Expert debunks some common decorating myths
IT’S bank holiday weekend, a peak time for doing jobs around the house, so we asked Michael Rolland, DIY expert at The Paint Shed to debunk some of the most common myths you should be aware of when painting and decorating. This is what he says.
You don’t need a primer. Some people believe that they can save a lot of time and effort by not using paint primer and instead using multiple coats of paint. However, doing this could lead to the paint peeling and wearing further down the line.
Priming is an incredibly important step to getting a professional finish as it helps the paint stick to the walls, enhancing the shine and blocking future stains. Paint primer will keep what you painted looking better for longer, saving you time and effort in the long run.
Small rooms should not be painted dark colours. There is a misconception that painting a small room with dark colours will make the room look smaller. Dark colours don’t always lead to small, dark spaces.
They can be a good idea for poorly lit rooms and smaller rooms because you are playing to the limitations of natural light rather than fighting it. Combined with the right textures and finishes, opting for dark paint in a small room can often create a cosy, calm space.
Paint never goes off. The majority of the time you will end up with spare paint at the end of a DIY project. A lot of people will put the lid back on the paint can and store it either in the garage, shed or loft.
It’s important to remember that all paint does eventually go bad. Open paint can last around five years on average if properly stored and sealed, however, most brands will recommend using the paint within six months of purchase to avoid any deterioration in the paint quality.
You can’t paint in the cold. Painting in cold weather is trickier than other types of painting projects and most manufacturers advise that you paint in areas that are at least 10 degrees.
Painting when it is cold can cause various effects on the paint and its application. For example, water-based paints or those labelled as ‘latex’ can freeze at lower temperatures. This shouldn’t, however, stop you from painting in colder temperatures, with a well-heated home there should be no issues, just make sure the temperature stays between 10-30 degrees.
No matter the temperature outside, it’s crucial you keep the room you are painting well-ventilated. This includes opening windows and doors or purchasing a fan. This will limit the lingering smell and allow the paint to dry faster.
It doesn’t matter what type of paint you use. Not all paints have the same finish, some are oil-based whilst others are water-based. You must do your research when choosing the best paint for your surface. Different paint finishes work well on different surfaces. For example, an eggshell finish is a great option for hightraffic areas such as a hallway or kitchen due to its stain-resistant qualities.
You can paint over mould. Unfortunately, mould isn’t a feature that can just be painted over and forgotten about. While painting over mould will temporarily hide its ugliness, it won’t resolve the issue and unless properly treated it will eventually reappear so you need to work out and fix what is causing it.
Your ceilings should always be white. Many people think a white ceiling is necessary for a cohesive room design but painting ceilings darker is becoming more popular and can make a room feel cosier and more intimate.