Painting Tips

The best time to paint

Just as a right temperature makes all the difference when preparing a juicy steak, temperature of your house can greatly impact on paint application. Extreme conditions, whether cold or hot, should be generally avoided and the ideal temperature for painting must be above 10*C and below 35*C. Also, humidity can be an issue, so best avoid rainy days or if it looks as if it might rain and save your project for a more sunny day.

Melbourne painter

On a hot day, acrylics dry very quickly

While nice and sunny day is preferable for painting, direct sunlight isn’t. Most acrylic paints will touch dry in about twenty minutes at 25*C and 50% humidity, and direct sun will only accelerate the process. Therefore, keep in shade (this is a good advice for you too plus make sure to apply SPF on your skin) and avoid painting on hot surfaces that had been exposed to direct sunshine, but allow them to cool before painting instead. If you notice that the paint in your bucket is drying out, you can add up to 5% water into it to prevent it from drying out completely. You can also purchase a thinner designed for use in hot weather which can help you slow down the drying rate. Finally, it is a good idea to use two brushes – keep one in the bucket of water and work with the other, then alternate between the two as this will help prevent drying. Working with a quick drying paint can be challenging, so you can always give a call to our friendly painters if you’re not fully confident.

Preparation is the key

The key to a successful painting job is a good preparation. You want to protect the furniture and interior fittings the best you can to minimise the risk of damage. Take down curtains and remove mirrors, pictures and other things hanging on the walls. Move lightweight furniture out of the room to clear the space. Use plastic sheets or drop sheets to cover remaining furniture and tape plastic around pendant light fittings. If painting outside, clear your working space by removing unnecessary items out of your way and tie back any plants that might be on your way when painting.

Masking

Masking is a great way to ensure faster and cleaner painting. Attach the masking tape at your starting point and stretch it all the way toward the finishing point. Gently smooth the tape down while keeping it taut. You can then begin applying the first coat. A word of caution when removing the masking tape, however. Make sure to remove it before the paint becomes too dry as this could result in lifting and breaking the dry paint and leaving an ugly and cracked edge.

How to actually paint

OK, this may sound obvious, but there is a correct sequence of tasks and motions when painting. Begin with a ceiling and paint away from the light source so you avoid painting in shadow – this way you can see your output better. After the ceiling is finished, work your way down to the walls, then the doors and windows, and ending with the skirting and the trim. If painting weatherboards, you first paint the underside of the board and then the face. Following a particular sequence will help you organise the painting job and ultimately lead to better results.

Mix and stir for an even finish

Always read the instructions on a can of paint and make sure to stir it well before application. If using more than one can, mix all the cans into one big bucket and stir it thoroughly – this will help you achieve an even finish.

We hope this quick guide will be helpful should you decide to do a DIY paint project. Remember, however, that these are only tips and the actual experience will be make a great deal of difference. Call us for a free quote and our helpful staff will provide an estimate of costs if you decide to hire an experienced professional. Happy painting!

The post Tips and tricks for your DIY painting project appeared first on El Painters.

Here’s what you’re going to need:

Paint

Drop Sheets

Masking tape for painters

Angled paint brush

Step ladder

Roller frame (roller width of 230 mm or 270 mm)

Nap (fabric) for the roller (Size is dependent on your wall structure)

Roller pole

Paint Tray (matching frame width)

Damp rag or sponge

Bucket of water

STEPS

STEP ONE

The first thing to do in any painting process is to ask yourself what colour palette suits the best. In determining this, it is helpful to consider colours of surrounding rooms, effect you want to achieve and the overall feel. You will need to decide on colour palette for walls, doors, trims and ceilings. It’s always good to get a second opinion, so head to paint store or give our friendly painters who are colour experts a call for a consultation.

STEP TWO

This is a tricky one. You should determine the quantity of paint you will need. As a rough guide, 1l of paint will cover 4m2. You should, however, keep in mind that different paints will be needed for ceiling, walls, trims, etc., so you should include this into your calculations. Professional painters are good at estimating how much paint a house will need by just looking at it, so you can call us for a free quote if you get stuck.

