The difference between a good and bad paint job usually depends on how carefully you prepare the surface as well as the Quality and Suitability of the Paint that you will be using. Preparing a room for painting is the single most important step when painting a room. Setting up an area for painting like a professional is the single most important action when decorating a room. Partial or improper preparation is a guaranteed way to fail before you even start. Proper preparation will save your time and money in the long run. You can also watch a video on this topic.

Cover and Move Your Furniture and Decorations

Clear the room of all furnishings, decorations, light and outlet covers. The more you can get out of the room, the easier you’ll be able to move around and the less you’ll have to worry about ruining with paint. Remove the furniture, fittings, ornaments, light and electrical switch covers. The more you can get out of the room, the easier you’ll be able to move around and the less you’ll have to worry about ruining with paint.

Move everything that cannot be taken out to the centre of the room and cover it in plastic or with blankets and plastic drop sheets for protection against spillages of paint. Ensure it is covered completely, because paint has a habit of coming into places you do not expect it.

Prepare the Walls

Before you paint any area, be certain the walls are really in great condition. Paint will not hide cracks or dips and dents, it will accentuate them.
Before painting any surface, it needs to be clear of dirt, grease, dust and loose flakes of old paint. Some surfaces require a primer or undercoat to create a base acceptable for painting. Greasy and nicotine stained walls as well as finger marks have to be washed off with sugar soap to prevent it from showing up again on the newly painted area.

Apply a Wall Primer

Newly plastered and stained walls need a layer of primer before you can actually paint your final coat of colour. The reason being that the paint will grip better and it will last much longer. Water based primers tend to give off less odour than oil based primers. A high-quality primer will also help to hide any small imperfections on walls. When applying your primer layer, do it in the same way as if you were painting normal paint. Take your time applying an even layer with a brush or roller.
Once you have applied the primer coat, imperfections on the wall and cracks and holes will be more visible and can now be treated before applying your final colour coat.

Cracks and Holes in the wall need to be filled in before painting starts. This topic will addressed in the next article.

Topic: How to Prepare before Painting – Painters Somerset West

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Painting Tips Before Starting your Paint Job

Picking a Paint Colour

It’s smart to try out different colours before you start painting Test colours on areas of an existing wall by painting square meter blocks next to each other. Repeat this process on different walls to see how it looks in various lightning situations. You can test decorative finishes the same way.

Shady areas make colours appear darker while lively colours can be too bright in well-lit areas. Consider the character of your home when deciding on a colour scheme. What elements do you like best about your home for example architectural features, windows, Porches etc. Then decide which element you want to highlight.

Preparation before you start

Most paint failures come from poor surface preparation. Proper preparation is crucial to the durability of the paint job. Ensure a long lasting paint job by taking time to assess the condition of your home’s interior and exterior. Consider hosing the house off with a high pressure pump to remove dirt and salts, especially if your home is close to the sea. Then follow up with scraping cracked or flaking paint, sanding, caulking, and treating stains as necessary. Remove or cover imperfections on the walls or other surfaces. Dust and clean the interior walls with a cloth or a vacuum cleaner.

Before preparing a room for painting, protect the furniture and flooring against splattering paint or accidents.

Start in the corners of the wall and up near the ceiling, “cutting in” the paint with an angle brush. Use a small brush to apply the paint around trim and in the corners of walls where your larger brush can’t reach.

Hiring Professional Painters

It doesn’t take much more than a brush, bucket and ladder to get into the painting business. To get the quality paint job you’re paying for, ask questions and make sure your contract is very specific.

If you hire professional painters, ask the for references as well as the brand of paint they use. If you have a brand in mind, make sure they’re willing to use it. Quality and colours vary by brand, and even slight colour differences among brands can be dramatic when applied to an entire house.

It is important to hire a painter you trust. Much of the work takes place when you aren’t around, and it is difficult to check a painter’s work. Once the job is complete, you won’t be able to tell if he primed the entire surface or even if he applied one coat rather than two.

For more information on Painting Tips phone Painting Contractors Somerset West on 082 374 6862

Topic: Painting Tips Before Starting your Paint Job

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Preparation before you start to Whitewash

Regardless if you want to whitewash furniture or wooden ceilings, for both you need to do some preparation before you start.

Remove old paint or sealant with paint stripper or sandpaper. Removing the existing finish will prevent the new paint from coming off with a simple wipe as it will not bond with the surface. Doing this is essential for a lasting finish. When using paint stripper remember to neutralize the stripper afterwards with turpentine or mineral spirits.

