- Doing the necessary Preparation.
For the paint to stick properly, it must be applied to a surface that is clean, dry and not flaking or peeling.
Stained surfaces and surfaces in areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundries will need to be washed down prior to painting.
Smoke stains, soap, grease, finger-marks on doors and other woodwork must be removed prior to painting.
If surfaces to be painted are not thoroughly cleaned, the following faults may occur:
- slowness or lack of drying of the paint film
- staining of the paint film, due to solvent acting upon grease, smoke, oil
- cissing of the paint film due to grease and oil on the surface
- poor adhesion of the paint film to the surface
There are many products for washing down surfaces prior to painting all of which leave a residue. Just remember to rinse with clean water after you apply them to remove the residue
Making good and Filling
Often referred to as patching. This is usually carried out with a material as close as possible to the original material. A damaged cement render wall should be patched with cement render, a plaster wall should be patched with patching plaster, and so on.
On painted and / or stained timber work, surface blemishes such as cracks, scratches and holes, are usually filled with a filling material such as Polyfilla.
Surfaces are rubbed down to:
- smooth, rough surfaces prior to painting,
- slightly roughen surfaces which are too smooth to provide a ‘key’ or grip for the paint to stick to.
- Don’t Scrimp On The Products.
Don’t scrimp on the products. Shop for top-quality paint, patch and Gap fillers. Top-quality paint lasts longer, flows and covers better than poor-quality paint. Buy products that have a lifelong guarantee against finish defects.
With most house paint, you get what you’re paying for – the best materials are pricey.
- Use the Right Tools and Equipment
A high-quality brush, roller and, for some houses, an airless sprayer
High quality tools can be expensive but when you are finished, and you wash them out correctly they will last for years
An airless sprayer can be rented at most tool rental outlets. The easiest way to apply primer and paint to textured surfaces is to spray it on with an airless sprayer, and then back-roll it by hand with a roller to ensure adhesion.
N.B. Please ensure that you get basic instruction when using an airless sprayer. With the amount of pressure flowing through the tip it can be a dangerous tool for the uninformed
- Cover Everything Up
Protect furniture, carpets tiles and floors, shrubs, gardens, patios and walkways from paint spills and splatters with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. This will save you from big cleaning issues later. If you use an airless paint sprayer, masking and covering will be vital, overspray has the tendency to get everywhere
- Be Realistic
Before you decide to paint your house, yourself make sure you have the time, equipment, skills and energy to do your work. Depending on the size and height of your house and the quality of your project, preparing and painting a house on your own can be a tiresome, challenging task.
Don’t get me wrong I firmly believe everyone should attempt to try painting at least once but just be aware that not everybody can paint
Irrespective of whether you employ a pro or do it yourself, painting your house is something you won’t want to redo every couple of years. Hopefully these 5 secrets will make work simpler and help ensure a beautiful, long-lasting outcome.
If you have a painting job you’d like done and you’d like it done right,call Kevin at CWP Painting for an estimate – 0429629559
We understand how to prepare your home for painting.
