Paint Primer
Learn About How to Paint

Find paint techniques and ideas for painting your home interior....

Paint is probably the:

• most popular
• easiest
• cheapest
• has the biggest variety....and...
• is the biggest impact makeover

...for your room update.

Because there is so much variety and choice for your paint ideas and decisions, it can sometimes be more than a little confusing...

...but it doesn't need to be!

...and how to use it!

Paint Primer - Understanding Paint and Paint Techniques

Paint traditionally comes in 2 types:

• Water-based paints:
  • emulsions
  • vinyls
  • acrylics

  These can be used on walls and woodwork - usually inside.

• Oil based paints - also known as solvent-based paints:
  • ...based on oils, and resin, with pigment (coloring)
  • ...primarily used for woodwork and metals - inside and out
  • ...are thicker, often quite sticky and take longer to dry
• Also look out for All-purpose or Multi-purpose paints, which are suitable for all surfaces, including:
  • walls
  • woodwork
  • metals, like radiators

Paint Primer - Chemicals in Paint

Paints, particularly oil-based paints, always used to be packed full of chemicals, called VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds)...

• VOC's can cause (or contribute to):
  • allergies
  • headaches
  • irritation to eyes, nose and mouth
  • breathing problems
• These days, paint companies realise the risk, and most have dramatically reduced the VOC levels.
• In Europe:
  • A directive has led to this VOC reduction
  • Look out for the:
    • 'European Ecolabel'
    • 'Blue Globe' label
    • 'Green Nordic Swan' label
    • In Germany there is the 'Blue Angel' label
    ...for paints with low VOC levels
  • Also look out for 'eco' label paints:
    • Some have nil VOC's
    • Many use natural ingredients, such as linseed oil, and beeswax
  • These are truly creditable eco-credentials, but such paints may lose out a little in terms of:
    • affordability
    • coverage
    • application
    • durability

Paint Primer - Historic or Period Paints

...or at smaller companies who specialise solely in historical colors.

• These tend to be more muted shades - very authentic to each period - and can even be made out of traditional ingredients, for that truly authentic look and feel.
• Check out historical ranges for authentic ideas for decorating color schemes, and help choosing paint colors for a period property.
• Good companies to check out (U.K.) are:
  • 'The Little Greene Paint Company
  • Farrow and Ball
  • Fired Earth - now with a National Trust inspired paint collection
  • Craig and Rose - 1829 range (the one we use most often - nice to paint with!)

Paint Finishes Paint Primer

Think about your paint finishes carefully when choosing paint for your home:

• the look
• effects
• practical aspects, such as...
• coverage
• ease of application

Check the descriptions below in our paint primer with details provided by specific companies, as they can vary...

Matt (Matt Emulsion or Vinyl Matt)

• Flat, with no sheen
• Reflects very little light
• Can mark quite easily, and some are hard to wipe
• Do look out for the newer wipeable matt paints though!
• Usually best for walls
• Dries quickly
• Easy to Use

• A slight shine/sheen
• Usually wipeable
• Reflects more light
• May also highlight any lumps and bumps in the wall, though!
• Less likely to show scuffs and marks
• For walls and woodwork

Satin

• Slightly more sheen/shine than silk/eggshell
• Easy to clean
• Hard wearing
• Reflects more light
• May highlight more imperfections in your wall, though.
• For woodwork mainly, and some walls

Gloss

• Very high sheen finish
• Hardwearing and easy to clean
• Use inside or out!
• Oil based
• Reflects light very well
• May highlight lumps and bumps in your wall more
• Usually for woodwork and metals
• Slow drying (some quick dry finishes are available)
• Must clean brushes, equipment and spills with specialist cleaners and thinners, not water

One Coat Paints

• Look out for one coat paints, which can cut down drastically on painting time!

Decorative Finishes

• Look out for decorative finishes in your paints, for some very different effects:
  • suede effect
  • leather effect
  • chalky effect
  • metallic effect
  • light reflective paints
  • textured effects

Specialist Surfaces

• If you intend to paint anything other than normal walls or woodwork, then look out for specialist paints to get the best results on specific surfaces.
• Paints are available for all kinds of surfaces, including:
  • metals
  • plastics
  • tiles
  • ceramics
  • melamine (great for painting kitchen cabinets!)
  • leather and fabrics
  • appliances
  • stoves
  • floors
  • brick or stone
  • concrete

Primers

• Many surfaces (other than previously painted plaster walls) will require a primer and undercoat, to 'seal' the surface, and create a good base for the paint to adhere to...
• This may seem like a waste of time and effort to you, when you want to get on with painting the nice color on the top...

  ... but it's a good idea - and usually woks out much cheaper (not to mention the effort!) than applying successive layers of the top coat!

• You will also get a much more durable, and longer-lasting finish.

There are very many different types, finishes and colors of paint to choose from...

I hope this paint primer has helped you to understand more about paint and paint techniques, and will help you to make your decisions.

Always remember to use tester pots to help you gauge:

• the quality and finish of the paint
• ease of application
• color in situ (actually in your room!)
• suitablility for your particular home and requirements

Remember to check instructions (about stirring, or not!), coverage and drying times on the tin before you start.

More about how to paint a room - easy paint techniques for great results

Also look at how to paint a ceiling

More about paint techniques for woodwork - plus varnishes, waxes and stains

More about how to paint kitchen cabinets

For choosing paint color ideas, check out the whole section on decorating with color.

Return to the main page on Painting and Paint Ideas

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