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Choosing the right paint texture
Each paint finish has its own properties. The more matte the
finish, the more it hides imperfections and uneven
reflections, but it's less washable. The glossier the
finish, the more washable it is, but also the more sensitive
to imperfections and it will mask less efficiently. In
order: glossy, semi-gloss, pearl, eggshell, satin, matte.
Semi-gloss is best for hall walls and for windows and
frames; use matte on ceilings and satin and pearl for the
rest. Kitchens, bathrooms and basements have their own
antifungal paints.
Drying paint and the temperature
Paint in a ventilated and temperate space. When temperatures
are between 10C and 32C there's no risk, although 15c to 22C
is ideal. Latex paint will dry in a few hours at this
temperature. Oil-based paints will dry more rapidly in a
warm, dry environment.
Wood
preparation before painting
When we paint wood, we're decorating it, but we can also
protect it for good if the surface is prepared properly. New
wood must be sanded along the grain. Painted or stained wood
as well, unless you strip it down to its bare surface.
Pores, screw and nail holes can be filled with plastic wood
or joint compound, according to the case. Remove all
accessories to minimize trimming. Paint over knots with
orange shellac to hide them forever. Finally, be sure that
the wood is dry and clean.
Painting old moldings
Over the years and after many coats of paint, door frames,
windows and wall molding joints are no longer well defined
and easy to trim. Carefully trace over the joints with a
plasterboard knife using a yardstick if necessary. The
traced cut will act as a paint dam? as long as you don't use
too much.
Paint without removing fixtures
To avoid having to remove fixtures before painting,
particularly when the pieces are difficult to get off,
nothing works like Vaseline petroleum jelly. Just spread it
on the surfaces to be protected before starting to paint and
when finished, clean the fixtures with a paper towel or a
soft cloth.
Removing paint on glass and windows
It is well known that dried paint can be removed from glass
with a razor blade. If the glass objects are textured or
uneven, soak them in water and dishwasher liquid for a few
hours.
Doing clean touchups
During light painting jobs, put a "Zip Lock" type sandwich
bag in a plastic margarine tub and fold the bag edges over
the rim. Pour the paint into the bag of your "paint tray"
and once the job is over, remove the bag and seal it, or
throw it away. |
