1. Rinse and clean your newly purchased roller before using it to remove loose fibers by using a roller comb or a spinner.



2. Dampen your roller with a little water prior to loading it with latex paint. The roller will then put an even amount of paint onto the surface from the first application. You'll get a smoother finish and your paint will go further.



3. Be sure to evenly load the roller by repeatedly rolling it over the grid portion of the tray. This, too, will ensure that the roller applies an even amount of paint onto the surface from the first application.



4. Comb out a paint brush and giving it a good clean prior to use to ensure that any loose filaments that may be caught in it do not end up on your surface.



5. One of the most commonly recommended paint preparation steps is to clean with Trisodium Phosphate (TSP). However, if you use TSP, be sure to rinse extremely well with clean water to remove any residue—this is a key step that, if ignored, could ruin your paint finish.



6. It is generally recommended that you sand the surface you plan to paint. Unfortunately, many people skip this step. Sanding between coats, even if you're just doing a touch-up or simple color change, ensures the surface will not become rougher every time you paint. Without sanding, walls will get harder to clean and their surface can look dirty in time. After sanding, be sure to wipe away residue with a Dynamic tack cloth.



7. Don't skip the primer! Priming is comparable to your house's foundation—you can have your house built by the best builder using the best materials, but if the foundation is poor, the house above it will not last. Similarly, painting with good paint over a poorly prepped or poorly sealed surface will not have the intended effect. If your budget is stretched, invest in a top line primer and midline paint. You can always upgrade the surface layer—it's harder to fix the foundation if it wasn't great from the start!

Need help getting started? Visit your nearest Dynamic retailer today or go to www.getpainting.com