- 1). Caulk all joints, cracks and seams before painting using acrylic latex caulk and a caulk gun. Fill all holes with putty. Clean the surface to be painted with a sanding block. Rub a tack cloth over the surface to remove loose sandpaper. A smooth surface will allow paint to cover smoothly.
- 2). Pour one oz. of a paint conditioner into your latex paint and stir it into the paint using a paint stick. Remove the paint stick and check the consistency of the paint. Paint conditioners greatly improve paint flow and decrease brush marks; you can buy paint conditioners at hardware and paint stores.
- 3). If the paint has a clumpy or sticky consistency, add more of the paint conditioner in one-to-two oz. increments until the paint flows off the paint stick evenly. Most latex paints require a pint to a quart of paint conditioner per gallon.
- 4). Paint the area with a high-quality latex paint (look for coverage of 400-sq. ft. per gallon), using long continuous strokes. Use a synthetic paintbrush with tapered bristles that are slightly longer in the middle than the edges; this design helps to reduce obvious brushstrokes and allows for more even application of paint. If using a synthetic roller, make sure the roller has no obvious seams or loose fibers.
- 5). Clean your rollers and brushes with a putty knife, making sure to completely remove all excess paint from the roller. Tiny pieces of paint stuck to a roller or brush will result in uneven application. Wait 24 hours before applying another coat of latex paint.
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