FAQ

The brush you choose depends largely on two things, the paint and the project: If your project requires oil-based paint, natural bristles like ox or hog hair are perfect because they hold paint better than synthetic bristles. If you're using latex paint, then nylon and polyester brushes are much better because they don’t absorb water like natural fibers.

Brush Quality

• Expect to pay more for high-quality brushes. They have more filaments, which create a smoother, more uniform surface. Plus, they last a lot longer.
• Good all-purpose brushes are flagged. The bristles vary in length, graduating to a peak in the middle, which provides a smooth, even, more precise layer of paint.
• Choose a brush that feels good in your hand. Considering the amount of time you'll be using it, go for absolute comfort.
• Pick the right brush for the job as most have a specific purpose. Angled brushes are great for getting into corners and flat brushes are nice for flat surfaces.
• Finally, a little care goes a long way. Wash paintbrushes immediately after each use and don't rinse the soap out completely — it'll store a lot nicer.

With your choice of paint or glaze mixture already poured into a paint tray, cover the entire surface of a 4-inch foam roller with color and roll off excess paint on the load-off section of the tray (the ribbed portion toward the top). It is important to not have too much paint on the roller because it could drip or seep through the stencil. The roller should feel almost dry to the touch.

Choosing the Right Roller Cover

• In general, for smooth surfaces like wallboard and wood, use a roller with a 3/8-inch or less nap.

The main difference is that exterior paint is specially made to withstand rain, wind, UV damage, and the extremes of hot and cold temperatures. Some exterior paints are also made with a rubbery component that allows the paint to expand and contract with the house or structure.

Interior and exterior paint have different properties. Exterior paints are not necessarily stronger or tougher than interior paints. Interior paints are formulated to resist scrubbing, staining and cleaning, while exterior paints are formulated to prevent fading and mildew. It is important to use the correct type of paint for your application.

The sheen or gloss level simply means the degree of light reflectance of the paint.

High Gloss

• 70+ on a 60-degree gloss meter
• For kitchen and bathroom walls, kitchen cabinets, banisters and railings, trim, furniture, door jambs and window sills.
• More durable, stain-resistant and easier to wash. However, the higher the gloss, the more likely surface imperfections will be noticed.

Semi-gloss

• 35 to 70 on a 60-degree gloss meter
• For kitchen and bathroom walls, hallways, children's rooms, playrooms, doors, woodwork and trim.
• More stain-resistant and easier to clean than flat paints. Better than flat for high-traffic areas.

Satin or Silk

• Range overlapping eggshell and semi-gloss
• Similar characteristics to semi-gloss and eggshell.

Eggshell

• Can be used in place of flat paints on wall surfaces especially in halls, bathrooms and playrooms.
• Can be used in place of semi-gloss paints on trim for a less shiny appearance.
• It resists stains better than flat paint and gives a more lustrous appearance.

Flat

• less than 15 on a 60-degree gloss meter
• For general use on walls and ceilings.
• Hides surface imperfections. Stain removal can be difficult. Use for uniform, non-reflecting appearance. Best suited for low-traffic areas.

Matte

• Same as Flat

For exteriors the good time to paint is when the weather is pleasant, without risk of high humidity and rain on the horizon. It is best to avoid painting, in extreme temperatures.

For interiors, although there are no such restrictions – an ambient temperature in-home and outside is preferable. It is best to have some ventilation during and immediately after painting in order to dissipate fumes and it also helps with drying.

There is no fixed recommended time to wait before painting on fresh plastered walls. As long as the walls are dry and fully cured one can paint it. To reconfirm get professional help.

Should you use oil or latex paint for your painting project? Here are some of the pros and cons of each product.

Advantages of oil based paint

• It goes on smoother
• Covers more thoroughly in one coat
• Shrinks less
• Takes longer to dry so you have more working time

Disadvantages of oil based paint

• It's more likely to crack, fade and yellow over time.
• Cleanup solvents like mineral spirits and turpentine are necessary for washing brushes. These hazardous chemicals need to be managed carefully.

