Interior painting question (probably stupid)

[penguin23]

So I had my house painted in July and had a 5 gallon bucket for the trim. We have some extra paint in the bucket (i'm not sure how much, but I don't think its more than a few inches). I need to paint two small strips of baseboard (about 6 feet in total). It is never been painted before wood. So here are my questions-what do I do with the paint in the bucket? Can I just stir it and use it? Or do I go back to HD and have them put it in a smaller container and mix it?

I have two vent covers in the wall. They are off white and stained. I can't find replacements at Lowe's, HD or the two small hardware stores in my town. Do you think I could just take them off and rustoleum spray paint them? Or does anyone know where I can find large vent covers (like 6 inches high by 26-36 inches wide)?

[pamela]

Mix what's left in the bucket with a paint stick. Pour a small amount in a paint tray or small bucket to be able to reach into better. Also, you probably want to prime that wood first. Bare wood is going to suck up a lot of paint.

[penguin23]

What if it is a paint with primer? Do I still prime it first?

[auntie]

Stir the paint very well. Then put it in a smaller can for convenience. If you skip the primer, you'll need an additional coat since the wood will suck up much of the first coat. Not a huge deal.

For the vent covers. Be sure you scrub well to degrease them if they're air return covers. You can spray them, but I typically use a brush into the "gills" and then finish with a small roller using the same paint I use on the wall. They blend in better that way. The previous owners had wallpaper in the guest room and the wall paper was cut to cover the vent covers. That was really impressive.

[simpsongal]

Ditto auntie. You can buy relatively inexpensive clean paint cans at HD - just be sure to label it so you know what it is.

Check online for that size vent cover. I'm replacing one of our air return covers b/c it's bent and old looking. I couldn't find the exaact size but close enough -- I had to order it online (didn't have it at Lowe's, HD, etc.). I prefer wall paint to match but spray painting would be way easier.

[penguin23]

Simpsongal-where have you found yours online? I tried a google search but didn't come up with anything.

Auntie-the vent cover is inbetween baseboard for about 4 inches in height, then another 2 or 3 inches of wall, which is why I was going with the white.

Ladies-thank you so much

[auntie]

Nov 29, 2012 9:25:06 GMT -5 penguin23 said:

Auntie-the vent cover is inbetween baseboard for about 4 inches in height, then another 2 or 3 inches of wall, which is why I was going with the white.

Oh. Yeah. I have one of those. I agree- white to match the baseboards.

[jessicah628]

We spray painted some of our vent covers and it worked out perfectly.