How to Paint a Room FAST | Paint Hacks for Homeowners 

I am a retired painter. Thought I'd give my perspective here for what it's worth. The brush you mentioned that has the bristles cut at an angle is called a Sash brush. The corner roller cover you showed is new to me. I have never seen one and wonder how smeared it makes the wall the end of the roller cover touches. As far as covering the floor with the plastic sheet, I must disagree strongly. Plastic does assure that paint will not reach the carpet. However, Plastic has negative points too. Any paint that falls on it can be a slipping hazard if you step in it. I have seen people slip and fall because of that. The other issue is that if you step in the paint, you may track in to other rooms. Best drop cloths for home owners that I have found is the paper drop cloths most paint departments sell now. If I'm painting walls only it makes no sense to spread drop cloths over the whole floor. I recommend taking a paper drop cloth and folding it neatly into a runner about 2 to 2.5 feet wide, making sure the paper side is on the outside. Then the runner has a nice straight edge that I can put right up to the baseboard. The runner is slid along the wall as needed. It is fast and you do not have a wrinkled drop cloth tripping you up. I recommend that anyone rolling forget those troublesome roller trays. i never use them. The best way I have found is to buy a 5 gallon plastic bucket and a roller screen for it. All pain departments sell the roller screen and the plastic buckets. You are less likely to spill a bucket than you are a roller tray. The bucket allows you to put 1 to 2 gallons of paint in the bucket so you do not have to stop and refill it often. Paint should never be so deep that it touches the bottom of the roller screen. I never dunk a roller. It just drips paint all over the place. Instead bring the roller down untill it just touches the to of the paint and roll it lightly to load paint into the roller. Then roll the excess off on the roller screen and you are ready to roll it on the wall. As for roller frames. I tell people to buy a stiff frame but not the expensive ones that have ball bearings in them. When rolling NEVER press the roller hard against the surface you are painting. It does not good to try to squeeze the paint out of the roller. Roll the surface using barely any pressure. If you press on the roller you often cause one end of the roller to apply more paint than the rest of the roller causing a bead of paint on the wall. Lastly I recommend buying good brushes. Bad brushes leave brush marks and often the bristles fall out only to stick to the wall. I could go on a d on on how I paint, but this should give anyone reading this some things to think about before painting.

I'm a contractor and do floors paint, etc. But I do have to say your a good teacher, clear spoken and I learned a few tricks from you brother. And as far as all people talking about stilts ----- then don't use them if your not sure. He just showed how easier it can make job if your capable. Common sense people. Thanks for videos brother. Keep up the good work. Peace....

Once was painting an apartment and the unusually low ceiling was just barely out of my reach(I'm 5'5") My stilts were way too high to use (even adjusted all the way down) So I found some old boots and screwed two empty paint cans onto them to make 'mini-stilts' Worked great, but kinda noisy. My helpers thought it was a hoot & ribbed me mercilessly. But I told them, "My wife always tells me I need about 6 more inches" And they laughed even harder for some reason.

I had a painting business way back in the late sixties early seventies . in those days we used 9 inch rollers with a dry wall bucket and a screen hanging inside . this was super fast and clean. A plus in those days was eight ft. ceilings . i had contracts with large apartment complexes and they were all a very basic layout with low ceilings . i'm quite tall so a sash brush with a long handle was enough to be able to "cut in" without a ladder . when there was a fire we washed the walls with trisodium phosphate ( quite toxic ) and then primed with pigmented shellac . that sealer out performed anything made today and dried in minutes . ok i'm rambling , i'll shut up now Good video !

Painter here and I tell everyone “angled brushes are key” to cutting in!!

Great advice and well done video, thanks. Stilts are great if one is young and agile-I'm older (60) and my body doesn't take the punishment anymore, nor is my balance the best, so I use a good ladder and take my time. I have found that safety is better than efficiency sometimes. Cheers from New Mexico USA

Thank you so so much! All great info, easy to understand, and nothing unnecessary. We have owned a home and painted rooms many times now. We have used the plaster and the cutting in techniques, but all the other tips were new and I feel so relieved to find some great ways to make a big upcoming paint job much more efficient. Right now, I need to scan your other content! What additional magic home owner tips have you been so generous to share?!?! Thanks again! Stay well.

Thank you, that really helps. I'm a painter from just outside Toronto. I have an airless sprayer too. I have small triangle or pyramids that I use for painter doors but yours are much bigger and bitter and you can stack door on top of each other, that's cool. Thanks again from Canada. Tim

1. Dap dry Dex (pink color) 2. 18" nap roller and extension pole 3. Proper nap 1/2" for texture; 3/8" for smooth walls 4. Corner roller pad with side covered roller 5. Use drywall stilts for top edge to cut in ceiling with brush around edges instead of moving ladder around Purdy slant 2.5" brush and use continuous motion 7. Use oil based primer for water bleeding through Pro Block primer by Sherman Williams (not acrylic) and use mini disposable brush AND also knots on wood 8. Paint doors. Stack Rack to paint doors to 9. Plastic film on carpet

As we just recently moved into a home that needs updating, I will be doing a great deal of painting. Some of these tips make a lot of sense, and I will be putting them to use soon... Thx...

