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: A roller pole (extension pole) is a valuable tool. It eliminates a great deal of stooping and reaching. However, an extension pole is also a hazard when used in a furnished house. As you roll a wall, one end of the pole will necessarily extend behind your body where you can't easily see it. If there is furniture in the room, your pole can easily damage or upset something behind you as you face the wall you're painting. Aside from moving furniture as far as possible from the walls, get into the habit of cupping one hand around the base of the roller extension pole. There are two advantages to this. First, if the end of your roller pole hits a solid object (for example a piano), your hand will prevent the object from being marred by the end of the pole. Second, your hand will be sensitive to the touch of something behind you as you approach it, and you will be able to avoid a disaster. Anecdote: A painter was painting in a room with lots of furniture. As he rolled, the back end of his roller pole tapped a lamp which was sitting on a side table. The lamp fell off the table and was smashed on the floor. Copyright ©2011 by Nathan Harms |
