Top Hacks to Painting Like an Expert

PAINTING YOUR HOME IS ALL ABOUT THE PAINT COLOUR, RIGHT? WRONG.

Whether you’re painting one accent wall in your kitchen or giving every room in your home a fresh look, knowing a few trade secrets from paint experts can mean the difference between an amazing – and an awful – end result.

Before you grab a paintbrush and get Van Gogh with your first coat, read our expert tips and tricks for making your painting project a success.

Together, we can do this!


1. CHOOSE BETWEEN WATER-BASED AND SOLVENT-BASED PAINT

You guessed it: if you’re looking for a quality finish, you need quality paint from a reputable brand. Here’s the interesting part though… it’s just as important to choose the appropriate paint for the surface.

ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Do I need interior or exterior paint?
  • Do I need enamel (oil-based) or acrylic (water-based) paint?
  • Do I need a primer and undercoat?

If the second question has you second-guessing yourself, here are a few key differences between the two paint finishes that could help you determine your choice.

  1. Enamel paint tends to turn yellow over time, while acrylic paint retains its colour.
  2. Enamel paint has a glossy look, while acrylic paint has more of a matt paint finish to it.
  3. Enamel paint is mainly used for painting doors and trims, while acrylic paint is used to paint walls and large flat surfaces.
  4. Enamel paint finish takes a comparatively longer period to dry than acrylic paint.
  5. Historically, enamel paint is oil-based, while acrylic paint is water-based. However, nowadays you get water-based enamels as well (kinder to the environment and more eco-friendly!).

Top Tip: Find out what kind of paint is currently on your walls. Do you have any doubts about whether the paint on your walls is oil-based or water-based? Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub a small section of the wall with it. The paint is water-based if there is paint residue on the cotton ball. There isn’t any paint on the cotton ball, is there? You’ll need to apply a solvent-based primer first because you’ll be painting over solvent-based paint.


2. PRIME FOR BEST RESULTS

For a professional finish, we always recommend using a good quality primer. A primer is used to seal your surface, preventing paint from absorbing into the substrate. This will help you to use less topcoat, and provide a beautiful, even finish. Primers also even out the surface and help hide stains, cracks and blemishes, all resulting in an expert paint finish. If you are planning to paint a much lighter colour over a darker colour, you can have your primer tinted to the colour of your topcoat – this helps to minimise the number of coats you need to apply with your more expensive topcoat, and of course, results in that expert finish that we are after.

Expert Tip: Never skip the primer – it seals the substrate, hides gaps and seams, and creates a consistent surface for your topcoat to adhere to.

REGARDING THE USE OF AN UNDERCOAT

Depending on your project, it is sometimes recommended to use an undercoat. Undercoats are invaluable when you’re coating over a different kind of paint – i.e. enamel to acrylic, for example.

An undercoat is used after a primer. It is used to fill any minor imperfections to create a smooth, even-coloured surface ready for the application of the topcoat. An undercoat also assists to lighten a surface when changing from a dark to a pale colour.

Plascon Universal Undercoat is good quality, universal, alkyd-based undercoat. For use as a general-purpose undercoat on previously painted or suitably primed plaster wood and metal. Used as a sandwich coat to improve inter-coat adhesion between a primer and a topcoat or between an existing solvent-based topcoat and a water-based topcoat.

Always read the instructions on the back to ensure you use the product as recommended by the manufacturers.


3. USE THE CORRECT PAINTING TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Next up, keep in mind you need the right tools and supplies.

  • Paintbrushes, rollers, roller tray
  • Painter’s tape or masking tape
  • Gap filler, filler blades/spatula
  • Sandpaper
  • Drop sheet or similar material to cover the floor
  • Old clothes
  • An extension pole or ladder to reach high spots

4. CHOOSE PREMIUM QUALITY PAINT

When it comes to paint, quality is king. The cost of paint will amount to 25 to 40% of the total cost of a job (if you’re using a contractor), so it makes sense to use the best quality paint you can afford as it can last twice as long as cheaper paint. This means you realise a saving in the long run!

If you’re looking for a great everyday coating, try the Plascon Easy Living range. It is exclusive to Paint Club and Plascon Paint Expert stores, comes in Matt, Sheen and Roof & Paving, and is available in a wide selection of colours.

