Painting tips for a refreshed home
Painting a room - or a home - is still one of the simplest and most affordable home improvements you can do to change the look, and Plascon have a complete range of products that add value and refresh a home - at the fraction of the cost of other improvements.
With a few painting tips, tricks and techniques you can save even more money by doing it yourself and still achieve professional results. Here are some painting tips that you can put to good use for your next painting project:
Don't skip on preparation
Professional painters know that properly preparing their work space is a key factor in achieving a good end result. Get organised and prepare before you start painting.
* Gather all the tools and equipment you will need in one place.
* Make sure to cover and protect surfaces such as skirtings, woodwork and windows by taping off with masking tape.
* Use a canvas dropcloth to cover flooring or carpets. Canvas is the better option as it won't puncture or rip.
* Clean and rinse walls with Polycell Sugar Soap before applying primer or top coat.
* Make any necessary repairs, such as filling cracks, etc., well in advance, so these have time to dry thoroughly.
* Apply primer wherever necessary before putting the final colour on the wall.
The primer coat improves the adhesion of subsequent coats of paint to the specified surfaces, once they have been cleaned and primed.
Plascon Multi-Surface Primer contains no lead, chromate, or other toxic ingredients.
Pick the right paint
The quality of the paint you choose will directly affect how good the job looks when you're done. For a good quality finish it is important to select quality paint, which adheres better, gives a uniform finish and will last longer. Also, look at the latest colour trends and select a colour that will meet your style.
Plascon Double Velvet is a low odour, premuim quality, interior velvet sheen wall coating that is highly washable and stain resistant. Plascon Double Velvet is ideal for bedrooms, passages, and rooms where a hard-wearing, luxurious finish is required. Apply to suitably primed new and old cement plaster walls, fibre board, ceiling board, gypsum plaster, metal and wood. Plascon Double Velvet is available in white and standard colours indicated on the colour card
Plascon Kitchens & Bathroom paint is a matt paint that is formulated with silver technology that protects the paint film surface and inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. Plascon Kitchens & Bathroom paint is ideal for kitchen and bathroom walls and ceilings where a hardwearing finish is required. The product is available in white and pastel tint bases
Use quality paintbrushes and rollers
Generally, there are three types of paintbrushes:
- Natural-hair bristles
- Synthetic bristles (usually nylon or polyester)
- Blend of natural hair and synthetic
Traditionally, natural bristle brushes are preferred for use with solvent-based (oil-based) paints, especially for enamel or finish work. Natural bristles are hollow and can absorb the water contained in a acrylic paint, causing them to swell and become soft and limp. Synthetic brushes work well with both acrylic and solvent-based paints, but always check the manufacturer's recommendations on the brush. For more information on paintbrushes, visit www.hamiltonbrush.co.za.
Using a quality paint roller means that rollers hold more paint and allow for an even film thickness, (levels the paint finish without shadows or valleys). Cheaper rollers often result in a number of coats having to be applied, which is costly and time consuming.
A quality paint roller will also not shed lint on the painted surface. The fabric on a paint roller is referred to as pile or nap. The nap type and length determines the finish, with the longer nap often leaving a pattern on the surface. The choice of roller is dependent on the type of paint being used and the surface being painted.
Solvent-based paints are generally applied with a short pile mohair roller onto smooth surfaces, while water-based paints are generally applied with sheepskin, blended synthetic or foam rollers. Medium pile is used for semi rough and textured surfaces long pile is used for rough surfaces foam is use for smooth and semi smooth surfaces
DIY TIP:
Velour rollers – foam with a ‘light orange/pink' membrane - are increasingly popular and result in a finish close to that of sprayed application, when using non drip polyurethanes/enamels like Plascon Velvaglo.
Pay attention to the details
Finish off your painting project by painting skirtings, trim and ceilings. These are the crowning touch on any paint job and that's why professional painters pay close attention to these details - to pull together the look of a room.
With the right paint and tools, you can save money by doing your own painting - and enjoy the pride and satisfaction of a job well done.
Plascon Velvaglo is a polyurethane enamel that cross-links to form a resilient protective barrier that is heat, steam, chip and stain resistant. It is an extremely tough premium quality paint that offers a protective and decorative finish for walls and trim work. Plascon Sure Coat Matt Acrylic is a water based, good-quality interior and exterior coating that imparts a durable, smooth matt finish.