• Protects the surface and prolongs the life of the substrate. Prevents rot, soiling, water damage, mildew growth.
• Beautifies the surface by adding color, luster, design, or texture.
• Creates effects by making rooms look larger or smaller, ceilings look higher or lower, makes objects stand out or blend in, creates moods by making rooms cool or warm, busy or restful, serious or happy.
• Makes surfaces easier to clean and maintain.
• Accents architectural features.
• Hides structural flaws.
• Easy to apply anyone can do it.
• Delivers value for your money. It costs around 5 cents per square foot for premium interior or exterior paints.

Are all paints alike? They all come in a can and look the same,

but do they perform the same?

 

Differences in formulation. All paints consist of pigment, binder, and solvent. Differences consist in the types and amounts of pigments and binders used.

1. Types of commonly used pigments.

a. Titanium Dioxide - This is a prime pigment. It imparts hide and makes paint white. Your higher quality paints will contain high levels of titanium dioxide.

b. Zinc Oxide - This is used to help control mildew and algae growth usually in conjunction with additional mildewcides and algaecides. It is found in higher quality exterior flat and low luster house paints.

c. Silicates - This is an extender pigment. It helps space out prime pigments to achieve better efficiency, provides some dry hide, and lowers gloss.

d. Calcium Carbonate - This is an extender pigment that helps film build and spaces out prime pigments. Aids in giving washability to paint and in lowering gloss.

e. Other pigments used - Talc, Silica, Nepheline Syenite, Wollastonite, colored pigments.

2. Types of Binders - Binders are the "Glue" that holds pigments to the substrate. They also contribute to the film's wash ability, toughness, gloss, color retention, and flexibility. Higher quality paints will contain high levels of binder.

a. 100% Acrylic Latex - The best latex binders. They have more durability, better color and gloss retention, better mildew resistance, and better hardness or flexibility than other types of latex. The higher quality paints, especially exterior paints, will be made of 100% Acrylic Resin.

b. Acrylic Copolymers - Many good paints are made from these, but for best overall durability and performance, look for 100% Acrylic.

c. Acrylic-Vinyl Latex - A more economical emulsion with similar but less durable characteristics to 100% Acrylic Latex. Most interior latex wall paint is made with Acrylic-Vinyl.

d. Alkyd Resin - A synthetic resin modified with oil. Commonly called "oil based paints", alkyds are thinned with solvents such as mineral spirits.

e. Epoxy Resins - An extremely tough and durable resin used in catalyzed coatings. Available in solvent thinned and water thinned coatings.

Differences in application - Applying paint should be easy and fun. Quality paints will have the following properties.

1. No sagging, running, or dripping.

2. Flows out to an even, smooth appearance.

3. Spattering is minimal when rolling.

4. High Hiding - should cover many colors in 1 coat.

5. Coverage - Quality products will go farther, therefore you will use less paint.

Differences in performance - Quality products will have the following properties.

1. Wash ability or scrub ability.

2. Stain resistance.

3. Mildew resistance (exterior).

4. Color retention (fade resistance).

5. Gloss retention.

6. Durability - Resistant to cracking, peeling, chalking.

7. Maintains a good-looking appearance.

What are the different types of paints?

Latex paints - a film is formed when water evaporates from the surface. The pigment particles are enclosed by the resin and form a continuous, durable film. They have many advantages such as: 1) clean-up with soap and water, 2) easier application, 3) a more porous film that allows breathing which decreases the tendencies to blister, 4) low odor, and 5) dries quickly.

Solvent thinned paints - systems based on oils or resins that are thinned only with the proper organic solvent.

Which products should you use and where should you use them?

Interior painting

Living room, dining room, hallways, bedrooms, etc.

Use a top quality acrylic or acrylic-vinyl latex. A flat or velvet finish is desired. Suntec 3105 Masterpiece or 2105 Carecoat.

Kitchens and bathrooms.

Use a top quality acrylic or acrylic-vinyl semi-gloss latex enamel - (An enameled surface will be easier to clean) - Suntec 4105 or 4405 or 7155. Use Suntec 5105 if an oil based finish is desired.

Doors, cabinets, and wood trim.

Use the same products mentioned for kitchens and baths.

Ceilings

Use a good quality flat ceiling paint or a good quality acrylic semi gloss enamel (kitchens, baths) - Suntec 7200 Ceiling Latex or Suntec 4105 - Suntec 4405 for a more mildew resist finish.

Exterior painting

Concrete block, stucco, masonry surfaces.

Use a high quality acrylic house paint. A flat or velvet finish is usually desired. Use Suntec 7105 Acrituf or 8405 Sunking. If a gloss or semi gloss finish is desired, use Suntec 7505 Acriglo Gloss or 7705 Acriglo Semi Gloss.

Wood siding and trim.

Again, use a high quality acrylic house paint. Gloss, semi gloss, or flat may be used. Use Suntec 7105 Acrituf, 7505 Acriglo Gloss, 7705 Acriglo Semi Gloss, 8405 Sunking, 2700 Rustic Acrylic Wood Stain, 1600 Acrylic Floor.

