Paint is a complex product that we take for granted because of its availability. For a good end result, it’s important to understand how it is applied.
Primer
Primer is mostly used when painting raw wood or metal surfaces and is applied before the undercoat.
Sealer
Sealer is used on porous surfaces, such as fibre cement or plasterboard, to prevent the following coats from being absorbed into the surface rather than opaquing it.
Undercoat
Undercoat is the foundation layer that gives depth to the finish and also opaques the surface. If you intend to use deeper tones, tint the undercoat. It is designed to be sanded in order to provide an improved base on which to lay the top coat. Sometimes more than one application is used.
Paint needed for coating metals may require special products so check at the paint shop. There are two types of painting systems predominantly used by the home decorator:
Oil based
Oil based is employed where two surfaces touch or clash together such as doors and door jambs. Normal practice includes an undercoat (but for exterior positions this should be preceded by a primer), then 1 or 2 top coats.
Oil based paint requires a much longer drying period between applications. Brushes must be cleaned with mineral turpentine. It takes more skills to use oil based products but is necessary for a lifelong result that’s impact resistant.
Water based
Water based is ideal for larger surfaces such as ceilings and walls. It’s easier to apply than oil based. A water based sealer/undercoat followed by 1 or 2 top coats is generally advised. Wash brushes in water.
- Plastic: Cheapest in the range and used for temporary spruce-up situations which require periodic recoating; often called “farmyard paints”
- Vinyl: Of a higher quality, ideal for interior situations and easy to clean.
- Acrylic: Expensive but long lasting and mostly used on exterior situations; superb, easy to apply, easy to clean, ideal for interior use, and cover well.
All paint, whether oil or water based, comes in various degrees of glaze (each has a different purpose):
- Full gloss: Shows up flaws and bumps on the object being painted, but provides better resistance to dirt and grime, maintaining good appearance
- Semi-gloss: Common choice for walls (to some degree, it will disguise flaws and bumps.)
- Lo-sheen & matt: Used extensively on ceilings and walls and disguise imperfections better than paint with a higher degree of sheen; don’t clean as well as semi-gloss and tend to leave shiny patches where hard rubbing is required to clean off marks
Paint your house well with the help of the most trusted painters in Australia or better consulting with Luxury Design Painting today!