My dad was a professional painter, and he always rounded sharp wood corners before painting. I never asked him why. Do you know? — Kathy S., Rochester, New York It sounds like your father was a good ...

Before sanding, round up a shadow light, a wide taping blade and a pencil (not a felt tip pen; it bleeds through paint). Map all wide seam work on ceilings and walls to plan how much to sand each seam ...