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Painting - The Basics
SURFACE PREPARATION
Surface preparation is a crucial operation. Most problems blamed
on the coating itself are actually caused by poor surface preparation.
Surface Cleaning: Clean the surface with the cleaner best suited
for removing the contaminant on the surface.
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A surface that has been previously coated with
an old finishing product must be cleaned with
Sico POLYPREP or
T.S.P. before applying a new
product. Rinse well with clear water.
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Mildew: Wash with a household bleach solution (1
part household bleach : 3 parts water).
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Grease & oil: Wash well with a
concentrated solution of trisodium phosphate (T.S.P.) or POLYPREP by Sico. Rinse
well with clear water.
-
Chalky paints:
Scrub vigorously with a concentrated solution of trisodium phosphate (T.S.P.) or
POLYPREP Rinse well with clear water.
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Stripping… consists
of removing old coats of paint and varnish. If the surface needs to be
stripped, use Sico stripper Polyprep 802-105 or Maxithane 802-273. Directions
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Sanding… removes
imperfections on walls, ceilings, furniture, floors, etc. It also roughens
surfaces that are too glossy.
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Sand the surface with sandpaper (80 to 120
grit) along the grain to avoid ripping the wood fibres .
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Masonry: Scratch or
brush mortar spatters, loose particles and salt deposits. Vacuum the residual
sanding dust
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Repairing… repair products are used to fix
damaged surfaces. It is important to select the best filling compound for the
job.
- Fill holes and
cracks with a patching compound. Do not use oil putty.
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Knots Sealing…
prevents knots and sap veins bleeding on several softwoods.
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Primer Application:
Primers are coatings used to hide previously
applied colours, provide an even surface, and increase
adhesion of paint.
APPLICATION DIRECTIONS
- Cover or mask off
surfaces you don't want to paint and make sure drop cloths are carefully
placed.
- Sand rough spots
with a fine sandpaper (120 to 220 - grit)and vacuum up dust.
- Slowly stir the
paint to avoid the forming of bubbles, which could remain on the surface after
drying. Do not dilute.
- Pour the quantity
of paint needed into another container to avoid contaminating the original
paint can. Cover the paint can to preserve the paint properties .
- Apply paint
generously, leaving no skipped spots or no bare or excessively coated areas.
- Clean tools
immediately after use.
- Let surfaces dry
completely.
-Two finishing coats give better appearance and
durability.
Warning: Remove the masking tape after each coat to avoid
SURFACE MAINTENANCE
To assure maximum washability and durability, wait at least
30 days before washing the dry paint film. When removing stains, dirt and
marks, use a soft cloth or sponge with water and a solution of trisodium
phosphate
or
Sico Polyprep. Rinse with wet rag and dry with
clean and dry rag. Do not use abrasive cleaner or scrub brush to remove stains.
WASTE DISPOSAL
Sand and prime like a pro!
One of the most overlooked steps in any repainting
job is the sanding and priming steps. Usually, people
will only sand and prime areas that need repairing and
then wonder why the finished look is poor. To be certain
that your end result is a wall that looks uniform and
brand new, be sure to sand the entire surface and prime
it. Following these crucial steps every time will guarantee
that the whole surface looks smooth and uniform.
Use the right tool
When repairing lots of small nail holes, be sure to
use a small 1" high quality putty knife. This
will ensure that you don't apply too much filler
causing you to sand more than required. A high quality
putty knife is comfortable to hold and carries a blade
that flexes in such a way that it will apply the filler
with some authority while leaving it relatively smooth
in the process. To test the flexibility of the putty
knife, apply pressure to the blade on a hard surface.
If it bends too easily, it will not be strong enough
to apply the amount of the filler you need. If it does
not bend easily at all, the stiffness will make it tough
to level off the filler properly. If the blade only
flexes towards the end, then it will prove difficult
to apply the filler consistently from hole to hole.
So, what is the ideal flex to look for? When you apply
pressure to the blade, it should be firm and flexible
at the same time and the bend in the blade should be
uniform and gradual from the handle to the end.
Fool the eye with a faux finish
If you have never done a faux finish before, it's
best to choose one that is random and has no pattern.
That way, no one will be able to tell if you are a faux
finishing rookie or not!
Another tip to consider is to choose colours that pick
up from another item, such as flooring, window coverings,
or furniture in the same room. This will ensure that
the focus is not primarily on the faux look but on the
whole room.
Take your time with Wall repairs
For any wall repair that is larger than a nail hole,
you need to attempt it in more than one step. Deeper
and larger areas should not be filled with one heavy
coat of DynaPatch; Instead fill with a base layer, let
dry, sand lightly, clean and then add another layer.
Repeat this process until you are satisfied with the
leveling relative to the rest of your surface.
In an effort to not overdo a repair job, a lot of people
tend to apply filler ( DynaPatch, drywall mud, etc)
only into the area needing filling. This action has
the potential to draw more attention to this area unintentionally
even after painting. A good practice is to "feather
out" your filler lightly and randomly beyond the
actual repair area, and then sanding the entire wall.