PAINT INFO: PAINTING TIPS:

Painting Tips | What Tools Do I Need to Have Ready Before I Start? | What Should I Do Before I Start Painting | What is the Best Way to Paint a Room? | Paint Safely | Dealing with Defects

Painting your own house may not be as daunting a task as you think it is. With the right tools and techniques, a paint job can be enjoyable and rewarding. What’s more, your finished work will be something you will be proud to call your own. Here are some quick tips for a fuss-free paint job.

To pull off a paint job with flying colours, you will need to do the proper research and planning. The most common reasons why paint jobs face problems are inadequate preparation of the surface, using the wrong type of paint, buying insufficient paint, not giving enough time for the project, and not using the right tools.

Here are a few important tips that will help you get your paint job done as easily as possible with maximum impact and minimum hassle.

Use the right paints
Before you start painting, you should not forget about applying the right coats underneath. Sealers, primers and undercoats will bring out the full beauty of your paint job, while ensuring durability and long-lasting protection.

Sealers:
This helps to prevent underlying as well as subsequent coats from reacting with each other, while ensuring adhesion to the surface.
Primer:
Primers function to bind subsequent coats to the surface, while inhibiting deterioration of the paint system as a result of rust, weathering or other forms of corrosion.
Undercoats:
This intermediate coat prepares the surface for the finishing coat while giving opacity and film build to the paint system

After this is done, you’ll also need to choose your paint carefully according to the surface you want to paint. Click here to see the breakdown of some of the products that you can use for different surfaces.

return to top of page

What tools do I need to have ready before I start?

Preparing the right tools will save you the time and hassle of having to scramble for tools in the middle of your paint job.
Some of essential items you will need are:

1. Sandpaper: for smoothing out uneven surfaces prior to painting.
2. Sanding block: to keep the sandpaper.
3. Scraper: to remove peeling paint from the surface.
4. Turpentine: to wipe off oil-based paints easily.
5. Clean rags: to wipe up splattered paint.
6. Masking tape: to block off objects like light switches, sockets from being painted.
7. Covers: old newspapers or canvasses can be used to cover the floor and furniture.
8. Brushes and rollers: choose the right type according to your purpose and surface. As a rule, it is good to have a large brush or roller, and at least one or two small brushes for tight corners.
9. If you are planning to do some advanced paint techniques, make sure you have the correct tools to pull off the job, for e.g. pencil liners, dragging brushes, shaped-stamp.
10. Paint tray: to mix paints and contain your roller.
11. Sticks: to mix and stir paints with.
12. Appropriate filler: to fill cracks or holes in the walls.
13. Filling knife: to fill the cracks.
14. Sponge and squeegee mop: to wash down walls and ceilings respectively.
15. Container: to soak brushes, rollers, etc. and to hold other odds and ends.
16. Extension pole: to reach higher areas.
17. Ladder: if painting high up is necessary.
18. Protective gear: like face masks, caps, gloves, etc.
19. Comfortable old clothes: items that you are willing to part with because painting can be a messy business.

return to top of page

What should I do before I start painting?

Here are a few things you should do before painting

1. Remove as much furniture as possible.
2. Cover other surfaces.
3. Protect light switches, electrical sockets, window frames and woodwork with masking tape.
4. Remove flaking or peeling paint with a scraper. Then sand and dust off the surface.
5. Patch up cracks or uneven surfaces with appropriate filler. When filler is dry, sand and dust off the area.
6. Make sure the surface is clean, grease-free and dry
   • Wash surface with water & liquid detergent.
   • For heavy and stubborn stains: Use turpentine and wash thoroughly.
   • Fungus & mould: Remove as above, followed by fungicidal wash or bleach.

return to top of page

What is the best way to paint a room?

The best way to get a room painted is as follows:

• Start with the ceiling before painting the walls. Move on to the areas around doors, windows, cornices and finally skirting. This sequence prevents paint splattering from the ceiling and spoiling other painted areas.
• Paint the difficult areas like corners and edges first so that it’ll be easier to cover large areas later.
• Paint should be applied in overlapping, continuous strokes. Overlap your strokes when moving from area to area.
• Paint up-down or left-to-right, depending on which is more convenient. Gently and lightly finish off in an up-down stroke if possible.
• Always paint more than one coat of paint, allowing for appropriate drying time between coats.

