How To Choose paints For Different Surfaces

The type of surface in your home or office plays a big role in deciding on what paint to use. Most surfaces do allow you to paint over them. You will most likely need professional help when painting. But if you want to go for it on your own, here are a few ideas to know what paint to use on what surface and in what way.

 

 

Wood

Painting wood is not as difficult as other types. Wood will easily soak in the paint you are applying on them, even if they have paint already on them. It is best to use chemical solvent as it will dissolve previous layers of paint before you put on a fresh coat. Most finishes and paint types will work fine over the top of wood.

 

 

Metal

Metal is a bit more challenging than wood. Some types of metal will easily allow other paints to pick up on them. It is fairly easy to paint a metal fence, first ensure that all rust is removed.

 

Run a light sand paper over the top of the metal and then use a spray paint rather than brush paint. A primer coat is needed when painting metal which isn’t necessary on other surfaces.

 

 

Tile

Tile is usually highly glossy which means that paint will slide right off of it. This helps keep tile clean, but it means you have to get tile paint when you need to paint.

 

Ordinary paint will not work on it. Tile paints work in a way that seems like the grab onto the tile rather than just sliding off.

 

It is best to use a layer of flat paint first on a glossy surface and then apply the paint you are looking for. That flat paint forms enough of a grip to hold the other layers of paint in place.

 

 

Painting Bricks

Brick is a surface usually used in older homes. It might not look like it, but you still need to paint brick surfaces. This is mainly to hide the old look and get a unique one for your home.

 

When choosing paint for this surface, it is advisable to go for porous paint for exterior brick walls, so the brick can breathe. Don’t get normal exterior paints, talk to an expert and get products that come with a conditioner and primer.

 

Alternatively, get paint that is a self-primer, it will not require you to use an undercoat and saves time. Remember to clean the brickwork at least 24hours before painting. Don’t use acid cleaning solutions – stick to simple water and soap.

 

 

Painting Concrete

Concrete is a surface that tends to get ignored, we forget that the look of painted concrete surfaces has a huge impact on the rest of your home. If you are painting a concrete wall, acrylic paints are one way to go as long as the walls are in relatively good condition.

 

Bear in mind that acrylic paints will not stick on oil-based surfaces. Ensure the will is oil free before painting. If the concrete surfaces is a floor, use either oil-based or epoxy resin paints. They will stick better and make it much easier to clean the floor.

 

Like with stucco, you must be sure it has cured for at least 30—60 days before you give it a thorough cleaning. Then let it dry and paint with either a water-based paint for easier clean-ups like Benjamin Moore’s™ Latex Floor & Patio Paint, or an oil-based paint like Urethane Porch & Floor Paint for extra shine and durability.

 

The only way to get a fantastic looking paint job is to know the surface and understand what quality paint blends in with it. It might be tricky but it’s worth the effort in the long run.

 

Image Courtesy: midnightwindowtinting.com

3 thoughts on “How To Choose paints For Different Surfaces

Comments are closed.