Checklist
Before you tackle your paint job, it is important that you make sure you have the right equipment. Taking shortcuts or using low quality equipment can cost more time and expenses in remedial work.
Specific paint rollers, brushes and tools have been developed for every painting application. Choosing the right equipment and using the correct technique will result in a painting job that is faster, cheaper and easier to use than alternative methods.
Selecting the correct brushes
Since the majority of homes use water based paints or oil based paint, a good quality synthetic brush is the brush of choice as they can be used for both water based and oil based paints.
The best synthetic brushes on the market are the Selleys Spirit range of brush which are made of specially conditioned Dupont Tynex and Orel filaments.
These high quality filaments give better pickup and even release with complete coverage over a larger area. Your job will go faster and smoother no matter what the surface. And when you're finished, clean up is easy.
Selleys Spirit brushes have bristles that are "tipped" and "flagged" during manufacture to give even better paint pickup, greater coverage and easier application.
Different filament lengths are carefully blended for superior pickup and just the right number of filaments packed into the ferrule for a "full feel" and proper paint release.
In contrast a hog bristle brush is ruined by water based paints as they absorb the water in the paint. The bristles become limp and the brush loses consistency and uniformity of application. Because of the rough texture of hog hair bristles, the paint gets clogged in the bristles making it difficult to clean.
Spirit has a wide range of brush sizes including the 38mm, 50mm, 60mm and 75mm brushes. The range also includes the 38mm Edger, 50mm Edger and 60mm Edger brushes designed for trim work and use in tight areas. If you are very skilled you maybe able to manage with a standard 60mm brush, however we recommend you purchase an Edger brush for more detailed work.
Use the following steps to identify a good quality brush:
1. Full fill and balance
A quality brush always feels substantial--never skimpy. A good brush that feels thick and full, holds more paint , covers more surface and covers it better. At the same time the weight should be evenly distributed between the handle and the ferrule.
2. Different filament length
Pass your hand over the filaments. In a good brush, the filaments are different lengths. This way paint is carried in the middle of the brush as well as at the tip.
3. Precise taper
A top-notch brush has tapered filaments--thick at the butt end and thinner at the tip. A brush with tapered filaments releases paint gradually, evenly, smoothly.
4. Tipped and flagged filaments
In addition to being tapered, filament ends should be properly "tipped" and "flagged." These give the brush a soft, smooth painting edge, which leaves brush marks almost too small to see.
Choosing a Roller Frame and Covers
Always purchase a high quality roller frame and roller, it will give the best paint coverage and surface finish. Choose a roller cover with the correct fabric for the paint and surface being painted.
Choosing a Roller Frame
Rollers can be made from foam, synthetic fibres and lambswool and offer different benefits:
Foam rollers
Where to use Paint pads
These are made of foam rubber . A good quality paint pad should have a relatively strong plastic handle. The foam should not peel off the base or fall apart easily. They are recommended for water based paint or varnishes. They are particularly good for applying clear varnish on windows, furniture and doors.
Mould
Remove surface mould growth by using a household bleach (hypochlorite) solution prepared by mixing one part bleach with 3 parts of water. Wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself from splashes, and apply with a thick scouring pad, rubbing to remove the mould. Leave the solution on the surface for 15 minutes then wash down with clean water. This process may need to be repeated to fully remove mould growth. In areas prone to mould growth use Dulux Mouldshield Low Sheen or Semi Gloss.
Stripping woodwork
If the paint needs to be stripped back, the most common method is to use a heat gun or a chemical stripper such as Polystripper. For small areas, a manual or drill mounted wire brush or dry scraper may be adequate.
Removing wallpaper
You may choose to use a remover solution such as Polypaper peel, or hire a steaming machine. Newer vinyl wall covering can often be peeled off dry by hand. They may leave a backing paper residue which can be removed by sponging on warm water and peeling it off or scraping it with a broad-bladed scraper. Many wallpapers, however are less cooperative and may require scratching with a very coarse sand paper to help the water or solution to penetrate.
Filling and Patching
There are a number of fillers that can be used to fill holes in wood. Two products suitable for use on interior wood are Polyfilla putty and Polyfilla Ready to use Interior Timber. Simply make sure the hole is clean and apply the filler with a spatula or putty knife. Where movement is likely to occur, in places like the joins between architraves and walls, a flexible filler such as Polyfilla Gap Sealant is recommended.
Filling holes in plasterboard or hard plaster is simple. Scrape away any loose paint, plaster and fill the hole using Polyfilla Ready To Use Skim Coat.
If the edges of holes are cracked and unstable, a self adhesive patch will make the job easier. Larger holes in plasterboard will need a patch inserted such as Polyfilla Patching tape. Cut away the damaged section and use contact adhesive to put in wood or plasterboard backing strips, then fix the patch onto the strips.
A quick wipe with a damp sponge before the filler sets will take out small ridges and save sanding time later.
Sanding
Surfaces must be sanded smooth before paint is applied. Plaster and patched areas should be sanded smooth with a medium then a fine grade sandpaper. A coat of Dulux Prepcoat Acrylic Sealer Undercoat should be applied to prepare the surface for the top coat. New woodwork should be sanded with a medium grade sandpaper in the direction of the grain and primed with one coat of Dulux Prepcoat Acrylic Primer/Undercoat or Dulux Prepcoat Oil Based Undercoat to prevent tannin staining and provide excellent adhesion. Previously painted surfaces, especially gloss and semi gloss surfaces need to be sanded thoroughly to roughen the surface so the paint forms a strong key for the new paint to adhere to.
A final check
Before painting give your work a final clean and check. Wipe the walls thoroughly with Selleys Sugar Soap and the woodwork in a cloth soaked in methylated spirits, to remove any remaining grime or dust.
