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Adhesives
Failure of a product to adhere can lead to major expense and
inconvenience.
Smoothing plywood surfaces
It is preferable to smooth out the surfaces, joints and
edges of plywood before painting. Joint compound will do for
walls, but plastic wood (or a mixture of sawdust and white
glue), is recommended for floors, as it is more resistant in
heavily trafficked areas.
Painting concrete once and for all
To paint building foundations or any concrete, a latex paint
is preferred. Latex conducts humidity and thus prevents
flaking, while improving the concrete's durability. Before
applying paint, clean the surface with a stiff bristle
brush. As concrete naturally absorbs water, rinse thoroughly
and allow to dry before applying a finishing paint that does
not require a base coat. Otherwise, use a latex base for
concrete before the applying the finishing coat.
Masking knots before painting
Knots in finished wood will appear sooner or later after
painting. Before painting, seal the knots with a lacquer. It
is the only liquid sealant that will efficiently seal in
knot resin, without discoloring the finishing paint.
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.
Giving old wood a fresh look
Exterior wood siding can be painted, or stripped and
painted. Strip paint using a torch by burning the old paint
and scraping it lightly being careful not to damage the
wood. Clean the surface with trisodium phosphate (TSP),
which you can find in the paint department of your local
home renovation centre. Repair siding where needed and
caulk. If you are repainting in the same colour, apply the
finishing coat after the wood is dry. If you are changing
colours, apply a primer coat followed by the new colour,
using exterior paint (an oil based primer will be necessary
if going from oil to latex). Avoid painting in full sun, at
sunset, in the early morning, in the rain or in the wind. To
keep bugs from sticking to the fresh paint, simply add two
tablespoons of citronella to the paint.
Painting over primer made easier
To make an indoor wall much easier to paint, simply apply a
coat of sealer primer after a light sanding. The surface
will be even, smooth and much easier to paint. As well,
you'll get a chance to find new flaws and repair them if
necessary.
Filling holes with flour
To quickly fill small nail holes in walls, mix flour with
the paint that colors the wall to make a paste. With a putty
knife or a spatula, fill the holes in the same way that you
would using joint compound and wipe off the excess. This
colored paste will fill the holes and you won't have to get
out the paintbrush. |