As a 25 year building contractor I have to say your tips are on point. Like the door stack.

Thankyou so much for explaining about having the right nap length on rollers and also using the roller with the nap right to the edge. That is helpful. Thanks.

Despite what other people say, great video. Especially for larger houses. Most people with larger houses and tall ceilings will happily pay someone to paint their house. If you're a true DIY'er you won't be afraid to use stilts. Quick and to the point on all tips. Very relateable if you've just started painting your house. That angled brush is probably my favorite tip. I've had a hard time getting comfortable with a brush and that tip will help me. The doors is a pretty good idea, I thought it was easiest to paint them mounted. Fortunately I work in a shop with a paint booth I could maybe knock them all out at once. Thanks and you are a better teacher than you think.

Men like you don’t hear this enough, but thank you for your hard work!

Thank you, I picked up on several tips. And by the way, you can stack even higher than 4 high with stak-Racks with of course additional purchases or 1 large size bulk purchase. This way you can limit how much space you need to a minimum by stacking even higher than 4 if needed. I think one can go at least 7 high & the product will hold all ok. I've used stack-Racks & they work great!

thanks for the video... let save this somewhere and use/re-watch it when needs.

It's a luxury having an empty room. Really good advice about the correct nap and corner roller. Thank you.

At first when I saw the title I was like, "ah painting tips?" And then I watched and I was like, "holy crap I wasted how many days of time painting our two houses over the past 20 years" It's so simple, it's easy not to know. I feel like painting now because it's going to take less time. Thanks.

Wow, good to know. You are brave to use stilts. No moving a ladder. Respect for Painters!

Hey..been painting for 30 years.. i do alot of new apartment duplexs. Just a great ideal about the stak rack and im going to try that plastic wood filler. Thanks...Great video !

I use a 40 inch long 20 inch high aluminum platform I got from the big box hardware store when painting. Sometimes they are on sale for $19.

I've never been able to afford a professional painter and have always done the painting myself. My new home has a vaulted ceiling in the bedroom that I want to paint. With these tips, I am certain that I can do it myself. Thanks for an excellent video! I am excited and feel relieved that I can still get done what I need without having to pay someone. ♥

Very informative ... I have watched lots of videos and most have the familiar tips ... but WOW, great NEW tips! Love the door stacker and the sticky plastic to protect floors. Great tips!👍

thanks for taking the time to make this video...........some great tips!!

I will take some of these tips for future use, so, THANK YOU!

As a professional coatings specialists of 28 years in the industry I found this video highly entertaining. I couldn’t stop laughing at some points. Thank you for the great time. Some of the comments are awesome too. Haha. Made my day.

Definitely tips to consider. I've learned by doing and listening to others. Thank you for the vid.

THEY MAKE _STILTS!_ I am so glad I watched this. lol, so many good tips here. Thank you.

Thank you for the tips! Very well done video!

I've been painting for 33 years. The best drop cloth for slippery surfaces is actually something you can get at a place like Jo-Ann Fabrics or other fabric stores. Insulated drapery material has a rubber backing and can be bought in bolts and torn in two long runs. Purdy products are definitely the leader in the painting tool industry. Wooster is also an excellent choice. As far as rolling popcorn textured ceilings you're better off spraying it or using an oil-based product because the texture is water-based, so the waterborne latex will activate it and all that textures going to come off on your roller.

I really appreciated the corner roller info. The stilts looking fun.

I like it. Drywall stilts, yes. Oil base Primer, yes. You're a professional. I am a good DIY painter. We can't edge like you. I love the sure line edger. I have painted 3 house with it.it is a short nap with 2 wheels on the edge. You have to make usre you keep the wheels clean and the edge clean, but I just continuosly clean it on my pants.

If you are right handed then you cut in a room counter-clockwise, (right to left) to eliminate your lines from your previous brush stroke by overlapping 4"-6". Your second coat will not need to get in as tight as the first coat so you can go a little faster. Cut down from the ceiling with your brush at least 2 1/2" to keep your roller from hitting the ceiling when you get to the top.

Always check to see if your textured (e.g. popcorn) ceiling is painted or unpainted. If unpainted, you have a wonderful opportunity to remove it and have a smooth ceiling (just spray with water and the stuff easily scrapes off). If painted, it's nearly impossible to get off with water.

