DIY ! (home edition)

Painters tape isn’t perfect. I’ve used lots and none will 100% prevent paint seeping under. Remove the tape as soon as you’re done and check. You can get paint off pretty easily when it’s fresh, but once it’s cured it stays. So, take the time to check for little splatters on floors etc early on and wipe or scrape mistakes off.

You should pre-sand surfaces before priming or painting when there are existing imperfections like glossy finishes, peeling paint, cracks, or bumps to ensure a smooth, durable, and professional-looking final coat.

Sanding creates microscopic scratches that improve adhesion for new paint and levels uneven surfaces.

Sanding is also necessary to remove... See more

The glossier the paint, the easier to clean. However, flat paint is the standard for ceilings. Eggshell for walls, often. Semigloss for kitchens, bathrooms, places where the walls get splashed more often. The finish will affect the perception of the color a little bit.

Speaking of rollers, they take forever to dry after cleaning. Whether you clean them or just throw them away after using them, you'll need to get a bunch of them.

Curing takes a while. You might accidentally rub off paint in the interim, or need to consider this for a moist environment (kitchen, bathroom) - many things recommend waiting a week before introducing moisture.

If it’s your first time definitely take your time with taping trim but practice making your cutting skills more refined try your best not to get paint on the tape anyway.

For that reason, some folks don’t use tape at all (only for attaching a cover for the floor etc). With a good brush and skill you can avoid a lot of tape, but you have to be willing to take your time.

Cut your corner and edges before rolling.