How to Save Money On D-I-Y Painting Projects
Storage, Supply and Bargain Finding Tips So You Can Spend Less
Aug 5, 2009
Safety for your home and family should include safety for your wallet! There are many tips and tricks for saving money that are well known to painting contractors and veteran D-I-Ys (Do-It-Yourselfers). Some are commonly done and some are surprising but all will save you money over time.
Buy In Bulk At The Beginning of Your Painting Projects List
Rollers, whether mini, small, standard or oversized sleeves,can be purchased in bulk. You will use them over time and it's a bargain to do it this way rather than buying them individually (and more expensively) at the beginning of each project.
The package quality is often identical to the single roller sleeves and the savings are considerable. This way, when you throw one away instead of wasting your valuable time washing it when you're done, the cost won't keep you up nights.
In between coats of paint, don't throw away that bulk roller sleeve just yet. Take a piece of plastic wrap and completely cover the sleeve all over. Then, gently squeeze it all over until no air bubbles remain under the plastic. If the air bubbles are gone, the paint can't harden and the roller sleeve will be as good as a new one for the second coat.
Buy the Right Paint Brush for Your Project
Don't completely cheap out when buying a brush. The throw-away brushes aren't generally very good when painting picky things like door trim or furniture. Basically, judge what you spend on the importance of the work. Staining the fence probably won't require an expensive brush but that restored baby crib will deserve a good quality tool. It will clean out well and you'll get many uses out of it over time.
If you decide to go for the bargain and buy a cheap brush, often available in bulk, following one simple rule can make the bargain work for you. Don't dip the brush farther than halfway up the bristles. Farther than that and the solvent in an oil-based paint will soften the glue holding the bristles; the bristles will fall out.
Even water can soften cheap glue in very cheap brushes. These brushes are generally made for one use only as they don't take to being vigorously washed.
Buy Tools That Make Your Next Painting Project Even More Economical
One of the best investments you can make are canvas drop cloths. They wash very well, last for years and are irreplaceable when painting large areas in your home. The material provides a non-slip surface to walk on (unlike plastic sheeting) and comes in a variety of sizes.
Some of the more common dimensions for drop cloths are 4'x12' (wall runner or stairs), 8'x12' (basic room size), or 14'x12' (combination rooms, such as a combined living and dining room). Over time, these are extremely cost effective.
Save Money with this Tool Trick
Invest in a multi-purpose tool such as a 6-in-1 or a 9-in-1 (other ratios may be available). Most paint stores stock them and you will find owning one very handy.
Here is one tool that can remove nails, lift loose or flaking paint, open paint cans, scrape excess paint from rollers and so much more. One of these tools will save you the time you would have spent looking for all the others. This is a must-have in the tool box of any D-I-Y.
Correctly Storing Leftover Paint Can Save Money
Have leftover paint? Seal the can tightly and store it upside down! The only way air can get into the paint can is throught the gaps in the lid; turning the can upside down creates a vacuum within it. Air can't get in and the water or solvent in the paint can't evaporate out. Investing in an inexpensive plastic paint can pour spout will make it even easier to clean the lip on the lid and get a tighter seal for storage.
Storing your latex or water-based paints in the house or a heated garage or shed is necessary. These products will freeze in cold temperatures and can become useless very quickly. If you store your water-based latex leftovers in the basement, be sure not to leave them directly on the concrete floor.
Unless you have in-floor heating, the concrete will conduct the cold from the underground and transfer it to the metal can; it may still freeze, even inside your home. The best solution is to slip an old piece of carpet or doubled cardboard under the can to break the contact, leaving your paint in good condition for next time.
Paint Bargains Come in All Colors to Save Even More
Most retailers have mistinted gallons in their stores available for resale. While some of these may be the result of error, many are due to customers changing their minds about the color or the finish (i.e. shiny vs. dull). If you are in a position to take advantage of these, you can get some terrific deals.
Commonly, mistinted paint is sold for about $3 per quart/litre, $8 per gallon/4 litre can or $30 per 5 gallon/20 litre pail. These prices are only a guideline and may vary substantially with product type. Taxes are still applicable but the savings are huge. Just remember that all sales of these are final and you need to be flexible about your color choices for this bargain to work for you.
Professional painters know about most of these tips and tricks but don't generally share them, considering them to be trade secrets. To make being a D-I-Y worthwhile, you need to have as much information to help you along as you can get. Being an effective D-I-Y is all about finding bargains and saving money. These tips should put you on the right path.
 |
 |
 |
