It’s fair to say that the world of DIY has taken off in the past couple of decades like never before. Between the rise of DIY-inspired programs and the Internet allowing the fast spread of DIY ideas, more and more people are getting the urge to “Do It Themselves” when it comes to taking on DIY projects.
Even so, while enthusiasm is an invaluable trait when embarking upon any endeavor, it doesn’t always cover up for inexperience, and even experienced hands are prone to making DIY mistakes. Trial and error is part of the creative process. The early works of artists as different as William Shakespeare, Charlie Chaplin, The Beatles, and Jim Henson are all a bit rough around the edges – and it’s through learning from and improving upon those early works that these masters created their masterpieces.
As such, learning how to identify and avoid these common DIY painting mistakes can help you progress from rookie enthusiast to DIY master.
Painting at the Wrong Time
Timing is everything in life, and it can be a huge part of the painting process. It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that painting isn’t a pastime or job that requires good timing. After all, isn’t painting at one time just as good as doing so at another?
In a word – no. The environment can have a huge impact on the painting process insofar as it can alter how fast the paint can dry. Painting during wet seasons, or when it’s raining, will obviously make it hard or even impossible for this to happen. Conversely, painting in drier, warmer seasons is preferable.
Problems with Your Painting Technique
In addition to painting at the wrong time, it is also possible to find yourself painting the wrong way. This can be especially common among the DIY set as you are, after all, trying to do things yourself, and thus your own way, and that way can often include technical errors. Oversaturating your brush, glomming on too much paint to the surface too quickly, brushing too furiously – all of these errors can lead to a poorer quality paint job.
Forgetting Your Primer
Primer is one of the most important aspects of the painting process. It’s what “primes” the surface for paint, getting it nice and damp and ready to receive the paint in question. It would thus be a big mistake to skip applying primer and go straight into painting. This can lead to the paint not settling evenly on the paint due to a rougher surface, and can also mean painting over dirt and grime, which is itself a huge mistake when painting.
Bad Brushes
Think all brushes and paints are created equal, are “good enough?” Think again. There is a huge difference in the quality of brushes and paints out there, and using the wrong ones can be hugely detrimental to your work. Take the time to select high-quality, flake-resistant paints and durable brushes that can paint smoothly.
Learning from these common mistakes can help you grow as a DIY expert.
Marc Poulos began his real estate and financial services career, but he soon realized that his true passion was beautifying homes. He started working with various small craftsman shops before serving an apprenticeship with the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago. His commitment to excellence won him Top Apprentice from Washburne trade school in Chicago – the country’s premier school of its kind.
