House Painting Tips: Most Often Asked Questions About Painting

By Donna Chernin

(HIT) - House painting ranks as the most popular do-it-yourself home improvement project. "In a comparatively short time and without much money, painting can change the whole decor of your house," observes Colleen O’Toole, Director of Dutch Boy Customer Service and the Dutch Boy Help Line. "For a small investment in quality paint, people can protect their most valuable asset—their house."

Before launching a house painting project, people often have several questions. In fact, Dutch Boy’s Help Line routinely gets flooded with as many as 1,000 calls per day during the summer’s busy painting months. But even during the more sluggish cold weather season, calls to the Help Line can still number between 500-700+ each day. Here are some of the most popular questions about painting, and answers from the experts at Dutch Boy.

House Painting Tip #1: Can I Paint Latex Paints Over Oil Paints?

Yes! Latex paints are formulated to go over oil base paints. Just make sure that the surface is clean and dry. Any exterior or interior areas that are noticeably shiny (glossy finish) should also be lightly sanded. This will break down the shine and will allow the new coat of latex to bond to the surface.

House Painting Tip #2: Why Do I Need To Prime?

Primers act like an anchor by providing a good base coat. The resins used in a primer are different from those used in paint, allowing primers to seal off a porous or badly weathered surface. A topcoat paint may soak into an usealed surface, causing poor durability and an uneven finish. If a bleeding stain is not primed, it may show through the paint. Be sure to follow label directions to determine the correct primer for the job.

House Painting Tip #3: How Many Square Feet Does A Gallon Cover?

As a general rule, one gallon of paint should cover about 400 square feet over a smooth, sealed surface. But it really depends on the porosity and texture of the surface. On an unsealed, dry wall or stucco, you might get only 250 square feet per gallon. If you have a rough or heavily textured surface, you might get 300 square feet per gallon—because you have more hills and valleys that need to be covered.

House Painting Tip #4: What Are The Ideal Temperatures For Painting The Outside Of A House?

Wait to paint until you hear the weather forecaster say "Sunny and dry for several days." Don’t paint if the temperature is below 50&Mac251;F. Paint dries best between 60 and 85&Mac251;F. If the temperature rises above 95&Mac251;F, or the relative humidity is over 85%, refrain from painting until the heat and humidity levels go down.

House Painting Tip #5: How Long Do I Need To Wait Before I Can Recoat?

Around four hours, if you’ve used a latex primer and latex paint. If you are using alkyds or oil based paints, you should wait 24 hours before recoating. However, high humidity and inadequate ventilation can prolong the drying process.

House Painting Tip #6: Can I Use Exterior Paint Inside?

We don’t recommend it. Exterior paint normally contains some form of mildewcide to retard the growth of mildew. When it dries, the mildewcide can create an odor that will not disappear.

House Painting Tip #7: What Is The Difference Between A Flat, Satin, And Semi-Gloss Finish?

Flat paints are dull, without any shine – Satins have some sheen, somewhat like satin fabric. Semi-Glosses have a high shine similar to a magazine page. Gloss paints contain the highest shine, like a gloss finish on a photograph. Generally, the higher the shine, the more scrubbable and durable the paint will be. Higher gloss paints are usually used in kitchens, bathrooms and on trim. Flat paints work best in bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

House Painting Tip #8: How Can I Get One Coat Coverage?

Follow the directions on the can. If you apply the paint generously and avoid excessive spreading, you’ll cover most colors in one coat. One coat coverage is easiest to achieve when you purchase top quality paint, rollers and brushes.

House Painting Tip #9: How Important Is The Applicator I Use?

Very Important! A top quality applicator is necessary to achieve one coat coverage and create a uniform paint film which improves durability and appearance. Match the applicator to the surface being painted.

For more information on paint and painting, call the Dutch Boy Hotline toll free at 1 800 828 5669 or visit the company’s Internet site at www.dutchboy.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center