When it comes to painting, everyone wants the clean lines and smooth walls — but nobody wants the mess, the drips, or the frustration that comes with doing it wrong. These tips are here to save you time, save you money, and save you from learning the hard way. I show the same techniques I use on real jobs every week: how to cut in straight without tape, how to pick the right roller nap for the surface, how to avoid flashing, how to prep so the paint actually lasts, and the simple tricks that turn a sloppy DIY job into something you can actually be proud of. No gimmicks, no fancy nonsense — just solid, old-school painting know-how that works every time. Follow these step-by-step tutorials and you’ll paint cleaner, faster, and with a whole lot less headache.

1. Painting Tip #1 — The “Brush Loaded, Lines Straight” Method
   
   Most people dip their brush like they’re stirring soup — wrong.
   Load ONLY the first 1/3 of the bristles, tap each side once, and go straight to the wall.
   Don’t start right on the edge — start one inch away, pull a smooth line, then walk it right into the trim.
   This gives you razor-clean cut-ins without tape, without wobble, and without a mess.
   

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   Painting Tip #2 — The “W” Pattern That Never Fails
   
   If you roll up and down like a robot, you’ll get streaks and flashing.
   Roll in a big, loose W, then fill it in without lifting the roller.
   This keeps the paint wet, spreads it even, and prevents those ugly patchy areas everyone hates.
   
   
   

3. Painting Tip #3 — Keep a Wet Edge or You’ll See Every Pass
   
   Paint dries faster than people realize.
   Always work in sections you can finish while the paint is still wet —
   about a 3x3 area at a time.
   If one part dries before you blend it, you’ll get lap marks.
   Keeping a wet edge = smooth final finish.
   
   
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4. Painting Tip #4 — Use the Right Roller Nap
   
   Here’s the truth nobody tells homeowners:
   Your roller nap matters more than your roller brand.
   
   1/4" – smooth doors & cabinets
   
   3/8" – interior walls
   
   1/2" – slightly textured walls
   
   3/4" & higher – rough stucco and exterior block
   
   
   Wrong nap = uneven coverage and wasted paint.
   
   
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   Painting Tip #5 — Prep Is 80%, Painting Is 20%
   
   Don’t skip washing, scraping, or caulking.
   A $5 tube of caulk and 20 minutes of prep makes a $5,000 difference in how the job turns out.
   Prep is the difference between a job that lasts 3 years and one that lasts 10.
   
   
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