ABOUT SACKS, STRIPES AND TIGHT PAINTINGS: THESE ARE THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS TO OUR PAINTERS

A painting project - from cupboard to frame - is disappointing 9 out of 10 times. It takes you much longer than expected and the result... it could have been better, let's just say. A waste of your time and money, while it really isn't the most difficult job. According to our painters, that is. We submitted the most frequently asked questions to LAB project leader and master painter Ralph. With a handy list of painting tips, do's and don'ts as a result.

MATTE, SATIN GLOSS OR HIGH GLOSS: WHICH PAINT DO YOU CHOOSE?

'The choice of a gloss level is mainly an individual choice: it just depends on what you like. Interior paint is often applied in semi-gloss and for exterior paint, high-gloss is the most chosen gloss level. But you can also look at it practically, because there are quite a few differences in appearance and maintenance between high-gloss, semi-gloss and matt paint.' 

• High gloss, or gloss , reflects almost like a mirror and therefore irregularities in the surface are clearly visible. Because a lot of light is reflected, surfaces with high-gloss paint ensure that small spaces appear larger. It gives a lot of color depth. Ideal in a narrow living room or hallway. High-gloss paint is much smoother, which means that less dirt remains on the surface and it is easier to clean. This makes the paint last longer. This is certainly a big advantage for outdoors: in a heavy rain shower, dirt is largely washed off.  

• Semi-gloss, or satin , is exactly between high-gloss and matt and is therefore the most chosen gloss level for indoors. It reflects more light than matt paint, has an inviting effect and semi-gloss paint is also easy to keep clean. This makes the paint suitable for every room in the house.  

• Matt paint softens the light and therefore gives a feeling of intimacy. There is little reflection and that makes a matt paint or lime paint ideal to create more atmosphere in a room. Because the gloss level of matt paint is closest to wall paint, matt paint is ideal for a tone-on-tone effect. Matt paint is also ideal to conceal irregularities: these are simply less noticeable. A disadvantage of matt paint is that you see scratches and stains on it more quickly. It is also less easy to clean and therefore less suitable for the kitchen and other places that are sensitive to stains.  

BRUSH OR ROLLER, WHICH GETS THE BEST RESULT?

' I say roller, because that way you can spread the paint more evenly. If we are painting the outside, a finish with a brush is often appreciated for old houses. Indoors we actually always use a roller . ' 

HOW DO YOU CLEAN THE SURFACE PROPERLY?

'If you want to paint, cleaning is at least as important as sanding. It is necessary to first degrease the surface with paint cleaner and a sponge for the correct adhesion of the paint. LAB paint cleaner is for inside and outside, and ensures a well-adhering surface as a basis for painting. This degreases the surface and, if you use the green side of the sponge for this, also has an etching effect.'  

WHICH SANDPAPER DO YOU USE WHEN PAINTING?

' Is the old paint layer still completely intact? Then you only have to sand the existing paint layer with fine sandpaper, degrease it with paint cleaner and then you can start painting right away. But if your paint layer is bad , then you first have to sand roughly to remove this layer. Because you sand more roughly, you also make larger scratches and you can remove them you with some finer (medium) sandpaper. Then you prime and when you have done that, you sand with very fine sandpaper to matt the primer. Only then do you finish it .' In the case of a bad paint layer, you sand with 3 different types of sandpaper :

• Coarse is P40-P60-P80 
• Medium is P100-P120-P150-P180
• Fine is P220-P240-P280 and P320 

'And good to know: there should never be more than 80 points between the grades. So start with P80, then sand with P150 and then with P220.'

IS A PRIMER OR A PRIMER ALWAYS NECESSARY?

'No, if the existing paint layer is still completely good, then this is actually your primer. You only have to clean it with paint cleaner and a sponge , and sand it. Then you can apply the finishing coat. If you have a surface that is bad and that you have to strip first, then you really need the primer for adhesion and coverage. Are you going to change colour, so from light to dark or from dark to light? Then a layer of primer will ensure that you reach the final colour much faster. Nowadays you can have primer mixed in colour, which is much easier.' 

DO I CHOOSE WATER-BASED OR TURPENTINE-BASED PAINT?

'Indoors we always use water-based paint, this is also the case at LAB. Painters are not allowed to work with turpentine indoors anyway, because it contains solvents that can be harmful. Exterior paint for frames, doors and windows is almost always turpentine-based. With this paint a higher gloss level can be achieved and therefore the paint lasts longer and can withstand a knock. Ideal for frames and doors that are exposed to the elements. The binders and pigments of these paints also ensure that the surface is better protected against moisture and that the paint dries less quickly. This allows the paint to 'flow' better than water-based paint.'  

'The binders of LAB exterior paint are more than 50% recyclable. Think of vegetable oils and fatty acids, instead of petroleum. A great step towards more sustainable exterior paint.'  

HOW MANY LAYERS DO YOU NORMALLY NEED TO PAIN WOODWORK?

'It is smart to always paint two layers, that gives a nicer reflection of the color and shine.'

