Painting Advice

Painting Advice

Preparation

Unpainted Surfaces: Doors, windows, frames, skirtings etc

Generally softwood is used in construction and it must be fully dry before painting. Exposed knots and resinous streaks should be treated with two thin coats of knotting solution. Prime all bare wood as soon as possible using a suitable wood primer. Lightly rub down and achieve a smooth, clean condition and brush off all dust. All cracks, nail holes, and splits should be filled using the appropriate internal or external filler. Always fill slightly proud to allow for sanding off. Remember to dust off after sanding Areas that have been filled should be coated with a thin coat of primer/undercoat or the appropriate finish before applying the finishing coats to achieve even absorbency Previously Painted Surfaces: Timber - doors, windows, frames, skirtings etc

All loose, defective, blistered, or peeling coatings should be completely removed. The paint can be removed by scraping, using a hot air stripper, or chemical remover. Any rotten or defective timber that is revealed should be replaced. All paintwork in good condition should be washed down using sugar soap or a suitable detergent to remove all traces of surface contamination. Whilst washing the surfaces a wet or dry abrasive paper can be used to provide a ‘key’ for the next coatings. Any bare timber that has been revealed should have two thin coats of knotting solution applied to knots and resinous streaks followed by an appropriate wood primer. Cracks, splits and indentations etc require filling with the appropriate material. For best results fill slightly proud of the surface to allow for sanding and dust off. Spot coat all filled areas with a primer/undercoat before applying the finishing coats

Metal

Unpainted Surfaces: Radiators, garage doors, gates, gutters etc

Clean the surface down with a mild detergent to remove all traces of surface contamination and ensure the surface is clean and dry

Remove any traces of rust using a wire brush, abrasive paper, or wet or dry
Galvanised metal should be cleaned down only. Do not rub down or wire brush galvanised metal work
An appropriate metal primer should be applied to the metal as soon as possible
Finish as required

Previously Painted Surfaces: Radiators, garage doors, gates, gutters etc

Remove all rust if possible by scraping, chipping, wire brushing etc. Scrape off any loose and flaking paint back to a firm edge

Wash all the existing coatings down using a solution of sugar soap and water or detergent to ensure all surface contamination such as dirt and grease are completely removed. Rub down and dust off
Prime all bare areas of metal using an appropriate metal primer
Finish as required

Plaster/Plasterboard

Unpainted Surfaces: Ceilings, walls etc

If the plaster is new then it is essential that it is completely dry before painting

Dry brush down to remove all traces of plaster dust and any efflorescence salts. Do not rub down with abrasive paper
Apply a coat of the chosen Johnstone’s Paint finish for walls and ceilings, thinned down with up to 10% clean water
The thinned coat will help quench the absorbency of the plaster/plasterboard and ease application of the subsequent coats. It will also highlight any imperfections and indentations that require filling
Apply appropriate finish

Previously Painted Surfaces: Ceilings/walls

Wash down all paintwork in sound condition using sugar soap or a mild detergent to remove all traces of surface contamination
Scrape off all loose, flaking, or suspect material back to a firm edge. Rub down and dust off
Rake out any cracks of surface defects with a scraper and fill using the appropriate filler. Fill slightly proud to allow for rubbing down to blend and level to the existing surface and dust down
Any surfaces that have been gloss painted, or finished with oil based paints will require rubbing down thoroughly to provide a key
To any bare patches of plaster and filler apply a thin coat of the finishing paint diluted with up to 10% clean water
Apply appropriate finish

Tools

Having the right tools and equipment to carry out your painting project when using one of our products is essential. Once you have the right tools and equipment you are well on your way!

