By 2021, nearly half of us will have painted at least one room in our homes as part of a shift toward faster, more affordable design updates. But the rise of do-it- yourself renovations comes with inevitable obstacles.
Do you know how many coats of primer to apply to a porous surface? Or why does your paint change consistency when stored in your garage? Are you sure what color to use in the kitchen or bathroom ? These are questions we probably didn't consider before picking up our brushes.
Here, the experts at The Paint Shed answer some essential decorating questions, share the most common painting mistakes and recommend some simple steps to avoid them...
To celebrate the launch of the Country Living color collection we're giving one lucky reader the chance to transform their home with £250 from our range at Homebase. COME IN
1. Improperly storing paint
Color can be sensitive to extreme temperatures. Most paints should be stored indoors in a dry place between 5°C and 35°C. Your metal boxes need to be protected from moisture to prevent rusting, which means outdoor storage options may not be ideal.
If you plan to store your paint in a shed or garage, cover the top of the open paint can before closing the lid. This will prevent dirt or debris from getting into the paint when it's time to use it again.
Also, avoid exposing the paint to seasonal temperature changes: Extreme heat or cold can cause critical chemicals in the paint to evaporate, which can alter its consistency and color.
Although oil based paints can freeze they do so at a much lower temperature than say a water based paint meaning they are more likely to withstand the British winter.
2. Save on tools
Decorating doesn't come cheap, so it's natural for a homeowner to want to cut costs somewhere, but it shouldn't be because of the tools used to do the job. Poor quality brushes can be cheaper in the short term, but cause more problems in the long run.
Some of the problems you are likely to find with cheap brushes include:
- Loose hair stuck in the paint
- Weak bristles that do not pick up paint sufficiently.
- Draw lines on your walls
- Uneven edges due to flared hair
Go for quality brushes that you can wash and reuse. An acrylic bristle brush is better for projects with water-based paints because they absorb less water, and natural-bristle brushes are ideal for solvent-based paints.
3. Remove the tape when the paint is dry
Edging tape can save your woodwork, but a common complaint is that removing the tape leaves some of the paint behind. This is often because people wait for the paint to dry before removing the tape, but it is actually necessary to remove the tape first.
If you want to go without tape altogether, The Paint Shed has some tips for "trimming," which involves manually applying your paint in straight lines along ceilings, door frames, baseboards, and light switches.
Use a light touch - applying too much pressure to your strokes can result in slight errors and dripping paint from your brush.
Use the right type of brush: It pays to invest in a quality angle frame brush. Not only does this make your job easier, but it also ensures sharp, professional-looking lines that may mean you don't have to mask at all.
Move the brush - When it comes to tight corners, moving the brush can be a good technique to fill in areas you may have missed.
Work in bright light: To paint an accurate line cut, you need as much light as possible. Be aware of your own shadow and use a headlamp if necessary.
Work Fast: Work with confidence and a steady hand to achieve a successful cut. Use your whole arm to push the brush along the wall in one quick motion.
4. Brush too much
When painting, it's tempting to brush the same parts over and over again to ensure an even coating, but you should avoid this. Excessive brushing can result in unsightly brushstrokes as the bristles stick to partially cured paint. There's also a greater chance of shedding hair this way, which can get caught in the paint.
Instead, load the brush and quickly sweep the color across the surface in one smooth motion, using a stroke or two to even it out.
5. Don't clean the wall first
A common mistake when decorating is not preparing the surfaces well, that is, removing cobwebs and cleaning the walls well with soapy water. For greasy surfaces, replace the soap with dish soap or another degreaser to reduce soiling. Sugar soap spray can also be used to prep walls in most situations.
Then wash again with clean water to remove any residue and then wipe with a damp cloth.
If you have mold or fungus problems, it is imperative that you treat them before painting. Painting over mold will only cause it to grow new color, which only kickstarts a cleaning and maintenance cycle.
The recommended method of treating mold and mildew is to use a sterilization or fungicidal wash. You can also clean an infected area with a sponge and a solution of three or four parts water to one part bleach. Apply the solution, leave it on for a few minutes, scrub the affected surface with a soft brush and rinse the area with clean water. Be sure to wear gloves and allow time for drying.
6. Give up the bait
Some people will say that a primer isn't necessary before a painting project, but if you're looking for a professional finish, it's an essential step.
Paint primers serve as a base coat and create the basis for a flawless paint finish. You should always use a primer when you need to cover blemishes, hide blemishes, or neutralize the color of a surface before painting. Creates a base for brilliant colors and a smooth, even application of colour.
In most cases, a primer before two coats will give a professional finish. A second primer may be required on porous surfaces such as wood or to mask darker shades.
If you're wondering about the condition of your wall or surface before painting (ie was it chalky, stained, dusty or chipped), a primer is required. This also applies to surfaces that have been repaired or patched in the past or when changing from a dark color to a light color or from a higher gloss to a lower gloss. In these scenarios, a boat supports a smooth transition.
7. Using the wrong type of paint
The "wrong" type of paint can be a bad finish or not knowing which paint is best for the given surface.
Porous surfaces like fresh plaster and bare wood absorb too much water-based paint. A matte or satin finish is recommended for fresh plaster and a wood primer, primer and top coat prior to painting is recommended for bare wood. A microporous base and top coat is recommended for exterior wood surfaces.
Likewise, it is necessary to know their finishes in order to choose the appropriate color. Below is a quick guide to recommended colors and finishes for each room:
Food
- Specifications: durable, washable and stain resistant.
- Recommendation: glossy or semi-matt surface. Eggshell acrylic or durable matte acrylic (matte takes a week to fully cure).
dining room
- Specifications: Clean, smooth and moisture-proof.
- Recommendation: Matte eggshell or durable acrylic or even a soft gloss depending on surface preference.
bedroom
- Specifications: Highly pigmented and long-lasting.
- Recommendation: Matte finish
the living room
- Specifications: Durable and suitable for high traffic areas
- Recommendation: durable matte, semi-matte acrylic or wood safe satin.
Are you about to paint your house?
Photography: Carolyn Barber. Stylist: Lorraine Dawkins
Country Living color collection launches March 30 on Homebase ; A blend of 30 nature-inspired shades that reflect the beauty of the landscape, ready to mix and match to create a unique country style in your home.
To celebrate the launch, we're giving one lucky reader the chance to transform their home with £250 to spend on our color range.
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