This is part of the “How To” section of the blog, which I decided to do after Sharon over at Casaubon’s Book suggested that we all learn how to do more things ourselves. I figured I could share what I knew and hopefully continue to learn from others. My first post in this teaching section was “How to… Tie a Quilt”
I do not earn my living by painting, but I love to paint, and have painted for myself, friends and the church on a number occasions and learned from friends who worked in the trade how to do it right. I’m guessing that, as with most things, there is more than one correct way of doing something and opinions will differ. With all that said, let’s look at paint selection.
There two primary types of paint:
- Oil (sometimes called alkyd) – clean-up requires mineral spirits. Oil is generally more durable than latex.
- Latex (acrylic fits into this category) – this is water soluble and clean-up is quick. Dry time is also quicker.
There are also various sheens for paint:
Flat
- Pro: This type of paint is great for concealing imperfections in the wall or surface being painted.
- Con: This type of paint is more porous than glossier paints, and it does not clean up as well and should not be used for heavily trafficked areas.
- Best For: Ceilings, living areas in older homes with dents and other imperfections in the wall, areas which will not require periodic cleaning.
Eggshell or Satin
- Pro: Provide a nice sheen and greater depth than flat paints. They also provide a nice surface for light cleaning.
- Con: It will show some imperfections in the surface, and the paint is not ideal for areas where heavy clean-up will be required.
- Best For: General living areas: livingroom, dining room, bedrooms.
Semi-Gloss
- Pro: This is fairly easy to clean and good for areas of high traffic, but doesn’t give off a high-gloss look.
- Con: Since it is on the glossier side, it will show off imperfections more than the flat or egg-shell paints.
- Best For: Children’s rooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Gloss
- Pro: This is the more durable surface and is easier to clean than the lower-luster paint.
- Con: This type of paint is highly reflective and tends to highlight imperfections in the surface.
- Best For: Trim and baseboards in the kitchen and bath, the walls in the laundry room and in playrooms and bathroom and kitchen cabinets.
Re-Painting Indoors:
- You can apply latex paint over old oil paint if the previous finish is sanded.
- If you are not sure if the old paint is oil or latex, use a primer that is the same type as the new paint you plan to use.
- If going from a dark color to a lighter color, use a primer first. If painting new drywall, use a primer first.
Re-Painting Outside:
- Use an oil primer and a latex paint