When shopping for paint, try and find a paint that offers most of the following features:

  • Triple action bead technology: plush matt finish
  • Hides plaster imperfections and wayward brush marks
  • Washable and stain resistant
  • Does not burnish when washed with a soft cloth
  • Low odour
  • Hard-wearing finish
  • Alkali and water-resistant
  • Quick-drying – 2 coats can be applied in one day
  • No added lead
  • Eco-friendly or Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
  • 8-year guarantee (or higher)

5. DECIDE ON A COLOUR SCHEME

We can dedicate pages and pages to this topic. A few starter pointers though:

  1. Use the décor of the room to inform your colour choices – think bedding, cushions, curtains, etc. Take your fabric swatch to the paint store and let them help you with some matching paint samples. Use the bolder colours in your swatch for accents and feature walls and the neutral tones for larger surfaces.
  2. Turn to Pinterest for colour inspiration – it is such a treasure trove of ideas! Check out our Paint Club Pinterest Page for colour and décor ideas.
  3. Start with your favourite colour – this ensures that the room you’re painting will be personalised to your taste, as opposed to someone else’s.

If you’re undecided about which colour scheme to go with, visit our website for trending colours, and expert colour advice. Check out our Paint Expert DIY YouTube Channel, or visit Plascon’s website to check out their colour options and colour wheel.

6. TEST YOUR COLOURS

Visit your local Plascon Paint Expert store and chat with them about Plascon Testers. These are available in 250ml pots and can make any colour decision so much easier!

Test them out on your walls and watch how the colour reads during different times of the day depending on the amount of light and shadow that hits them. This is especially critical when working with hues that have several undertones, such as grey. Greys are known to look drastically different depending on the light.

Expert Tip: The colour of paint can appear different depending on the light. Remember to test your paint colours in natural light, shade and electric light (both white and yellow) before making your final colour choices.

Expert Tip: Brush your paint sample out onto a piece of white paper and then stick it to the wall you’re looking to paint. This way you can move the sample around to see how the paint colour looks under different light conditions, and you don’t have to worry about leaving a sample shadow on your wall!

7. APPLY THE CORRECT NUMBER OF COATS

Paint Experts recommend always applying a minimum of 2 coats. That way you’re achieving the correct film thickness, and if you wash the walls this will help to minimise discolourations, spots and marks. If you want to change the colour drastically, you might require three coats.

Before you begin painting, always read the paint application procedures. It is crucial that you clean and adequately prepare the surface to ensure the paint application will adhere properly.

8. CHOOSE THE BEST WEATHER CONDITIONS

We love South Africa because of its summer showers, but painting on a rainy day will result in drips and delayed drying. If you must paint in humid conditions, take additional precautions to ensure a smooth and clean result.

9. PREPARE YOUR SURFACES FOR PAINT

Before applying new primer or paint, scrape all loose, flaky surfaces and cracks. Fill all cracks and fissures with a good quality filler, allow to dry, and sand smooth. Wipe down with a damp cloth to remove dust particles, and then prime the area. If you don’t prepare properly the imperfections will show through once you’re finished.

Kitchen areas should be washed with a degreaser. Allow to dry and then follow the normal process. It’s also possible that greasy places will need to be washed with sugar soap/degreaser and then rinsed with clean water. Otherwise, wipe down the surface with a moist cloth to ensure that the paint has a clean, dust-free surface to adhere to.

10. USE PROTECTION BEFORE PAINTING

Experts always make the effort to cover flooring, furniture, and hardware before starting a painting project. A large Hamilton’s drop sheet (2 x 3m) is ideal for the prevention of spills. Also, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t be tackling a paint job wearing your favourite jeans. Instead, put on some old clothes that you don’t mind ruining.

11. REMOVE LIGHT SWITCH & OUTLET COVERS

Professional painters always remove switch plates and outlet covers before painting a space, ensuring a clean finish. You should do the same if you want your interior house painting project to look like it was done by a paint expert.

12. PAINT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

After you’ve cut in your edges at the ceiling and baseboard with a brush, use your roller to apply paint from the ceiling downward.

Paint experts paint directly over their mistakes as they work their way down the wall, but amateurs typically have tell-tale drips and spatters at the end of a paint job.

It’s preferable to leave an area alone after it begins to dry. Reapplying the paint might leave traces and colour streaks on the surface.

To make painting the floor or ceiling a breeze, simply attach an extension pole to the end of your paint roller.

13. CLEAN THINGS UP

Once you’ve finished painting, clean brushes in solvent for oil-based paints and water for water-based paints. Wash rollers and brushes in an old tin or bucket (not in the kitchen sink). Ensure the lid is fitted nice and tight on any leftover paint.

Expert Tip: A tried and tested way to boost the longevity of your paint is to apply plastic wrap around the opened area of the can and then hammer on the lid.

Expert Tip: After you’ve cleaned your brushes, wash them with normal dishwashing liquid and then rinse. This will extend the lifetime of your brushes and ensure they are fit for future use.

To avoid the paint drying on your tools and destroying them, remember to wipe them immediately after use.

Expert Tip: Cover your Paint Tray with a plastic bag for quick clean-up and reuse!

