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If you have a house and it has paint, then you have house paint problems. I can't even imagine going into all of them, here, but I will share some tips, to make life a bit easier, that I have learned over the years.

If a wall has irregularities, due to poor workmanship or age, sponging the walls with two similar colors of paint will hide the imperfections and make a pleasant and interesting treatment. First, paint the entire wall with a darker color, tan perhaps, then sponge on a thin application of a cream-colored paint over the base color. Do one wall or an entire room, but try to keep the sponge pattern consistent, at least until you reach a corner or good stopping place. You won't be able to match the pattern when you start again; trust me, I know.

Peeling paint needs to be scraped and that is a real pain, so use an industrial strength heat gun to strip it, but don't buy one, rent it.

Airless spray guns are cheap (fifty dollars and up) and can cover an amazing amount of surface area in little time with virtually no overspray. For large areas, they are worth the investment.

Always buy good paint. Trying to save a dollar on a gallon of paint will result in having to redo it in three years instead of ten years; you make the choice, but I choose the better paint.

Primers are often advisable and are not a waste of money or effort. Ask your local paint expert about the project. They aren't always right, but they're usually right, and that's better than always being wrong like I have often been, as I learned all my lessons the hard way. "When all else fails, ask the experts, read the directions, or consult the manual, depending on the project," I always say.

Learn more about this author, Will Kester.
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