Author Topic: I cannot cut a line  (Read 4071 times)

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I cannot cut a line
« on: July 25, 2016, 01:56:26 PM »
I painted our home - interior - because well, mustachian, but I cannot cut a line to save my life. 

Please help.  Its awful. Like really awful.  I need every tip under the sun, as long as they don't contradict. 

GO!

dougules

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2016, 02:21:39 PM »
Did you use painters tape?

One thing that worked even better for me, at least in the corners, was to use a wide putty knife.

phred

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2016, 02:22:25 PM »
By "cut a line" I'm assuming you mean paint a straight line?  You could get that blue painter's tape, apply that where you want the straight edge, paint, and then peel off the tape

Fishindude

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2016, 02:28:27 PM »
Taping sucks and really slows you down.   Professional painters only do a bare minimum of taping.
Painting is a learned skill just like anything else and you can't expect to get good at it overnight.   Good brushes help tremendously.

Uturn

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2016, 02:39:59 PM »
1.  good angled brush
2.  practice

Instead of slopping paint in the corners, use them to practice cutting in.  Treat one wall as the ceiling, cut in, then do the other wall.  Draw a line on a wall and practice cutting to it, it's going to get painted anyhow. 

Jack

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2016, 02:42:09 PM »
1. Don't use too much paint. You know how some brushes have bristles with tips that are a different color than the rest? The paint shouldn't go past that line. Also, sometimes it's easier to push paint that's already on the wall up to the edge instead of trying to transfer paint from the brush to the edge.

2. Choke up on the brush, holding the metal band instead of the handle.

3. Hold the brush so that the leading edge is a little bit short of the line you're trying to paint and the trailing edge "sneaks up on" it.

This image shows good technique:


Miss Piggy

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2016, 03:03:04 PM »
This is what I use:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Shur-Line-6-8-in-x-3-in-Pro-Paint-Edger-1000c/202080280

Straight lines every time at the ceiling and baseboards. Just set it in the paint for a few seconds, put it on the wall (a few inches away from where you really want to paint), slide it into place (such as butting it up against the ceiling, or sliding it down to the baseboard edge), and roll it along.

geekette

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2016, 01:40:19 PM »
Purdy brushes (that's the brand name) are fantastic.  Can't over emphasize what a difference a good brush makes.

Frugal Lizard

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2016, 02:11:36 PM »
good brush - without too much paint on it and you can't be tired.  I am not a great painter but getting a little warmed up and then hitting the ceiling edge first off is the ticket for me

therethere

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2016, 02:21:38 PM »
I think the angled brush makes a big difference because it gets your hand in a more natural position to draw a straight line.  That and to take a break or stop for the night when you are tired! Most of my oops occur either first thing or after working for awhile when I'm just tired, over it, and generally care less about being perfect.

I use the Wooster Shortcut 2" brush from HD.

paddedhat

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #10 on: July 26, 2016, 08:45:34 PM »
I have done lines that are laser straight, and always used whatever the best available tape was at the time. I don't buy the "practice makes perfect" story, as I have seen a LOT of painters that do ceiling cut-ins that vary from marginally acceptable, to total shit. The best I have used is the green "frog" tape. And yes, even with tape, a Purdy 1-1/2" sash brush is the way to go.

Choices

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #11 on: July 26, 2016, 10:54:24 PM »
Do you need to do enough painting that it's worth taking the time to learn and practice, or is it just a room or two?

The green (Frog) tape is great. Taping is a pain and takes a long time, but I paint two coats and only have to tape once. Plus, painting with tape is much faster than cutting in, so it all works out.

If you're taping the ceiling, use the fat green tape, which is wide enough that it will catch the roller marks if you roll too high. The thin tape will still leave you with roller smudges on the ceiling.

lthenderson

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2016, 10:51:47 AM »
The only time I tape is when I am painting downward facing such as where baseboard trim meets the wall. Otherwise I just cut it in. Like others, get a good angled stiff bristled brush. Use a new one or one in good shape where it doesn't have bristles going every which direction. I sometimes clip errant bristles with a fingernail cutter. Unlike what others said, you need to get a good amount of paint on the end of your brush. Why? If you don't, then you have to go over each area several times to get good covering which increased the chances of making a mistake. You need enough paint so that you just go over it once and are done. If you are right handed, work left to right, or up to down. If you are a leftie, work right to left and up to down to give you the best control. I also find that you need to get paint absorbed into all the bristles before doing cutting in. I generally start by painting a non-critical area such as a corner where the color is the same on both walls to get the brush time to absorb the paint. When it has gotten paint absorbed, I then move to the areas where I have to cut in.

marty998

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2016, 04:27:09 PM »
Thanks for the clickbait. Came here expecting a request for how to cut line of cocaine....

+1 for the paint pads (that's what I call them) that Miss Piggy mentioned. I used them to paint my entire apartment a few years back. Brilliant invention.

NoNonsenseLandlord

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Re: I cannot cut a line
« Reply #14 on: September 05, 2016, 06:54:39 AM »
Use a quality brush.  That is the #1 secret.  A Purdy XL will work.  I use a 3", straight edge brush. 

Use tape only on horizontal edges.  You do not need it for cutting in vertical edges.  Use regular masking tape, not blue tape.  Blue tape is too expensive, and you do not need to keep the tape on a wall any longer than a few hours.  Masking window panes and outside areas blue tape is OK, as the sun may hit it.