Quick questions

Heinrich Ehlers of Sansbury Renovations and Management answers frequently asked paint questions:

Qwhat

is the best way to keep paint and how long can it be stored?

A: Turn the tins over! Just make sure the lids are tightly sealed before you do so. Air in paint containers is your biggest enemy. By placing the tins upside down, you ‘seal’ the lid from the inside and prevent oxygen from entering. Store in a cool, dry environment – preferably on a small wooden pallet on a concrete floor or on a normal wooden shelf against the wall. Paint can be stored like this for between 12 to 18 months.

Q Is

there a way to get oil-based paint out of your clothes?

A: Not if it has already dried. As soon as possible, apply turpentine to the spot and rub the fabric hard between your thumb and fingers. Apply a little more turps if necessary but be careful with delicate fabrics that can easily get damaged. Wash the spot immediately with a cake of green or pink Sunlight soap and hang it up to dry. Next time, wear overalls!

QI

left my paintbrush in turpentine and it became a slimy mess – should I throw it away?

A: No, you don’t need to throw the brush away. Put it in a clean glass jar or small coffee tin and add enough fresh turps to cover the bristles and half the metal casing of the brush when upright. Press the brush down into the turps from side to side to remove the most stubborn residue. Repeat if necessary with fresh turps. Then dab the brush dry on an old towel. It should be clean enough to use on another paint project.

Q I’ve

just painted the nursery; are the fumes harmful?

A: Definitely, if the baby is sleeping in the room! Paint fumes are the result of a chemical reaction between the paint and oxygen during the drying process. This tends to irritate the mucous membranes in the nose and throat, with possible negative consequences for the sinuses and lungs. Leave the windows open all the time and use a fan at the door for better circulation. Close the door of the room and test every morning until the smell of paint has dissipated. In the meantime, find an alternative place for baby to sleep!