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Below are some
of the more common questions we are asked.
Click the question to view the answer. If you still need help,
please contact us, where we will be happy to help. 
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Q1:Can
you explain why the colour in the paint can is
not the same when it dries
out
on the walls ? |
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The explanation
begins with the fact that the components of paint reflect
light differently when they are wet (in-can) compared
to when they are dried (on the wall). These subtle differences
are quite common and not a reflection on the quality
of a paint product. A handy tip to make sure you are
happy with the end colour on your wall is to use a sampler
pot, apply the paint and check how it looks after drying.
Many of the high quality paint brands offer tester pots
from the different ranges available. |
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Q2:My
white painted radiator has a yellow tinge after
six months, how can I avoid this
in
future? |
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It could be one of several things
that caused the discoloration of your radiator. First,
if the paint gets too soft when the radiator is hot,
it will collect dirt (dust and tobacco smoke) from
the air. Second, if you painted the bare metal of
the radiator, some rusting could be occurring and
causing the yellowing. Last, if the paint used was
solvent-based the heat of the radiator could make
the paint turn yellow.
I suggest you repaint the radiator
using a good quality pure acrylic matt or satin paint
that is recommended for use on radiators. There are
several premium brands on the market available from
the large DIY retailers or from a good independent
store.
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Q3:We
have recently bought a 60’s property in need of
re-decoration. Can I use a
water-based
paint over areas previously painted with solvent-based
paint? |
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In short,
yes you can. However some preparation is required before
you start. First the surface needs to be sanded to a
dull finish with a fine grit sandpaper, then wiped off
with a damp cloth. A top quality pure acrylic water-based
paint can then be applied quite successfully. Make sure
to check the paint tin label as some manufacturers recommend
that you apply a high adhesion primer before the top
coat (If needed check with your local retailer or store
for a suitable recommendation). |
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Q4:I’m
painting my son’s bedroom. We would like to know
what paint would be
safe
enough to use so he can use his room soon after the
job is complete? |
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Safety is important so keep children and pets out
of the area during and for a few hours after painting.
Most products available today for interior use are
water-based making them suitable for a child’s
bedroom. Low odour, low VOC paints are common; using
a good quality Acrylic satin or matt would be a suitable
option. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) contribute
to pollution of the atmosphere and are better avoided.
In low VOC paints the VOC’s emitted during painting
reduce very quickly. Using ample ventilation while
painting ensures residual VOC levels remain low. Finally,
needless to say children have a tendency to run into
a newly decorated room despite being told otherwise,
so remove all paint tools and pots immediately after
you’ve finished painting!
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| Q5:What
is the difference between a transparent and opaque stain? |
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Transparent
stains have considerably less pigment than opaque stains,
in order to allow the grain of the wood to show through.
Opaque stains obliterate or hide the grain; and because
of the added protection of the wood from UV radiation,
will last longer before needing to be re-applied. |
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| Q6:What
is the difference between wash and scrub resistance? |
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Wash resistance, or better,
“washability,” is the ease that dirt and stains
can be washed off the paint. How well the paint resists
absorption of dirt and stains is part of it. Scrub resistance
is simply how well the paint will stand up to scrubbing
without abrading through; it is not an indicator of
how readily stains can be removed from the paint. |
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Q7:How
can I recognise a good quality interior paint from the
wide choice available
in
retail stores? |
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The
ingredients in a can of paint determine the level of
quality. Premium paint will have more of the prime ingredients
which include the binder. The binder gives the dry paint
the durability. That is the toughness against every
day wear and tear, and stain resistance.
Most retailers have leaflets on shelves explaining the
different aspects of quality such as coverage, hiding
power and washability. You can then decide which property
is most important for your paint job. |
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| Q8:Is
it worth paying more for a kitchen and bathroom paint? |
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Yes, it is, for two main
reasons. Firstly, a kitchen and bathroom paint will
generally have a higher binder content, and the binder
may also be a higher performance type. The binder in
the paint is the ingredient that gives the dried paint
its resistance properties such as durability, toughness
against everyday wear and tear, and the ability to resist
picking up dirt and stains. Generally speaking, higher
quality paints have both more and better quality binders
in them, guaranteeing the best results. Secondly, and
equally important, most kitchen and bathroom paints
also contain a fungicide to discourage fungal growth
in damp and humid areas. |
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Q9:I
have paint peeling off the window frames. Which paint
would you suggest to
avoid
re-painting frequently? |
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For window frames, we
suggest you choose a top quality exterior pure acrylic
gloss or satin trim paint. These paints are made with
ingredients that allow the dried paint to adhere particularly
well and long to the surface they are applied to, making
them extremely resistant to adverse weather conditions.
However, even if you use the best quality paint it is
still important to follow the four key steps to ensure
a good job and to minimize the frequency on maintenance.
This involves 1. appropriate surface preparation; 2.
application of a quality paint brand suitable for the
job; 3. use of quality tools;and, 4. painting under
the proper conditions. |
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Q10:I
have a masonry wall which is looking dirty. I intend
to repaint this but want
a
product that will last a long time. Which product would
be most suitable? |
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Painting the outside
of your home takes a lot more planning and preparation
than the inside. You are right to want the best product.
A lot of the success is down to how well you remove
existing dirt, fungus and debris.
It may seem like hard work but the investment in time
and effort now will mean you will avoid having to do
the re-paint too soon.
Wash the surface down using a fungicidal wash if fungus
is present. Allow to dry and then fill the gaps using
exterior filler. If the surface is still chalky then
first seal the surface using a stabilizing primer. Then
finish with 2 coats of a water-based quality Pure Acrylic
masonry paint. |
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Q11:I
recently painted my hallway in a dark green colour,
however it feels gloomy and
I’m
looking to paint it in a fresh yellow. To save time,
I’m considering a one coat
paint
product. Do one-coat products work over dark surfaces? |
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Absolute one-coat coverage
is quite difficult to achieve, particularly if the new
paint is a light shade or white and the surface being
painted over is a dark colour. And if the surface is
smooth, it is even more difficult. Good ‘coverage’
- where the surface is painted over does not show through
– can be achieved if the paint is applied according
to the ‘spreading rate’ instructions as printed
on the paint can. Often these are specified on the tin
as coverage area (in m2 per litre), allowing you to
calculate what surface area that paint will cover, so
paint will need to be applied accordingly. |
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| Q12:Which
paint product provides the best long-term protection
against weathering? |
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The
best way to provide long-term protection is to carry
out all the steps needed to ensure a ‘complete’
paint job. 1. Proper surface preparation is really important
- remove dirt, chalk, fungus and loose paint; and sand
down weathered wood) by 2. Apply a full coat of an appropriate
primer. 3. Finally apply two coats of a high quality
pure acrylic water-based paint. This may seem like a
lot of work, but it is actually worth it in the long
run! |
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