People who like to paint

[wdfifteen]

Maybe this is better off in the pet peeve thread, but people who "like to paint" but don't have a frikkin' clue how to do it piss me off.
My neighbor wanted to help with one of my projects (exterior - latex paint) because he "likes to paint."
I assumed that meant he had some idea how to go about it.
Me -I hate it. I hate the prep and I hate the cleanup, though I actually like flowing the paint on. So I said, "Sure, it'd be great not to have to do it."
So - he starts by opening the can. I had to get out the brushes and the sprayer, lay down the drop cloth, and get out a 4x4 slab of old plywood for him to work on so he didn't spill paint all over my driveway. Basically I did the prep.
What he was painting was a structure akin to a jungle gym. So his "plan" was to start on the outside and work his way in to the center.
In the meantime he managed to spill paint on my driveway anyhow, got paint on the side of my barn, on my barn floor, and left paint for me to step in - by the time he finished painting I had paint on my hands, my shirt, my shoes, and my truck. When he finished with the sprayer he put it in the shade and took a two hour cigarette break, then couldn't figure out why it was stopped up.
Took me half an hour to clean out the damn sprayer. I had to throw the brushes away.
I could have done the job myself in less time, I wouldn't have gotten paint on everything in sight, and I'd still have two good brushes.
Next time someone wants to help me paint I'm going to tell them it's too damn much work to have help.
End of rant.

[herr_oberst]

Patrick, I'm sorry about what you had to go through, but your post made me laugh out loud. Pretty good description of why we don't want help when it's project time. I guess your consolation prize is that you brightened someone's day with your misery!

[fastfredracing]

Oh no u did nt. U have done it now, really struck a nerve with me .
My fekkin' partner. He gets to most of the painting because, I am always in the basement fixing pipes, furnaces, or building bathrooms and kitchens.
He throws a 5 gallon jug of paint down in a days time but it looks terrible , sometimes , I think it looked better before he started. Zero prep, terrible at cutting and trim, and h e paints right over holes in the walls, cracking paint, etc. Spills paint everywhere, and never, NEVER does he just finish a room. He can paint it 3 freaking times, but still , always leaves some unfinished trim, or misses a spot . Sometimes, I dream about throwing him and the paint bucket down the stairs.
I actually think he is , hands down, the worst painter I have ever seen , and this includes my kids, who I would not let paint my shed .
He likes it though .
I like to paint, I did it for a few summers as a teen, and always enjoyed painting up my own places . I repaint a few rooms every year .
I take pride in it . I like to make it look as good as I can. Get the paint on the wallls, then make sure , I have a nice uniform texture. I would like to think I am pretty fast also , I cut and then roll each wall all in one shot . Ceilings a few days before. My partner does not cut, does not even make an effort. It is exhausting to watch . I just shake my head in disbelief , and watch hundreds of dollars worth of paint go down the drain .
I hired a guy to help us out over the winter. He is a little bit slow. The first time he saw my partner paint, he pulled me aside, and said " he does not know what he is doing does he ?".
We have painted 5 houses together, most of them 2 or 3 times now, you would think he could figure out a system .
Im gonna stop now, before I swear more, and get booted by the mods

[chapo]

People who like to paint rarely do any of the tedious prep that makes a paint job.

[Brian 162]

I for one hate painting. I'm in the process of painting the interior of my house. I've been patching plaster, sanding, priming and painting.
I'm also removing 100 yrs. of paint off all the door/window hinges and hardware.

[MBAtarga]

My wife claims that she likes to paint. Cleaning up the brushes or rollers, not so much!

[OldSpool87]

Painting sucks. I’m good at it because my dad taught me about prep. I would estimate that actual painting is 25-30% of the total job time.

Although, I did just paint my basement stairs and that was kinda fun...like a puzzle.

[mepstein]

I call my 84 year old father when I need another hand. Retired doctor, full time perfectionist.

[sc_rufctr]

Poor old Patrick. You have my sympathy.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

My wife claims that she likes to paint. Cleaning up the brushes or rollers, not so much!

Her: "Let's paint the bedroom 3 funky colors!"
Me: "Why? What? WTF?"
Her: "It'll be fun and funky!"

2 weeks later...
Her: "It doesn't look like I thought..."
Me: Not saying anything because too busy replacing all of the trim and cover plates and carpet and everything that got paint on it, except for the walls...

[Superman]

Planting a garden is the same thing. Everyone likes to 'tuck' the plants into the raised rows.

Before that there is fencing the area, covering the ground for winter, uncovering it, putting the plastic away, tilling, soil amendments, shovel and rake work.....

....then afterwards there is irrigating, weed-pulling, etc.

Or restoring a car. Disassembly, rotisserie, rust repair, filling, sanding, priming, more sanding and priming.... Shooting the paint color coat takes about two minutes.

[KFC911]

I HATE painting....but am a slow perfectionist. How does one spill paint? Seriously...I don't make a mess either...no drops, drips, or errors...except deciding to paint .

Live & learn Patrick...nice rant btw ...

[wdfifteen]

A good painter will coat the handle of the brush with paint before starting - for a better grip.
And be sure to splash some paint around the work area. Makes it look like you're a real painter.

[sc_rufctr]

That looks like a Purdy. I have a few myself... Expensive but well worth it.

[vonsmog]

I hate painting, but am very good at it. Growing up my family owned a 76 unit apartment complex, and since I was 15 years old I have been painting those apartments. Got so good at it, that I have done it for others for money. Now I can't stand doing it other than for myself when I have to. Just did the kids bathroom on Monday, and that has made me not want to paint for another year!. But I have to do more, as we plan on moving soon.

[herr_oberst]

I have a neighbor, a retired house builder that really does love to paint. He showed me his stash of Purdys, all different sizes, many of them 20 years old, all of them in perfect condition, lovingly stored and sorted in a plastic box. I won't even buy a Purdy because I'd just ruin it; For some reason, I can't not get paint up to the heel and then the ferrule - paint that will not scrub out no matter what I do.

Patrick, I really am sorry that happened. I know you like to keep your stuff nice, and I'll bet that is just making you sick.

[Zeke]

Thread useless w/o pics.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A good painter will coat the handle of the brush with paint before starting - for a better grip.
And be sure to splash some paint around the work area. Makes it look like you're a real painter.

After posting about the neighbor and him "helping" - how are we certain that is paint and not blood?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

That looks like a Purdy. I have a few myself... Expensive but well worth it.

I'm not sure of the brand. I look for good bristles and a brass ferrule (or whatever the name of that metal part is) so it won't rust hanging in the brush bucket.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Thread useless w/o pics.

Project should be finished in a couple of days. Pics are forthcoming.