STEP THREE

When painting outside of the house or in a direct sun, paints tend to dry much quicker. Now, this can be a good thing and a bad thing. In any case, drying time indoors is longer and it is a good advice to open any windows in the room to improve ventilation and speed up drying time (and allow yourself to breathe).

STEP FOUR

Decide on a general strategy by choosing whether to paint one room at a time or by type of paint. Sometimes, it can be easier to do all ceilings in the house with a ceiling paint first, then switch to a wall paint next, etc., but this will depend on your specific circumstances. Either way, make sure to prepare all the walls first.

STEP FIVE

Protect all the furniture from dripping paint by placing drop sheets on floors, removing lightweight furniture and wrapping the items that can’t be removed. Don’t forget to wrap and tape pendant light fittings!

STEP SIX

Make a good use of painter’s masking tape and apply it to fittings and any trim edges that are difficult to paint around. This is an old painters’ trick for neat and tidy job on tricky surfaces.

STEP SEVEN

Adopt a correct painting sequence – it is highly recommended to paint from top down. This means starting with the ceilings, then the walls, and once these are completely dry (this is essential!), paint the doors, trims and window frames.

STEP EIGHT

Allow sufficient time for the paint to dry, both between the coats and the ceilings/walls/trims, etc. As outlined in previous steps, you can open all the windows and doors to improve ventilation and quicken up the process.

The post Painting 101: A step-by-step guide how to paint a house interior appeared first on El Painters.

Award-winning interior (and exterior) designer Shaynna Blazeshares her expert advice for choosing the right exterior paint colour for your home as well as her some of her favourite exterior hues.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINT COLOURS

Look at all elements of your house before choosing your exterior colour. The colour of your roof tiles, window trims, brick or timber features, front door and fence colours will all depict what colour palette you should be considering.

Think about the kind of statement you want to make. For example, a colour like ‘Black Fox’ will make your house stand out, but a light grey colour will blend in well with the natural surroundings.

Make sure you consider all times of day when picking a colour. Purchase sample pots in your chosen colours and paint a patch on the exterior of your house that catches both sun and shade, so you can see how the colour appears in shade and varying sunlight levels.

black paint house, exterior house black

“We painted a house last year in ‘Black Fox’ and I instantly fell in love with it,” says Shaynna. “The black exterior against the white trims and timber features really popped and made the house look clean, fresh and modern.”

For something a bit more subtle Shaynna loves Taubmans ‘Pebble Bay’. “It’s a classic exterior colour that is always a best-seller,” says Shayna. “Grey Castle is also one of our most popular greys that we’re seeing specified for many exteriors.”

exterior color trend, exterior painting, house painting, exterior painting DIY

COLOUR TRENDS TO WATCH THIS YEAR

Over the past year, exterior colours have continued to play more and more strongly in the grey space. Greys for exteriors create a modern and minimalist colour scheme that suits the majority of Australian house styles.

“Grey tones will continue throughout the year as that minimalist and modern look is still on trend”, says Shaynna. “However, people will continue to push the boundaries with the darker and lighter grey tones. For example, the darker tones we are seeing are not just greys, but also blacks and navy blues.”

“In terms of the lighter tones, we may see people venturing away from greys and experimenting with muted pastel colours.”

TAUBMANS 10 MOST POPULAR EXTERIOR PAINT COLOURS

Crisp White

Brilliant White

Pebble Bay

Taupe Stone

Salinger

Mink Scorpio

Private Jet

Gibraltar Grey

Stormy Shadow

Phoenix Fossilexterior color, choosing color, exterior paint, paint color

Painting the exterior of your home can dramatically enhance its street appeal as well as increase the total value of the property. While painting your home can seem like a mammoth task, choosing the colour of paint can prove to be the hardest part of the job.

Award-winning interior (and exterior) designer Shaynna Blazeshares her expert advice for choosing the right exterior paint colour for your home as well as her some of her favourite exterior hues.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINT COLOURS

Look at all elements of your house before choosing your exterior colour. The colour of your roof tiles, window trims, brick or timber features, front door and fence colours will all depict what colour palette you should be considering.

