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Achieve The Perfect Paint Job

Handy tips on the perfect paint job, from surface preparation to the end result.

Surface Preparation

Surface preparation is a vital part of the painting process, it can make or break a project. Make sure that you fill any holes and remove any old flaky paint and then sand it back to ensure a smooth and even finish. The myth that paint will fill in any holes is not correct! Always make sure that you have fixed any blemishes on the wall by going over the wall with a light. Another important factor is to make sure that the surface is clean, this is particularly important in rooms such as kitchens and any other wet area because cooking oils can form a very thin layer of oil on the wall. Using sugar soap for this stage works well. Mould and mildew marks also need to be removed, this can be done by using household bleach diluted 1:5 with water to remove the visible mould. You then need to work out why the mould is growing there and fix the problem, possibly lack of ventilation.

Equipment

Select good quality painting products. If you are uncertain about this, you should always ask a professional and they will recommend a product for you. Better quality products seem to give better coverage, less bubbles and are easier to use than poor quality products. You should always look after your equipment by cleaning it properly.

For acrylic paint brushes and rollers you can use water to remove most of the paint, then you should use a paint removing product and repeat with water and dishwashing liquid. For enamel brushes and rollers you must use mineral turpentine to clean up. For ongoing projects brushes and rollers can be stored overnight in plastic wrap to save continual cleaning up.

Selecting the right equipment

ROLLERS: Use polyester wool rollers for enamel paint and synthetic fibres for waterbased paints, as they do not absorb water. Short pile rollers are good for smooth plaster board, medium pile rollers are best for lightly textured surfaces and long pile rollers are the best for heavily textured surgfaces.

BRUSHES: Natural bristled brushes tend to shed bristles, while the synthetic brushes are not supposed to. Synthetic brushes are better for water based products. The thinner and shorter the bristle, the squarer the end, the less paint it will hold and they can drip everywhere. Quality brushes have long bristles of varying lengths which provide a chiselled edge allowing the paint to flow on more smoothly.

Preparing to paint

Remove all fittings such as door handles, light switches, door hinges etc, this will ensure a neater job and these fittings will not be covered in paint splatters. You can then use painters masking tape. The type with plastic attached is great for covering windows etc because it covers the surface totally. Plastic drop sheets on the floor and furniture are best, fabric drop sheets will still leak paint through them, which therefore damages your possessions. Using a proper paint stirrer is best for mixing the paint, however an old ruler can work well too. Make sure that you mix tha paint properly. This means rotating the mixer whilst lifting it up out of the paint every now and again to make sure that there is no paint on the bottom of the bucket being missed. To get the best control from your paint brush, hold it between your thumb and fingers like you would hold a pen.

Temperature

Another important factor in painting is to ensure that the temperature is right. This, believe it or not will make a difference in the overall job. The best temperature range to work in is between 15 and 25 degrees. If the temperature is below 10 degrees or over 35 degrees it is not recommended that you paint unless the paint you have specifies it is a tolerated temperature.

Painting

Paint the ceiling first then work your way down, walls, then doors, windows, skirting, architravea, picture rails, dado rails and skirting boards etc. Use a roller to paint the ceilings and walls. A cutting-in brush will really help with corners, particularly if you are using diferent colours. If you are re-decorating an old home, it is best if you strip the walls down to bare timber and start again, this then ensures that windows and doors will open and close properly and will make for a more even finish.

Colour

It is always a good idea to use a sample pot of paint first, this way you can paint a patch onto a wall in the room you are painting, so that you can see what it looks like in all conditions and with lighting, day and night etc.

GOOD LUCK PAINTING!

HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;

Great Finish Painting & Decorating

Nick Mead Painter and Decorator