MISTAKE #7: Passive about Lead Paint
Don’t forget lead paint was common until 1950, but in the United States was not outlawed until 1978. Several organizations recommend that you test your paint for lead before sanding or scraping it. Lead in dust causes lead poisoning, especially in young children. Use a test kit available from most paint stores or contact your local health department for the addresses of reliable testing labs. If you have lead paint that’s in good condition, use a deglosser (liquid sandpaper) rather than sanding it.
Call the EPA hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD for their free EPA guide, “Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.”
Mistake #8: Purchasing to little amount of Paint from the Get-Go.
Prior to painting make sure you have enough paint mixed to ensure the best possible color consistency to complete your entire painting project.
When painting bare wood, you’ll need about one gallon of paint for each 400 square feet. The best way to figure out how much paint you’ll need for your complete project is to measure the area to be painted and calculate the square foot. Then, divide that number by 400 to get the number of gallons per coat. Surfaces that are not smooth such as stucco will take a lot more paint. For those area calculate that a gallon of paint will only be good for 200 square feet.
