIY projects to the next level? Having proper tools can make a difference, but the real payoff lies in proper technique. We've gathered the best painting techniques for interior and exterior projects to impress professionals.

Prep is where the magic happens. A flawless finish starts long before the first brushstroke. Proper preparation is the unsung hero of any successful paint job, ensuring your hard work results in a professional-looking finish that lasts. Think of it as creating a pristine canvas, free from imperfections that could sabotage your efforts.

Neglecting prep work can lead to a host of problems, from poor paint adhesion and uneven coverage to unsightly blemishes and premature peeling. By taking the time to properly clean, sand, repair, and prime your surfaces, you'll create a smooth, uniform base that allows the paint to adhere properly, resulting in a more durable and visually appealing finish.

Prepping for an interior project goes beyond sanding. When starting an interior project, there are a few aspects to consider before prepping starts

• Ventilation: Part of prepping your space means properly ventilating your space. This includes opening the windows for proper ventilation, utilizing humidifiers and taking breaks while painting. While ventilation is more important when using oil-based stains, these are still tips to utilize the using latex paint as well.
  

• Lighting: Before prepping the wall for paint, confirm that your desired paint color is just as stunning as it was at the store. Depending on the color temperature and amount of lighting your space gets throughout the day, a color you loved in store may not look the same in your home. Always test a color before you commit and look at the swatch throughout the day to know what it will look like in different lighting. 

The right environment matters whether you're doing an interior or exterior paint project. However, outdoor paint projects require more prep to ensure longevity for years to come.

• Weather: Avoid painting in direct sunlight, extreme heat or when rain is expected. Extreme conditions like this negatively affect paint adhesion.
• Surface Preparation: Power wash to remove dirt, mildew, and loose paint. Scrape away any peeling paint and prime bare wood to improve paint adhesion.
• Paint: Use exterior-grade paint designed to withstand the elements.
  

The secret to mastering a technique is having quality tools. After all, half of the result comes from using the right tools for the job. While not a comprehensive list, here are a few of the most common paint tools and the job they are best for.

• Brushes: The workhorse of any painting project. Choose high-quality brushes with synthetic bristles for latex paints and natural bristles for oil-based paints.
  • Angled Brush: This brush is perfect for "cutting in" along trim, corners, and edges. The angled bristles provide precision and control.
  • Foam Brush: These disposable, inexpensive foam brushes are best for applying thin coats of paint or varnish.

• Rollers: Ideal for covering large, flat surfaces quickly and efficiently. Choose the right nap length for your surface texture.

• Paint Sprayers: Allows you to achieve a smooth, even finish on large or intricate surfaces, but they require practice and proper safety precautions.
  • Airless Sprayer: Delivers a high-pressure stream of paint and is ideal for large projects like exterior siding or fences.
  • HVLP (High Volume, Low Pressure) Sprayer: Provides a more controlled spray with less overspray, making it suitable for finer finishes on cabinets, furniture and trim.
  • Aerosol Spray Paint: Convenient for small projects and touch-ups but can be less consistent than other sprayers.

• Extension Poles: These can be added to roller covers and sponges, allowing you to reach high walls and ceilings without straining your back.
• Paint Trays: Hold paint for easy access with rollers and brushes.
• Putty Knives: For smoothing spackle and applying painter's tape.

Now that we've discussed which tools will deliver the best results for a specific project, let's discuss how to use those tools properly.

1. Apply low-tack painter's tape on the trim to create a sharp, even line.
2. Press and smooth your tape with a putty knife or a credit card to keep paint from seeping under the tape edge.
3. Once your paint is dry to the touch, remove the tape by slowly peeling it back over itself.

Shop tape

1. Hold a brush near the base of the handle.
2. Dip half the bristles into the paint and tap on the lip of the can. Don't wipe it on the side.
3. Paint with enough pressure to bend the bristles slightly — don't bear hard on the brush.
4. A 1-2" brush offers good control so it is well-suited for detail work such as cutting in around windows or painting molding. To apply paint to larger surfaces such as doors, use a 3-4" brush.
   

