The Basics of Painting
(for Walls and Ceilings)

How to figure out how much paint to buy

1. Find the perimeter of the room. You can do this by adding the lengths of each wall together, then multiply that figure by the ceiling height. The sum is the total square feet of the walls. (You can subtract about 20 square feet for doors and about 15 square feet for windows.)

2. Now divide this figure by 350. (1 gallon of paint covers 350 square feet). This will tell you how many gallons of paint you will need.

3. If your walls are painted a dark color, then you will need to apply a wall primer first. This will seal the color, so that it won't bleed into your new paint.


How to find the right paint to use

There are two major types of paint which are Alkyds and Latex.

ALKYD:
1. Alkyd (OIL) based paints are durable and washable, but they must be thinned with mineral spirits. You would also have to use the mineral spirits for the cleanup!!

2. The best brushes to use with alkyd based paints are nylon or polyester brushes. Buy a good "quality" brush. It makes the job a lot easier. Nothing is harder than using a bad brush. A good quality brush will give you a much better finish!

3. Alkyd paints have a heavy ODOR and you must have proper ventilation! They also have a longer drying time!


LATEX:
1. Latex (WATER) based paints are also durable and can be thinned with water. Cleanup is easier, also. Just soap and water.

2. The best brushes to use with latex paints are nylon or polyester or bristle brushes, but again, get good quality brushes. If using a harder bristled brush, then the application "pressure" doesn't have to be as hard and won't leave "brushmarks".

3. Latex paints have less odor, but ventilation is still required. The drying time is a lot faster than an oil based paint.

Now that you know the two types of paints and their bases, what type of each is for your room?


Flat or Semi Gloss or High Gloss

Flat Paint- is easier on the eyes. There is less "highlight" in the finish. This is because there is minimum light reflecting from the walls.

Semi Gloss- is better used in your "High Traffic" areas such as the kitchen, hallways and children's rooms. It's a better durable paint and can withstand heavy washings.

High Gloss- this type paint is best used in bathrooms where the showers are steamy. An alkyd based paint is recommended here, as it will help prevent mildew. If mildew happens to appear, you can easily clean it up with a little bleach and soapy water solution. This type paint can withstand heavy, rough cleaning and abuse.


Now.....Where do you start??

1. Start with the ceiling first. (Be sure to cover floors and furniture with drop cloths!)

2. Next you "cut-in". This is a term used for cutting in all the edges of the room. Paint them next with a good brush. (The roller cannot get in to the corners, etc.)

3. Next you can start rolling. Dip your roller frequently. Don't be stingy with the paint. You have already figured in the right amount of paint to use and it is with a "good" coat each time.


Now all that's left is cleaning up your mess!!


Below are some Decorative Finishes that you might want to try out.

Glazes and Washes

Sponge Painting

Rag Rolling

Color Washing

Dragging


Visit my other pages!
Home
Main Directory
My Family ~ Country Cookin'
Craft Projects ~ Webrings ~ Favorite Links
Decorating Center ~ Household Tips ~ Rainy Day Projects
Holidays ~ Awards Received ~ Winners ~ Make and Save ~ Bookstore
Parenting Funnies ~ Computer Humor ~ Special Causes
Favorite Short Stories ~ Banner Exchange
Gifts Received


Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook