Painting And The Art Of Decoration

DECORATION: Painting without pain

In the highly competitive paint business there are bargains__end of line colours, for example.

But as a rule

Gloss lasts longer, though with better paints and more frequent redecoration that isn’t everything.

Matt finishes help to hide faults---both in the under surface and in the painter’s skill---which gloss reveals mercilessly.

Bare wood must be painted first with primer and then, if you are using conventional paints, one or two layers of undercoat, before the topcoat goes on.

Let each coat dry well and sand between painting coats with “wet and dry” paper to remove small imperfections.

If the old painting is sound you can simply clean and roughen it before putting on a new topcoat of the same colour.

If you want a different colour you will need at least one undercoat to stop the old colour grinning through.

The painters tools

Foam rollers are cheap, some have use and throw away sleeves, but need care if they are not to distort and scatter paint.

Synthetic fur rollers are better (Long pile for rough surfaces __short for smooth).

For many smooth surfaces “Pads” are even better.

But for heavy paints and smaller areas you still can’t beat brushes.

Finding your way round the room

Decorators Tip In decorating a room, ceilings always come first, then walls, then woodwork. If walls are to be papered then that comes last.

Tricks of the trade__learning from the professional

Experience has taught experts the easiest way, so follow them.

1. You hardly ever see a professional painting straight from the tin: He uses a Paint Kettle-- any container with a handle which can be cleaned out every night.

2. The professional strains his paint into the kettle through an old stocking so dust and bits of paint-skin never spoil his work.

3. When the professional stops for tea, he keeps his brushes from drying by suspending them in the paint by a wire through a hole in the handle, or wrapping them in a plastic bag.

4. At night he washes them thoroughly, first in thinners, then in water, flicks water out and hangs them up to dry.

5. He always wipes his brush on the same side of the kettle, so the other stays clean, and so does the brush-handle.

6. He keeps an old knife by him to scoop up any paint that accidentally gets in the wrong place.

7. Remember that it is a good idea to run in new brushes. Always wash new brushes before use, and use them first for primer and undercoat painting.

   That’s our lesson on painting. If you want further advice and simple, easy-to-follow instructions, click on the link below.

   
   
   Home Decorating Made Easy
   
   Preparing For Work
   
   Painting And Decorating
   
   Home Improvement
   
   

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