Shop brushes

1. Roll the roller slowly into the paint in the tray. Then, roll it back and forth until the roller cover is evenly coated with paint.
2. Roll onto the tray's ridges to remove excess paint.
3. For smooth surfaces: Cover about a two-foot square using an "N" or "W" pattern. Cross-roll to spread the paint. Finish with light roller strokes in one direction at a right angle to the cross-roll.
4. If the surface you are painting is porous or textured, use a heavy-nap roller cover (1/2" or more). On a smoother surface, use a 1/4" nap to maximize sheen.
5. For horizontal or vertical siding: Follow the direction of the siding and cover about four linear feet at a time (with a nine-inch roller cover).

Shop roller covers, frames and accessories

1. Mask off any areas you don't want to be painted. Thin your paint according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Hold the sprayer 6-12 inches from the surface and move it in a smooth, even motion. Overlap each pass by about 50%.
3. Clean your sprayer immediately after use to prevent clogs and ensure it's ready for your next project.

Shop paint spray equipment

What is the best way to get professional-looking results? Use the same techniques the pros use! These techniques are easy to learn and make a big difference.

Painting the trim before painting the walls allows you to be less precise. If you get a little paint on the wall while painting the trim, you can easily cover it up. Plus, taping off the trim is often easier than the walls.

Priming your patches before painting works for two reasons. First, compound absorbs paint, which can dull the sheen you've chosen for your walls. Second, walls aren't perfectly smooth, so the newly patched section will likely stick out once the paint has dried.

Brush strokes and rollers have different textures. While cutting in around the edges of the walls helps to get precise coverage around the trim, it can leave behind unsightly brushstrokes. To combat this, use a three-inch roller to immediately roll over your paintbrush strokes for a consistent texture on your walls.

Plastic drop cloths seem like a good idea until you remember they're slippery, don't absorb spills, and must be taped in place. Canvas drop cloths are not only eco-friendly but will also stay in place as you walk on them and absorb small spills, offering more protection for your floors.

Sometimes, there are projects where keeping a wet edge isn't possible. You'll run into this with large projects or while painting a ceiling. To avoid visible lap marks, feather the paint at the edges with a dry roller, gradually thinning the coat as you move away from the wet area. Paint over the feathered edge as you make your way through your project.

Sanding between coats of paint removes imperfections and creates a smooth surface for the next coat. Use fine-grit sandpaper (220-grit or higher) or steel wool to lightly sand the surface between coats of paint. Be sure to wipe away any sanding dust before applying the next coat.

If you've done your fair share of DIY projects and want to take on a bit of a challenge, here are a few painting techniques to add texture and personality to your space. While these techniques are not hard to execute, they are time-consuming and may require some testing to achieve your desired look.

Color washing creates a soft, subtle, and textured effect that mimics the look of aged plaster or weathered stone often found in rustic, farmhouse, Tuscan and shabby chic homes. To create a textured, aged look, apply a thin, translucent layer of paint (glaze) over a base coat.

Achieve the Look. Mix a glaze with your desired paint color. Apply the base coat and let it dry completely. Brush the glaze mixture onto the wall in a random pattern, then use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away some of the glaze, revealing the base coat underneath. Experiment with different wiping techniques to achieve the desired effect.

Sponging adds depth and dimension by dabbing paint onto the surface with a sponge. The mottled effect adds visual interest to the wall and is a popular painting technique among eclectic, bohemian, and Mediterranean-style interiors.

Achieve the Look. Apply a base coat and let it dry completely. Dip a sea sponge into your desired paint color, then dab it onto the wall in a random pattern. Vary the pressure and angle of the sponge to create different textures.

Roll a rag dipped in paint over the surface to create a unique, textured finish that complements traditional, romantic and country styles.

Achieve the Look. Apply a base coat and let it dry completely. Dip a clean rag into your desired paint color, then roll it into a loose cylinder. Roll the rag over the wall randomly, overlapping each pass slightly.

Stenciling is a versatile technique that allows you to add unique patterns and designs to your walls with stencils.

Achieve the look. Position the stencil on the wall and secure it with painter's tape. Use a stencil brush or foam roller to apply paint to the stencil, using a light, dabbing motion. Remove the stencil carefully and repeat the process to create a pattern. 

Ready to roll up your sleeves and bring your vision to life? Whether aiming for a subtle refresh or a dramatic makeover, you can bring your styles to life with these painting techniques. Browse our high-quality paints, brushes, rollers and other paint essentials at your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams.