Some surfaces are an absolute nightmare to paint – we’re looking at you, dining room chairs, staircases, and fence slats! But what if there were a simple way to get into those fiddly gaps, and one that wouldn’t cost you the earth?
Well, Homebuilding’s content director, Laura Crombie, has found the “ultimate DIY hack” for tackling tricky paint jobs – and the best part is that it will cost you less than £10 in the supermarket.
This might come as a surprise, but she’s been using a self-tanning mitt to paint those awkward surfaces and says it’s the best painting hack she’s ever found. She’s even recommended it to many of her friends.
Laura explains, “I’ve been DIY-renovating this house in Worcestershire for five years and was clueless at painting furniture before I started. I used to end up with brush marks and drips when I painted anything fiddly, but a friend mentioned trying the tanning mitt and I had to give it a go.”
To find out how she uses it for a streak-free finish – and where to buy the best tanning mitts for your DIY job – keep on reading.
How to use a tanning mitt for paint projects
This hack is ideal for painting everything from dining chairs and tables to staircases, wooden bedframes, and fence slats. To help get you started, Laura has put together a step-by-step guide for you to follow:
1. Choose your tanning mitt
Laura explains that the better the quality of your tanning mitt, the better your finish will be, so don’t scrimp when choosing one. Luckily, they’re all very affordable and you can get a good one for less than £10 (like this TanOrganic one from Amazon).
2. Wear gloves underneath
Once you’ve bought your tanning mitt of choice, Laura recommends wearing a pair of disposable gloves or an old pair of washing-up gloves underneath (“otherwise you’ll end up with a very messy hand!”)
3. Apply the paint
Laura places a blob of the best furniture paint onto the mitt using a brush, massages it in, and then applies it to the surface. Alternatively, you can use it to apply the primer first. “Use sweeping motions around spindles, then wipe onto flat surfaces and dab off to get an even finish.”
4. Apply another coat
This painting hack works best when you apply two thin coats.
Where to buy self-tanning mitts for painting
Keen to give this painting hack a go? Here are some high-quality self-tanning mitts we'd recommend:
This double-sided tanning mitt features a thumb slot for easy application.
Featuring a water-resistant lining and a double-sided design, this mitt also comes with a mini version for small areas.
This luxury tanning mitt is soft like velvet, ensuring a streak-free finish every time.
This handy trick is easy and affordable and will save you so much time on those tiresome painting jobs. While it’s always a good idea to keep the best paint brushes on hand for larger surfaces, a tanning mitt is a great way to reach fiddly corners.
For more advice, read our expert guide on how to paint wood the right way, which includes all the information you need to get started.
