Professional Tips and TricksIn my 40 years as a house painter and contractor, I've gathered many tips and practices that are now part of my every day routine. Some of these tips simply make my work faster or more efficient. Other tips help produce higher quality results. I'm certain that homeowners painting their own dwellings will benefit from these suggestions. Less-experienced contractors may also find my suggestions helpful, so over the coming days and weeks I hope to provide this information freely via my Twitter feed. Why am I sharing this hard-earned experience? It's my belief that generosity of knowledge and practice brings benefits to the giver and the recipient. I hope you'll call on me the next time you require a professional house painter. You can access previous tips and keep up-to-date by "following" me on Twitter. Tip: Use ordinary joint-filler (drywall mud) for most interior wall repairs. Also use it to fill nail holes in newly installed trim. Do not use spackle, which is slow to dry, difficult to sand and often remains visible after painting. Buy your joint-filler in plastic buckets (1 gallon size is good), so that you can easily seal it up. If it starts to dry, simply add a few drops of water before you reseal the container. I've had a container of mud like this last 3 or 4 months. Copyright ©2011 by Nathan Harms |