Great cut-in tip! I couldn’t figure out why I kept screwing up with a glob here and there. Thanks so much. I do feel we should be using less rather than more plastic, and maybe just pulling the drop cloth up right away in case of an accident. But a great, short, straight-to-the-point video!

This video popped up into my video feed. I'm always up to learn new things. This is an awesome video on painting. Great tips. I'm saving this video so I'll have it to go back to...tfs

Thanks for the great tips. Much appreciated :)

Thanks for posting the video. It's always interesting to see how someone handles a common trade. It's too bad there are so many haters in the comment section.

Nice tips , And i hear that yinzer accent. I’m a 1 man paint crew you’re absolutely right about the 18” rollers the really help. I have 3-4’ long “drywall platforms ” I use instead of stilts only have to move those once in awhile but it’s the same concept, you’re not cutting in then moving a ladder every 16”

Thank you soooo much! Will definitely be using the long roller next time!

This video came right on time! Thank you😊😊😊

Either you can use the tips offered in this video or not. The negative comments are pathetic. This man is sharing a useful skill, take it or leave it. Fkn haters

You Sir are a top tier painter. Great video. Advising to have longer roller is helpful. No other video ever talks about this,

Had to pause the video and rush to the comments as soon as i saw the stilts, i was anticipating some entertaining banter but it doesn't look like anyone is in the mood to make fun (likely cuz the presenter of this vid seems like a nice dude and he did offer some helpful tips)

45min mud works really well to patch as well. Dries fast and doesn't shrink either. Thanks for the other tips.

Here’s 2 tips I always told customers when I worked in paint stores, DON’T skimp on the the quality of paint you purchase. Buy the best quality you can afford. And do your preparation properly, otherwise you’ll be repeating the job the following year.

Hacks that's crazy statement tips love the 18 in rollers

Way kuul Wisdom Brother. Thanx 4 sharing. Wish I had seen this before my better half and I just finished painting her parent's interior after a fire almost gutted their home on 8.12.19

I see a influx of ER room visits from homeowners trying to use professional stilts

Ditch the stilts. Put a 2x12 plank/joist (8 or 10 ft) flat ways on the rungs of two small step ladders at each end, parallel to the wall. An average weight person can stand on it. You can walk down the length of the wall on the board and cut in. It saves many trips up and down the ladder which is hell on your legs. It can easily be moved around the room.

Thank you! Definitely will use some tips for myself!

Thank You so much.. so much helpful information. Very practical.

I been painting for almost 20 years and i have never seen a guy get up on stilts like that without a small stepladder (or something high like that) to sit on. i would fall and bust my hip. impressive. the corner roller is a new one on me. they aren't sold in my local paint stores yet. but i have used the mini roller that is identical for years. these do leave a swirly pattern that can be visible and no fun to sand if you allow it to dry all swirly. with a 4 inch mini roller you get a much more narrow swirl pattern and you have much more control to avoid swirls. you can stiil attach the mini roller to a pole and they sell special paint holders that strap to your hand so you can tout the mini roller AND your brush at the same time. its like a little 4 inch tray in your hand. no point to use the 9 inch corner roller if you are going to also use the 18 inch roller. use the 4 inch mini with the 18 inch roller , or, just use the 9 inch corner roller in place of both.

Perfect timing! I'm about to start painting rooms in a couple of weeks. Thanks!

Thumbs up for using 18 inch roller. It was a big success for me. I never painted ceiling so can't say anything about it. Also , 9 x 12 feet drop cloth was more flexible than laying plastic sheet. Plastic or paper sheets stick with the feet and move as you walk on them. You can also slip while painting walls around stairs area. Also, always check with painter's guidelines what type of roller (Polyester or White Dove or other) should be used for the paint type you have picked. I use Sherwin Williams and they recommend Polyester based sleeve for their thicker paints and White Dove for more thin ones.

Gee I am soooo impressed I was moved to become a subscriber! Thank Youuu!!!

I worked for a painter a long time ago and we always found the best sealer for knots in wood trim was white shellac.

Thanks for your video - very useful. My tip (if it is indeed a tip) about cutting-in, is to apply the first touch onto the wall in an arc from behind and below the point where you want to join onto the last swipe and keep the paint brush bristles really pressed against the wall - that way you don't have too much paint (blobby) and the bristles absorb any micro movements of an unsteady hand which is desperately trying to "keep a straight line".

Nice job. Thanks for sharing!

Excellent tips!! I plan to paint several rooms in my house and this information was essential!! Subscribed to watch many more videos!!

I’m a beginner, and was just searching around. This is an excellent video and I really appreciate you taking the time to share all this knowledge! Great job and good luck with your channel!

Thank you

Great video! Cant wait to get started!!!

Very informative for painting and great tip for water stains on walls/ceilings.

As a painter i can say he’s speed is like anyone’s else and important thing when you paint…don’t rush and try ALWAYS to have paint on roller.

