Painting a straight line (when you can't draw one)

[vmacekesq]

I'd seen a thread on this topic some time back - what seems to be working for me, an avid non-painter, while painting walls at the ceiling edge:

Those foam-rubber-on-a-stick cheap paintbrush-shaped applicator things. I never thought they amounted to much, but they're perfect for this job (they come in many widths; get a fairly wide one). Basically, put some paint in a shallow tray. Dip the edge of one side of the applicator in to get a small amount of paint along the entire edge (we're not looking for volume coverage here). Lay the paint-laden edge just under the desired spot and nudge it up carefully. Pull down and feather out paint so no 'seams' will show under the main coat.

Note I'm not pulling the paint along the line, and I'm dipping with every application - this is not the place to skimp on paint. It all seems pretty obvious writing it down, but the main thing is the neat, straight edge of the foam-rubber applicator. Takes a while, but I'm not having to go back over mistakes with the other color, then doing it again with the original, etc.

BTW, I find it helps to be standing on a sturdy platform - lets me get close to my work, and I don't sweat teetering on a ladder while I'm concentrating on being steady.

VMacek

[RicodJour]

I don't know very many people that can draw a straight line, but I know plenty of people, pros and amateurs, that can do a nice job of cutting in with a brush or pad painter. Either of those would be faster than the dip-swipe-dip-swipe routine.

R

[jeffc]

Generally the people who can't paint straight lines and feel the need to used tape or edging devices or pads, simply aren't using the proper brush or the proper technique. I get excellent lines and haven't used tape or pads in years.

[George E. Cawthon]

That is the answer most people who have a talent in some area give to people who have little or no talent in that area. Doesn't make any difference if it is music, reading, carpentry, gardening, etc. The talented always say anybody can do it. The fact is that anybody can't; many, maybe most can't even with lots of practice.

I can't draw a straight line free hand and I can't paint a straight line. So I do the best I can, wipe up the biggest mistakes and redraw, but the line still isn't straight.

The best advice is do the best you can and if that isn't good enough, get someone who can do it better.

[Bob F]

I would suggest that it's not an issue of talent. It's an issue of skill - which you get be practicing, and watching how "experts" do it. Learn to use a brush right and it all gets much easier. If you don't try, you won't learn.

Bob

[jeffc]

Well first of all I never mentioned talent. And second I didn't say anybody can do it. I'm not talented, but I can do it simply because I practiced it. The same reason I can solder a plumbing joint, put up drywall, or lay tile.

I seriously doubt that, but probably a few can't.

Well I can't paint a straight line either. I'm talking about painting up against door frames and wall corners. Some people wonder about those "silly" art paintings that are nothing more than a black circle on a white background or something. It's art because someone painted that perfect circle freehand! But we don't need to do that.