Application Tips

Order of Painting

For interior surfaces
Painting should usually occur from the top down.
1    Ceiling 1st coat.    
2    Walls 1st coat       
3    Ceiling 2nd coat 
4    Woodwork undercoat
5    Walls 2nd coat 
6    Woodwork finish coat

For exterior surfaces
Start first with the roof and eaves then move progressively through verandahs, walls, gutters and downpipes, finishing with windows and doors.

Fillers:
Damaged surfaces may require filling and sanding to provide a smooth, even surface.

Sanding:
The most common abrasive papers are: Glass paper is ideal for roughening smooth surfaces to achieve a key. Aluminium oxide paper is long lasting but more expensive.

Stirring:
Adequate stirring prior to use is essential for correct colour consistency. Stir with alternating circular and lifting motions, using a flat paddle until the contents are uniform, around 5 minutes. Continue stirring at regular intervals during application. Where you have more than one can of the same colour for a job, mix the contents of all the cans together to ensure colour consistency.

Looking after yourself:
Ensure the area is well ventilated to avoid fume build up. Wear old clothes, a painters hat, safety glasses, gloves where necessary and a mask or respirator when sanding or spray painting. A respirator is also recommended when applying oil-based coatings in confined spaces or if ventilation is poor.  

Climate:
Warm, dry days with little dew or frost are the best conditions for painting. Painting should never be carried out under damp conditions. Inside, heating and good ventilation can assist the drying of internal paintwork during cold weather or high humidity. Avoid painting when temperature is below 10°C or above 30°C or direct sunlight.
Moisture should not be present on the surface being painted unless manufacturers printed instructions say otherwise.
Never apply coatings onto hot surfaces or in direct sunlight.

Painting large areas:
Use a roller on a pole or extension handle to cover the full height of the wall in a single stroke. Spread paint evenly until the roller is almost dry. Go back over the area and roll lightly down the surface to give a smooth even finish. Reload the roller and paint the adjoining areas in the same way. Make sure when joining the sections to roll from the dry area back into the wet to avoid lap marks.

Painting Do's and Don'ts
Do
1    Make sure surface is clean and dry
2    Work new brushes back and forth across your fingers to remove loose bristles.
3    Follow instructions on the paint can for application.
4    Load the brush evenly and sufficiently by dipping it only halfway into the can and tapping it against the top edge of the can to remove any excess.
5    Apply paint evenly and fully with smooth strokes.
6    Paint from the top surface and work down to the bottom. If painting timber, brush in the direction of the grain.
 

Don't
1    Don't stir the paint with a brush. Use a stirring stick.
2    Don't let brushes soak in water, solvent or paint for prolonged periods of time. The brush will become floppy.
3    Don't use a large brush to paint small pipes or narrow strips as this will cause the brush to fishtail (split).