Interior paints Even for everyday home use,
however, paint has come a long way in the past century. Latex paints, the paint based on water dispersal of pigments, has perhaps come the furthest. At one time, washing latex- covered walls resulted in removal of the paint into your wash water. Not so now. Latex painted walls can be scrubbed and have even been engi- neered with the addition of ceramics in micro particles to make it easy to remove crayon marks, once the bane of every young mother. One company has recognized the
challenges with painting a white ceil- ing where it’s always been hard to see where you have painted and where you have not. They now make a paint that goes on pink and then turns white as it dries.
Other technological advances in paint
We have known about anti-fouling
paints for years and they continue to be used widely to paint the hulls of boats and ships to slow the growth of organics and to slough off organ- isms. Copper, the element that kills algae and some bacteria, has long been the element of choice but more recently Teflon, which prevent organisms from sticking to surfaces, and silver have been deployed as anti fouling agents. The issue with all paint additives is
to ensure that they don’t escape into the environment, a concern with anti fouling paints in the marine world. One answer for ships is a coating made up of small particles that wave in the water and slough off organ- isms. Another answer is epaint which
produces hydrogen peroxide in the presence of light. Long understood as an anti bacte-
rial agent and a killer of microor- ganisms, nanoparticles of silver are being introduced into wall paint to prevent the formation of mould on inside walls and algae on outside walls. It can also be used in bath- rooms and kitchens or wherever food is prepared. This technology is being incorporated into hospital room design as a way to prevent the spread of Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA in some European hospitals and clinics. This is just a snapshot of what is
happening in the world of paint from a technological point so view. Paint can enhance your environ-
ment indoors and out. It can hide a myriad of flaws and bring brightness to an otherwise dull space. k
10 tips about painting
Storing. Properly stored paint can last three to five years. Proper storage means keeping from freezing or getting too hot. Ideal temperatures are between 15 to 27 C (60 and 80 F).
Keep it fresh #1. If pausing for a break or laying off over- night, there is no need to clean brushes or rollers. Simply wrap them in plastic film or in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator.
Keep if fresh #2. When storing left over paint, create a gasket by cutting a circle the size of the paint can from a heavy duty garbage bag. Spray one side with vegetable oil and cover the can with the sprayed side up. Apply the lid tightly. Store the can upside down.
The right roller and the right brushes. Generally speaking, the rougher the surface to be painted, the longer the nap needed on your roller. With brushes, the bristles should be longer than the brush is wide. Use nylon or polyester bristles for latex and natural bristles for oil-based paints. Tap excess paint from the brush rather than scraping it along the inside of the can.
Roller treatment. Wash paint rollers before using to ensure that there will be no fuzzies in the paint.
How much do you need? A gallon of paint that is sprayed on will cover about 250 square feet. If rolling on the paint, a gallon will cover about 350 square feet.
Colour choice. Light colours open up a room, making it seem larger. Dark colours add depth and warmth. Light reflected from brightly coloured furniture or other surroundings can change the way your eye perceives the painted walls.
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Where to start. Clean and or prime the surface to be painted. Remove any light or other fixtures.
Where to start painting. Do ceilings first, painting a three-inch brush trim along the ceiling edge, doing a section at a time to maintain a wet edge. Paint across the room rather than lengthwise. For the walls, start in a corner after painting a trim line with your brush and do this around any windows and doors. Paint from the top down.
Painting moldings. Wait until the paint is completely dry, then tape around window and door moldings. Do base- boards last.
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