Dream coats

NEVER TACKLED A PAINT JOB BEFORE? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO TAKE YOU FROM AMATEUR TO PRO PAINTER IN NO TIME

Words LYNNE TESTONI

Open a magazine or watch a home renovation show and it’s amazing to see what a difference paint makes – it transforms a space with the stroke of a brush. But while the results may look instant on the page or screen, painting requires time, patience and practice – as well as the right products. Once you have all these, it is a rewarding and fast way to update your home.

Before you start

While an experienced painter might be able to get a good result with inexpensive paint, Craig Nielson of Taubmans says novices need to have high-quality tools and paint to make sure the finished job lasts the distance. With better and more even coverage, premium paint is easier to apply – price tag aside, you can spot a top-quality paint by the balance of solids and solvents. Premium paints have more solids (such as pigments and binders) and fewer solvents than their budget counterparts, resulting in a thicker, more durable layer when dry. Goodquality brushes and rollers also contribute to a smoother job.

“An ultra-premium interior paint, such as Taubmans ‘Endure’, will do anything,” says Craig. “It’s super scrubbable and you won’t have to repaint. It won’t look dirty. If you get muck on the wall or marks from kids and dogs it’ll clean off beautifully. It will actually stay looking good until you’re sick of the colour.”

Ty pes of paints

Before you break out the rollers and brushes, you need to know your water-based from your oilbased paints and choose the right type for your needs. As Tayler Zouch of Dulux explains, there are some important differences. “Water-based paints are fast drying and simply require water for washing up, whereas oil-based paints take longer to dry, and require turps for cleaning your brushes,” she says.

Traditionally, oil-based paints are used for high-traffic areas such as doorframes, skirting boards and staircases. But, with increasing demand for more sustainable products, oil-based paints are on the way out, advises Craig Nielson. For most applications, he says the industry is moving towards waterbased paints (also known as acrylics) with new formulas that are not only as tough as oil-based products, but more convenient and better for the environment, particularly in terms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Sheens and shine

Paint comes in a variety of sheen levels, including matt, satin, gloss, semi-gloss, low-gloss and low-sheen. Varying in shine level as well as reflectivity and durability, each serves a different purpose.

Low-sheen paint is ideal for interior walls. With minimal light reflection, it helps to hide imperfections; being hard wearing and easy to clean it suits walls that need a regular wipe-down, such as in high-traffic areas. Matt paint gives a velvety, reflectionless surface and also hides imperfections, but may be harder to clean. High-gloss paints are often the go-to choice for bathrooms, kitchens and laundries as they’re a great match for the hard, reflective surfaces found in these spaces. The shine factor of gloss paint

Time The Tasks

On a deadline? Once you start painting, allow one hour per seven square metres to apply the first coat. It’s important to let it dry before starting a second coat. You’ll find a drying time guide on your paint can, but waterbased paint typically takes about 4-5 hours to dry, while oil-based formulas are best left overnight.

is also an effective way to highlight architectural features such as trim, doorframes and windowsills.

For ceilings, Tayler recommends a product that gives a flat finish, such as Dulux Ceiling White, to minimise reflection and help to hide surface imperfections.

How tints work

For consistent colour, most paints are mixed in-store using tints and bases. As Dulux colour expert Andrea Lucena-Orr explains, tints are simply the pigments that go into paint to create colours. “Each colour has its own tint formulation, which is held in a database that is linked to the tint machine,” she says.

How to achieve a smooth and professional finish: bunnings.com. au/prepare-a-wall-for-painting

ABOVE and RIGHT

Invest in quality paint and tools. Time spent prepping will give a professional finish

“This ensures that your chosen colour will look the same every time.” Different paint colours are mixed using a variety of bases depending on the shade and vibrancy of your chosen hue. These bases are clearly printed on both the colour chip and the front label of paint cans for efficient and accurate mixing.

Coverage rates

Before you buy paint, you need to have an idea of the surface area to cover. To determine the amount required, Bunnings has a handy online paint calculator (bunnings.com.au/paintcalculator). Enter room measurements and details to work out your quantities.

Premium paints generally give better coverage – about 15 sqm/L. It’s best to get a little more than you think so you don’t have to mix batches. Most quality products only need two coats, unless you are radically altering the colour.

P rep and prime

A lack of relevant preparation is the most common mistake made by novice painters, explains Tayler. “Before applying the top coat, it’s always best to properly prepare the wall,” she explains. “This will ensure the best results and help your paint last longer.”

Start by using a pre-mixed fastdrying filler to cover any cracks, chips or scratches, and sugar soap to scrub off stains, spots and stubborn dirt marks. Allow the wall to dry completely before sanding. “Sand as needed to free the surface of contamination and loose, flaking paint,” says Tayler.

Use a soft brush or broom to remove any remaining dust, then apply primer or paint. If you’re unsure of the original paint composition or using a waterbased product over oil-based paint, you’ll need to apply a primer. A good timesaving option is a 3-in-1 primer, which locks onto all types of surfaces, including oil-based enamels.

Keep in mind…

‘Sugar

7 low-sheen interior in Vivid White, $91.90/4L, I/N: 1370158. 10 Taubmans

‘Endure’ accent low-sheen interior wall paint in White, $104.90/4L, I/N: 0024216. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.