| FAQ | Selecting Paint |
| Tools & Equipment |
SELECTING PAINT
| How do I decide what colors to use? |
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| Color selection is a personal decision. Each person is unique—and so is each room, its purpose and its feel. At Gene Firn Custom Painters, we have many years of experience selecting and working with colors so we can help you. But we also are happy to recommend professional designers, like Ellen Firn of Elle Interiors, to help you in your selection process. Ellen also offers classes in your home so you can make your own color selections and design your room around you. |
| What if I just want to select my own colors? |
| Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have some useful information on their Web sites to help you begin your process of color selection. Selecting colors is a process where you start with an inspiration piece—like a pillow or a piece of furniture, a fireplace, your favorite cabinets—and go from there. But remember that colors look different under different lighting and at different times of the day. Always buy a test quart before you make a final decision. Put some paint on different walls and look at it throughout the day and evening. You have to live with the results so make sure you’re happy with the color before you buy all the paint. |
| What sheen of paint should I use? |  |
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The sheen you use depends on the situation. In general, flat sheens are better for hiding defects and minimizing glare so they are good for ceilings and rooms that will not get hand traffic. Flat paint is not very washable so it is not good for kitchens, baths, hallways, or children’s rooms. But note that there are new products on the market that use ceramic technology to give you the look of flat and the washability of enamels. They are usually more expensive but they are superior in look and durability. You’ll find them at Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore stores. Eggshell, satin, and semigloss are washable and vary in the amount or sheen. In general, you would want more sheen on the trim and doors because they are handled quite frequently. Part of the selection has to do with your preferences. For instance, if you want washability and not a lot of sheen, go with the ceramic flat or eggshell. | |
| What about oil paint? | |
| Oil paints are durable and give a nice finished look without brush strokes. However, they have some drawbacks. For instance, they have an odor, they take longer to dry, and you need to use paint thinner to clean up. You also need to purchase a different brush, one made especially for use with oil paints. The brush labels will give you that information. Manufacturers have been moving away from oil paints because of environmental reasons. But, if it’s the look you want, you can get that with some of the ceramic products. Ask about them at your favorite paint store. |
| There seems to be a wide range of costs for different paints. Why is that? |
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| In general, you get what you pay for. Some of the less-expensive paints are more difficult to work with. For instance, sags may occur where the roller overlaps the edges that were cut in by brush. Also, cheaper paints lack the coverage ability of higher-quality paints, which could require you to buy extra paint to put on an additional coat. You can find out online about the quality of paints. |
PREPARING YOUR HOME
| What do I need to do to prepare my home before painting begins? |
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Remove all of the small items from the walls and room, such as paintings, lamps, and end tables. Move any valuables such as china, pottery, plants, photos, figurines, and other collectibles that you don’t want knocked over or that won’t easily be covered by plastic drop cloths. While painting you need to be meticulous about potential hazards left on the floor. You will need to “clear the minefield” of paint cans, ladders near paint trays, and other tools and materials. So, in the preparation stage, set aside a specific area in the room or in an adjoining room for excess tools and materials. Use a drop cloth to protect the surface. |
| Do I need to wash the walls before painting? |
| Washing the walls before painting usually is necessary only in the kitchen or bath where there can be grease or soap scum. But it doesn’t hurt to wash your other walls as well. It’s really up to you. If it will make you feel better to wash all of the walls to make sure you have a clean surface, go ahead. If you have a question about a surface, go ahead and take the precaution. Use any cleaner used for preparing walls for painting. Your local paint store can recommend a specific brand. Ask what brands they have that are environmentally friendly. |
| How do I get rid of stains? |
| For water stains, smoke, or ink stains, use a stain-kill primer or else the stain will show through the new coat of paint. Ask your local paint store specialist to recommend a product. |
| What else should I know about preparing to paint? |
Repair all cracks, dents, and chips. Caulk and tape where necessary. DIY Painting Instructors can show you what products to use and how to use them in your first lesson. Also, set aside enough time to finish each coat once you start painting. Try to eliminate phone calls and other distractions. It’s difficult to stop and start the project. It’s less efficient and you can’t always remember where you left off. |
| What other advice about preparation do you have? |
| Accept the fact that your life will be disrupted for a short period of time. At Gene Firn Custom Painting we always try to minimize the disruption as much as possible but some is inevitable. For big projects, it is not unusual to feel like it may never end but just keep saying to yourself, “This too shall pass,” and it will soon! Just remember, you will have years to enjoy the finished results. It will be well worth the disruption. |
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
| How do I determine what brushes to buy? |
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| It is best to pay for high-quality brushes and take good care of them. A high-quality brush goes for about $10 to $14. For water-based paints, use a nylon polyester blend angled brush. Use a 2-inch brush for trim and a 2-inch or 2 1/2-inch brush for walls, whichever you feel more comfortable with. A wire brush is best for cleaning out the build-up of paint near the handle. Then rinse with warm, soapy water two or three times and store in the wrap provided by the manufacturer. |
| What about the different nap sizes of roller covers? |
| Nap size varies inversely with level of sheen. So use smaller nap for paints with greater sheens. Thus, use 3/8-inch nap for satin or semigloss; but 1/2 -inch or 3/4-inch nap for flats. But if you’re not used to using rollers, be aware that learning how to use them is a major challenge because they hold a lot more paint so they are heavier to hold, they produce more drips, and you have to be sure you spread out the paint on them; if paint is uneven, the roller will “slide” and not roll. Use the 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch for certain projects, like, for instance, cinder block walls where you need to fill in gaps. |
 | How do I protect the floors and furniture that remains in the room during painting? |
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On floors, use drop cloths that can absorb drops of paint. Sheets will not work because paint will penetrate and soil the covered surface. Plastic only works on furniture, not floors. It’s too easy to forget to wipe up the paint splatters, then accidentally walk on them and end up tracking paint from your shoes onto the carpet in the adjoining rooms. Wooden floors need special attention because they are very slippery when a drop cloth is used to protect them. Secure the drop cloth by using masking tape in strategic places where it will not hurt the finish. There are masking tapes that are made for gentle use. Ask at your local paint store. A word about safety: It is easy to trip when the drop cloth bunches up or when it is used on stairs. Periodically straighten drop cloths to make sure everything is protected but the floor area is not hazardous. Always caution others who are in the home to be careful walking on the drop cloths. It is easy for them to not be conscious of the fact. Also, if the project will continue the next day, remove drop cloths on stairs and keep a pathway clear for safety’s sake. You can leave the rest of the drop cloths down to save time the next day. | |
| Have another question? |