Advantages of latex ( water based paint )

• Is better for the environment
• Doesn't yellow over time
• Dries faster
• Much easier to clean up by using soap and water
• Many painters are finding latex is more widely available than oil.

A primer should be used any time you are about to paint an unfinished surface. Primer is also good at covering stains, mold/mildew, and graffiti. It can also be applied to walls that will be painted dramatically different colors ( i.e. from white to a deep navy blue ). This will reduce the number of coats needed to completely fill in the color of the wall. Lastly, primer is good whenever you are worried about the paint adhering to a surface.

It depends on two factors: the finish of the paint and the size of the touchup. For instance, a 5' by 5' section of wall in flat paint can be touched-up with no problem as long as it's done using the same material. On the other hand, even a 1” by 1” section on a semi-gloss wall is difficult to fix, because the touchup will often be visible at certain angles. It will flash or reflect light differently since the material only overlaps and does not blend. Therefore, care must be used when touching up a glossy surface, so lightly spread the paint out to include areas nearby that do not need paint.

The paint will be dry to the touch in 4-6 hours, depending on the paint and climate. After a day, you can hang pictures on the walls, etc. Wait at least 30 days for the paint to completely cure before cleaning the walls.

Most paints do emit some odor. This odor dissipates quickly over the course of a few days and is easily gone within a week.

The easiest way to get rid of the smell is lots of ventilation.

It depends on your paint type, mostly.

For acrylics which are water-based, a good careful washing with warm water and dish detergent is fine. Remember to re-form the tips into points before storage.

For oil-based paints, your best bet by far is to buy a bottle of thinner.

There are three 'nevers' to brush-handling

• Never let your brush rest in the water or thinner on its tip. That's the surest way possible to lose a fine point.
• Never scrub a good brush across either miniature or blotter.
• Never let paint dry on your brush. This'll fray the bristles into an unusable mass.

When cleaning a brush while painting, gently rotate it against the side of the solvent/water container until the bristles stop exuding paint.

Actually, if you are painting new siding or where all of the previous coating has been removed, you should first apply a coat of primer followed by two coats of paint. However, if the surface was previously painted and that old paint is still sound, a single coat of quality paint will probably suffice. Your local independent paint retailer can advise you as to whether two coats will be necessary for your particular situation.

First, paint the larger, flat surfaces. Start near a corner, but not on the very edge, and work outward, brushing with the grain. Be sure to not overload your brush with paint. If you want a thicker coat, let the first coat dry before repainting rather than using too much paint the first time. Continue by painting the edges and trim. If there is too much paint on the brush when you brush up to or over an edge, some of the paint might run over, so be especially careful and wipe any drips or overflow immediately with a clean, damp cloth.

Wall Tattoos can be an effective way to complement your current paint color scheme and add interest and flair to your space. Wall Tattoos can be used on ceilings and floors too.

• Paint the area to which you will be applying the Wall Tattoos in your favorite paint and let it dry.
• Mark the edges of the stencil on the wall with a light pencil, chalk, or painter’s tape.
• Prepare the stencil for application by laying it flat (use either side) on a surface large enough to accommodate overspray. Using a low-tack spray adhesive, spray one even coat of adhesive at a distance of about 10 to 12 inches from the surface of the Wall Tattoo. (Please follow directions on spray adhesive can for best results). Let the Tattoo sit for a minute or two so that the wet adhesive settles and won’t stick to the wall when you remove the Tattoo.
• Place the sprayed Wall Tattoo on the predetermined position on the wall and use painter’s tape to hold it in position and to prevent rolling or brushing past the edges of the stencil.
• Gently smooth the stencil to eliminate air pockets, working from the center outwards with your hands or with a clean foam roller.
• Once the Wall Tattoo is in place on the wall, you can paint it with a roller or with a brush.