The Guide - Pointers & Tips
Estimate
To estimate the amount of materials needed for a particular paint
project, all that is needed is the square footage of the surface
that is going to be painted. Do not worry about deducting for
windows, doors, etc., so there will be paint left over for
touchup. If the surface is less than one foot wide it is usually
figured in linear feet and converted to square feet.
Testing Painted Surfaces
Anyone who is repainting a surface and wants to see what kind of
paint was previously used on that surface, should rub the surface
with rubbing alcohol. Latex base paints will dissolve. Alkyd base
paints will not.
Textured Ceilings
In the Ontario Region, many homes have textured
ceilings that are very difficult to paint. The biggest reason is
because the texture is applied over surfaces that have no primer.
Because the texture is a water based mixture, painting it with a
latex paint will reactivate it, and if not painted correctly will
cause it to fall off. And when that happens, it is a nightmare.
However, textured ceilings can be painted, using a brush, roller,
or sprayer when applying acrylic latex or alkyd base paints.
Shawn Letcher has had excellent results using a 1 1/2” roller
cover and rolling an alkyd base flat paint. The theory is that
when you apply the alkyd base flat paint, it will soak through the
texture and into the underlying surface, bonding the two together
and not reactivating it like a latex base paint will. When rolling
the paint on the ceiling, roll from one end of the ceiling to the
other without stopping. Rolling back over wet texture (with a
latex based paint) will pull it off. Wait 24 hours if a second
coat is necessary.
The only exception Shawn has found are places where
leaks have occurred. For some reason, leaks can create a barrier
around them as far as eight feet, between the back side of the
texture and the surface. This barrier prevents even the alkyd base
paint from penetrating into the surface, and in return weighing
the texture down enough to cause it to fall off, as much as three
months after the paint has been applied. So be careful. However,
if you can get through it without any problems you're home free,
because touch up from there on out is a snap.
Water Stains on Textured Ceilings
Try this the next time a leak causes a brown stain on a textured
ceiling that has never been painted. Take some straight bleach and
put it in a spray bottle (like the kind you might use for plant
food.) Then spray the stained area with the bleach and let, this
now wet area, dry over night. Depending on the severity of the
stain, more than one application may be required. Many times this
will take a water stain out of a textured ceiling. If not, be sure
to prime the stain with a stain blocking primer before painting.
Tools
When using brushes, use china bristle for alkyd paints and a
combination nylon/polyester for latex paints The combination
nylon/polyester last longer than 100% nylon and give a good
finish. Never use china or natural bristle brush for latex or it
will never be used again for anything other than a dust brush. A
good quality brush won’t have bristles falling out while it is in
use. Give the bristles of the brush a good tug before using it to
see if they fall out. If they do it is probably a poorly
constructed brush. Also, the paint project will dictate what size
brush to use. Brushes generally come in sizes 1" to 4". Smaller
brushes are ideal for trim, windows, doors, and shutters, while a
large 4" brush would be ideal for exterior siding. As a final
thought on brushes, if there is a paint product that makes for
extremely hard cleanup (i.e. rust inhibitor), a cheap brush might
be an option. It can be thrown away when the job is finished.
There are different naps to a roller sleeve (i.e. 1/2", 3/4", 1
1/2" etc.). A good size to use on flat surfaces is 1/4" to 3/4"
nap, and 3/4" to 1 1/2 " nap on rougher surfaces. Check with a
local paint dealer for the roller sleeve needed for a particular
project.
Other tools to consider for use on any paint project are scrapers,
wire brushes, putty knives, sanding blocks or sand paper, caulking
gun, oversized roller tray, and a brush comb. |
