Paint Trays & Kits

Interestingly, many people do not understand how to utilize a paint tray correctly. They often pour some paint into the tray when using a paint roller. Next, they simply roll the roller around and start painting. However, using the paint tray as a proper tool requires more details. Check out the following guidelines to see if you are using your expensive paint products properly. You may end up learning some new techniques that will save you copious amounts of money and time. 1. Use the correct equipment. As with most projects, having the right tools for the job ensures a better end result. It can be tempting to try and save money with lower quality items; however, we recommend avoiding them altogether. Higher quality trays and paint rollers are a worthy investment, even if they cost more. If you can afford to invest in professional paint products, it is worth it. You will be able to reuse most items numerous times if you follow proper clean-up protocols. 2. Thoroughly mix the paint. If you can get your paint mixed at the store for you with a professional and a paint mixer machine, this is ideal. Freshly purchased and tinted paint will be mixed for you upon purchase usually. You will need to use the paint fairly soon afterward. If you are not sure how well your paint is mixed, use a paint stirring stick and mix slowly. Make sure you are getting to the bottom of the can and there is no product separation before using. After the paint is mixed, pour approximately a third of the can into the deep end of your paint tray. 3. Be sure to cover the entire roller. When you dip your paint roller into the paint-filled tray, it is important to cover the whole roller. Accidentally only coating one side of the roller or thinking the paint will carry itself and saturate the other side are common mistakes. Roll the paint roller slowly to avoid spilling paint over the outside of the tray. Always place your paint roller on a drop cloth or newspaper, etc. to protect your floor. 4. "Drying" the paint roller. After your paint roller has been coated thoroughly with paint, you need to give it some time to rest or “dry.” This is why there is the shallow portion of the tray or in some designs, the bucket screen. Rolling the roller over the shallow part of the tray or screen a few times ensures the excess paint is captured and not dripping off of your roller. Once this step is done, you can transfer the paint roller to the wall and begin! 5. Start painting your masterpiece. Start painting your walls approximately 1-foot from the bottom corner of your wall. Use a “W” pattern and work your way up and across the wall. Refer to steps 3 and 4 for refilling your paint roller as needed and topping up your paint tray until your paint job is complete. 6. Correctly clean your paint tools when finished. When you are done painting for the day or the entire job, you need to clean your tools properly. This allows you to reuse your equipment many times. If you are not painting any time soon or lack storage space, you can resell your equipment if it is in good shape. Follow the cleaning instructions on your can for your oil-based or latex paint products, as they require either water or solvents. Understanding how to maximize and protect your equipment will help you get the best results. Stop wasting money and time on wasted paint and repurchasing equipment. Renovations are expensive. Help the planet and your budget by taking care of your paint supplies to use them for many years to come.