As spring starts to raise her cheery head, a seller's fancy turns to fix up and ...'ick'... painting! But if you're like most of us, you don't take a lot of time to do it correctly. After all, you may rationalize, it's not rocket science---it's just slopping some paint on a surface.

But what if your laissez-faire attitude causes serious mistakes, ones that take inordinate amounts of time to undo; or, heaven forbid, mistakes that can't be undone at all!

That's why professional painters caution home owners to take the time necessary to overcome the two biggest mistakes made by do-it-yourself painters:

Mistake #1: Not adequately preparing the surface before painting. The cardinal mistake here is not even bothering to clean surfaces caked with dirt, grease, and/or old loose paint. If you're lucky enough to have the paint initially adhere to a dirty surface, the grim news is that it won't be sticking for long! (Haven't you seen houses where a seller has used a paint gun to haphazardly paint a house they're wanting to sell, only to see the paint come flaking off after only one season? The possible problem?---Inadequate surface preparation.)

Unprimed, absorbent surfaces can dull the finish of gloss paints and even change the appearance of flat finishes. And if the surface you want to paint is unsealed redwood or cedar, chances are that stain will come right through any latex and oil-based paints you're applying.

The solution is to prime, prime, prime. Applying a coat of oil-based primer is suggested no matter what type was used originally. But before you do this, wash the surface with a solution of three parts water, one part bleach and one-half cup laundry detergent. Apply the solution with a sponge or scrub brush, starting at the bottom of the surface to be painted so that dirty water won't drip down the wall, leaving a permanent streak.

Mistake #2: Buying the wrong color paint. If you've done much painting, you know that the paint swatches at the hardware store are a cruel joke compared to the color you'll usually achieve when you apply the paint. Why? There are several reasons. First, because the sunlight at your home is different than the florescent light in the store. Second is the fact that you may be applying the paint to a different type of surface. For most latex paints, it takes well over an hour for them to dry to their true final color. And for oil-based paints, it may be twenty-four hours before you see the final results. (Remember the scream you let out after applying paint to a wall in your home because the color looked so pale? Then, after an hour it looked too dark?)

One solution to the color dilemma is to buy just one quart of the color you're considering and paint a small section, particularly if you're painting over an existing color. Always ask the store clerk to machine-shake the paint no matter what size paint container you purchase. If you're not pleased with the color, most stores will be willing to mix the specific shade you're after (so be sure to ask the store clerk about their return policies before making your purchase.) When trying to match paint, it's wise to take in a sample of the dried paint as it appears on the same, or very similar, surface you're painting.

Now that you know the major pitfalls of the do-it-yourself painter and vow to avoid them, grab your paint brush and pail----and do it right

Published: March 27, 2000

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Julie Garton-Good, DREI “The Frugal HomeOwner™” As a syndicated newspaper columnist, author and international speaker, Julie Garton-Good DREI, C-CREC™, is called “America’s Home Affordability Expert”, addressing more than 25,000 persons annually on topics of real estate industry trends and home affordability. She is the author of five real estate books and is the sole two-time recipient of the international "Real Estate Educator of the Year" award from the Real Estate Educators Association. In 1997, The National Association of Realtors® nominated Julie as one of the fifty most influential people in the real estate industry. She shared the list with only three other women.