Even the the best paints won’t look good if you don’t apply them properly. Thin spots, rollers marks,

and paint runs are just some of the imperfections that will mar the finished result.

With the right tools and technique, however, you can have smooth results in just one coat, even if

you’re painting a dark wall with a light-colored paint. That promise is supported by our tough hiding

test, in which we paint over stripes that get increasingly darker to see how much coverage each paint

delivers.

We have the luxury of working on clean test panels. To create a similarly stable surface, scrub the area

you’ll be painting with a sponge and mild household detergent solution. Do this before you visit the

paint store so that the walls will be dry when you return. If you’re working in a finished room, put dow

n drop cloths to protect floors, furnishings, and the like. Then follow these steps to learn how to paint

a room and get an A+.

Step One: Prep the Paint

Pour a thick film of paint into the sloped section of the tray until the reservoir is filled about half way;

disposable liners will save time with clean up. A plastic paint pourer, which costs a few bucks at

hardware stores and home centers, will help prevents spills. Punching a few holes around the rim of

the can with an awl or large nail is another way to minimize the mess.

Step Two: Cut in the Edges

Sometimes called trimming in, cutting in is when you paint a couple-inch-wide strip around any borders

of a wall where the paint roller can’t easily reach. The process traditionally calls for painters tape to

} protect adjacent surfaces, but our experts get excellent results in a fraction of the time with a plastic

paint edger. The tool, which costs a few bucks anywhere paint is sold, features a woven pad and guide

wheels that roll along the trim, ceiling, or corner.

Rather than dipping the edger into the paint tray, load it using a roller. That will help prevent the

wheels from catching paint and creating a mess. Then you’re ready to cut in the room by running

the tool along its various edges, wheel side facing the edge. Reload the paint using the roller

as needed.

Step Three: Roll on the Walls

Once the entire room is cut in, switch to the roller to fill in the large fields. This is the most

satisfying part of the project, as the room fills with new color. But you need to use the correct

technique or the finish will have all sorts of imperfections, some of which won’t be apparent

until the paint dries.

We like short-nap rollers (1/4-inch deep) for most interior projects, since they tend to

result in less splatter while still rolling on a smooth, thick coat—provided you follow what

we like to call the four S’s.