As by public demand the first chapter of my paint guide.
Bare in mind that what you are about to read is how I like to work, I can't claim it's the best way to do it. I'm convinced you should always ask information and guidance at your local paint/D.I.Y. shop. I write this post as I'm often asked what my routine is and as I like to share that with you I'll dedicate this post to the subject. I hope it will satisfy your needs ;o)
I know that the following contents applies for Europe but I'm not sure if it will work elsewhere. WILL YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
The image below shows a chart of the tools I use. Each tool is numbered so if I write; "use 1 and 8", it will refer to this chart.
If I use acrylic paint (water based) I use felt paint rollers if I use turpentine paint (oil based) I use foam paint rollers.
For surface cleaning I use hot water with a drop of ammonium.
I use disposable paint brushes as I can't be bothered to clean them (the only really bad thing I do for the environment beside being human)
Water Based vs Oil Based
I have a really simple rule for that: use water based paint for everything that you don't walk on and use oil based paint for everything you do walk on. Water based paint is perfect for furniture, woodwork etc.. as it dries super fast. It's also much better to use indoors as it doesn't smell and it's not so toxic. Oil based paint is much more durable and hard wearing. Experts say that it should be used to paint outdoors but I don't agree. If you get a good water based paint it will last outdoors.
So water based paint wins.
Paint
Don't go for cheap - DO NOT EVER! Cheap paint will take many, many coats and will be in the long run very expensive. Settle with a quality paint brand and good tools as it will make your life easier. I only use paint from SIGMA COATINGS - not worldwide available. I'll get it mixed in any colour I fancy.
The Magic of Colour Numbers
If you go to your local D.I.Y. shop, where they have a paint mixing station, they can mix any colour you desire using any brand of paint you desire. I use SIGMA paint but I want a Farrow & Ball colour, it's possible as all colours carry a colour number. For example; Farrow & Ball All White 2005 carries universal number: FB approx 2005. If my paint guy exactly types this in his mixing station computer he'll get All White by Farrow & Ball and can mix it with anything, even wall paint.
So you need to know colour numbers and you need to know brands.
RAL Numbers
There's another way to get the right colour and that's using RAL numbers. RAL numbers are brandless set colours. RAL number 9010 is the most used RAL number for white, I use it a lot. The same counts for RAL numbers, you can take them to your mixing guy and tell him you want RAL number .... mixed in your desired paint.
Brandless Mysterious Numbers
Take them to your mixing guy and let him find it, he will, he'll only needs a bit of encouraging.
Trust me, every colour is mixable as long as you have a colour number.
Stages of Painting
There are 4 stages (phases) in painting:
1. sanding
2. priming
3. sanding
4. painting
This is my pantry/broom closet in 4 stages.
Sometimes you need two or even three coats of paint and you'll have to repeat the sanding/painting stages for as long as it will do the trick. In the end I painted my closet two times.
Paint Technique
I apply the paint with a paint brush (5/6) on to the object that needs painting and roll the paint out with a paint roller (7/8). I never dip the paint roller in a bucket of paint I just use it to even the paint out.
When I paint floors I do the same thing only I put the paint roller on a broomstick (1) and even the paint out like I'm mopping the floor.
Next post will be about the numbers I use in my home, hopefully online tomorrow. Please ask me anything so I can answer your questions in my second paint guide. |
Hi,I appreciate you taking the time to write this post. i just wanted to point out that you have a very nice site , I enjoy the style and design, it really looks good.
this is my comments ! thx for all !
Thank you so much for these 'painting' posts - so helpful to see how someone else does it - particularly so well!
Thanks for that post, I needed a wee guide like that to help me start some of the projects I felt I couldn't do. Great post!
I love the paint tool chart! Really, really great job on that. And thanks for the tips and the photos.
I really dread painting...but when I'm all done with a project, I'm a happy camper. It's getting started that is the hard part!
Thanks for the tips! It's very helpful.
I have a painting conundrum. i have a pair of old sewing machine legs that I should paint - it's made of cast iron, believe. The shop that's sold me the legs paint it with spray paint. I somehow think that spraypaint isn't so good compared with normal paint. What do you think? Are there advantages or disadvantages of spray paint over normal paint in the can? Would appreciate it if you can help me.
hello.
I love you blog and really appreciate how you write. Its quite an inspirational way to start or end my day reading your posts.
Thank you,
Deb xx
So much good info you have shared - thank you. I'm going to have to look for those paint brushes. they look lovely to use! I'm also going to try your tip for brushing the paint on and using the roller on top of that. I have a china cabinet that needs painting as soon as spring arrives and i can stand being in the cold garage!
I've never sanded between layers and I'm glad to learn that trick. Especially the sponge type grip to the sandpaper since the reason I hate to sand is that its so hard to hold onto it. I need to get to a good paint store and see if they can help me with the whites. The one I tried makes the house look cold as yours are inviting. Thanks for the info. I really appreciate you taking time to share. Peace.
I am absolutely in love with your paint brushes. I'm going to look for some in this style in the states. I don't recall seeing them on Amazon or in my local store. I will look harder.
I'm in the process of painting my entire house, interior. I have only completed the dining room. While I pretty much do what you do, I think that I should do a bit more sanding.
