Unexpectedly, I found myself painting for the first time ever. It was all about painting the inside walls of a dry building after the elevator construction was done. It was way harder and more tiring than I thought. This piece captures the raw lessons I learned over three days with zero knowledge about painting – so take it with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of fun!
Essentials:
Putty, gesso, water-based paint in white/black, paint roller, flat brush, detail brush, paint tray, masking tape, vinyl gloves, mask, earplugs, hammer, wide scraper, etc.
They say it’s best to apply gesso on the wall and wait a few hours before painting. (Not quite sure why, but hey, sounds good!)
Paint trays from specialized stores have grooves. (Not in the ones from Daiso!) If you’re painting and it gets too hot and frustrating, you might end up slopping the paint. Without those grooves, paint might splash all over you or overflow the tray! (Want a taste of paint? Go ahead and use a Daiso tray.) When I was buying paint, I cheekily asked,
Hey sir, can I take one of these?
He said no. So I thanked him and took one anyway. 😅
If the wall, floor, or corner edges you’re painting aren’t smooth, use a wide scraper to boldly create right angles or flat surfaces. Remember, areas that look rough are tricky to paint and won’t come out looking clean even if you try your best. Fill any grooves or holes in the wall with putty to make it smooth, and you’ll save a ton of painting time!
Once the wall is roughly prepped, apply masking tape just outside the borders of where you’ll paint. (Never thought I’d nail this description in one sentence!)
It’s essential to stick the masking tape horizontally, but it’s trickier than it seems. If you can align the tape’s end with your eye level in a self-sacrificing spirit, you’re a pro. (And your clothes might get really messy!)
For the paint roller, I recommend getting a long-bristled one from a specialty shop. You can cover a large area with a single dip and fill small holes easily. Remember to press the roller hard against the tray to reduce excess paint when painting over the masking tape!
If not, the water-based paint might seep under the tape due to gravity. If you don’t want a shocking moment when removing the tape, control your paint!
You could also use Daiso’s cheap cotton rollers for the masking part. (They don’t hold much paint anyway!)
Once you’ve painted the large sections and the masked areas with the roller, finish the other spots with a brush. It’s trickier than it looks, especially near the wall and floor edges. If the floor holds the masking tape well, use it. If not, work as precisely as you can. (The overall quality will differ at this stage. Even art school grads might struggle!)
Don’t worry, water-based paint washes off easily with water. It’s not a tattoo!
Anyway, if I could give one last piece of advice, it would be to avoid painting if you can. I swear I won’t do it again. (Promise!) But if I ever get another shot, I feel I’d nail it. The word ‘opportunity’ sounds too positive, so I’m searching for another word, but I can’t find one. Anyway – once more for emphasis – don’t even think about asking me for painting help.
The end.
Leave a Reply