Think about the kind of statement you want to make. For example, a colour like ‘Black Fox’ will make your house stand out, but a light grey colour will blend in well with the natural surroundings.

Make sure you consider all times of day when picking a colour. Purchase sample pots in your chosen colours and paint a patch on the exterior of your house that catches both sun and shade, so you can see how the colour appears in shade and varying sunlight levels.

black paint house, exterior house black

“We painted a house last year in ‘Black Fox’ and I instantly fell in love with it,” says Shaynna. “The black exterior against the white trims and timber features really popped and made the house look clean, fresh and modern.”

For something a bit more subtle Shaynna loves Taubmans ‘Pebble Bay’. “It’s a classic exterior colour that is always a best-seller,” says Shayna. “Grey Castle is also one of our most popular greys that we’re seeing specified for many exteriors.”

exterior color trend, exterior painting, house painting, exterior painting DIY

COLOUR TRENDS TO WATCH THIS YEAR

Over the past year, exterior colours have continued to play more and more strongly in the grey space. Greys for exteriors create a modern and minimalist colour scheme that suits the majority of Australian house styles.

“Grey tones will continue throughout the year as that minimalist and modern look is still on trend”, says Shaynna. “However, people will continue to push the boundaries with the darker and lighter grey tones. For example, the darker tones we are seeing are not just greys, but also blacks and navy blues.”

“In terms of the lighter tones, we may see people venturing away from greys and experimenting with muted pastel colours.”

TAUBMANS 10 MOST POPULAR EXTERIOR PAINT COLOURS

Crisp White

Brilliant White

Pebble Bay

Taupe Stone

Salinger

Mink Scorpio

Private Jet

Gibraltar Grey

Stormy Shadow

Phoenix Fossil

The post Our favourite exterior paint colors appeared first on El Painters.

Mould effected walls, remove mould, mould

As other mould, interior mould is caused by moisture and is often found in poorly ventilated damp areas that receive little sunlight. (Think laundries, bathrooms and kitchens…yikes!) But, there are other conditions that can lead to increased incidence of mould in properties. For example, mould is more likely to occur if lower quality paint was used. Same applies if bare wood was not primed before painting. It doesn’t hurt to add that mould will not disappear if you just paint over a layer of it (we’ve seen this happen!), so make sure mould is removed first.

So, what is the best way to get rid of mould on painted surfaces? First, test for mould by applying a few drops of household bleach to the discoloured area. If it disappears, it is probably mildew. Remove it by scrubbing with a diluted household bleach solution (one part bleach, three parts water). Be sure to protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves and eye protection. Then, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry, prime and apply one or two coats of top quality paint specifically designed for use in damp areas like bathrooms. To prevent mould from re-growth, install an exhaust fan to help with ventilation. Finally, make sure to open all the windows and doors every once in a while to give your house a breath of fresh air that will help prevent mould in future.

The post How to get rid of mould on painted surfaces appeared first on El Painters.

With this in mind, we’ve gathered all the tips on how to choose your own exterior elevation colours to help you make a right decision.

consider your climate when choosing your exterior elevation

Lighter colours such as whites and light neutrals can create a cool, breezy feel, and tend to work well in warmer climates with a lot of sunshine. On the other hand, darker shades and earthy colours can create a warm feel, something that can be especially welcome in more temperate and cool climate. In addition, these colours can be easier to care for in conditions with more rainfall or snow.

tie in with your surroundings when choosing your exterior elevation colours

When thinking about the best colour to fit in, look around your house. What is the colour of your neighbours’ property? Are there many trees or a forest around you? Is there a blue sea with palm trees? Keep in mind that your house will be seen as part of its surroundings, so make sure the colours complement rather than contradict the existing landscape.

test colours in different lights when choosing your exterior elevation colours

Different lighting can make a great deal of difference when looking at paint sample charts. Strong daylight sunshine can make your chosen shade up to four times lighter, so make sure to test your chosen colour on a larger exterior area before painting the entire house.

