Tip of the day: Avoid common painting mistakes

You don't have to be a pro to get high-quality results. But cutting corners will produce a sloppy job, and even the highest-rated paint will fail if you don't apply it properly.

To make your work last, DON'T . . .

Ignore prep work. "Surface prep is 85 percent of the job," says Debbie Zimmer, director of communications and media relations at the Paint Quality Institute, which educates consumers and pros alike about buying and using paint.

• To ensure a smooth, even, and secure finish, start by wiping dust, dirt, and grime from the surface with a damp cloth.

• Tackle stubborn stains with a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part bleach.

• Fill dings and nail holes with plaster compound and patch cracks with painter's caulk.

• Apply a primer coat to naked wood surfaces, new drywall, walls painted a dark color, and deep-set stains, such as those caused by tobacco smoke or water damage.

Skimp on materials. A gallon of paint covers roughly 400 square feet of surface. A quart should suffice to paint the molding and trim in a 100-square-foot room. Don't eke out the job by applying too little paint—you want to try to apply the same amount to all surfaces. You can use properly stored leftover paint for future touch-ups. Click here for guidelines on paint storage.

Use the wrong tools. Cheap brushes and rollers could leave bristles and fibers on the wall, and they won't load and distribute paint properly. A synthetic-bristle brush is best for latex-based interior paints. (You'd use a natural-bristle brush for an oil-based, or alkyd, paint.) Choose brushes whose bristles have split ends that taper to the tip. For rollers, choose a synthetic-fiber, seamless roll with a short nap; 1⁄16 to 1⁄4 inch is recommended for smooth plaster, wood, and metal surfaces.

Overapply paint. An A+ paint job requires a steady, measured hand. Start by cutting in a 2-inch strip around windows, doors, corners, and edges. Then fill in the fields with a roller. Follow a W-shaped pattern, which will distribute paint evenly and prevent drips and lap marks from marring the surface and always blend wet edge back into previously painted section.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Read our March 2008 report on interior paints, including the latest information on one-coat finishing and details on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint.