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Painting is basically a job anyone can do, depending on what you are looking for. If you want to paint a room in your home, any big box or local hardware store can supply you with brushes, rollers, pans, drop cloths, tape … and, of course, paint. (Although we, of course, recommend the great performance of our Ultra Pro-Max line.) You don’t have to call in an expert, unless you want to.
Getting straight lines takes a lot of practice and the right tools for the job like a trim brush and a steady hand. There are other tools out there to help those who struggle with a steady hand, however, and those also can be found at the aforementioned places.
But any painter, no matter the skill level, is not immune to splatter, drips, drops and full-on I-just-kicked-over-the-entire-can-of-paint mistakes.
So whether it is that, or you have an entire repaint project that requires stripping off previous coats of paint, here are some tips to help you do it right.
First things first, test what you are about to do
Like location in real-estate, make sure testing is your No. 1 rule. Test, test, test.
Always pick an inconspicuous area to test the product you are about to use. You need to know what it is going to look like after you use the product, so you know if you want to use it or move on to another way.
The Big Jobs
So you picked up some items you want to repurpose – whether it be on your wall, on your car, on the exterior of your home or whatever the case may be. Maybe you just have something you want to recondition, strip down and entirely repaint.
If your project fits this description and may have some industrial elements to it, a high-quality product may be the answer. The first thing you need to decide is if you want to use a chemical, or strip the paint with a tool of some sort.
If chemicals are your choice, there are things you can pick up at the big box store, and they may get the job done … with several applications.
Another tool in the Kimball Midwest catalog is the Pneumatic Rotary Surface Preparation Tool Kit. The kit comes with three types of wheels: An eraser wheel, wire wheel and surface preparation wheel. Each wheel has a specific job:
- Eraser Wheel: Removes vinyl decals, pinstriping, bumper stickers, reflective tapes and adhesives from glass and painted surfaces.
- Wire Wheel and Replacement Hub: Removes rust, paint, scale and corrosion; deburs and blends edges; cleans forged components; prepares metal, rubber, plastic and other material surfaces.
- Surface Preparation Wheel: Removes rust, corrosion, dirt, oxidation, coatings, paint, adhesives, gasket residues and other build-up from metal, wood and plastic surfaces.
A Blurry View
If you were painting windows, or near windows, and were unfortunate enough to splatter it on the glass, it can be difficult, but not impossible, to remove without scratching the glass.
Start with dish soap and warm water and get a razor blade. Mix the dish soap with warm water until sudsy, and make sure you get the window and the paint you are trying to remove thoroughly wet using a clean rag. Hold the razor blade at about a 45-degree angle, and then begin carefully scraping the paint away. Keeping the glass damp will help avoid scratches.
A Countertop Drop
This is a particularly tough one. Household remedies can work best here, depending on what your countertop is made of, and the type of paint you are using.
Applying a thin coat of olive oil to paint drips and rubbing it with a dry rag can be just the trick you need. Typically latex paint only needs to dry to be peeled off. A plastic putty knife can be helpful, but you will need to watch your pressure.
Don’t Let it Dry!
Simply put, don’t spill paint on carpets. If you do, do not delay trying to clean it up. Run, don’t walk, to the closest paper towel or terry cloth rags and make sure to blot the paint, letting the rag do the work to absorb the paint. Do not rub the paint in.
It is easiest to remove paint from carpet before it dries. A bit of glycerin on the towels may help loosen the paint.
For stubborn spills, try blotting with white vinegar or nail polish remover.
Always remember, even though you may be rushed here, test an inconspicuous area with whatever chemical you are about to use.
Graffiti a Problem?
Kimball Midwest knows many customers have issues with unwanted graffiti. Two products can take care of that problem.
One-Step Graffiti Remover Towels are pre-moistened with a powerful, odorless formula that removes tough graffiti – including enamels. It removes graffiti from almost any hard surface.
The Gelled Vandalism Mark Remover takes care of most types of vandalism and graffiti marks, stains, tar and scuffs as well as crayon, ballpoint pen ink, marker ink, lipstick, spray paint and adhesives. The thick gel formula clings to vertical surfaces and can be wiped off or rinsed with water.
If you need an expert to help you find the right paint or accessory for the job, 
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