"Learn to walk before you try to run!" This old adage couldn't be more true with decorative painting and plastering. Set yourself up for success by planning each project thoroughly from start to finish. The "little things" matter the most, and they clearly separate the amateurs from the professionals. Too often decorative painters and plasterers fall short of a truly inspirational finish because of a lack of proper preparation. In this one-day class, you will learn how to prepare project sites for applying decorative finishes and understand the customer's responsibility in this process. Furniture removal, drop cloths, and expert painting guidelines will be covered. You will also understand how to use, seal and remove several types of masking tapes; use caulking gun and masking machine. Additionally, you will understand base coat, priming, and basic surface patching techniques that include brushing and painting techniques. Plenty of hands-on exercises will develop and refine basic preparation techniques.