Paint 101

Paint. n 1: A liquid mixture, usually of a solid pigment in a liquid vehicle, used as a decorative or protective coating. n2: The thin dry film formed by such a mixture when applied to a surface. n3: A cosmetic, such as rouge, that is used to give color to the face; makeup.

Getting ready to paint but not sure where - or how - to start? We can help! Choose from our Faux Painting Tutorial, How To Articles, or Painting Tips & Tricks.

Painting How To's and Articles

The Color of Love
Learn what colors mean and how to romance your home

Denim Ain't Just for Pants Anymore!
Step-by-step for faux finishing your walls like denim.

Flat or Eggshell or Satin - Oh my!
Everything you need to know about paint sheens

Ready, Set, Paint!
Everything you need to know about paint preparation

To Prime or Not to Prime, That is the Question
Everything you need to know about priming

Tips for Stripping: No Pole Necessary!
Everything you need to know about stripping old wallpaper

Paint away your problems: Painting over Wallpaper
Everything you need to know about painting over top of wallpaper

General painting tips
Reduce paint smell
Estimate your paint needs
Properly paint with a brush
Save your paint brush
Do quick wall touch-ups
Paint your interior
Fix problems with exterior paint
Paint a porch
Paint window trim
Paint a fence

How to...

General Painting Tips

When you go to the store, I know it seems like a simple statement but make sure to buy enough paint to complete the job. If your new color is very different (lighter or darker) than your existing paint color, you will more than likely need 2 full coats, so be sure to account for this when you make your purchase. The good news is that some of the major home improvement retailers will allow you take back paint that you try, but don't like! Be sure to keep the receipts. Here are some more tips:

• Preparation is everything! When painting inside, always be sure to first move all furniture, tape (using blue painters tape) around all edges, window sills and outlets, and put a drop cloth on the floor. Be sure to tape the drop cloth to the baseboards (or floor) so it does not move and paint spills underneath!
• Painting on hot moist surfaces will create and cause most paint failures. The best rule when painting outdoors is to follow the sun. Paint the shady side of the house first. Then, as the sun moves away from each side, paint it. Make sure you don't paint in the sun.
• Before you move to the next side, check for any areas you may have missed and go over them.
• Moisture will affect an oil-based paint. If you are using one, make sure to wait until the morning dew has evaporated before you start. Moisture from dew will not affect latex paint, so you can get started early. Wait 24 hours after a rainfall before you paint with an oil-based paint.
• To prevent future rusting and rust stains when using latex, touch up all exposed nail heads and metal with a primer.
• The paint should be thoroughly mixed when you purchase it. Even if your dealer has mechanically mixed it, check it again by pouring half into another can. Mix both halves with a wooden stirrer until all pigment is blended, then check it again by pouring back and forth.
• When painting outside, in order to protect your grass, shrubs and plants, cover them with a drop cloth.

How to...

Cut paint smell

Add a capful of vanilla extract to your paint to help cut the odor. It won't affect the consistency or color, but will help eliminate the harsh smell.

How to...

Estimate Your Exterior Paint Needs

If you are contemplating painting your house, I know you're wondering, How much paint will I need?? If you follow these steps it will be easy to answer this question:

1. Determine the average height of the house. For flat roof types, measure the distance from the foundation to the eaves. For pitched roofs, add two feet.
2. Measure the distance around the house - measure around the foundation.
3. Multiply the average height by the distance around the foundation. This total equals the surface area.
4. Divide the surface area by 500 (because most house paint covers 500 square feet per American gallon). Your result equals the number of gallons required for each coat.
5. For the trim - the average six to eight room house requires about 1 gallon of paint.

How to...

Properly paint with a Brush

Experts agree best results are achieved using a high quality brush - one that has both long and short bristles tapered to a useable edge. The best brush bristles have natural split ends or may have commercially split tips that grab and hold the paint.