Tools & Equipment Checklist

Access equipment: Stepladders, ladders and scaffolding may need to be used in certain instances

Bin bagsDisposal of rubbish

BucketsWashing/cleaning down. Wetting wallpaper and mixing paste

Cloths/rags Cleaning up/wiping down

Container for paint Enables easy use (often referred to paint kettle)

Dust brush Removes dirt dust and debris prior to painting

Dust/protective sheets Cotton or polythene sheeting for covering furniture and carpets

Filler for making good holes, cracks, splits and indentations in all types of surfaces, both internal and external

Filling knife flexible tools for applying filler

Heat gun Removal of paint from various substrates

Lid opener for safe removal of lids

Masking tape Fixing down sheeting, protecting surfaces during painting, i.e. shielding glass during painting of windows

Newspaper Covering surfaces, masking up glass etc.

Paint/varnish remover Alternative to heat gun for removing paint

Power wash Cleaning down masonry surfaces

Putty Re glazing

Putty knife Applying putty

Scrapers Various sizes for removing paper and flaking paint during preparation process

Sandpaper Various grades for rubbing down surfaces prior to painting

Sanding block For use with sand paper when rubbing down flat surfaces

Shave hooks For use with sand paper when rubbing down flat surfaces

Sponges Washing/cleaning down

Stirrer Palate knife/flat ended stick for stirring paint

Paint/varnish remover Alternative to heat gun for removing paint

Sugar soap Washing/cleaning down surfaces

Roller arms/cages Various sizes available

Roller poles Application to high points, easy application

Roller sleeves Medium pile for smooth and slightly textured surfaces. Heavy pile for textured surfaces such as Artex and pebbledash etc. Foam rollers for applying paint to doors.

Roller tray various types and sizes. For holding paint during application

Wet & dry paper Rubbing down surfaces prior to painting

White spirit Cleaning brushes etc.

Application

Painting Doors

Flush/unpanelled

Flush or unpanelled doors should be painted in sections, working down from side to side.

The application process can be made easier by applying the majority of the paint using a small foam roller.

Paint the edges of the door and a small band across the top with a brush.

Starting at the hinge side apply the paint evenly using the foam roller, in square bands of approximately 1/3 of the door. Gently “lay off” each band in vertical strokes, ensuring no joins are visible between bands.

Panelled

Panelled doors can also be painted using a foam roller as for flush or unpanelled doors, although this may depend on the size of panel and style of door

Paint all the edges of the door then the interior mouldings of each panel. Fill in the centre of each panel, either by brush or using the foam roller and “laying off” by brush.

After all the panels have been completed paint the vertical sections down the centre of the door between each panel. Then the horizontal rails followed by the two long verticals.

Painting Walls

Painting the walls is a very similar application to painting ceilings.

Begin by painting with a brush the corners and edges of the wall taking care not to touch the ceiling and cut in neatly around sockets and switches etc, “feather” out the painted edges.

Working from the top of the wall to the bottom apply the paint using a large brush, or roller, to avoid the paint drying out during application work in narrow bands and overlap each band to avoid any misses. Carefully roll over the surface in parallel vertical strokes.

Painting Metal, Wood, General application

 Application of paints to these types of surfaces will usually be carried out by a brush.

The paint should be applied using a good quality bristle or synthetic brush. The size selected should be suitable for the job at hand.
Dip the brush into the paint up to half the length of the bristles. Remove any excessive by wiping the brush against the edge of the paint container.
Start from the top of each area and in the first instance vertically apply the paint. Use diagonal and horizontal strokes to spread the paint coating over the surface. Lightly brush over using light, vertical strokes to remove any brush marks.
Fully reload the brush and apply the next band of paint. Spread out evenly over the surface so that both bands blend in together and “feather” out the edges ready for applying the next band.

Painting Ceilings

 Ceilings are usually the first items to be painted in a room.

Begin by painting with a brush around the edges of the ceiling or cornice and "feather" the edge out.
Paint the main body of the ceiling using a roller, working closely up to and over the edges painted by brush to achieve an even blending. Work from the window side, or source of light across the room, in sections overlapping each application to ensure that no areas are missed.
Even out the finish of each section by lightly rolling over the ceiling parallel to the wall.