HGTV mag editor on the top do’s & don’ts of painting

Next month, HGTV magazine releases the first-ever themed issue in its 2¹/₂ year history — and the topic is paint! From tips on selecting the best colors and hues to caring for brushes and rollers, the magazine’s special section — and on-air talents like the Property Brothers — help readers take the pain out of painting. As she put the final touches on her special paint-focused baby, we sat down with HGTV magazine Editor-in-Chief Sara Peterson to get her top 10 do’s and don’ts for that perfect paint job. Here’s what she told us:

Do paint during the day

One of the biggest paint mistakes — especially in apartments — is painting after dark. Lamps only offer so much light and most New Yorkers don’t have overhead lighting; failing to paint during the daytime and without natural light means you’re gonna miss key spots.

Don’t hurry that first coat

Folks often fail to let a first coat properly dry and rush to paint a second. Don’t! Wait at least four hours between coats — if not (ideally) overnight — or else your paint can end up looking clumpy!

Do trust your color instincts

If you’re unsure of the color to use for your walls, head for your closets and look at your clothes. There you’ll find colors that are already prominent in your life and can serve as inspiration. The types of colors that fill your wardrobe are probably the right ones to also paint your home. Like, say, pastel shades — they look great (and more sophisticated) in a matte finish and look best next to bright white trim (not off-white or cream).

HGTV’s Jonathan and Drew Scott aka the ‘Property Brothers’ offer their painting tips and tricks in the June special issue of HGTV Magazine.HGTV

Don’t forget to prep

Painting is not just about getting paint onto walls — you have to do the prep work. This means taping edges, moving furniture away from walls and putting plastic on the floors. And don’t forget to cover furniture — but never with drop cloths actually made from cloth because they can allow paint to leak through.

Do measure your rooms

In order to ensure you buy the correct amount of paint, it’s important to measure the room you plan to cover. It’s easy and can save you time and money. Try the online calculator at paintquality.com from the Paint Quality Institute.

Don’t mix latex and oil-based paints

The results can be a problem. Surfaces already covered with latex- or water-based paints can usually be covered over with oil-based paints, but not vice-versa — unless you add a primer layer. To test a wall for latex versus oil paint, dab a cotton swab with alcohol and rub it across the suspected area. If the paint doesn’t come off, it’s oil-based.

Do keep your cans

Paint types and qualities can vary even among the same brand and the same color — so keep your cans. If you run out, always bring the can back to the retailer so you can be sure to select the exact product.

Don’t forget about gray

Gray is often an overlooked paint color because it can seem industrial and remind people of concrete. But gray is a really nice and versatile alternative to whites or creams.

Do invest in high-quality rollers

I like rollers that are high-density with minimal lint. Purdy’s White Dove 9-inch with a 3/8th-inch nap has a high-density woven cover so it gives you a lint-free, smooth finish.

When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask for painting help at a hardware store, like Janovic.Benjamin Moore

Don’t forget to ask for help

From Sherwin-Williams to Janovic to your neighborhood hardware store, New York is filled with places that sell paint. And those sellers have probably tackled every imaginable urban paint problem in existence. Unsure about paint color, matte, finish or quality? Just ask — they have likely solved the issue before.