Sand the furniture by using a medium or fine grit sandpaper or sander on the surfaces you want to whitewash. This provides the wood with an even texture and makes the whitewash attach strongly and evenly. If the wood has an existing layer of paint, lacquer, or stain, you’ll need to sand it off or strip it entirely of its existing coating.

Paint and Water Mixture

When mixing your own, use a 6 parts paint to 4 parts water for a perfect whitewash finish. An Acrylic (PVA), water based paint, is suitable for whitewashing.

Application of the Paint

For wood with large grain and pores, apply the whitewash against the grain to ensure it covers the contour of the wood. Pine and woods with a fine grain, apply the whitewash in the direction of the wood grain for best results.

Apply the paint using a paintbrush, foam roller or clean rag in long strokes to the particular surface. The mixture will dry more quickly than standard paint and therefore it is important to apply the whitewash mixture in relatively small sections rather than attempting to coat the entire surface.

One coat of the mixture normally is enough, especially if you mixed your own whitewash to the desired consistency. However, you can apply additional layers that will obscure more of the wood grain.

While the paint is still wet, wipe away as much of the paint as you need to get the desired finish by running a rag from top to bottom. A sponge can also be used for this. It’s important to wipe away the paint while still wet as this process will be more difficult once the paint has dried.

Completing your Whitewashing Project

Wait for the whitewash to dry completely before you apply a clear acrylic sealant over the surface. Alternatively, you can apply an antique wax for protection. This will ensure fresh and new look for a long time. Most sealants can be applied using a brush or sponge.

For more information on Whitewashing techniques or to discuss your next Painting Project, contact Painting Contractors Somerset West on 082 374 6862

Topic: Whitewash Your Wood Ceilings or Furniture

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Paint doesn’t last permanently, and eventually it will begin to peel and look horrible. In fact, your best option is to scrape the paint off your wall. In case your home is really old, it’s possible you have several coats of paint, which will compound the problem. It can be even more laborious if the layer of paint below was oil-based. After you have the peeled paint stripped off, and scraped as best as you could, then you need to putty the holes in the wood, fill up the holes in the wall, and next, sand it as good as you can. When you are done, now remove the dust and give it a chance to completely dry. Make sure you wait approximately 24 hours to completely dry.

There could possibly be a difficulty with moisture build-up if you live in an older home. You may find paint fractures if your home contains excessive condensation or leaks. You will see this typically in the bathroom, where mould and mildew may also grow. Even though this is generally a bathroom concern, it may possibly happen in other parts of the house. At times your home will have a leak, or bushes that are too close. If your paint is cracking because of moisture build-up, you will need a different solution. If it’s inside the home, you will need to come up with a solution that is one part bleach and three parts water to remove the paint and kill the mildew. Regarding the outer surface of the home, use the pressure washer and the pressure washer solution to clean it.

One other difficulty that has to have a painter, is when the colour is fading, which normally happens on the exterior. It may possibly happen inside, but it is essentially caused when exposed to the hot sun. To avoid fading, do not work with bright or bold colours like red. If you want colours that feature prominently, try ones that tend to be golden or with a ruddy tone.

It is best to strive to keep your home looking fresh and new. It’s good to keep it painted every several years, and promptly fix any leaks to get rid of the moisture.

Topic: Home Painting Ideas

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Semi-Gloss

This finish is a good choice for high moisture areas because of the ease of clean up. Semi-gloss paint is very durable and washable, and will produce a visible shine. It has a medium amount of sheen and is ideal for living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, halls kids’ rooms and bathroom ceilings.

Semi-gloss paint is easily cleaned and lays down a nice, subtle shine, without being too glitzy. Take care with pre paint preparation work, as poorly prepared surfaces can be a bit distracting when highlighted by a semi-gloss surface.

Glossy

Glossy paint is not often used on walls. It generally is not advisable to paint entire walls with a glossy finish. Still, there are several places where you can make a huge impact with high gloss paint. First of all, any doors or cabinets look fantastic in glossy paint. Furthermore, certain pieces of furniture look incredible when coated in a high gloss paint, particularly if you use vibrant shades in an otherwise fairly neutral room.

High gloss paints have an almost reflective quality, as their shiny finish mimics the look of enamel or plastic. Though not widely used in home interiors, it is becoming more popular for a dramatic look on cabinets, trim, and furniture in very formal and very contemporary settings. This finish will magnify any surface imperfections, so careful preparation and sanding is essential before painting with high gloss paints.

