Painting with Glasses
If you wear glasses, simply cover the lenses
with plastic cling wrap, then when you peel it
off, all the paint spots go with it.
Knobs and Things
Always remove as much hardware as you can before
you paint. Carefully scrape old paint out of
screw slots before you try to unscrew them.
Paint Spills
First contain the spill from spreading. Scrape
up as much paint as possible working from the
outside of the spill inwards to help prevent
further spreading. Kitty litter can also be used
to soak up paint.
Wet paint on carpet & materials
Most acrylic paints can be washed out of carpet
& material so long as it is attended to
immediately & the paint stains are kept wet.
Rinse the affected areas immediately with water,
sponge out & rinse with clean water, detergent
cleaners can also assist.
(Ensure that no diluted paint run off flows into
sewer, stormwater or any natural waterways.)
Most oil-based paint can be thinned with mineral
turps & then washed out with warm water &
detergent, then rinsed with clean water.
Caution must be taken with the use of thinners &
cleaning products. Do a small discrete test area
on the affected material with the
cleaner/thinner to ensure that it will not
damage the material to be cleaned.
For paint spills that have dried
In some situations dry paint can be scraped off
with a razorblade scraper (eg glass & glazed
tiles). In most cases acrylic paint can be
softened with methylated spirits this can aid in
removal of the paint. Oil based paints dry
harder; mineral turps may soften them if they
have not fully cured. If methylated spirits or
mineral turps do not affect dry paint spills a
paint stripper may need to be used.
Caution must be taken with the use of thinners &
cleaning products. Do a small discrete test area
on the affected material with the
cleaner/thinner to ensure that it will not
damage the material to be cleaned.
Unmasking
Always remove masking tape before the paint is
completely hard so it wont chip and crack.
Removing tape while the paint is still
relatively wet will prevent most problems.
Stop Mold
Lack of ventilation and moisture encourages mold
growth. Exhaust fans and Dulux Mouldshield can
help prevent re-growth.
Clean Start
Thorough washing with sugar soap will remove
grease and dirt and ensure the best possible
performance from the finish coats.
Surface Preparation
To ensure you have the best possible finish
under your paint, always use good quality
fillers such as those under the Polyfilla brand
when filling holes and surface imperfections on
the inside or outside of your home.
Polyfilla has a range of ready mixed fillers
that are easy to sand and clean up with water.
They are already mixed for you so there is no
messy mixing or wastage.
Surface Preparation Techniques
For Small holes
Force plaster crack into the holes using a
narrow filling knife. Level off the patch with
the surrounding surface with the filling knife..
For Cracks
Use a utility knife to clean out the loose
debris. Use a filling knife to scrape out a thin
bottom layer of undamaged material. Dampen the
undercut crack using a small brush and minimal
amount of water. Fill the crack with plaster
crack using the filling knife. Use one stroke
down the length of the crack to remove excess
compound. Allow time to dry. Sand with a sanding
block.
For Large holes
Place patching tape over the cleaned hole. Apply
plaster crack with the filling knife. Remove
excess compound with downward strokes of the
filling knife. Allow time to dry. Sand with a
sanding block.
Polyfilla offers a variety of surface
preparation products including - Poly Gap
Sealant, Poly Paint Stripper, Poly Powdered
fillers, Poly Sugar Soap, Poly Putty, Poly Brush
restorer, Poly Wallpaper products.
Plaster Cracks
For a superior smooth finish on your plaster and
plasterboard surfaces use Polyfilla Plaster
Cracks. There is minimal shrinkage with this
product so there is no need for you to overfill
your holes. As Plaster Cracks is extremely fast
drying, you will have your job done in no time.
Plaster cracks comes in two convenient sizes,
160gm and 350gm.
Large Cracks
For deep and wide cracks on surfaces such as
mortar, concrete, timber, plastic and primed
metal use Polyfilla Large Cracks. It is smooth
and easy to apply and extremely durable. Large
cracks comes in three convenient sizes, 11.6 oz,
27.16 oz and a 4.63 lbs tub.
