Household paint tips: how to fix lap marks when painting

Advice for repairing lap marks when you paint your home.

Painting can seem like such a simple project to do, until you run into problems like lap marks. Lap marks can appear on most any painted surface with any type of paint. They can make a paint job look rippled and rough instead of smooth and professional.

Lap marks can be caused by many factors. A common cause is painting an exterior surface in the direct sunlight. That's when you can have an area of paint dry too quickly in the heat of the sun. Then, as you're applying a wet coat, lap marks can appear. In order to help avoid this problem, you should always paint the north side in the early morning. Then, paint the east side in the late morning. Paint the south side of your house in the afternoon, and finally, west side should be painted late in the afternoon. This will reduce the possibility of your paint drying too soon because none of the exterior will be painted in the direct sunlight. Also, to avoid lap marks in your paint, don't paint the exterior of your house on days that are very windy. The wind will contribute to the paint drying too fast also.

Yet another cause of lap marks when painting is not using a paint brush correctly. Too much paint on the bristles often results in lap marks when you try to spread the paint out over a surface. In order to correct this problem, you should dip a brush into the paint until only a third of its bristles are covered. Then, gently tap the brush against the paint can. Tap the brush to the surface in order to apply spots of paint. Then, smooth out the spots and paint the surface with long, flowing strokes, not short, choppy ones. Be sure that you overlap painted edges, and also run your brush from dry areas back into the wet paint.

Lap marks can also be caused by making the mistake of using a paint brush and roller together. If you brush paint in the corners and where the ceiling meets the wall, then finish the room with a roller, you're going to have lap marks. This is because the paint brush will give a heavier coat than a roller will. In order to avoid this problem, don't use a brush to paint the corners, use a specially - made trim pad instead. It's made small and pointy to reach into corners and around the tops of the walls. It will apply about the same thickness of paint as a roller, so you won't have to worry about heavy lap marks. Each coat of paint also needs to be applied in an even, thin layer.

To use a paint roller correctly, load up the roller with paint, then roll some large "X's" across the surface to be painted. Then, spread the paint out and add more to it by using long, smooth strokes with the roller.

Finally, if you have a wall that is plagued with lap marks, you can usually remedy the situation by applying another light coat of paint. Paint a large area by working on a small section at a time so the paint doesn't dry too fast. Be sure that you read and follow the manufacturer's directions on the paint cans and any primer containers in order to achieve the best results. Also, using a good - quality paint roller or brush is essential for a professional - looking job.

As long as you allow every coat of paint to dry thoroughly; apply each coat in an even, thin coat; paint in favorable weather conditions, and use good - quality equipment, your paint job should turn out looking fine.