As you are working or when the job is done, you may notice mistakes and inconsistencies with your indoor painting job. From the way you prepare the surface to paint adhesion and scraping textured ceilings, painting correctly takes a lot of technique that is difficult to acquire if you only paint once every few years.

The experts at JD Painting & Decorating in Waikiki and Lihue, HI, have been painting professionally for over 22 years and are here to share some of their best tips:

• Sand: Sanding ensures proper coverage and adhesion. Using fine-grit sandpaper on a sanding pole, work from baseboard to ceiling, and take special care around nails. Spackle where the greatest inconsistencies occur.

• Mask: When taping, always use blue tape, which leaves behind less residue, and press with a putty knife to reduce bleed-through. Don’t waste time taping the windows; it is much easier to scrape the paint off the window once dry.

• Scrape: Scrape the edges of a textured ceiling with a screwdriver to remove any features that will get in the way of cutting in.

• Wash: Regardless of what type of roller cover you use, wash it with soap and water before using it to remove any fuzz that might end up on your wall. You don’t even need to let it dry before you get to work.

• Extend: For painting on woodwork, drywall, and cabinets, use a paint extender to eliminate brush and lap marks. Paint extenders level the paint, reduce brush marks, and extend the drying time. This gives you more time to avoid lap marks.

If you are starting an indoor painting job, make sure you are prepared to do the job right. Call the experts at JD Painting & Decorating at (808) 242-9731 in Waikiki or at (808) 632-2160 in Lihue, or visit them online to explore their range of services. In addition to indoor painting, they offer exterior painting, concrete restoration, waterproofing, and other unique maintenance programs for residential or commercial developments.