Skim Coat
When filling fine imperfections on interior
surfaces use Polyfilla Skim Coat. It is
extremely easy to apply and sand. After sanding
your walls will be ready for painting. Skim Coat
comes in three convenient sizes, 18.34 oz, 2.58
lbs and a 6.83 lbs tub.
Mirror Finish
For a superior mirror-like finish under gloss
paints use Polyfilla Mirror Finish. It is smooth
and easy to apply. It has excellent adhesion to
timber, plaster, concrete, mortar and primed
metal. Mirror Finish comes in two convenient
sizes, 15 oz and 30 oz
Interior Timber
When filling interior timber use Polyfilla
Interior Timber. It will give you the best
finish with your stain or varnish. It is strong
enough even to be nailed. Interior timber comes
in two convenient sizes, 15 oz and 30 oz
Painting Techniques
Before commencing your painting take a little
extra time to use masking tape and newspaper to
protect switch plates, light fittings etc and
drop cloths to protect furniture and surfaces
that could be accidentally damaged or splattered
by the paint.
When painting an entire room always work on the
ceiling first. The advantage of this is that any
paint that splatters on the walls can be cleaned
up easily or painted over.
Make sure you are using clean rollers, trays and
brushes. Tip some paint into the tray. Do not
put too much as it makes loading the roller
difficult and spillage easy.
Paint the edge of the ceilings first. Using a
60mm brush to paint a border between the ceiling
and wall slowly and accurately.
Once the roller cover is firmly fitted onto the
roller frame, take the roller and put it into
the paint and let it saturate all the fabric.
Roll the roller over the ribbed area of the
paint tray to squeeze out the excess paint.
Apply the paint in a zig zag pattern so you form
a large M or W. Smooth out the paint without
reloading the roller.
Having used masking tape to protect the edges of
wood work or glass, use a brush to paint around
the edges of doors, windows and baseboards.
Fill in the open area with the roller. Never
stop painting mid wall. If you stop the paint
mark will show when the job is finished. If you
need to take a break stop at a window or door or
better yet after an entire wall.
Hint
Roll-On - Painting hallways can involve many
architraves and skirtings. Its a good time to
think about trying out a paint pad. These little
foam pads with wheels can really speed up the
job, taking the fuss out of edges.
Weather to Paint
If it looks like rain, remember the painter's
rule; if you wouldn't hang the washing out or
wash the car, don't paint! Nothing is more
disappointing than seeing you work ruined!
First Stop
Paint exterior doors and windows early in the
day, prop them open to dry and they will be
ready to close by nightfall.
Little Things
An artists brush, instead of a house painting
brush will help you pick out small details in
extra colours quickly and neatly.
Time Travel
Gently scraping the paint work can reveal your
home's colourful history and give you some
original colour ideas.
Cool Tip
If you are using water based paints, on a hot
day, spraying walls with water before you paint
will cool them down and make the job faster and
easier - you can even paint them when they are
damp.
Cleaning Up
If you are planning to continue the work the
next day, just keep the paint and roller in the
paint tray and cover with a tray lid or
cellophane. The next morning run the brush or
roller over a newspaper a few times and it will
be ready to use.
After the job is completed wash the rollers and
brushes and paint tray with water. Do not use a
spinning tool to clean brushes as this will make
your brush flare. Wrap the clean brushes and
rollers with newspaper and secure with a rubber
band. Store the brushes flat or hang them on
hooks.
Excess paint can be stored in the can. If you
have no further use for the paint donate it to a
charitable institute or in the case of water
based paint pour over shredded newspaper or cat
litter and throw the paper or cat litter in the
trash. If it is oil based paint it cannot be
thrown as it is considered a hazardous
substance. Make enquiries with you local council
as to the best way to dispose of it.