Wall Colour: What To Know Before You Start Painting
Check out these basic pre-painting tips before you launch into giving your walls a makeover
The quickest way for a makeover for your interiors is to paint a wall – or several. Whether you plan to undertake a painting project yourself or hire someone, equipping yourself with a few handy basics would not be amiss. Here are a few pointers to consider before you pick up the paint brush.
Oil-based paints are painstaking to apply, but are glossier and since they dry with a hard enamel finish, they are more resistant to scratches, fingerprints and staining than water-based paints.
Tip: To tell whether your current colour is oil- or water-based, rub a cotton swab dipped in alcohol over a tiny part of the wall. If paint comes off, it’s water-based; if it doesn’t rub off, it’s oil-based.
Find out where to use which paint
Tip: To tell whether your current colour is oil- or water-based, rub a cotton swab dipped in alcohol over a tiny part of the wall. If paint comes off, it’s water-based; if it doesn’t rub off, it’s oil-based.
Find out where to use which paint
2. Choose the right finish
Picking the right paint finish depends on the desired amount of shine and durability. The higher the gloss, the better it will stand up to stains and cleaning. Going by this rule, use eggshell finish for bedrooms and living rooms; semi-gloss for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms; high-gloss paints to accentuate mouldings, trims, doors and wooden furniture; and flat finish for ceilings.
Tip: High-gloss paint reflects light and makes imperfections in walls more noticeable. So prep your walls well before you apply this finish.
Look here to see what paint finish is right for your walls
Picking the right paint finish depends on the desired amount of shine and durability. The higher the gloss, the better it will stand up to stains and cleaning. Going by this rule, use eggshell finish for bedrooms and living rooms; semi-gloss for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms; high-gloss paints to accentuate mouldings, trims, doors and wooden furniture; and flat finish for ceilings.
Tip: High-gloss paint reflects light and makes imperfections in walls more noticeable. So prep your walls well before you apply this finish.
Look here to see what paint finish is right for your walls
3. Test before you buy
The same paint can look completely different under different kinds of lighting. The best test is to try samples of a few colours on small portions of the wall – nothing like seeing your chosen colour on the surface it was intended for. If you are hesitant doing this, use a poster board and paint it instead. This way you can see what the colour looks like in various parts of the room.
The same paint can look completely different under different kinds of lighting. The best test is to try samples of a few colours on small portions of the wall – nothing like seeing your chosen colour on the surface it was intended for. If you are hesitant doing this, use a poster board and paint it instead. This way you can see what the colour looks like in various parts of the room.
4. Determine the correct amount of paint
While most stores will assist you with calculating the amount of paint you require, it’s good to know the rule of thumb: a litre of paint covers approximately 400 square feet with a single coat. Factor in second coats; and always buy a little extra to cover minor mishaps and for later touch-ups.
Tip: If you are painting a light colour over a dark colour, you might need more than a couple of coats and a primer as well.
While most stores will assist you with calculating the amount of paint you require, it’s good to know the rule of thumb: a litre of paint covers approximately 400 square feet with a single coat. Factor in second coats; and always buy a little extra to cover minor mishaps and for later touch-ups.
Tip: If you are painting a light colour over a dark colour, you might need more than a couple of coats and a primer as well.
5. Opt for quality paints
Good-quality paints will be more expensive but remember, painting a wall is a fairly long-term investment. High-quality paints have certain additives that give them a larger covering ability and durability. They go on smoother, are more resistant to fading and will be almost, if not completely, VOC-free.
Good-quality paints will be more expensive but remember, painting a wall is a fairly long-term investment. High-quality paints have certain additives that give them a larger covering ability and durability. They go on smoother, are more resistant to fading and will be almost, if not completely, VOC-free.
6. If doing it yourself
If you are not outsourcing the painting job and have decided to go at it on your own, keep these tips in mind:
Get the right tools
Pick the paint roller meant for the job. Rollers come in mainly two sizes, 9 inches and 4 inches; the nap sizes (the body that holds the paint) vary between 1/4 inch to 1 inch.
The general guidelines are: use a roller with a 3/8-inch nap or less for smooth surfaces, such as new walls, ceilings and doors. For rough or textured surfaces, use a wider 1/2-inch nap; larger naps can reduce the number of coats and the amount of time spent painting.
Tip: If needed, you can screw on a painting extension pole to the roller to reach high places.
If you are not outsourcing the painting job and have decided to go at it on your own, keep these tips in mind:
Get the right tools
Pick the paint roller meant for the job. Rollers come in mainly two sizes, 9 inches and 4 inches; the nap sizes (the body that holds the paint) vary between 1/4 inch to 1 inch.
The general guidelines are: use a roller with a 3/8-inch nap or less for smooth surfaces, such as new walls, ceilings and doors. For rough or textured surfaces, use a wider 1/2-inch nap; larger naps can reduce the number of coats and the amount of time spent painting.
Tip: If needed, you can screw on a painting extension pole to the roller to reach high places.
Use a nylon-bristle brush for water-based paint and natural bristles for oil-based paint. Nylon and polyester bristles are better for water-based paints as they don’t absorb water like natural bristles do. Similarly, natural bristles are good for oil-based paints because they hold paint better than natural bristles.
A basic 1-inch angled sash brush (to get at corners and edges) and a 2- or 3-inch flat trim brush (for wide trims and for outlining walls) are a must.
Check out these handy finds for painting projects of all kinds
A basic 1-inch angled sash brush (to get at corners and edges) and a 2- or 3-inch flat trim brush (for wide trims and for outlining walls) are a must.
Check out these handy finds for painting projects of all kinds
Don’t forget the accessories
Painter’s tape (to mask off areas before painting), sandpaper (to even out walls), POP (plaster of Paris), buckets (to hold the paint while painting), drop cloth (to cover the floors), paint thinners, putty knives, sponges and clean rags should all be on your list.
And now, you are set to prep.
Read more:
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Wall Paint Job
Diwali Guide: How to Paint Your Home in 9 Days
Tell us:
Have you ever undertaken a painting project? Do show us the results in the Comments section.
Painter’s tape (to mask off areas before painting), sandpaper (to even out walls), POP (plaster of Paris), buckets (to hold the paint while painting), drop cloth (to cover the floors), paint thinners, putty knives, sponges and clean rags should all be on your list.
And now, you are set to prep.
Read more:
The Secret to a Long-Lasting Wall Paint Job
Diwali Guide: How to Paint Your Home in 9 Days
Tell us:
Have you ever undertaken a painting project? Do show us the results in the Comments section.
Decide what best suits your requirement – water-based (or acrylic) paints or oil-based paints. Generally speaking, water-based paints are easier to apply, dry faster and are more UV-resistant. They also have less VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) manifested by the strong, headache-inducing smell you get from a fresh coat of paint.