 Stirring:
Although the paint shaker/mixer at the store where you
purchased your paint does a good job, it is good practice to stir
the can's contents before use. Use a flat paint paddle and stir from the bottom up; this assures mixing of the thinner,
clearer layer at the top with the heavier, pigment-laden material that tends to
settle at the bottom. It is also a good idea to give the paint an occasional
stir at regular intervals during your painting session; this keeps
the pigments in suspension and ensures the colour remains uniform.
Boxing:
If you have several cans of the same colour paint, and the colour
in one differs by even the slightest degree (and this can happen), the
difference will show up on your walls. To avoid this, pour all the paint into a
20 litre mixing bucket, stir it, and then return it to the cans.
Straining and Thinning:
Stored paint separates; if stored a long time and
a dry paint layer forms on top. First, remove the dried paint layer with a
stirring stick and throw it away. Then stir the paint to eliminate the lumps
as much as possible and pour through a cloth paint strainer. If the paint needs
thinning, add water (if water based) or turps (if oil based) as per the
directions on the can.
Brush Technique:
The general rule of thumb is; brush first, roll later. And it's wiser to take care of the
ceilings first. You'll want to cover the perimeter of the ceiling  and
the top perimeter of the walls, as well as areas that cannot be covered with the
roller. While brushing, observe the following. Dip the brushes to cover only
about one-third. Don't rub off the excess on the rim of the can; just slap it
there lightly. Holding the brush at an angle, apply the paint in long,
overlapping strokes, always keeping the pressure light and keeping the entire
tip of the brush on the surface, pulling away only at the very end of the stroke
to avoid clumping. The handle should rest in the crook of your thumb, and your
thumb and fingers should be grasping the metal band around the bristles. If it's
too big to hold this way, hold it by the handle like a tennis racket.
Roller Technique :
Fill your paint tray with paint and run the roller
over the ridges in the tray to eliminate excess paint; the roller cover should
be saturated but not dripping. Then paint strokes with the roller down and up in
a "W" pattern. Each W overlaps the next until the surface is entirely
covered. Then the paint is smoothed with non-diagonal strokes, all in one
direction (top to bottom on walls; whichever you please on ceilings). This
smoothing step is especially important to blend glossy finishes, though it can
probably be skipped with flat paint.
|
