Time Saving Tricks

cynthiann

Any favorite time saving tricks out there for a fairly new painter. I'm pretty proud of the way my painting looks at the end, but now I'm looking for ways to go faster w/o losing quality. Keep in mind I'm new to painting new construction, so don't hold back...you guys have taught me a lot already.

Thanks,
Cindy

Redman

I COULD TELL BUT I WOULD HAVE SEND YOU A BILL. JUST KIDDING

TOP QUALITY BRUSH AND PAINT. IT MIGHT COST YOU MORE FOR BOTH BUT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO WORK FASTER AND THE JOB WILL BE THAT MUCH NICER LOOKING IN THE END. SHERWIN WILLIAMS HAS GOOD PAINT FOR A GOOD PRICE. pRUDY OR WOOSTER BRUSHES.

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firemike

Hi Cindy,

Redman's right. Don't scrimp on the equipment and materials. Also, take the time to do the prep work right. That is 75% of how your finished project will look.

I can't tell you how many times I see people try to skip the prep, only to have an amature looking job. Or they try to save time by rushing prep work, only having to go back and do it right anyway, and then having to repaint. Patching cracks, filling nail holes, caulking gaps. cutting in a nice straight lines. Leaving a clean work area when you are done. It is what seperates the pros from the amatures.

Keep reading here, you will learn a lot. There are many very knowledgeable people here that have "been there and done that."

As you start a project, take a few minutes and plan your work. Try to figure out the best way to accomplish your goal with the least amout of moving materials and equipment. Do you have a sprayer? A lot of new construction painters spray as much as they can. Backroll when necessary. Using fans will speed the drying time between coats or at color changes. Will the contractor let you paint (at least prime and first coat) the trim before it is installed? It makes a big difference in time. as they say- "Plan your work, then work your plan"

painterman

Ditto to all the above.

Couple of "tricks" I have found,Colour your mud so you can find those small patches, Condition your brushes with Tall and Mane horse conditioner after every washing. Oh Ya if your are doing alot of exterior work invest in a good set of ladder levelers. Best of luck

Stan

AAPaint

I agree with a lot of the posts above. Good equipment, good materials, and good prep. I have bought just about every tool I want/need brand new, and that is one area we don't have trouble. If I need something, or think something will make our work faster, I buy it...period.

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

cynthiann

Wow, so far so good for me then. I'm pretty up-close and personal when I paint. Tedious things are great fun for me for some reason. My partner rolls paint on beautifully, but I won't let him do anything else paint related unless it's in a closet. I can put in long days prepping, cutting straight lines, and cleaning.

I rummaged through my art supplies the other day and found a color similar to the color my builder is painting his houses. Today I found that if I lightly hold the color pencil in my hand at an angle and run it down the edge of the wall and the ceiling, it finds the natural edge. Painting up to it (after getting the groove of doing it) is a little faster and a lot less stressfull on the eyes. Plus it dramatically straightened my cut in lines.

That's the kind of time tips I guess I'm looking for... anybody got one.

And thanks you for the previous posts. Everything you all mentioned is important, and there's always room for improvement.

thanks, Cindy

slickshift

So, your fiancée's still in the closet?
Hey, whatever works for you two

-just teasing
When I first read your post, I thought: sure, let me watch you paint for a half a day, I may (or may not) have a couple of tips for you
I wanted to reply: speed tip? how do you paint now?

I think with such a general question, you'll only be able to get general replies

W/o seeing you paint, it would be tough to come up with tips for increasing your production rates

It would be easier to address specifics

I'm not sure cutting in with a color pencil would be a way to increase production rates...

lornmastro

ok i'll jump in here.....i love love love the hot dog roller(3/8" nap) for repaint jobs...i have found sooo many uses for it 6 panel doors/tight corners/2nd trim coats on lines that are taped....that on 90% of the jobs i go on you will hear me at one pt in time mumbling....GOT TO LOVE THIS HOT DOG ROLLER!!

cynthiann

What's a hot dog roller?...

Anyway, i'm done looking for the majik gadget finally. I've got it out of my system. the more I try to make things faster, the longer it takes to fix the imperfections. So now i'm asking myself if I really am slow. It takes me about 12 minutes to cut a 15 foot wall...half of that is climbing up and down the step ladder. Is that slow?

Scott Young

i couldn't pass this up though i am not a painter. i do finish carpentry. the one bit of advise i found for speeding up things is consistency. do the same things the same way until they become second nature and you do them subconsciously. you can try new things AFTER you have established a consistency. i have found inconsistency is the GREATEST time eater. be economical in your steps do everything with purpose and you will find work will speed up. good luck.

Woz the Painter

I believe what was referred to as a hot dog roller is more commonly known as a wizzy, or whizzer, which are short and narrow rollers that you can get behind radiators, or roll between close toghether door or window frames, as opposed to cutting them in completely with a brush. Also great for doing touch-up, as opposed to a 9 inch roller.

ProWallGuy

I agree with what Scott said above. I was going to suggest building systems for your biz. If you don't know what systems are, check out this book: System Buster
Also, a poster here by the name of Brian Phillips has developed a set of systems for a painting biz. Look here: Out of the Bucket

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