Expert warns against ‘dangerous’ trend with paint

After people on social media Tiktok have begun to emulate sloppy painting work for the sake of views, experts have chosen to share a clear warning to paint around light contacts and sockets.

Painting sockets, causing putty to the putty and skipping processed can all cause safety risks such as electric shocks or fire, as it can also produce poor results, experts warn.

A special account on social media raises concerns at Michael Rolland from The Paint Shed. Tiktok account your.local.painter is gaining momentum with his humorous content, where the painter is recklessly painting different parts of the home.

A video shows the painter paint over a light switch with white paint. But Mr. Rolland warns against copying such ‘hacks’ – nor for the sake of Tiktok views.

« Despite how popular it is to paint sockets and the apparent ease it is made in some tiktok videos, this so-called ‘hack’ is a serious security risk, » he said, according to Manchester Evening News.

« White sockets may well stand out against colored walls, but if you paint over sockets still sitting on the wall, paint can penetrate the holes or wires, which can lead to electrical faults, shocks – or at worst fire. »

He suggests in the same vein that one chooses to use a safer alternative.

« If you want colored sockets, I recommend buying colored sockets as first choice. Painting is not always a reliable solution for this and it can be difficult to achieve a professional and neat result, » he said.

« But if you absolutely want to paint your sockets, do it safely and correctly: Turn off the power, remove the socket gently from the wall, clean the base thoroughly and use a self -teasing paint. When the first layer is dry, apply one or two more layers for a durable finish. »

He also warns against applying clumps of putty in cracks as it can also bring a safety risk.

« It’s hard to see Tiktokers do this – it can really hurt the appearance of your home. This method leaves an uneven, lumpy surface where the cracks are still visible below. It doesn’t just look bad – it doesn’t work either, » he said.

Fortunately, he also made sure to share a better method, which requires a little more time.

« Start by cleaning the surface by removing peeling paint with a metal scraper, and washing dust and dirt away with soap. When the surface is sanded and in a useful state, applied putty to thin layers and each layer must dry before continuing. When everything is dry, the surface is smooth and ready for paint, » he said.

Mr. Rolland also advises against painting window frames and frames without using paint tape as it may end up with a ‘messy and unprofessional result’.

« Painting can hit the glass and leave smudgements and uneven edges that destroy the overall result, » he explained.

The best choice is to use paint tape to cover the areas you do not want to paint, so you are sure to get a good result.

« By covering glass and edges with tape, you get clean, sharp lines and a much more polished, professional result, » he said.

« If you are a beginner to do-it-yourself, or if you are unsure of a project, you should always consider getting help from a professional painter to do the work. »

« Experts ensure that you are satisfied with the result and that it is done in high quality. If you are looking for guidance, read blogs and tips from experienced professionals – they give you proper advice (and do not leave you with an extra project on your hands). »