• Natural bristle brushes can be used on any surface with any type of paint.
• Nylon bristle brushes are superior to natural bristles only when applying latex or water-based paints. They cannot be used to apply shellac.
• You will need several brushes - a wide brush for large flat surfaces, a 2" trim brush and a 1 1/2 " sash brush. A small round brush is often useful for hard to reach spots.
  - Always do the ceiling first (it can drip down the walls!). Applying the paint with a roller is recommended. See instructions that follow under Painting - With a Roller.
  - Use your wide brush for the flat wall surfaces. Dip the brush into the paint - just cover 1/3 of the bristles' length. To rid the brush of excess paint, tap it lightly, do not draw the brush over the rim of the can.
  - Light long strokes will provide the best finish.
  - To cover all bristle marks, first brush up, then down, then across, then up and down once more.
  - Work from the ceiling down.
• To paint window trim, use a 1 1/2 " tapered sash brush. First paint the crossbars, then the frames and finally the sills.
• With a Roller - Rollers are made of synthetic fibers or wool. Short pile rollers are for smooth surfaces. Deep or heavy pile rollers are for rougher uneven surfaces. You will need a 9" roller, a pan and a 2" brush.

  Jane Tip: An extension handle for your roller is a good investment if you intend to paint ceilings.

• Before you start, make certain that walls are free of soil and that all cracks are patched and fully dry.
• Paint ceilings first. Using the 2" brush, paint a border on ceiling when it meets the walls - all around the room. Next cover your roller evenly with paint. Remove the excess by rolling it back and forth in the tray. Roll the paint on the ceiling in 2' x 3' sections. To avoid splatters roll slowly.
• Now for the walls, use your 2" brush again. Paint a border on the walls, where they meet the ceiling - all around the room. Do likewise above the baseboard trim and around windows and doors. Roll the paint on the walls in sections as you did the ceiling. Finish up with light vertical strokes. Do not spread the paint too thin.
• Paint windows and trim using a 1 1/2" tapered brush - crossbars first, then the frames and finally the sills.

How to...

Save your paint brush:

If you are painting and need to stop either for the night or for a little while - but will need to go back to your project within 10-12 hours - just wrap your paint brush in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. It will be ready when you are! Once you complete your paint project, clean brushes using either a paint brush cleaner (can be purchased at any hardware store), or simply water & dish soap. Rinse thoroughly. Gently squeeze out excess water, then hang the brush to dry.

How to...

Touch-ups

Your walls are in good clean condition, but frequently washed areas around light switches, on doors, etc., are rubbed bare. Here's a quick easy solutions, if you originally saved some of the leftover paint and it was water-based. You'll need a new sponge - an old one may contain soap file or other residue - and rubber gloves. Make certain that the area to be touched-up is clean. Then soften the new sponge by dipping it in water. Writing it out well, then dip it in the leftover matching paint. Start in the center of the spot using a circular motion as if you were washing the area. Use just enough paint to cover the spot. Continue the circling motion spreading the paint and feathering it out until it meets and thins sufficiently to blend with the surrounding area.

How to...

Paint Your Interior

1. Select the right paint for the job you are doing. Check out our articles on the differences in paint sheens and another one on the differences in primers. If you're still not sure, ask at the paint section in your local home improvement center they can advise you on:
   - The advantages or disadvantages of different types of paint on the market and which paint is suitable for your job
   - Whether a primer or sealer coat is necessary
   - if you will need one or two coat of pant will do
   - As well as how much paint you will need.
2. Before choosing your paint, study the colors in natural as well as artificial light. Tip: Store lighting may be tinted to enhance colors.
3. Choosing the color is typically the hardest part of the entire job. We suggest you selecting a neutral color paint. This will typically harmonize with almost any decor.
4. It may be necessary to prep your walls to remove the natural household film that can accumulate mainly in kitchens and adjacent rooms. Use a household detergent and warm water. But if there is a great deal to be cleaned off, we suggest you use a TSP or Trisodium Phosphate. Regardless of the system you use, make sue to rinse well as anything left behind can impede the paint's ability to adhere to the wall. Caution - when sponging plaster board walls do not use too much water - make sure to wring out your sponge well.
5. Patch cracks with spackle, let dry, sand.
6. Remove all curtains and drapes.
7. Remove hardware from doors, windows, cupboards, etc., or carefully cover all hardware with masking tape.
8. Move furniture to the center of the room and cover with drop cloths.
9. Protect the floor area you are working in - cover it with a drop cloth and move it along as the work progresses.
   

