This will help you to avoid time-consuming and costly repairs at a later stage. Painting (especially in areas where damp or moisture may be a problem) is one such task.
Get the room ready
Don't try to get everything done in one day, as the quality of the end result all depends on the preparation.
Sometimes more time is needed for the preparation work than for the painting itself, but laying the groundwork will help you achieve the best result and you may even enjoy the job more.
To prevent scratching, be sure to vacuum hardwood or laminate floors before you put down drop cloths.
Premixed crack fillers tend to shrink less, or sometimes not at all, when they dry. Immovable fixtures can be covered with large plastic bags and taped shut.
Remove all doorknobs, light-switch plates and electrical-outlet covers, and light fi xtures. Place the pieces in clearly marked bags to keep them together. This is also a good time to give these items a good cleaning.
Get the right equipment
Every year new products come onto the market to help make the task of painting more enjoyable. Make sure you select the best products for your job, and organise a
tool station in the middle of your work area.
What you will need:
How much paint will you need?
Tip: Have the primer tinted to match your selected paint colour. You may be able to avoid a second coat.
Alternatively, ask a shop assistant or paint specialist for assistance. You can also visit the websites of paint brands such as Plascon (www.plascon.co.za) and Dulux (www.dulux.co.za) and use the online paint calculator to help you determine how much paint you will need for any given surface.
Prepare the walls paint before you start
Rinse well to prevent the soap residue from reacting to the new layer of paint.
Choose the right type of paint
The type of paint you use (and its finish) is essential if you want a neatly painted room. There are the two types you could consider:
Water-based or latex paint
These paints are easiest to work with and the easiest to clean up. New latex paints are formulated to be environmentally friendly.
Acrylic (latex) paint is best for walls and it also works well on woodwork. Drying time is short (usually about one hour). Latex paints do tend to develop a 'skin' of paint in the tin when they begin to dry out, so keep the tin covered as much as possible.
Pour the quantity of paint you want to work with into another container (or the roller tray) and close the tin.
Oil-based paint
This is also known as alkyd-based paint and requires a solvent, such as turpentine, to clean paintbrushes.
Oil-based paint is stain resistant and sticks well to walls and ceilings.
It is particularly popular for use in bathrooms and kitchens. Most professional painters prefer oil-based paints, especially for cabinets, furniture, and trims. New formulations are less harmful towards the environment and are non toxic.
Choose the right finish
Once you have decided on the merits or latex versus oil, you need to decide on a finish.
Matte: This finish is good for large surfaces, since it doesn't reflect light. It is often used in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and on ceilings.
Satin: Such a finish is an excellent way to brighten up hallways, living areas and children's bedrooms and playrooms.
Semigloss: This finish is easy to clean, making it great for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and doors.
Gloss: This finish reflects the most light and is usually used for furnishings as opposed to walls.
In areas that experience high moisture and humidity, such as bathrooms, mildew may become a problem. Consider adding a mould preventing additive, which you can buy at most hardware stores, to your paint before you start.
Don't paint over
problem areas
Peeling or blistering paint on interior walls may be caused by rising damp or excessive moisture. This could be as a direct result of a leaking pipe or badly sealed
adjacent shower.
Attempt to repair the cause before repairing the symptoms. Once you (or a plumber) have established and thoroughly repaired the cause, allow the affected area to dry out completely (this may take days or even weeks), then treat the walls with a damp sealer, such as Plascon Dampseal, before overcoating with the paint of your choice.
Use a 38mm brush for trim work, a 50mm brush for 'cutting in' and a 100mm brush for painting cornices and in corners.
Choose the right tools
Natural or synthetic?
Brushes
This could be the border between two colours or the neat edge needed along door frames, window frames, cornices and skirting boards.
Paint rollers
You are now ready to paint