HOW TO PAINT A ROOM
Most rooms are already painted and are usually repainted because:
• The colour needs changing.
• The paint has become shabby and dirty.
• The paint may have started to flake.
Surface preparation:
At least two thirds of the labour goes into the surface preparation, as this is critical for obtaining a top quality, durable finish. More work should be spent on preparing the surface, than on the actual painting. It is the hardest part, but vital for a good product life.
Glossy finishes including sheens: light abrasion with scotchbrite, water, using a quality de-greasing cleaner and etching fluid. Dilute the cleaners according to manufacturer’s instructions. Wash, rinse with clean water and leave to dry.
This is the safest method to prevent poor adhesion of the new paint.
Matt finishes: Wash well and rinse with clean water. Leave to dry.
Flaky paint must be removed using a scraper blade or spatula. Mechanical methods, such as a power wire brush tool, can be used, however care must be taken as the underlying surface can easily be damaged this way!
Flaking is usually a result of weak coating (such as gypsum filler or skim coatings) underneath the paint film. Sealing the surface with bonding liquid such as a quality Bonding Liquid certainly helps, but if possible, use of these particular coatings should be avoided.
Once all flaking paint has been removed, exposed plaster should be sealed using a quality Bonding Liquid and left to dry for two to three hours. The affected areas should then be skimmed with a quality, ready-for-use acrylic filler compound. To ensure good curing leave to dry for at least six to eight hours before continuing.
Which paints to use:
There are several options:
• Matt finishes hide minor surface blemishes and are useful for uneven walls.
• Silk/sheen, semi-gloss and glossy finishes generally have better washability, but highlight any uneven blemishes in the wall or ceiling.
These coatings should be over-coated with top quality acrylics. Silk/Sheen coatings highlight the ripple effect. The ripple paints must be applied with the correct roller: an open-celled polyurethane foam roller.
Promac has a range of top quality paints for interior use:
Some very important tips for painting indoors:
1. Make sure you have good ventilation.
• This is good for the paint to dry properly.
• This is important for the paint applicator.
2. Always allow the paint to dry properly before re-coating.
• Acrylics: allow a minimum of two hours.
• Enamels: leave to dry overnight.
3. Make sure the roller, brushes etc. are clean and in good condition before starting.
4. Do not underestimate the importance of surface preparation: it comprises about 90% of a successful paint project.
5. When applying paint, always make sure that the paint is applied in a uniform manner: thick and thin films result in sheen or gloss variations and can
make the paint coating look like it is striped!
When using a roller:
Use the correct one (mohair for enamels; wool or synthetic type for acrylics).
Always use a roller tray and ensure that the roller is evenly coated with paint before applying it to the wall.
Recharge the roller for each strip of paint applied: each new strip should be started from a different end to the previous one (e.g. start at bottom, next strip start from top and so forth,). Apply four strips then spread the paint horizontally before laying off with a light stroke from bottom to top.
Poor technique will spoil the job.
Painting bathrooms (and kitchens)
As these areas are subject to a lot of water and humidity the application of Non-Drip Enamel, due to its extra toughness and water resistance, is highly recommended.
The tips already mentioned for painting rooms also apply for bathrooms and kitchens.