hide ugliness in plain sight

Various pipes, gas and electricity boxes look best if painted with primary external colour instead of choosing accent tone.

seek elevation inspiration when choosing your exterior elevation colours

With regard to previous tips, it is not necessary to blend in with your surroundings if standing out from the crowd is what you are after. Keep in mind, however, that unique facades and colour combinations can be harder to sell afterwards. (Not impossible, though!)

size up your options when choosing your exterior elevation colours

Lighter colours can give a larger feel and might be a good choice for smaller houses. Darker colours, on the other hand, can help tone down an overly grandiose property. You can’t go wrong with simple neutrals which mixed with rich textures and smooth rendering give a sophisticated look.

add texture to your arsenal when choosing exterior elevation colours

This leads us to the next tip – different textures! Don’t just focus on choosing a colour palette, look for integrating different materials such as wood, brick and stone to complement your chosen colour scheme.

select several paint shades when choosing your exterior elevation colours

A good colour scheme follows the rule of three: the field colour, the accent colour and the trim colour. For best effect, the trim colour should contrast strongly with the field colour. Be careful with accent colours, however, they can look too intense if overdone. Light colours can add a nice accent to a dark field colour, but dark accents should be kept minimal to produce desired effect

think about what visual effect your want to achieve when choosing your exterior elevation colours

Based on your taste and preferences, you could go with lighter colours to stand out, or darker for a muted effect. Neutral colours tend to look most luxurious and expensive if this is the effect you want to go with.

ask the experts for advice when choosing your exterior elevation colours

Before you make a final decision regarding the external elevation colour selection, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion. Our qualified painters are experts in colour selection and can help you make a decision you’ll be happy with in the years to come. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because our friendly staff are always happy to help.

P.S. Now that you learned how to select your exterior elevation colours, it might be worth having a look at:

Clever ideas for your laundry, games room and outdoors

The post How to choose your exterior elevation colours appeared first on El Painters.

There are three basic reasons for painting house.

(1)  Preservation – This is one of the most important reasons for house painting, unfortunately a lot of people leave there out side painting until its too late. Paint is designed to protect your exterior surfaces and interior from the elements, a well maintained house will look great and the over all maintenance expensive will be less.

(2)  Sanitation – Over time most places will get dirty and look unclean specially commercial kitchens and public toilets, you can imagine how dirty some of these places would get. Paint can only be washed so many times before the coating is worn down, at this stage its harder to wash and can retain bacteria. So its important to maintain a healthy environment by regularly cleaning areas like this and repainting when they need to be.

(3)  Decoration – This is the most popular reason for painting house, most of the time people will repaint a room because they don’t like the existing colour. This is also the fun part, changing the look of a room or house by painting it a different colour.

(4)  Identification – I almost forgot about this one. its more so for commercial and industrial premises as they need to colour code all gas, water and electrical lines for quick identification.

How Long Does Paint Job Last

Internal Paint Work –  Can last many years but there are a lot of varying factors to exactly how long it will last or how long it will look good for. One issue is movement, this will over time open up cracks around the ceiling, windows and door frames, this is normal for all houses but structural cracks can appear for other reasons. Water damage is another issue, a leaking roof can cause water stains on a ceiling and smoke stains from a smoker or an open fire place can cause smoke damage. I painted a room that hadn’t been done for 30 years, the only place where paint was peeling from was around a water leak, so paint can last a long time internally but it may not look the best.

External Paint Work – Location is one of the main factors in how long your paint work will last for so as a bit of a guide on how often you should repaint the exterior will depend on how it looks. Generally have a look at how well your paint work is holding out, see if your windows are starting to peel in the corners also check other timber surfaces as they are normally the first to show signs of wear and tear.

Beach Front – repaint every 2 – 4 years

General Exterior – repaint every 7 – 10 years

Personally I had an old customer ring up after 12 years to repaint their exterior (all timber work) and all that was required was a touch up and one coat.

The post How long does House painting last &  reasons for painting house appeared first on El Painters.

