We asked for real-world painting pointers—and got hundreds of great tips from our Field Editors. Here are 11 of our favorites.
11 Little-Known Painting Hacks from Our Expert Field Editors
![No More Splashy Paint Can Lids](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_02.jpg)
No More Splashy Paint Can Lids
![Preserve a Brush With a Glove](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_03_04_05.jpg)
Preserve a Brush With a Glove
![A Push Broom Handle Reaches New Heights](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_06.jpg)
A Push Broom Handle Reaches New Heights
![Slap It On, Then Smooth It Out](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_07_08.jpg)
Slap It On, Then Smooth It Out
![Brush Bristle Saver](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_09.jpg)
Brush Bristle Saver
![Cardboard Protects Floors Best](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_10.jpg)
Cardboard Protects Floors Best
I don't like drop cloths. They're usually too big, slippery, clumsy and just downright messy—especially when I need to move them around while they're still covered in wet paint. That's why I prefer cardboard. I set it tight to the wall and slide it with my foot as I work my way around the room.
Beckie Boggs
![No-Maintenance Paint Tray](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_11.jpg)
No-Maintenance Paint Tray
Don't bother cleaning or putting liners in your paint trays. Just pour any excess paint back into the can and let the paint in the tray dry completely before using it again. I have paint trays with a 1/8-in.-thick paint buildup in them. I like them better than clean trays because they're a little heavier and don't slide around when I'm loading the roller.
Mac Wentz
![2/3 Prep, 1/3 Painting](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_12.jpg)
2/3 Prep, 1/3 Painting
A good prep job often takes more time than painting, but it pays off. The more time you spend prepping a room for new paint, the better your finished paint job will look. Washing, patching, sanding and vacuuming walls, ceilings, trim and doors before you pick up a brush or roller are time well spent. If you don't take care of small imperfections now, they'll stick out like a sore thumb once the paint goes on.
Arthur Barfield
![Do the Ceiling, Then the Walls](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_13.jpg)
Do the Ceiling, Then the Walls
![Skip Brush Cleaning Between Coats](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_PAINTS_14.jpg)
Skip Brush Cleaning Between Coats
Whenever I take a break from painting or if I'm done for the day, I toss my brushes into a 5-gallon bucket of clean water to keep them from drying out (make sure all the brushes have the same color paint on them). Then, when I'm ready to start painting again, I swish the brushes around in the water and spin the excess out with a paintbrush-and-roller spinner. Do the spinning inside a second empty bucket to protect surrounding walls from flying water drops.
Ann Wisnoski
![An Egg-Cellent Painting Tip](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH16JUN_EGGCEL_01.jpg)