Before you

begin your next painting project, review these "Top Ten Painting

Tips" compliments of Dutch Boy Paints to ensure professional results

every time.

1. For bare,

unfinished drywall, you will probably have to prime the surface before

painting. A base coat of primer can protect drywall and result in a smoother

finish.

2. For painted

walls, first, scrape any loose or chipped old paint. Fill drywall imperfections

with spackling paste; allow to dry, and sand the patched area smooth.

Wipe the sanding residue with a damp cloth.

3. Be certain

to thoroughly clean the painting surface. Use a stain blocking product

to prevent any bold stains especially crayon marks from bleeding through

the new paint.

4. To ensure

a professional-looking finish, use high quality tools. Top quality brushes

and rollers spread paint cleanly and evenly. They can be easily cleaned

and used again and again. Improper or inexpensive rollers will not spread

paint evenly and may leave fuzz on the wall. Rollers come in various nap

lengths depending upon the surface. For textured surfaces, longer naps

spread paint into the crevices on the surface. Inexpensive brushes also

do not spread paint evenly, plus they tend to leave telltale brush marks.

5. Paint should

be applied when the room and surface temperatures exceed 50 degrees. One

gallon of paint should cover about 400 square feet. Rough or textured

surfaces may require more paint only 125 to 300 square feet per gallon.

6. When painting

a room, itís best to paint the ceiling first. Next, paint the walls

working from the top down. Paint the trim, cabinets, and doors last.

7. When painting,

always work from the dry, unpainted areas into the adjoining wet painted

areas. Paint should be applied in the form of an "N" when using

a roller. Fill the roller completely. Apply the paint in the form of an

"N" up the left side, down to the right at a 45-degree angle,

and straight up the other side in three-foot by three-foot sections. Fill

in the center of the "N" with horizontal strokes from side to

side.

8. Allow freshly

painted surfaces to cure for 30 days. After it has cured, the freshly

painted area can be cleaned with a mild, non-abrasive cleaner and water.

Do not hang objects on the surface until the paint is thoroughly dry under

normal conditions, about 24 hours.

9. Timesaving

Tip: During short breaks, wrap your applicators tightly in a plastic bag

or aluminum foil instead of washing them.

10. Remember:

Itís important to follow the directions on the back of the paint

label. It contains the most important information you need for your painting

project.

For more information

or to locate a Dutch Boy Paint retailer, log onto www.dutchboy.com, or

call (800) 828-5669.

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