Ace Hardware today announced the winners of its Helpful Hands campaign, a nationwide program awarding paint makeovers to one high school in each of the 50 states. Partnering with its locally-owned stores across the country, Ace will give the winning high schools a $2,000 paint makeover.
Ace is also encouraging everyone across the country to follow their lead and do their own paint makeover using the below tips from Lou Manfredini, Ace's home expert:
| Â | Â | 1. | Â | Choose the Right Paint |
| Â | ||||
| For high traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms and hallways, Ace Hardware offers Ace Royal Finest®, the only paint on the market with Scotchgard Protector, so stains, marks and scuffs wipe right off. | ||||
| Â | ||||
2. | Use the Proper Tools | |||
| Â | ||||
| Paintbrushes and paint rollers should be professional grade. Purdy® and Wooster® make some of the best brushes and will work best for a job like this – they will apply paint to your walls more evenly and can last for years. | ||||
| Â | ||||
| For rollers, the best ones will have expendable frames, are made from heavy-gauge wire, have end bearings for smoother operation and a threaded handle to accommodate extenders. | ||||
| Â | ||||
3. | Prep the Space | |||
| Â | ||||
| Start by spackling over cracks or holes to ensure a smooth surface. Also, don't forget to apply painter's tape to the areas you want to remain paint-free. Ace offers Frog Tape® Painter's Tape which is treated with paint blocking technology to seal the edges and prevent paint from seeping through. | ||||
| Â | ||||
4. | Paint like the Pros | |||
| Â | ||||
| With your paintbrush, dip only the bottom third of the bristles into the paint so you don't waste paint and create a mess. Also make sure to hold the paintbrush properly by grasping the metal band around the bristles with your thumb and fingers allowing the handle to sit in the bend of your thumb, giving you good control of the brush. | ||||
| Â | ||||
| When using a roller, make the job more manageable by working in three- to four-foot square sections and follow a zigzag or "W" pattern. Fill in the section with horizontal strokes and then smooth over the section with vertical strokes. This will maintain the same pattern and will help to fuse the smaller sections into one finished surface when dry. | ||||
| Â |
For more information on Ace's Helpful Hands Campaign and painting tips, visit www.acehardware.com
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6456902&lang=en
Contacts:
DBC PR+New Media
Marisa Hagerman, 202-292-4570
Ace@dbcpr.com