A few more pointers

1. Read instructions
   The labels on paint cans contain important information and advice that you should read before starting any paint job.
2. Stirring
   All ready-mixed paints must be stirred thoroughly before use. Stir until the colour of the paint is homogenous.
3. Loading the brush
   Do not overload the brush or it will drip. Dipping only the last one-third of the bristles is enough. Excess paint can be wiped off on a piece of string tied across the can.
4. Cleaning
   Always clean off any splattered or spilled paint immediately. Wash all equipment immediately after use -
   For emulsion paint, use water.
   For oil-based alkyd paint, use thinner as specified.
5. Paint responsibly
   Do not dispose of unwanted paint down the drains. This will result in an unwanted layer of paint in the drain that will be inconvenient to remove. In addition, the paint could damage the surrounding flora and fauna. Allow paint to dry out in the container before dropping it into the bin. Contain any paint spillage with earth or sand if painting outdoors. Also do not leave paint chemicals in black polythene bags in the sun as they could combust.

return to top of page

Paint safely

It is important to keep some safety pointers in mind when doing your paint job.

1. Always keep paint away from children.
2. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with water. Seek medical advice if pain persists.
3. On contact with skin, wipe immediately with a cloth and wash with plenty of water and soap. Do not use paint thinner to remove paint from skin.
4. Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.
5. Do not smoke while painting, especially when using turpentine and oil-based paints.
6. Wipe away paint spills around the rims of the paint container and lid.
7. Close lids of paint cans tightly after use. Unused paint must not be left uncovered.
8. Store leftover paint in a cool, dry ventilated place.
9. Use a garbage bag for paint cans or other items that you wish to dispose of. Make sure the bag is placed in a bin which is secured.
10. Do not throw paint into the drains around your home.
11. Make sure there is adequate ventilation when painting.

Now you are ready to have a go at painting your own room or other areas of your home. While following the above pointers closely will make your job a lot easier, feel free to experiment with paint techniques and colours. A little creativity will do wonders in any paint job.

return to top of page

Dealing with defects

Many problems can occur during painting. Sometimes, they occur simultaneously. Understanding the causes of some of these defects can make the paint job easier.
Here are some common paint defects and their solutions:

Sagging happens when the paint droops downward after being applied on the surface. It is caused by the pigment separating from the paint and settling at the bottom of the container and comes as a result of insufficient stirring or shaking during storage, storing for too long or under too much heat, or faulty thinning.

The solution:

• Avoid storing in hot locations for long periods.
• Store in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Thin only with appropriate recommended thinners.

Wrinkling happens when the paint forms film-like undulating waves. Applying too much paint, or drying during high temperatures, or painting on a topcoat before the undercoat is dry can cause this defect to happen.

The solution

• Avoid applying too much paint.
• Make sure no paint accumulates round bolts, rivets, etc.
• Wait until each coat dries before you re-coat.

After paint is applied, it may fade or discolour. This is caused by particles in the wall reacting with the paint when it is drying. Decolourisation could also be caused by water seepage, or by contaminants in metal or wood.

The solution

• Repair water seepage.
• Make sure surface is dry before painting.
• Apply an alkaline-resistant or oil-based paint.

Peeling is caused by moisture on the wall, poor surface preparation or using the incorrect painting system. This defect happens on walls as well as wood or metal surfaces.

The solution

• Walls
  • Check and repair water seepage.
  • Ensure walls are dry before painting.
  • Use an alkali-resistant basecoat or sealer.
  • Patch surface defects with putty.
• Wood
  • Prime wood before painting, sand surface and clean off dust.
• Metal
  • Remove all paint from metal before re-painting. Prime surface and re-coat with suitable paint.

Chalking occurs when ultraviolet rays cause the paint binder to disintegrate. It can happen when interior paints are used for exterior surfaces.

The solution

• Remove any unstable paint films.
• Allow wall to dry thoroughly, and repaint with recommended paint.
• Make sure paint is not adulterated with foreign materials.

Blistering
This is caused by moisture being drawn through from the wall to the paint-wall interface.

The solution

• Remove any unstable paint films. Allow wall to dry thoroughly, and repaint with recommended paint.

Algae and fungus can grow when the surface is continually damp and dirty. Insufficient fungicide/ algaecide in the paint can also worsen the situation.

The solution

• Remove algae / fungus by high-pressure washing.
• Treat surface with Nippon Paint Fungicidal Wash. Wash again to remove any residue.
• Allow wall to dry before applying with recommended paint.

Blisters
Also caused by water seeping out of the wall surface. Peeling, efflorescence, and watermarks are also caused by high moisture content in the wall surface.

The solution

• Make sure the wall is completely dry before painting.

return to top of page