Thanks so much for this guide, Yvonne.
Dank je Yvonne, en idd we moeten snel iets organiseren. Misschien een rondje mailen, ik kijk wel even.
Hoi Anouk,
De tip van Yvonne was (indien je geen tegels maar een gladde muur wilt boven het aanrecht) om de muur te verven met houtverf. Ik heb nu zelf 3 lagen grondverf en een aflaklaag (gewoon op basis van alkydhars) erop zitten en kan het gewoon afnemen met een doekje met schoonmaakmiddel.
Very interesting - thank you for posting!
Regarding walls, and a roller on an extension/broomstick. I find that difficult and still haven't quite got the hang on it. I use a roller without the stick, so have to keep moving my ladder around. I bought a 3mt ladder so that I coudl also change lightbulbs myself!
I bought a roller tray and a special extension/broomstick thingy, but for some reason I can't get enough control - wonder if I am pressing too hard on the roller. Other people make it look so easy - the roller glides and they have a very smooth movement.
I also have trouble knowing how much paint to put on the roller - I often put either too little or too much on it.
Thanks for the information about paint colours, too. I'm not sure we have Farrow and Ball in Australia. But we do have a lovely Australian-made brand called Murobond. I have only used their white gloss for a few new wood/glass doors, but love it already. It is a joy to paint with, in fact!
Look forward to reading more DIY posts. Your home is a wonderful testament to your and your husband's skills!
Hi, where do you get your disposable paint brushes from? I too hate cleaning brushes! I was also interested to read you don't wash your walls first with sugar soap, this is another job that puts me off! Do you use primer on your wood work?
Thanks!
Rach
Hi Yvonne,
I agree with what someone else already said, I love the serene atmosphere of your blog!
This post is perfect for me as I just bought a wooden stool at ikea and have been trying to figure out how to paint it white...
Could you please explain why you do the sanding twice? Also, I would be very interested to know how you take your pictures, are you planning to write about that too?
Thanks! Anna
Ik ben eigenlijk wel benieuwd naar de tip van de verf boven het aanrechtblad waar Miralda het over heeft!
Mooie post Yvonne, ik wist helemaal niet dat je niet merkafhankelijk bent in je kleurkeuze. En ik had ook nog nooit bedacht om de verf eerst met een kwast aan te brengen. Doe je er dan niet veel langer over? Dat vind ik altijd zo handig met een roller, dat je in één keer een groot oppervlak kunt schilderen.
sigh ...
i love the clean, serene feel of your blog. even instructions are pretty and uncomplicated.
xo
elyse
I don't wash the walls but make sure they are dust free. I need to use a ladder for the edges which I paint first all along the wall I'm going to paint. After that I dip a paint roller on a stick right in the paint bucket and roll it out over the wall. I use a lot of paint and I keep going until the whole wall is covered. I never use a roller just in my hand as it will never get an evenly coverage.
Hi Miralda,
Gewoon dweilen, laten drogen en Histor beton verf eroverheen. Ik giet meestal verf over de vloer en veerdeel het met een vilten roller op een stok. De beton verf kan gemengd worden in iedere kleur bij de Gamma of zo. Succes en hopelijk tot snel - we moeten iets organiseren.
Great tips! Thanks so much for sharing with us in such detail and clarity.
Ook ik ben een product van mijn generatie: verfborstels meteen WEGGOOIEN? Nog NOOIT gedaan... Volgende keer doe ik het wel. Compenseert dan milieugewijs voor de potten whitespirit waar ze na het verven nodeloos een maand of 2 in staan te weken.
Thanks for this Yvonne - looking forward to Part II and hearing about the exact colours you use around your home!
Martina
Hey Yvonne,
Wat ontzettend fijn, deze informatie. Ik heb idd. nog wel een vraagje. Ik zag dat je de vloer van de kelder hebt geschilderd en aangezien wij in de keuken ook een betonnen (cement-dekvloer) hebben laten storten met de bedoeling die te schilderen ben ik heel benieuwd wat jij aan voorwerk hebt gedaan voordat je die vloer ging schilderen. Heb jij de vloer nog op een bepaalde manier opgeschuurd of vetvrij gemaakt of zo?
De tip van de verf op de muur boven het aanrechtblad en spoelbak werkt trouwens perfect. Ik heb nu een mooie witte tegelloze muur en kan hem prima schoonmaken, nog bedankt daarvoor.
Ik kijk uit naar deel 2 van de 'paintpost'.
Liefs,
Miralda
Hi! I'm interested in how you paint walls and ceilings. Do you wash the walls first, use ladders, cover the floors...?
The pinks in your house are so beautiful! I would love their numbers!
it will be great!
WOW! :)
Op de wenken bediend! Heel erg bedankt. Ik verf niet zo vaak, maar ik heb ook een broertje dood aan het schoonmaken van de kwasten. De laatste keer dat ik geverfd heb, heeft de kwast gewikkeld in zilverpapier weken in de ijskast gelegen. "Want misschien heb ik hem binnenkort nog eens nodig".
De volgende keer gooi ik de kwast gewoon weg, daar had ik zelf nog niet aan gedacht.
groetjes,
Marianne.