Painting tips

A fresh coat of paint on your walls can make the atmosphere of your new house more comfortable. Before arranging all your furniture in your new space, take a look at the walls and determine if any need a fresh coat of paint. If so, keep the following painting tips in mind.

• It pays to take the time to prepare walls prior to painting. Patch nail holes, repair dents and dings, and sand all surfaces lightly.
• Wash walls with tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), which acts as a cleaning agent, stain remover and degreaser.
• Use mid- to high-grade paints and high-grade brushes and rollers. This will help make the application easier and the finished job look professional.