Earlier today, I finished painting the living room bookshelves.* The prep was a bit slow, but painting (with a 4" roller and a brush) was a breeze.
I protected the walls by inserting heavy card stock in the corners (cut up file folders) and green tape along the edges.
Except, I couldn't figure out the best time to take off the painters tape.
- If I left the tape until after the paint dries, when I pull it down, it rips apart and I have skinny little pieces of green that stick to the shelves. I need tweezers to get them off.
- If I removed the tape as soon as I was done painting, I risked bumping my knuckles along the freshly painted shelf.
I couldn't win. I went with removing it as I go, only because if I accidentally splattered on the wall, I could clean up the mess with a wet paper towel (once the paint dries, I am screwed, at least, I think I would be...I am a paint novice)
Oh, and because I did two coats, I had to prep the wall with tape twice, instead of leaving it there until I was completely finished.
Anyways, what do you do?
ps. painting them before they were installed would have made my life easier, but I was putting off buying the paint. I needed to colour match the existing trim, which is oil-based and has yellowed. I had no idea how simple it was to request a custom colour matched can. I removed the painted hinge from my dining room swing door and brought it in to Maple Paints at Bathurst and St Clair. They mixed the ca, then rubbed a little on the hinge to make sure it was correct. It was a little on the pink side. So they mixed a new can, and it was a perfect match.
pps. Happy dance that it's done!
*How long should I let them dry before I can bring down the books? 24-hours?
UPDATE: I am going to wait another week, or maybe two, before putting the books up...to be on the safe side!
