Easy Painting Tips – Using Everyday Items

Keep your property looking fresh using these 5 Painting Hacks and Tips for sprucing up your vacation rental’s paint dings, bumps, and chips. 

The busy summer rental season takes its toll on our properties.  Walls and doors show abuse from suitcase dings.  So now is a good time to do some paint freshening.  And I’ll give you some tips for doing easy touch-ups, even during the busy season.

Don’t forget to check the inconspicuous places like behind doors, in closets, hallways, cabinets, and furniture.

Adding some fresh paint is one of the cheapest ways to give your property a makeover.  After that makeover, you’ll want to keep things looking good.  Covering up the scratches and paint dings doesn’t have to be a big chore.

Use these painting hacks to make your touch-ups quicker and easier.  Trust me; if you stay on top of small dings and scratches, you can postpone painting a whole room much longer.

1 – Artificial Vanilla Extract

Paint fumes are not the first impression you want to make with your guests.  Add a few drops (1 Tablespoon per Quart) of vanilla extract to your paint to lessen the fumes.  Mix well.  It won’t hurt the paint.

2 – Rubber Band

Stretch a rubber band around the center of the paint can.  Use the rubber band to scrape off excess paint from your brush.  Using the rubberband keeps the paint from getting into the can ring and over the sides, which makes the can lid harder to seal.

3 – Plastic Grocery Bag

There’s no need to buy expensive tray liners.  Just slip your paint tray into a plastic grocery bag before you begin.  Cleanup is a breeze.

When you need to take a short break from painting, there’s no need to wash out the pan, brushes and rollers.  Use plastic grocery bags to cover your tray and wrap around your brush and roller.   When covered, the paint will stay fresh for about 24 hours. 

4 – Small Sealable Container & Foam Brushes

Use a small jar or plastic container like these to store some leftover paint.  Keep the container in a handy location for doing routine touch-ups.  

Beware if you’re storing leftover paint in the garage or an outdoor shed.  Most paint will ruin if it freezes.  

I love these disposable foam brushes.  They are great for small touch-ups, whether you’re using latex paint, varnish, or stain.  I store these with my small paint containers.

5 – Magic Erasers

These little white squares of foam really are magical.  For those unsightly wall and door scuffs, try a Magic Eraser.  Many times, painting isn’t necessary. 

Furniture & Floors

Wood Touch-Up Restore Pens

Don’t forget the furniture and floors.  These wood touch-up pens come in a variety of wood finishes.  Keep these on hand.  You never know when Little Tommy will make a huge scratch down the middle of your perfect dining room table, and you have a guest checking in within a couple of hours.

Remove White Water Rings on Wood

Don’t panic.  You can remove those water rings from most wooden surfaces.  Try these Water Mark Remover Cloths or give this household hack a try.

Cover the ring with a thick towel.  Press the towel for several seconds using a warm, dry iron.  This will release the moisture from the wood into the towel. Repeat until the ring is removed.  Buff the area with furniture polish.

After you’ve finished the painting chores, head on over to this article that includes a checklist for Preparing Your Vacation Rental for Fall.

Do you have some tips for making after season touch-ups?  Leave a comment below – I’d love to try your hacks!