I just roll doors with a small roller. Dont have to take them off. I find shellac or Bin works better for stains and knots. Dries in 5 minutes.

Fantastic and so well done... THANK YOU!!

Excellent tips and advice, I will fallow your film clips. Very informative and easy to understand. Thank You.

So many useful tips as always!! I would of never thought of or used that 18" roller. That sucka was cool looking. Hoping all is well guys, keep the videos coming & Dirty Jersey out!!

Gread video. I just learned a better way to cut in wall to ceiling by watching you unload the excess paint on the wall, slant the brush more and use longer sweeping motions. As for the stilts? Maybe best for circus peformers working part time as painters. 🤣 For us typical folks, a hospital stay won't save much time or money. (However I do admire your ability to navigate on them). Thank you for your tips.

Great video. I learned a few tips. Thank you for sharing!

Great tips, I learned a lot. I'm a moderate professional. Not sure the stilts would work for me at 5'8 but I do like the rolling light weight painter scaffolds. You can just pull yourself along as needed without the up and down.

I use an extension pole with a handle attachment to cut in ceilings.

Great tips, and a nice clear voice with a smile. Well done sir.

I knew running away from home and joining the circus was a good idea! I'm great on stilts and juggling! Winning!

Very good information. I don't know why anybody would give you a thumbs down. They are probably just jealous that they don't have a channel.

Very best timesaver I ever used was an electric paint roller. A pump takes the paint right from a bucket (1 or 5 gal), through the handle, and into a special roller where the paint then comes out and saturates the nap on the roller. This saves time & your back because you never have to bend down to get more paint. As long as your thumb is on the pump button, you just keep rolling. You can do a whole bedroom in 20 minutes (not including the masking & cutting). There's also a LOT less dripping because you aren't moving the roller constantly from the wall to the paint pan & back all the time.

I use 2step stools put them fairly close together where your cutting in. Use one step over too next. Then reach over and move too next spot you need too cut in. You don't have too get up and down. And easyier than climbing a ladder. Step stools with the handle on the top work best.

Thanks the advice on the roller and filler.

Thanks Steve. Stak Raks super cool and yes, The Idaho Painter is a great channel for more tips.

Us old folks have balance issues so I wouldn't even consider using stilts. haha

great tips except for the stilts (paint+ newbie stilt walkers = disaster) and the plastic. The amount of plastic waste generated from painting one room is highly irresponsible. I use old sheets and canvas dropcloths which I have reused multiple times. Just allow then to dry completely and put them away and you can reuse them the next time you paint.

Great tips ! Liked hearing about the stilts !

Thank you, i am ready to paint my bathroom, really very good tips 👌!!!

I'm a confirmed DIY'er, but those stilts scare the heck out of me. I can just visualize broken bones all over the place! lol

Thank you for the great tips. Do you recommend to first wash brand new roller to remove roller lint prior to first-time use of new roller? I hate roller lint on walls.

Great advice! I'm in the mood to decorate again!

That corner roller wow I'm gonna use that it's new to me

I cut everything first then roll.

Paint needs to go on like one continuous sheet. So fast is essential. You are pushing a bead of paint, for straight lines, keep in mind the physics of what's happening. Once the sheet is applied going any direction go over it in one direction either up or down ,while it's still wet. It creates a uniform surface reflection without "flash".

Beat tips!! Thank you

Thank You for these tips!

The only painting hack I need is to pay a painter, I go to the store, come back home and it's done. That's my hack.

As this is supposed to be aimed at homeowners I am surprised (to say the least!) to see stilts on the list, the potential for a disaster is extremely high, just buy a decent hop-up and a ladder of some sort that will fulfil your needs, also a pro spray set up ain't cheap either, doors can easily be painted in-situ using a four-inch roller and a decent brush, no need to take them off, no need to spray. Plastic wood filler on a wall, why? There are many good filling compounds out there made specifically for drywall. Using an 18" roller on walls in an average size room makes no sense to me at all, then I see you use a 9 inch on the ceiling, personally, I would swap that around and use the 18" on the ceiling and the 9" on the walls. When cutting in use a brush and a 4-inch roller to eliminate any brush marks you may leave behind, make sure you use the same nap of roller sleeve as the one you use for the rest of the walls.

Thanks for your ideas and tips thanks for your videos hello from Ireland 👍🇮🇪☘️

Awesome tips thanks!

I use these stilts to plaster some ceiling they take a lot of getting used to

I can fix just about anything but I HATE painting. Never have like it. Good video.

I've used DAP white tub n tile caulk (small hand held tube) many times to fill small nail holes and even gaps/cracks around window trim and sills. It's super easy to apply and uses water for cleanup. Never any sanding required and no painting required on light or white walls.

This was very helpful 🤩🎨👩🏾‍🔧 Thank you 👍🏾👍🏾