HOW DO YOU GET A SMOOTH EFFECT AND AVOID STRIPES, DRIPPINGS AND SAGGERATES? AND WHAT IF IT STILL GOES WRONG?

'When applying paint, an even layer thickness is the most important thing. Because an uneven layer thickness causes drips or sags.' How do you achieve an even layer thickness? This is Ralph's tactic: 

1. To set up 
2. To divide 
3. To iron out 
4. Don't gain weight anymore

'You always apply paint with a roller or brush in different strokes next to each other, then you spread it. Spreading it ensures that the layer thickness is as even as possible everywhere.' This way you prevent sagging, but also streaks and lines. During the 'don't touch it anymore' phase, the paint rests and flows into each other. 'But that is only possible if it is applied evenly. And paint from top to bottom if possible.' 

Still spotted a drip or sag? Then it is important to be patient and let the paint dry first. 'And then really dry it until the sag is dry too . Then you can sand it away. If you do that sooner, you will damage your entire surface and you may have to fill it to get it neat. Patience is a virtue.' 

WHY DO I LEAVE LOOSE BRUSH HAIR BEHIND WHEN PAINTING? 

'A good brush is really important: the better the quality, the more hairs are in it, the better they are bound and the better they are glued. 'Loose hairs are caused by poor production, not by the way of painting. A cheap brush simply cannot be made sustainable.' 

And another tip from Ralph : 'Always run a new brush over a piece of sandpaper before you use it, so that any loose hairs stick to it.' 

Photo left: LAB wallpaint Fluffy Cheetah no. 255 (wall) and LAB interior paint Hunter no. 192 (cabinet). Photo right: LAB wallpaint exterior and exterior paint Valentine no. 609 (facade and frame), LAB interior paint Fabulous Saffron no. 446 and Copperhead no. 29 (planters). Cabinet, facade and planters: @pand.96.

WHAT IF THERE IS A HAIR LEFT BEHIND IN THE PAINT?

Leave the hair for a week or two, a layer of paint becomes thinner due to evaporation of the solvent (water or turpentine) and in those two weeks the hair will increasingly come to the surface. After that you can remove it with a bit of luck. 'If you start fiddling around earlier, you will damage the layer of paint. Patience is again a virtue. If you see the hair immediately when the layer of paint is still very wet, you can also fish it out with a thin knife.' 

HOW LONG WILL MY PAINTED DOOR OR FRAME REMAIN NICELY LOOKING? 

'That depends on several factors: is the object in the sun a lot or not, is it a light colour or dark? That largely determines whether a colour becomes duller or loses its shine. Light colours can also be affected by turpentine Dilutable paints will turn yellow if there is too little light on them.' 

Bonus tip: clean the entire exterior of your house at least once a year. Then your house will always look beautiful, you will extend the life of the paintwork considerably and you will see any defects in your paintwork in time, so that you can repair them immediately. 

READ ALSO: PAINTING THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE: TIPS FOR A PERFECT RESULT  

DO YOU PAINT THE WALL FIRST AND THEN THE WOODWORK OR EXACTLY THE OTHER WAY AROUND?

'The easiest order of work in my experience is first the woodwork and then the walls. With window frames or door frames there is always a small edge on the side against the wall and that edge is actually the most difficult to paint.' According to Ralph, this order is the most convenient: 

1. Pre-treatment of frame 
2. If necessary, apply a full coat of primer 
3. Then paint the walls 
4. Paint the woodwork last, so you can finish that small edge properly, if necessary by hand

CAN YOU ALSO LACQUER A SURFACE OTHER THAN WOOD WITH WOOD LACQUER?

'Certainly, with primer or multi-primer as an intermediate layer you can finish everything. This intermediate layer ensures good adhesion to, for example, plastic and metal.'

'For example, you can't paint an aluminum locker right away, because the paint won't stick. But if you change the surface with a multi-primer , you get good adhesion and you can apply wood varnish. A multi-primer is really ideal, because it 'bites' itself onto the surface. Provided, of course, that you first clean it with paint cleaner and sponge, and then lightly sand it.' 

RATHER BE LAZY THAN TIRED? 

The lacquer paint processing package contains all the necessary processing materials for applying lacquer paint indoors or outdoors . With the right advice and use of the recommended processing materials, you can easily process lacquer paint yourself. Available with or without pre-treatment supplies. 

NEAT PAINTING WITH LAB:

• Interior paint
• Exterior paint
• Paint cleaner
• Multiprimer
• Wood primer inside
• Wood primer outside
• Rollers and brushes
• Lacquer paint processing package (indoor)
• Lacquer paint processing package (outdoor)

Author: Monique van Beekhoven

READ ALSO:

• PAINTING IN THE GARDEN? THIS IS HOW YOU BRING THE ATMOSPHERE FROM INSIDE OUTSIDE
• GIVE YOUR CABINET A NEW LOOK WITH LAB INTERIOR PAINT
• TRANSFORM THE STAIRS WITH LAB STAIR COATING