Topic: Interior Paint Finishes

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Matt Finish
This type of interior paint has a matt surface. This paint finish is usually used on interior walls. It works very well if you have to camouflage small wall bumps, cracks, or other imperfections, as this finish does not reflect light. While some matt paints are advertised as washable today, you may need to touch up scratches or marks by covering with a bit more paint, so be sure you keep some on hand after you’ve finished painting.

Eggshell Finish
If you can picture the very low sheen of the shell of an egg, you have an idea of how an eggshell paint finish will appear. With only a slight hint of shine or gloss, it’s good for walls and holds up
better with cleaning than a matt finish paint.

Satin Finish
Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is most often used for windows, doors, trim, or ceilings, but can also be used as wall paint. This is particularly suitable for kids’ room walls, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas which get a lot of traffic. Paint with a satin finish is formulated to hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing.

Call Painting Contractors Somerset West today on 082 374 6862 for a Free Quotation.

Next: More Glossy Paints

Topic: Interior Paint Finishes

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Sometimes homeowners take the opportunity to design a new look for the interior of the home when choosing to repaint. Before deciding on what color shades to use, think about how the walls will look when the room is furnished. Also, keep in mind that different colors affect people’s senses as one moves about the house.

Temperature and Humidity
Most interior latex paints cure and dry perfectly so long as the temperature is above 10°Celsius. The circulating warm air from the heating system helps keep the humidity at a favorable level.

Even if the walls are slightly cool to the touch, the paint should cure and dry normally. A set of fans or a space heater can be used to help speed up the drying process if the temperature is low or if the heating system is temporarily shut down.

Winter conditions are in contrast to summer, where while homes may be air conditioned on the inside, it can still be a challenge to keep out the searing heat of the sun’s rays. Because the interior atmosphere is warm and rather dehumidified, painting the inside walls in winter requires no special considerations.

Winter Painting Fun
Painting the interior walls in winter can be a fun do-it-yourself project, but many homeowners find it is a lot of work and time. Many homeowners find that hiring a professional painting contractor can really help get the job done right at a reasonable price. With their know how and expertise, an experienced painting contractor can offer a lot more value than just labor alone.

When selecting a painting contractor, be sure to look for professional painting company who knows what a quality painting job is all about, leave the premises as they found it, and offer a guarantee of satisfaction for all work performed.

Call Painting Contractors Somerset West today on 082 374 6862 for a Free Quotation.

Topic: Interior Painting

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Colour is defined as the “perceived quality of light reflected or emitted by an object.” As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is colour. While one person may love orange because of its stimulating effect, another may dislike its intensity. These reactions are most likely learned at a young age as people tend to associate memories with certain colours.

Why do we find one place appealing and are uneasy in another? Why are we attracted to one product over another? Colour, whether architectural or in products, accounts for 60 percent of our response to an object or a place.

Perhaps everyone should accept the fact that painting a room is sort of like becoming an artist. Painting is a process, whether you are agonizing over the colour selection or actually brushing the paint on the walls. “You are the artist of your own environment,” “You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment and then adjust and tweak.”

To make paint colour selection less intimidating, many designers suggest considering the feeling each colour inspires.

If you have decided to paint your home but are unsure of what type of paint colour(s) you want to use, begin with a reference point. Think of a photograph you like, a piece of artwork, the colours in your wardrobe, and what colours you already have in your home.

Consider the existing items in your room. Flooring, rugs, artwork and upholstery will suggest a colour direction. Try to pull together these elements in your colour choice. If your home is not furnished, make the paint colour the last thing you choose; there are thousands of colours to choose from but maybe only one rug that you really love.

Think about what colours you are naturally drawn to. This will help you establish where you want to begin. Look for inspiration everywhere. What is the view like from your windows? If you have a tree that you love, draw your eye there by choosing a bold colour on that wall, in either a similar colour or a contrasting colour. Don’t be afraid to be bold.

Start Small – If you’re not sure where to begin with colour, experiment in a powder room or bathroom, a small hall or area between rooms, or an accent wall. If you’re doing your own painting, pick an area that’s quick to do so you can see your results sooner, and be happy with it or change it. Look at the process as an adventure. To get started, select a favourite colour drawn from artwork, a rug, dishes and an accessory or furniture piece as a main colour or accent.

Take into account how colour flows from room to room. If you have a modern house with an open floor plan, it’s important to use one wall colour throughout the main floor. Add accent colours in a few carefully considered areas.

For more ideas on deciding which colour to choose, you can also read the article “An Expert’s Insight on Choosing the Right Colours”

Topic: Painting Contractors Somerset West – How to Choose the right Paint Colour Scheme

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