Checklist for the "Do it yourself" painter

When 2020 rolled around, I never dreamed that we, as in all of planet Earth, would be subjected to a new virus that would cause death, sickness, isolation, job loss and much more. The term "social distancing" was made popular and now may be giving way to the term "physical distancing", per the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Either way, a lot of us are now stuck at home. I'm willing to bet there is a lot of projects getting started at home, especially the DIY painter.

My prospective clients now have time to do your own painting. Let me give you some things to think about to get those projects moving.

• Picking out paint color(s). There are thousands of options...good luck! (I am an expert at this!)

• Purchasing paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, spackling, and ladders if you don't already have them. (I supply all of these. Plus I have ladders that reach those hard to paint areas like stair wells... just pay me back for the paint! I can ususally get a better price for you anyway.)

• Moving furniture away from walls and pictures, mirrors, etc. off of the walls (Sorry...I don't do these, but I do take switch plates off!)

• Spackling nail holes and repairing small dents in the walls (This pesky task is included in what I do!)

• Apply tape to the floor trim to protect from splatters (I do this!)

• Lay drop cloths down to protect the floor from splatters and (gasp!) mishaps (I use drop cloths!)

• Start with the brush to do all of the cut ins like painting around the ceiling and painting the trim around doors, windows and the floor trim. Be prepared for this to take several hours and possibly a cramped hand during and after. (I am quite acclimated to using a brush! I cut in a straight line around ceilings, window, and doors)

• When finally you start rolling on the paint, remember 2 coats.... and don't hit the ceiling with the roller!

Just like most stories I hear....by now there have been numerous distractions. And as the sad stories go...by the time you're ready to paint the walls you don't even feel like painting. Uggh! You only have 1 or 2 rooms to paint, right? It can't possibly take very long. But those darned ole' distractions get you every time. (I can usually paint 2 average size rooms in 1 day. I've had many years of experience)

When the painting is finally finished, it's time to clean up! If you got cheap rollers and a cheap brush that means just throw them away. But if you got cheap rollers and a cheap brush that also means brushing was harder and the cheap roller leaves unsightly fuzzies on the wall. (I use a brush that holds a lot of paint and helps with a straighter line. I clean it well afterwards and take good care of it since it is good quality. I also use a quality roller that leaves a nice finish with no fuzzies! I clean those out after I'm done as well since they are good quality and hold up a long time)

Do you think you could have made better use of your time? How about getting out in the fresh air and tending to the yard that is in desperate need of some tlc? I have done that! I have also enjoyed a good run around the neighborhood. Soon I'll be hitting the trails with roller skates or a bicycle. Being outdoors in nature is good for the soul. Don't stay cooped up in the house with any free time minus stay at home work! I won't! Don't wish you had spent more time indoors when you have to go back to your office. I will be spending more time outdoors minus writing this blog......

Call me when physical distancing aka social distancing is no longer in place or before! I am well and I hope you and yours are too! Just keep 6 feet away.