Choose a color that complements the walls or furniture in the room. For example, use blue spray paint to complement light brown walls or opt for a classic maroon paint to provide contrast for blue, black, or white walls and furniture. Note that using a light-colored paint on a dark carpet won’t give you the intended result. For instance, white paint on a black carpet might turn out looking gray. Bright, vivid colors work best on white carpets. If your carpet is tan or taupe with yellow undertones and you’re using a light-colored paint, those yellow undertones will come through and give you a different result than on the can. You may have to do several coats to achieve the color closest to the can, so buy extra cans if that’s the case. Existing patterns on the carpet may still show if they’re a darker color than the paint you’re using. If that’s the case, be prepared to do extra coats, accept the design shadows showing through, or cover them with furniture.
Use a mixture made of equal parts of white vinegar and water to spot treat dried or lumpy stains.
If you don’t have a face mask, tie a bandana or thin cloth around the lower half of your face.
If you’re using fans, note which way the draft is flowing so you can protect those areas from small specks of airborne paint.
If the trigger is clogged, twist it off of the top of the can and let it soak in paint thinner for 2 to 3 hours. Then, wash it under cool water, dry it off, reattach it, and test it again.
Refer to the instructions on the can to see the recommended spraying distance for that particular product.
Avoid spraying yourself into a corner. Always make sure you have a dry, unpainted walkway where you can stand. If the first pass is too light, repeat the step until you’re satisfied with the coverage.
If the carpet covers the entire floor of a room, start with the sides that run along the wall so you have a walkway in the middle. You’ll need to wait 12 to 24 hours for the paint around the edges to dry before you stand on that area to paint the center walkway.
Some manufacturers recommend waiting 72 hours for the paint to dry before walking on it or letting it come in contact with other surfaces, so check the instructions on the can.
Take note of where you make touch-ups to avoid accidentally stepping on wet paint!
Purchase pre-made stencils from craft stores or make your own out of cardboard or thin plastic materials. It’s best to use just one stenciled design, but you can combine two different stencils if you lay them out in a thoughtful way. For instance, stick to a single celtic design to be spaced out evenly across the center of the carpet or around the edges. You can also use different floral stencils for a smart, unique look.
Try cutting the tape into small squares and triangles and sticking them to the carpet to create your own geometric patterns. It may help to use a measuring tape to map out where you want to place the painter’s tape for a symmetrical design.
The areas covered by tape will reveal the current color of the carpet. Hold up a piece of cardboard at a 45-degree angle next to the tape line to protect the inside section of the carpet from the paint.
Pull up the tape or remove the stencil only after you’re finished painting that area.
For instance, if you spray red spray paint over blue paint that isn’t dry, you could end up with purple areas. Placing tape onto still-damp painted areas will compromise the consistency of the paint and, as a result, mess up your design.
Mineral spirits or acetone can also be used to remove paint.
