Paint School

Applying Paint

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Before you begin your painting project consider that the choice of paint application can be affected by the type of finish. A good finish depends on having the right equipment & materials.

Brush and Roller Application

Brush Application

Painting with a brush is the oldest method of application especially when painting large complex surfaces.

Painting with a brush helps to assist in the penetration of the paint. Wastage of the paint is relatively low. Using a brush can give you more versatility especially if you are doing decorative work.

The best quality paint brushes are made up of hog bristles. The important features of these bristles are that they taper from the roof to the tip where it is split into two or more fine strands known as flag, which enables a high degree of finish.

In cheaper brushes a proportion of other animal hair or vegetable fibres are used. Brushes made up of nylon bristles are also available. These are superior to pure bristles in their resistance to wear, but are smooth and non-absorbent. Hence they carry less paint and display less run off than other brushes.

A brush of suitable size for the work in hand should always be selected. Using a small brush on a large area makes it difficult to apply an even coating and slows down the pace of work while using a large brush on a narrow area makes accurate "cutting in" impossible.

Use and Maintenance of Brushes

In a new paint brush, bristles hold dust and broken bristles must be washed out before using the brush to get a great finish. Soap water can effectively be used to wash out new brushes.

A paint brush works best when it is 'broken in' that is, when it has acquired a level at the end of bristles.

Brushing Technique

• Paint a small area at a time, to facilitate the distribution of paint without loss of time - brush marks are inevitable if you do not.
• The pressure of the brush must be equal for all strokes so that the paint easily penetrates the surface.
• To ensure the levelling and elimination of brush marks, use less pressure.

Roller Application

At present hand rolling is done mainly for decorative and maintenance paintings - roller coating application is mostly used on broad plain surfaces.

The covering material for the roller may be plastic sponge although mohair is the best. When equipped with a long handle extension, the roller may be used for roof painting and to reach other inaccessible areas.

Roller Techniques

For large areas it is more convenient to work from a tray than a bucket.

A reservoir at the end of the tray holds the paint. After charging the roller, it is rolled out on the platform of the tray. In use, the roller is rolled over the surface in criss-cross strokes, working the material out evenly.

Paints normally used for brushing can be hand-rolled.

Browse our section on paint accessories in order to find what you'll need to ensure that your vision of a transformed living space becomes a reality.