26 faster and neater painting tricks

A proper paintbrush comb is the best tool for cleaning a brush instead of just running it under water.

Unlike other brush-cleaning tools, a comb penetrates and cleans deep between the bristles.

Rinsing the brush and using the comb at the same time also prevents the bristles from sticking together, which helps your paintbrush stay soft and retain its shape for longer.

Paint can work its way up into the bristles covered by the steel ferrule on the brush handle and if you don’t clean it out, it will build up and cause the brush to stiffen.

Comb out the bristles, run water down into the ferrule, then comb again before leaving the brush to dry.

Don’t neglect your roller.

If you don’t rinse it off, you’ll end up with hardened paint inside the bushings or bearings, resulting in a paint roller that ultimately doesn’t roll.

Keeping your painting tools clean doesn’t have to be expensive.

A good trick is to use a $2 pot scrubber from the supermarket.

Metal rusts, and the metal bushings or bearings in your paint roller are no exception.

Do yourself a favour and spray a little lubricant on your roller before you store it.

A rusty roller can also squeak and pushing a roller back and forth for several hours is monotonous enough without adding a few thousand squeaks.

Good ventilation is essential when painting, for your health and to speed up the drying time of the finish.

In summer, keeping the air flowing will also ensure that you can finish the job without getting overheated.

No matter how careful you are, you’re bound to get paint on something you didn’t mean to, so keep a can of paint remover on hand for those little goofs.

Formulated paint remover is great for removing dried paint from trim, benchtops, door hinges, vinyl floors or whatever it is you spilled on.

Some new roller covers, usually the cheaper ones, have a layer of fuzz that comes off the cover.

The first time you load one up, the paint mixes with the fuzz and creates bumps on the wall.

Remove the fuzz by wrapping masking or painter’s tape around the roller cover.

When you pull the tape off, the excess fuzz will come too.

Make life easier by investing in an easy-pour lid for paint tins.

The Shur-Line Pour & Store Paint Can Lid, is flexible so it’s simple to slip over the rim and it seals better than a metal lid.

It also makes it easy to pour paint into a small container for brush work.

For air-free storage, push down the spout and close the vent.

When you’re doing a job that requires the application of several colours, simplify the painting process and also save on cleaning time by decanting the paint into resealable plastic bags.

When it’s time to change colours, all you have to do is swap the bag that’s in the paint bucket.

When you paint a room, always save the leftover paint for touch-ups.

Water-based paint keeps for 10 years and oil-based paint for up to 15.

Write the name of the paint colour, reference number, purchase date and the room where it was used on the lid.

On the outside of the tin, mark the paint level so you know how much is left without opening the lid.