Paint Guide

Light colours will help lighten a dark or poorly-lighted room, and provide a psychological lift. Light colours also make walls and ceilings appear to be further away, and can be used to make small rooms appear larger and more open. Dark colours can give a room a dramatic look, and create a sense of intimacy. They can also make walls and ceilings appear to be closer, and can be used to make a large room appear smaller and cozier. Bright, vibrant colours will give the room a cheerful feel, and a sense of excitement. Reds, yellows and oranges are warm colours. When these colours are used in a room, they make the walls appear closer, creating the illusion of a smaller room. Violets, blues and greens are cool colours. When these colours are used in a room, they make the walls appear farther away, creating the illusion of a larger room. Tans, greys, and off-whites tend not to attract attention, and can be used to create a restful, relaxing atmosphere. They are also easier to coordinate with other colours in the room. For long, narrow rooms, paint the shorter walls a darker colour. This will make these walls appear closer together, so the room will seem less like a tunnel. For square rooms, paint one wall a different colour, preferably the wall first seen when entering the room. This will give the room a more dramatic look and make it seem less 'boxy'.

When selecting exterior paint colours, take the fixed colours into account (like the roof, brick, stonework or any stained wood), and make sure all the colours look good together. Light colours will make a small house seem larger, and dark colours will make a large house seem smaller. A large, boxy house can be broken up by using a trim colour that contrasts the body colour. A small house will appear larger if the trim is painted the same colour as the body of the house. Light colours will help keep a home cooler in warmer climates, because they absorb less heat. Dark colours will help keep a home warmer in cooler climates, because they absorb more heat. Because light coloured paint films absorb less heat, they will generally last longer than darker coloured paint films. Some communities have restrictions on what colours can be used on house exteriors, so check this out before you make your choice.

When selecting exterior paint colours, take the fixed colours into account (like the roof, brick, stonework or any stained wood), and make sure all the colours look good together. Light colours will make a small house seem larger, and dark colours will make a large house seem smaller. A large, boxy house can be broken up by using a trim colour that contrasts the body colour. A small house will appear larger if the trim is painted the same colour as the body of the house. Light colours will help keep a home cooler in warmer climates, because they absorb less heat. Dark colours will help keep a home warmer in cooler climates, because they absorb more heat. Because light coloured paint films absorb less heat, they will generally last longer than darker coloured paint films. Some communities have restrictions on what colours can be used on house exteriors, so check this out before you make your choice.

The coverage rate for most paints is 100-150sq. ft. per litre (check the product label for more specific information). The exact coverage will depend on the following factors: The type and condition of the surface being painted (i.e., age, porosity, roughness). Paint won't go as far on a rough, porous or textured surface as it will on a smooth, well-sealed surface.

The type and quality of paint being used. In general, higher quality paints will cover better than lower quality paints

The method of application - The coverage rate will be slightly higher for brushes and rollers, and slightly lower for paint sprayers (due to overspray).

The experience of the painter. A more experienced painter will usually be able to make the paint go farther than an inexperienced painter.

Some colours cover better than others. Here are some general rules of thumb:

Darker colours cover better than lighter ones.

Muddier colours cover better than cleaner colours.

Yellows and reds generally don't cover as well as other colours.

Factory-mixed colours cover better than store-tinted colours (because higher quality pigments are used).

The following guidelines will help ensure best possible colour consistency: Use the same batch of paint for each job or structure. If the paint is a tinted colour, it's best to 'box' the paint (mixing the paint by pouring it from can to can) before starting. The next best thing is to always keep the paint container partially filled. In other words, refill the container when it's half-full, not when it's completely empty. Paints should be applied at the right temperature. For best results, the air, surface and paint temperature should all be between 60º - 80º F. Don't stop painting in the middle of a continuous wall or trim surface, or a lap mark may show where the two coats overlap. Allow painted surfaces to dry for at least 14 days before washing. Use a mild detergent to protect the paint finish.

Walls, ceilings, and other large, flat surfaces should be painted as follows: First, a 2" to 3" border is painted along all corners, edges and other areas that can't be easily reached with a 7" or 9" roller. A 2" to 3" brush or paint pad works well for this step. Next, a 7" or 9" roller is used to fill in the middle. Starting at one corner of the surface, the paint should be applied over only about one square yard at a time. This way, the paint will be less likely to dry out between passes (this is known as keeping a 'wet edge'). Otherwise, the paint may dry out between passes, causing a lap mark to show where the two coats overlap. It's usually best to paint the ceiling first, then the walls. This reduces the chance of marring a freshly painted surface. When painting ceilings, a little less paint should be carried on the brush or roller, to reduce spattering. When painting the ceiling, the paint should be applied across the shorter side of the ceiling, so the paint will be less likely to dry out between passes.

When painting exterior surfaces, 1 prime coat and 2 finish coats will give the longest-lasting paint job. As an alternative, apply 1 prime and 2 finish coats on the surfaces that will receive the most weathering, and 1 prime and 1 finish coat everywhere else. If the surface has been previously painted and the paint film is in good shape, a prime coat isn't necessary. Clear, dry weather and no wind are best for exterior painting. For best results, paints and primers should only be applied when the air, surface and product temperature are all between 60º - 80º F When latex-based paints are applied at too low a temperature, they will not dry and cure properly, leading to poor adhesion and reduced durability. The slow drying time may also result in sagging. If paint is applied at too high temperature, it may dry too fast, leading to brush marks or lap marks. If a latex paint is applied at too high a temperature, it may dry before the film can set up properly, which can lead to premature paint failure. Paints and primers should not be applied when the humidity is too low or too high. Low humidity conditions can lead to the same problems as painting in high temperatures, and high humidity conditions can result in the same types of problems as painting in low temperatures.

The appearance of a colour depends on its surroundings, so a colour should be checked only with the other colours that will be present in the area being painted. In general, colours will end up looking somewhat lighter and brighter on a large sample area than they do on the colour chip; you may want to adjust for this by choosing a colour that's slightly darker and less intense. If you're very particular about the colour you want, the best way to check a colour is to buy a sample type of paint you're going to be using, and paint out a sample on a drywall that has a texture like the surface you'll be painting. This will make it easy to check the colour in different areas, and under different lighting conditions.