Mistakes everyone makes when painting

There’s nothing like embarking on a new decorating project; no matter how small or big the project is, it’s exciting! But with so many choices on the market, it can become confusing to pick the right product, and very tempting to cut corners with prep work and tools. We’ve put together some simple solutions to common painting mistakes that will help you on your next project.

Not checking the weather.

Do not disregard the weather; it’s crucial when planning an exterior painting job. We’re just coming into the time of year when many of our customers are planning their outside work, but remember, even in May, the weather MAY be sunny or rainy. When planning to paint masonry walls, remember you need three dry days and low winds (you don’t want leaves blowing onto your new wet walls!). Paint doesn’t handle extreme temperatures very well, so reschedule for another day if there’s a tiny chance of the weather turning. If there is a high chance of humidity, it’ll slow down the drying time for water-based paints. Freezing temperatures will cause the paint to freeze and crystalise, resulting in cracks and extreme heat; the paint will dry too quickly, resulting in a very uneven surface. Each manufacturer has its ‘ideal temperature’ to apply the paint - check the data sheets before embarking on the painting day.

Picking the wrong tools

Ever wondered why you’re struggling with a paint finish and can’t achieve the desired finish your after? Check first to see if you’re using the correct brush and roller for the job. A natural bristle brush is excellent for gloss or oil-based paint, but when using it with water-based paint, it will result in the bristles absorbing all the water in the paint, making the paint nearly impossible to spread. Using a quality brush will do the job perfectly; using thick emulsion paint, use a short to medium pile roller sleeve. And when painting textured masonry walls, use a long pile (Nap) or one specifically for masonry walls. Synthetic or mixed bristle brushes are perfect for natural mineral-based paints such as Earthborn, Keim and Graphenstone. Natural-bristle brushes work best with oil-based paints and timber finishes like Treatex.

Leaving decorators tape up too long

The fine-line masking tape designed by Harris has been developed to allow you to have razor-sharp edges for your paintwork. To achieve crisp edges, painter’s tape is a must! The issue with using tape is forgetting to remove it after painting; it should be taken off after the last coat has been applied after about an hour. If it’s left to sit for longer, you risk peeling the paint upon removal, undoing all those tidy lines you were trying to achieve. But don’t worry, if you’ve left it on for too long, use a sharp blade to cut gently along the edge of the tape as you peel it back.

Forgetting the importance of primer

In nearly every circumstance, a paint brand recommends using its primer alongside the topcoat. This isn’t a sales marketing thing to make you spend more money; it’s to make you aware that paint is more durable and has more extended longevity than if used without a primer. Upcycling has become very popular nationwide, and rightly so! Rather than binning and replacing, give the furniture a new lick of paint, and it’s transformed. When painting kitchen cabinets or any pieces of furniture that have been previously painted, consider first the prep work that needs to be carried out, like sanding, and then a coat of primer – this will help the water-based paint to adhere to the surface (which may have had furniture wax, oil paint or varnish previously applied).

Instances where you should use a primer:

• When overpainting dark colours – a primer will prevent the darker colours from bleeding through.
• Painting wood – The timber is full of tanning and will eventually work itself to the surface, which will discolour the wood.
• Overpainting oil paint and eggshells with water-based paint
• Using a mineral silicate system on exterior walls

Not preparing the surface properly (Chalky lime plaster – glossy surfaces)

Remember, depending on the prep work before painting; your finish will only look good!

As mentioned above, if you’re over-painting an oil finish with water-based paint – use a primer; this will help you avoid chipping and peeling paint.

If you’ve ever done a lime wall or had to paint over a chalky plaster, you’ll know the chalky finish will drag into the paint. Plaster stabilisers like Earthborn’s Wallglaze are washable and breathable and can be used before painting to stabilise sandy powdery interior surfaces.

Keim paints have plaster/paint stabilisers, so check before purchasing; the primers help on highly absorbent surfaces to provide a suitable bond and sealed surface for any water-based masonry coating.

Not sampling the colour before placing an order.

Please don’t rush to choose a colour; take your time and compare them to others; first, order a colour card and shortlist some colours before ordering some testers. Remember, colours listed on this website are for reference only; colours can vary substantially on different screens, so we always recommend using a sample pot to determine the colour. 

• Colour cards are free, and delivery via royal mail nationwide is free.
• When you receive your tester, sample it directly on the wall or surface intended for and on a piece of card and move it around the room to see how the different light can affect the colour.

Not checking the quantities needed before ordering

All our paint and wood finishes have the coverages listed on the web pages; it’s essential to determine precisely how much paint you’ll need before placing an order.

Consider what kind of surface you’ll paint; fresh plaster will absorb more, and rough-cast masonry walls will require more paint.

Happy painting! If you’ve found this helpful article, please share it so someone else can benefit from seeing it.

Don’t forget to share your achievements and before & after photos with us and friends; remember to tag us #CelticSus on social media.