   Jane Tip: Rub some creamy hand lotion on y our hands before you start - it will make your personal clean up much easier after the job is done. Or - wear painters or rubber gloves.

10. Paint ceiling first, then the walls and finally the trim.

How to...

Fix paint problems on the Exterior of your home

Check the exterior surfaces of the house carefully before you buy paint or do anything else. If any of the following problems exist they will reoccur if not corrected first.

• Peeling - This usually occurs on protected surfaces such as overhangs and porch ceilings. Chemical salts that were not washed off the old surface before it was repainted are usually the cause of peeling, or it may be the result of painting over a glossy surface.
• Solution: The old paint must be scraped off and the surface needs to be thoroughly sanded. Then wash the surface with a phosphate-based detergent (TSP). Rinse thoroughly then let it dry. A primer may be necessary - this depends on the type of paint you select - check the label.
• Mildew This is a fungus growth caused by high humidity and temperature. If it is not gotten rid of before you paint, it will grow through the new paint.
• Solution: Mix a solution of one part bleach and four parts water. Scrub the surface thoroughly to remove all mildew. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Hose the surface down thoroughly. Let dry.
• Blistering - is usually a two-fold problem caused by moisture trapped in the siding which pushes the paint away from the surface. It may be a sign that there is a leak in the roof, eaves or the plumbing. Lack of ventilation in the kitchen and/or bathrooms could also be a cause.
• Solution: First you're going to need to find the source of the moisture and correct the problem. Then scrape the blistered area down to stable paint or wood. Sand the surface. A primer may be necessary before you paint - this depends on the paint you select - check the label.
• Flaking - This usually occurs after peeling or blistering, with the paint breaking completely away from the siding.
• Solution: Follow the same steps given for Blistering.
• Alligator Cracking - If the siding is plywood or masonry, the problem may be caused by cracks in the siding. If it's not, it indicates that the top coat of paint has shrunk and pulled away from the undercoat. This condition usually occurs only on very old painted surfaces.
• Solution: Scrape or sand the surface until you reach stable paint or wood. Hose it down well. A primer may be necessary before you paint - this depends on the paint you select - check the label.
• Wood Rings or Staining - This is due to rust from (a) nailheads or (b) sap bleeding from a knot hole.
• Solution: (a) Remove rust from nailheads by sanding. Countersink nailheads and prime with a metal primer. Cover with wood putty and sand. (b) Prime knot holes and sap streaks with a shellac based primer. In either case, once the area has been primed, cover it with two coats of paint.

How to...

Paint the porch floor

You can either paint or stain concrete. Just know that if you are painting, concrete surfaces absorb a lot of paint. One way to make the job easier is by using a roller with an extension handle. Start by using a 4" brush and paint a border around the floor where it meets the walls. Then use your roller spreading the paint to meet the border. Do a small section at a time (about 2' x 3') and don't try to stretch the paint too far. As for staining the concrete this is a newer method and one that will require more preparation but in the end will be worth it. The difference between the staining and painting is similar to the difference between staining and painting wood. The reason why someone would stain vs. paint concrete is that if it is done well it will turn out looking more like natural stone than concrete. Also as it ages, it actually looks better and more natural.

Porch Steps

One trick to having perfectly painted steps is to make this a two day job. On the first day, paint alternate steps - both treads and risers, so that you can walk on the dry ones. When the pained ones are dry, complete the job by painting the rest. Once the stairs are finished, paint the railings last.

How to...

Paint trim

Paint window crossbars first with a 1 1/2" tapered sash brush - then paint the flat surfaces. A neat professional job is achieved if the edges of the trim (where it meets the siding) are painted with the house paint.

How to...

Paint a Fence

Painting a wooden picket fence - Use a roller. It covers completely and speeds up the job. Use a sponge for a wire fence. It gets the paint into all the joints and creases. But be sure to wear rubber gloves!