Paint like a Pro

How do I paint the interior of my house?

Spot prime repaired areas with sealer or in the case of latex the paint being used. (Prime bare metal with anti-corrosive primer.)
Cut-in wall corners and the junction of wall and ceiling.
Paint ceiling first. Using a roller, paint metre-wide bands across the width of the ceiling. Do final strokes in the direction of the length of the ceiling before beginning the next band.
Paint the walls. Spread in a W with light pressure. Then spread horizontally or vertically with increased pressure. Finish by rolling vertically from floor to ceiling.
Touch up. If touch-up is needed, use a fairly dry roller, apply in the same direction as the previous application, and feather the edges.
Use a sash brush for trim.

How do I paint the exterior of my house?

After preparation, these are the basic steps:

Choose appropriate weather. Paint on mild, dry days above 10 C but when the sun will not shine on the painted surface for several hours.
Prime as necessary.
Caulk, as necessary, after priming.
Paint down from the top of the house.
Use a wide brush or a roller for siding, stopping only at natural breaks so as to avoid lap marks.
Use a sash brush for window frames.
Dampen stucco with a garden hose before painting.

How long do I have to wait between coats?

The rule of thumb is three hours for latex and 24 hours for alkyd. However, it is important to refer to the instructions on the label of the specific product.

How do I apply stain to my siding?

Generally it is best to brush it on, although a roller can also be used. Apply the stain in the direction of the grain. For best appearance, apply the stain to one or two courses of siding at a time all the way to a natural break.
By the way, stain tends to splash. For working with stain, drop-sheets and overalls are especially important