FINAL THOUGHTS

In addition to the above, we offer a few other handy tips that will help you ace your painting DIY project.

  • Begin by “cutting in”, which entails painting a narrow border around the sides of the wall, the skirting, and the ceiling.
  • After cutting in, dip your roller into the tray and coat the wall’s surface. Allow enough time between coats for optimal drying.
  • Expert Tip: When painting with water-based paints, dampen your roller with water before using it for the first time. This helps to remove the loose fibres off the roller and also helps with paint loading onto the roller.
  • Before you leave the store where you bought the paint, it should be shaken in a machine to ensure that colours and ingredients are mixed properly. You should also swirl the paint using a mixing stirring stick before you begin painting to ensure optimum colour results.
  • Before replacing the lid always clean the rim thoroughly. This prevents the lid from getting stuck when you open it again. Use a rubber mallet to ensure the tin is closed properly and create an airtight seal.
  • Expert Tip: Never use ammonia-based cleaners/household cleaners to clean your walls. Always use sugar soap for this purpose. It is economical and effective, and best for the paint.

We hope that these expert painting hacks will help you get a better painting result.

MOULD & MILDEW

If you have mould or mildew on your walls or ceilings you will need to first kill and remove mould with a diluted bleach solution (50/50). Spray this onto the area, wait at least 30 minutes to allow it to kill the mould and spores, then scrub the area with a brush to remove the dead mould. Once this is done you can rinse the area with clean water. Allow drying before proceeding with the process. On heavily affected areas repeat the process until clean. This area must be primed or undercoated prior to painting otherwise these marks will show through.

MASK OFF

Experts know to mask off all areas that you don’t want to paint. For example, door frames, window frames and sills, skirtings, cornices, etc. Use a good quality masking tape for the task, to ensure it doesn’t come off while you’re painting. This step is time-consuming but helps to result in that really expert finish.

10. USE PROTECTION BEFORE PAINTING

Experts always make the effort to cover flooring, furniture, and hardware before starting a painting project. A large Hamilton’s drop sheet (2 x 3m) is ideal for the prevention of spills. Also, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t be tackling a paint job wearing your favourite jeans. Instead, put on some old clothes that you don’t mind ruining.

11. REMOVE LIGHT SWITCH & OUTLET COVERS

Professional painters always remove switch plates and outlet covers before painting a space, ensuring a clean finish. You should do the same if you want your interior house painting project to look like it was done by a paint expert.

12. PAINT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

After you’ve cut in your edges at the ceiling and baseboard with a brush, use your roller to apply paint from the ceiling downward.

Paint experts paint directly over their mistakes as they work their way down the wall, but amateurs typically have tell-tale drips and spatters at the end of a paint job.

It’s preferable to leave an area alone after it begins to dry. Reapplying the paint might leave traces and colour streaks on the surface.

To make painting the floor or ceiling a breeze, simply attach an extension pole to the end of your paint roller.

13. CLEAN THINGS UP

Once you’ve finished painting, clean brushes in solvent for oil-based paints and water for water-based paints. Wash rollers and brushes in an old tin or bucket (not in the kitchen sink). Ensure the lid is fitted nice and tight on any leftover paint.

Expert Tip: A tried and tested way to boost the longevity of your paint is to apply plastic wrap around the opened area of the can and then hammer on the lid.

Expert Tip: After you’ve cleaned your brushes, wash them with normal dishwashing liquid and then rinse. This will extend the lifetime of your brushes and ensure they are fit for future use.

To avoid the paint drying on your tools and destroying them, remember to wipe them immediately after use.

Expert Tip: Cover your Paint Tray with a plastic bag for quick clean-up and reuse!

FINAL THOUGHTS

In addition to the above, we offer a few other handy tips that will help you ace your painting DIY project.

  • Begin by “cutting in”, which entails painting a narrow border around the sides of the wall, the skirting, and the ceiling.
  • After cutting in, dip your roller into the tray and coat the wall’s surface. Allow enough time between coats for optimal drying.
  • Expert Tip: When painting with water-based paints, dampen your roller with water before using it for the first time. This helps to remove the loose fibres off the roller and also helps with paint loading onto the roller.
  • Before you leave the store where you bought the paint, it should be shaken in a machine to ensure that colours and ingredients are mixed properly. You should also swirl the paint using a mixing stirring stick before you begin painting to ensure optimum colour results.
  • Before replacing the lid always clean the rim thoroughly. This prevents the lid from getting stuck when you open it again. Use a rubber mallet to ensure the tin is closed properly and create an airtight seal.
  • Expert Tip: Never use ammonia-based cleaners/household cleaners to clean your walls. Always use sugar soap for this purpose. It is economical and effective, and best for the paint.

We hope that these expert painting hacks will help you get a better painting result.

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