THIS MONTH’S TIP

Paint tip of the month

When considering a colour, buy a small amount and paint a section to see what you can expect. If not entirely sure, paint onto a piece of foam board and leave it to see the effect that changing light will have. Chamberlains has experts on paint mixing who will help you find the right colour.

Preparation remains the first priority when painting anything. Make sure that the surface has been sanded and cleaned. Dust patches, oily spots and loose particles must be cleared before any painting is started.

The best start to any finish begins with a decent coat of primer. We recommend Chamberlain Universal Undercoat and Chamberlain Acrylic Plaster Primer. Many imperfections can be prevented if the primer coat covers the complete surface. Two layers of top coat with the colour chosen should make for a perfect finish.

When painting on a surface that has been painted before, be sure that the paint composition matches the previous coats, water- or oil-based. A quick tip to determine what type of paint was used: dab a piece of cloth with rubbing alcohol and rub on a spot. If the paint starts to fade the colour and even remove the spot, the paint is water based. If no colour or paint is lost it is oil based.

Always allow the paint to dry completely between coats, usually a whole day should be enough. And wait until fully cured before washing the surface, usually after 2-3 weeks.