Paint - the basics!!

Today I'm going to fill you in on the wonderful world of paint!!!   Now I could go on and on and on for days about paint, so for now, I will give you the basics.....just enough to wet your appetite and help you get excited about painting a sad, outdated room!   10 years ago, all the decorating shows were telling you that paint is the cheapest way to change or redecorate a room.  Well, that's still right!!!!   Paint can run anywhere from $15.00 to $45.00 a gallon these days.  If you catch a sale "just right" you can get up to 50% off a gallon!!  Now that will take some good planning and patience.  But if you are like me - you get something in your head and you want to do it NOW then you just might not get that discounted price.  But you'll have a brand spankin' new room faster!!

So what paint is best to use?   It depends on your project, the condition of your walls and the room you are going to paint.

Think about the last time you painted your room.  For most people, it's about 10 to 15 years!  Really!  So if it's been that long, your walls are gonna be pretty thirsty!!!  You may want to consider getting the paint that also has primer in it, sometimes called, "Self priming paint".   I have used this particular type of paint many times before and have had wonderful results!!!    Not only are the Self-Priming paints good for walls that haven't been painted in a good many years, it's also good for going over a "dark" wall.  So for instance, let's say you have a gorgeous red wall that you would like to change to a lovely gold color.  Using the paint & primer combo would be an excellent choice to use!!!  You will still need to do 2 coats, but that should about do it.  Seriously.  It's awesome paint and it saves you a step (because if you did it the traditional way, you will need to apply a coat of plain primer, THEN add 2 coats of paint to your wall - this way the primer's built in and you only have to paint the wall 2 times) and it saves you money (because you are only purchasing the paint & primer combo instead of a gallon of primer AND a gallon or two of paint)!

So let's say you are going to paint your bathroom -which is a great room to start with!  You decide you don't need to get the Self-Priming Paint, as the room is white and you would like to paint it a beautiful latte color.  So you go to the store, look at the paint cans and you notice the words, Water-based Latex and Oil-based.  What in the world does that mean?

WATER-BASED LATEX - This paint or primer is water-based.  PROS - You can use this for practically any project.  It's super easy to clean out of rollers & brushes - just use water!!  It doesn't yellow over time and dries super fast. Plus the smell is eliminated with a fan and an open window.   CONS - If you are using this type to paint over wood, it will swell the grain, which would cause you to have to sand in between applications.

OIL-BASED - This paint or primer is oil-based.  PROS - This will go on smoother than water-based paints & primers.  It will shrink less and it's great for trim work.  This is perfect when applying over a wall that had wallpaper recently removed from it.  It will block out any foreign materials that didn't get removed after washing the walls.  CONS - The smell could literally knock you off your feet!  I'm highly allergic to this stuff and if I need to use it, I call on my "hired-man" to do the job.  Seriously the fumes can be lethal.  You MUST work in a WELL-VENTILATED room - Not kidding.  Open every window, door, ceiling - everything.  This type of paint or primer will also crack, fade & yellow faster than water-based.  Plus the clean-up is difficult - you must use mineral spirits or turpentine to clean your tools.

So now you know there's a difference in types of paint.  But did you know once you decide what type of paint to use, you need to also pick out a sheen?  Paint comes in 5 sheens:  Flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss.

FLAT - This sheen has no shine.  PROS - it covers a multitude of sins, so if your walls have alot of imperfections on them (cracks, bumps, etc), then this is the paint for you!  CONS - It's boring.  No shine, no pizzazz, no nothing.  Seriously, use it on the ceiling and that's it.  You can clean it, but don't scrub it!  If you do, make sure you have extra on hand, cuz you'll be touching up!!!

EGGSHELL - This sheen has slight shine.  Check out the outside of an egg the next time you're cooking breakfast and you'll get a good idea what kind of shine it will have.  PROS - This sheen looks great in Living Rooms, Hallways, Bedrooms, Offices.  It cleans much better than flat.  It has some "attitude" when it comes to sheen.  CONS - I can't seriously think of any.  It's a great sheen and could be used practically anywhere.

SATIN - This sheen has a smooth, velvet look to it.  It's the one I use the most.  PROS - Great used on trim, doors, walls.  Perfect for Kid's Rooms, Kitchen Bath, Bedroom & Living Room.  Cleans easily.  CONS - I seriously can't think of any.  This is the sheen I use 95% of the time.

SEMI-GLOSS - This sheen gives you a nice, shiny finish.   You will use Semi-Gloss in rooms where you need extra protection for the walls - like Bathroom, Kitchen, Doors & trim.  PROS - Cleans great.  CONS - It IS quite shiny.  I would recommend mainly using it on Doors & Trim instead of walls.  Unless you have an unusual technique or idea you want to achieve on your wall, don't use semi-gloss.

GLOSS - Looks like plastic or enamel.  Mostly used on Cabinets, Trim or Furniture.  This is one you will rarely use on your walls - if ever.

By now, you may be thinking - WOW!  I totally feel like I can go out and buy myself some paint!  If so - then what are you waiting for?!  GO!!!!

If you are thinking - WOW!  I am totally confused!  Don't worry.  I am here to help you even more!!  My job as a professional painter is not only to paint a room, but to offer advice as your personal consultant!!!  Check out my webpage - www.beautifulinteriorsbyjudy.com for more information on how I can help you with your painting needs!!!

Next blog - I'm going to tackle the different types of primer and how & when to use them!!!!

Happy Creating!
Judy