The post DIY PAINT JOBS VS. HIRING THE PROFESSIONALS appeared first on El Painters.

1. Large outdoor deck perfect for entertaining

The light, natural tones of this deck lend themselves to endless parties, birthdays and barbecues. Its versatility makes it an ideal choice if you like to jazz up things a bit every now and then with new style.

outdoor deck, painting Deck, Berger

Photo Credit: Berger

2. Classic outdoor patio

This rich, classic-style deck just calls for a good book and a glass of wine on a sunny summer afternoon.

outdoor painting. painting deck

Photo Credit: Cabots

3. Beige garden verandah

Light shade of this deck in combination with trees resembles your very own park, perfect for relaxing after a long day at work.

Dulux Australia, Dulux painting, Deck painting

Photo Credit: Dulux Australia

4. Perfect Alfresco

If you needed a perfect alfresco setting, this would be it.

Deck paint, painter, exterior painting

Photo Credit: Intergrain

5. A Very Cool Pool Deck

The contrast between washed timber grays and sparkling blue water will make this desk your best summer buddy.

Dulux, painting house, house painter, melbourne painters

Photo Credit: Dulux Australia

6. Simple & Clean

Sometimes, the best things in life are simple – woody and clean.

Pool side painting, exterior painting, painting DIY, painting tips

Photo Credit: Intergrain

The post Best Spring ideas for a deck renovation project appeared first on El Painters.

At Elegant Look Painters, we are passionate about the work we do and doing it right. Even if you decide to go with someone else to paint your house or other property, we still believe it is worthwhile drawing your attention to the dangers and risks associated with hiring an unlicensed painter. A number of our clients come to us looking to “fix” a bad painting job that an unlicensed painter left behind. Without exception, all such jobs end up being a more expensive (and arguably more cumbersome!) alternative to simply going with a licensed painter in the first place. If you’re thinking of hiring an unlicensed painter, here are several points to help you decide whether risking your home and belongings is worth saving a few hundred dollars.

UNLICENSED PAINTERS ARE NOT INSURED

All tradesmen require public liability insurance if things go wrong. What does this mean for you? It simply means that if the painter causes damage to your property (or even worse – you!), the insurance got you covered. You might think that painting is not such a hard work and that damage cannot happen, but even the most careful us experience a slip-up at one time or another. Think paint spill on your beloved carpet or a new flooring, or ladder scratching your new car. While far less common, this can also include injuries as a result of painting.

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEE – WHAT GUARANTEE?

Lets be honest – painting is a major cost for many clients and it is fair to expect a guarantee for the work performed. Unlicensed painters do not provide any form of guarantee of their work and if you’re not satisfied with the final outcome, there will be no avenue to rectify this. At Elegant Look Painters, we provide 3-year and 5-year guarantees because we believe in quality of the work we do. Remember – nobody is rich enough to have bad painting jobs that need to be fixed by a professional painter.

UNLICENSED PAINTER COULD COST YOU MORE THAN YOU THINK

In light of the above, there are more reasons why hiring an unlicensed painter could be very expensive. In addition to having to fix a bad painting job, you could also end up having to pay thousands in insurance fees in case things go wrong. In some cases, hiring an unlicensed painter without Worker’s Compensation insurance could result in being personally liable if someone is injured – so check the laws before deciding to risk it!

UNLICENSED PAINTERS DO NOT OPERATE WITH A CONTRACT

Imagine you verbally agree with a painter on 2 coats, but your painter ends up putting only a single coat and as a result you are not satisfied with the final outcome. All this could be easily dealt with if you and your painter signed a contract. Did you know that all work completed by a painter actually requires a contract? A contract can be in a form of a separate document, or a quote provided by a painter, and should include what work will be completed, areas to be completed, number of coats, what prep work will be done and any exclusions to the painters guarantee (if any).

If you would like more information about what to look for when hiring a painter, or chat to Elegant Look Painters to obtain a free quote, be sure to contact us.

The post Are you about to hire a cheap, unlicensed painter? Read this first. appeared first on El Painters.