Top painting tips

What you need to know before starting your painting projects:

• Don’t skimp on your decorating accessories. The best paint job is achieved with the right brush, roller or application equipment for the job. If you use a cheap poor quality brush with a high quality paint you will not get the best performance out of the paint.

• Prepare prepare prepare. Allow plenty of time for surface preparation. Many paint failures are caused by poor surface preparation.

• Don’t paint in very hot or very wet conditions. If too hot the paint will dry too fast and give you a patchy result. If too wet the paint won’t be able to cure and long term performance may be affected.

• If your paint is drying too fast in summer, add Resene Hot Weather Additive. This will slow down the drying and give you a longer wet edge… making it easier for you to get a great finish.

• When you are taking a break for lunch or overnight, wrap brushes or rollers used with waterborne paints in clear food wrap or place in a sealed plastic bag. This will keep the paint fresh and save you having to wash out your tools.

• If in doubt that a colour you are looking at on a colour chart may be too dark, choose a lighter colour. Colours will look more intense when they are painted onto a large area.

• Always use a Resene testpot to confirm your colour choices in the area you are planning.

• If you have a less than perfect surface, use a lower sheen paint. The lower the sheen the more imperfections the finish will hide.

• When selecting colours, remember to factor in the gloss level. Most colour charts are produced using low sheen chips. If you use a gloss finish it will look brighter and cleaner; if you use a flat finish it will look darker and more intense.

• If you have to paint outside on a hot day, avoid painting in the sun. Instead paint on the shaded side.

• Always clean out decorating tools well at the end of each job and hang them by their handles. This will keep the bristles or nap in its best condition for the next paint job. Quality decorating tools treated well can last for many paint jobs.

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