Whether you are a beginner or expert painter, our painting tips will turn you into a professional painter in no time at all. More importantly, with your newly acquired painting techniques, you won’t be able to tell the difference between your work and one of a professional who has years of industry experience.

Before Painting

• Stir the contents of your paint tin with a flat stirrer before and during use
• Pick at day with a moderate temperature to paint, if the surface you’re applying the paint to is below 10C or above 35C, you may encounter problems with adherence
• Cooler temperatures, higher film thickness and higher humidity conditions can lead to longer drying times, so make sure you leave ample time to let a project dry. We also recommend avoiding rainy days or days where rain is pending
• Choose calm, moderate weather conditions and paint only during daylight hours.
• Use only the recommended thinners for dilution and cleaning, as the paint’s properties may react unusually with anything else
• Check the paint colour against your colour chart/standard prior to painting to ensure you don’t end up painting with the wrong tin
• Do a cross cut adhesion test of the old coating before you repaint
• Apply a test sample for compatibility of your new paint over the old paint
• Clean galvanised iron in vinegar to remove milling oil from the surface

During Painting

• Postpone your painting if the weather takes a turn for the worse
• For your safety and the best conditions for the paint to dry, cease painting two hours before sunset
• Prep, prime and finish an entire section before you move on to the next to avoid prolonged exposure to the elements

After Painting

• Avoid bringing any steam near paint for up to 48 hours after painting (especially paintings in kitchens), and don’t scrub the walls for at last seven days
• Peal the masking tape off shortly after the paint dries to avoid any chipping

Spraying Paint

• Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Thin spraying paint only with the paint manufacturer’s recommended thinner
• Test spray your paint on cardboard to check the spray pattern and fan
• On that note, go light on the thinner – you can always add more in but you can’t take it out!
• Start moving the gun before you start spraying, ensuring you’re constantly keeping it moving with long, straight sweeps/strokes
• Long sweeping strokes plus a constant distance from the surface you’re painting will yield the best results – even small movements can affect the amount of paint being applied
• Hold the paint gun nozzle perpendicular to the surface and at a distance of 25-35cm at all time
• Overlap each stroke by half to avoid leaving light areas or creating strips

Painting Safety

• Open windows and other airways to provide adequate ventilation during your project, as paint fumes can cause harm
• Organise a safe, environmentally friendly way for any run off paint to be discarded. Be kind to the environment and don’t let paint enter drains or waterways
• Remove all obstacles and hazards from the painting cite and surrounding areas
• Wear necessary Person Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves, shoes, glasses and a respirator
• Organise for your children to be looked after away from the painting site