(NAPSA)—If you are planning a home painting project, you have a lot of company. Experts say painting is now the number-one home-improvement project tack- led by Americans. So how do you ensureprofessional results? “A painter is only as good as the tools he or she uses to complete a project,” said professional painting contractor, Nick Stolarski. To make thingsroll along more smoothly, you may want to brush up on equipment and supplies that can makethejob easier and provide a more professionalresult. Seal any cracks and gaps around windows and baseboards with a water-based, paintable caulk, such as Polyseamseal AllPurpose Adhesive Caulk. Waterbased sealants are low odor and clean up easily with soap and water, while the fast-drying formula helps minimize preparation time. Sand over walls and baseboards to create a smooth surface to ensure paint will adhere effectively and evenly. A durable aluminum oxide, A-weight paper with 100- to 150-grit is suitable for most general-purpose sanding jobs. * Use painter’s-grade masking tape to protect any areas not to be painted. Using a dispenser such as the Duck brand Turbo Masker™ masking-tape dispenser allows for quick, easy and accurate application of painting tapes so you can spend less time taping and increase the efficiency of painting projects. When covering delicate surfaces such as wallpaper, treated woodwork and drywall, be sure to use a low-tack adhesive masking tape, such as Duck brand Perfect Release Plus Painter’s Tape, to Using products, such as painting tapes, can be a great way to ensure quick and accurateresults. ensure that delicate surfaces will not be damaged when removing the tape. Protecting floors is necessary on any job. While cloth drops are more expensive, they work best, especially over carpets. There are also plastic drop cloths that feature a pre-taped top edge of professional-grade masking tape to makeinstallation easier and help keep them in place. A quality brush makesit easier to apply paint evenly. A one- to two-inch, high-quality, nylon/poly- ester, angled brush can be used with all coatings, will hold paint better and provide better brush control. For most indoor applications, latex interior paints can be useful since they are designed for durability and stain resistance, splatter resistance and easy touch-up. With the proper products, homeowners can get a head start on achieving a great-looking paint job without professionalcosts. To learn more, visit www.duck products.com and www.polyseam seal.com.
