Painting is fun, especially if you like DIY projects. But keeping a splatter-free paint job can be difficult. Even the most careful DIY painter can accidentally drip some paint on surfaces that aren’t meant to be painted. Here, we round up some painting cleanup tips from Boysen paint experts to help you prepare for your painting project.
Boysen Painting Cleanup Tip #1: Minimize the mess.
Prepare your work area. Empty the room and cover the floors with a drop cloth. Move out as much furniture and appliances as you can. If you can’t move them outside, place them in the center of the room and cover them with a drop cloth.
If you don’t have a drop cloth, you can also use old newspapers, tarpaulins, or plastic covers to shield your floors from paint drips. Make sure to secure the newspapers or plastic covers with tape so it stays on throughout your painting session. Also, seal irregular-shaped or round objects like doorknobs and appliances with a plastic wrap or cling film to protect them from paint splatters.
Lessen paint drips as much as you can by getting a paint tray. Wrap it with aluminum foil before using it to save time and effort for cleanup. Another way to minimize paint drips is to loop a rubber band around a paint can. You can wipe excess paint off on the rubber band after dipping the paintbrush into the paint. However, you can only try this hack with water-based paints because solvent-based paints will melt the rubber band.
Keep clean rags handy. You’ll never know when you might need it. Use it to wipe off paint splatters and drips straight away. Protect yourself too. We get asked a lot about how to remove paint from fabric, but it’s hard to remove it without damaging the cloth. Don’t risk dripping paint on your favorite t-shirt and expensive jeans. Designate a painting outfit or wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on.
Boysen Painting Cleanup Tip # 2: Remove paint spills and drips.
There are no quick fixes for removing paint stains. That’s why Boysen paint experts emphasize prevention. It’s best to remove paint spills and drips while they’re still wet. Once dried, some paint stains don’t come off easily.
If the paint drip has dried, you have to manually remove the paint. Lightly scrape off the edge of the paint blob with a paint scraper or a dull knife. Be careful not to scratch the surface. When you’re done, wipe it clean with a rag.
If the paint is still wet, scoop up the paint spills with a small dustpan or spoon. Scoop away as much as you can. When you’ve removed the excess wet paint, you can now wipe it off from outside toward the center to avoid spreading the paint.
Check what kind of paint has been spilled. You can use mild dishwashing detergent and water to wipe off wet water-based paint drips and splatters. On the other hand, you can use paint thinners to remove oil-based paint stains. However, the chemicals in paint thinners may damage surfaces like hardwood flooring. We recommend that you do a spot test on a hidden section of the surface to check if it will cause any discoloration or damage.
Be careful when using paint thinners or other harsh chemicals that can trigger an allergic reaction. Wear a face mask and gloves. Don’t use these solvents to remove oil-based paint from your hand. Rub your hands with baby oil or any other cooking oil instead. If you’ve used water-based paint, wash it off with soap and water. More importantly, make sure that your work area has proper air ventilation and away from fire hazards.
Boysen Painting Cleanup Tip # 3: Clean the painting tools.
A good DIY painter knows the value of cleaning up painting tools immediately after painting. You don’t have to constantly replace your painting tools after every painting job. Fresh paint comes off easily so clean your painting tools right away to keep them in tip-top shape. For painting tools like brushes and paint trays used in water-based paints, rinse them off with dishwashing detergent and water. Remove excess water and let them dry before you store them away.
If you’ve used oil-based paints, wash them with thinner and dry them off at once. Avoid soaking synthetic paintbrushes in thinner for a long time because they’re made of plastic fibers that can melt and harden the bristles.
Follow these painting cleanup tips, and you’ll have a hassle-free paint job.
We’d like to help you achieve your painting goals. Check out this article that sheds light on common painting myths. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask Boysen paint experts. Give us a call at (02) 363-9738 local 417 to 418 during office hours or write us an email at ask@myboysen.com.
