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    47 Tips And Tricks To Ensure A Perfect Paint Job

    Painting can be a daunting and messy task. These helpful hacks will save you time and make your life way easier.

    1. Use a lint roller to clean the fuzzies off your cheap paint roller before you start.

    2. Swiffer the walls before painting.

    3. Line a paint tray with a plastic bag or aluminum foil.

    4. Cut out the side of a milk jug to create a paint holder with a built-in handle and brush-holder.

    5. Tap nails into each leg when painting a table or chair.

    6. For heavier pieces, use bed raisers.

    7. Make a long-reach paint pad for tight spaces.

    8. And protect awkward objects with plastic wrap.

    9. Trim off the edges of a used paint roller.

    10. Use this Martha Stewart kit to turn acrylic paint into a spray can.

    11. This is probably the best quality gold spray paint.

    12. Use the "W" or zig-zag method to get a smooth, even finish.

    13. You CAN paint concrete.

    14. Use this stuff before painting laminate and particleboard and you won't have to sand it.

    15. Use an old water bottle case to keep your paint supplies from accidentally dripping paint everywhere.

    16. To strip furniture indoors, remove paint with Citrustrip and cover with a garbage bag.

    17. Paint Vaseline over any tiny areas you DON'T want painted, like screws or hinges.

    18. For painting trim, use a stiff angled brush instead of bothering with painter's tape.

    19. When using this no-tape method, keep a wet rag on hand to wipe up any paint slip-ups.

    20. Use pimple pads that contain alcohol to wipe up small paint messes.

    21. Precision Q-tips are your friend.

    22. If you plan to save a paint roller, store it in a Ziploc bag, and keep it in a Pringles can.

    23. To help with paint fumes, add a tablespoon of vanilla extract to your paint and mix really well.

    24. If your tape is old and won't roll without peeling, place it in the microwave for 10 seconds.

    25. Before painting metal, wipe it down with vinegar.

    26. Need to take a break or waiting for paint to dry? Wrap your brush/roller in a plastic bag to keep it from hardening.

    27. Add a little bit of this stuff to make your latex paint go on smoother.

    28. To limit your mess, spray paint an item inside of a cardboard box.

    29. Or use a plastic garment bag for a larger item.

    30. If you're painting an old piece of furniture, use wood filler if there are a lot of dents and scratches.

    31. Use a rubber band to wipe excess paint on instead of the rim.

    32. Here's a frugal paint-saving roller trick:

    33. To avoid roller marks on furniture, only go in one direction.

    34. Paint will not stick to a dirty surface, so use TSP to de-grease it first.

    35. Run a brown paper bag over any (dry) painted surface that feels rough.

    36. Store your leftover paint in a Rubbermaid Paint Buddy so you can easily make future touch-ups.

    37. Or, if you have a very small amount of paint, use a Slobproof! pen.

    38. Use self-leveling paint on old cabinets or uneven plaster walls.

    39. When painting over existing paint, it's important to know whether the old paint is latex or oil by doing this simple test.

    40. Peel painter's tape off shortly after the paint dries to avoid chipping.

    41. Remove paint tape at an angle to ensure a clean line.

    42. To ensure clean lines when painting stripes, seal the edges of the tape with a light coat of the original color.

    43. Soak gunky paintbrushes in hot vinegar for 30 minutes to clean them.

    44. Fix uneven baseboards with caulk.

    45. To store paint, cover the open can with plastic wrap to keep the lid from sticking.

    46. To get an antique "shabby chic" look, rub a candle over the wood.

    47. Tape pieces of cardboard to the corners to make a huge dropcloth much more manageable when folding.

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