Want to save big money and improve the quality of your life?  Paint a room in your home.  It takes less time than you think to do it right.  Getting a room painted can cost several hundred dollars.  DIYers can do it for well under $100. 

In DIY: How to Paint a Room Like a Pro (Part II), I covered doing the walls.  In this part, Part III, will cover the trim.

Here's what you need (Some items are one time purchases):

• 2-3 9x12 drop clothes (old sheets will do)
• 1 disposable roller, pan, and brush kit
• 3 disposable pan liners
• 1 6' stick for the roller
• 2 extra roller covers
• 1 3-brush set (will likely include 1", 2", and 3" brushes)
• 1 border paint pad
• 1 container of spackle
• 1 3-putty knife set
• 2 sandpaper pads (course and fine)
• 1 roll of 1" painter's tape
• 6 rags
• 1 painter's cap
• 3 pairs of gloves
• 3 dust masks
• 1 caulk gun and caulk
• 1 gallon of primer
• 1-2 gallons of paint
• 1 can of Oops
• 1 step ladder

Here is what to do:

• Move furniture into the center of the room if needed
• Cover furniture and floor
• Use putty knives and spackle to fill holes and cracks
• Let dry for 1-2 hours
• Gently sand spackle areas smooth-- start with course and switch to fine
• Use mini-roller to apply primer over any area that was spackled or stained
• Allow to dry for 1 hour
• Use a mini-roller to apply the semi-gloss to the trim you are panting and smooth in with a small 1 1/2 to 2 inch trim brush
• Work one to two feet of trim at a time and don't over work any one spot
• Use painter's tape and shields to avoid over painting onto the wall's paint job
• Allow to dry 4-8 hours and store tray with roller in a plastic bag that is tied or taped shut to hold in moisture
• When dry-- check there are no "misses" if so do touch ups
• With trim. you should only need one coat and some touch-ups
• You are done

Now you are ready to tackle the whole job . . .

[I have a painting project planned for later in the summer-- I will add pictures to this post at that time.]

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Related posts:
DIY: How to Paint a Room Like a Pro (Part I)
How To . . . Posts Revisited
My DIY Projects and Savings
The Turn of the Screw and Must Have Basic Tools