Floors

Interior or exterior wood or concrete.

Use Suntec ColorTred 1600 (acrylic), preferred on concrete, or 1700 (alkyd).

Furniture

Wood or metal.

Use a high gloss or semi gloss enamel. Suntec 4505 (high gloss) or 4405 (semi gloss) for a latex finish and Suntec 1200 (high gloss) or 5105 (semi gloss) for an oil based finish.

Why should I use a primer?

Primers seal the surface, fill the pores, and provide a smooth, uniform surface for the top coat. They assure topcoat adhesion. They prevent rusting of nail heads and metal and bleed through of stains from redwood, cedar, and plywood. They provide controlled penetration for easier sanding.

Unfinished interior wood

Use Suntec 2450 Latex Enamel Undercoat.(acrylic) or 1850 Alkyd Wood Primer.

Unfinished interior wallboard, plaster, etc.

Use Suntec 2250 Latex Primer Sealer.

Previously painted or glossy surfaces

Use Suntec 763A Acrylic Primer & Enamel Undercoat.

Unfinished exterior wood

Use Suntec 737 Acrituf Acrylic or 1850 Alkyd Wood Primer. Redwood, cedar & plywood must be primed with a stain blocking primer.

Unfinished interior or exterior concrete block

Use Suntec 1005 Block Filler or Sun Pro 315 Block Filler.

New or rusty iron or steel

Use Suntec 801A Rustking (acrylic) or 3020 Rustking (alkyd).

Galvanized metal

Use Suntec 801A Rustking (acrylic).

Interior or exterior chalky surfaces

Use Suntec 205 Tungtuf Latex Surface Conditioner.

Primers will give you a professional looking, longer lasting job and allow you to use less finish coat.

How do you choose the right color?

Colors can inexpensively dramatize, stylize, or personalize your home. Paint is ideal for introducing color into your home. It is economical and available in limitless colors. You can change the appearance, create a mood, suit a season, or express a personality whenever you want. Colors create moods. They are associated with moods, i.e. "Blue Monday", "In the Pink", "Green with Envy". You should consider how color affects you when re-decorating.

Red - warm, full of vitality, activity, and excitement. An attention getter that can be overpowering when overused. Best used as an accent in bleak, cold rooms.

Orange - warm, stimulating, and comforting in small doses. Best used as an accent.

Yellow - cheerful, stimulating, and happy color with a warming effect. Good for use in dark, cold rooms.

Green - a tranquilizing, soothing, and restful color. The most common color on earth, compatible with almost every environment. Can be monotonous with overuse.

Blue - a cool, soothing, tension reducing color. Best used in a sunny room, but can produce a cold, empty effect with overuse.

In general, warm colors have a tendency to stimulate action, while cool colors have the effects of withdrawing from the outer world.

Colors can stylize a room.

Light colors are airy and expansive. Use in small, dark areas that you want to look larger and brighter.

Dark colors can create a cozy, distinguished atmosphere in oversized rooms.

Contrasting colors can emphasize a piece of furniture or architectural feature.

An accent color can establish a focal point or create interest.

Slightly differing shades of one color can have a unifying effect on different materials.

Colors can heighten or lower a ceiling and can alter the proportions of a room.

Selecting a color scheme.

Monochromatic color scheme uses various intensities of one color. It will lend continuity and spaciousness to small homes.

Complimentary scheme combines colors opposite each other on the color wheel. It creates a lively, happy effect, but be careful to avoid a jarring effect.

Triadic color scheme uses any three colors equidistant apart on the color wheel. Choose one shade as the dominant color, another as the secondary color, and the third as an accent.

An analogous color scheme uses neighboring colors on the color wheel for a harmonious effect.

Selecting the paint colors.

Decide on the main color to be used. Check your wardrobe to see which colors you are happiest with. Be sure to consider the color of the floor covering or roof.

After deciding on the dominant color, add other colors in unequal amounts. The dominant color should be used in about 3/4th's of the room.

Try to maintain a certain amount of color continuity throughout the house.

Select several paint chips that will work well in your surroundings.

Mask off all other colors on the paint chip. Remember that the color will be more intense on the wall. You may want to take the color chips home to study them in the room.

Buy a quality paint and buy all you need for the job at one time.

How much paint do you need?

• Determine the condition of the surface. A rough, porous surface will take more paint than a smooth, hard surface.
• Determine the number of square feet you want to paint and the number of coats you will need.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommended spreading rate. Some paints will go farther than others, but the average should be 300-350 square feet per gallon.

Divide the number of square feet to be painted by the recommended spreading rate to get the number of gallons.

Remember that two coats will give you more protection and better durability through a higher film build. Two coats are always recommended for the best job.

How do you prepare the surface for painting?

This is the most time consuming and important part of the job. If a surface is not properly prepared, even the most expensive paint will not perform as it should. To start, all surfaces should be clean and dry. Repair or replace broken, loose, or rotten boards, shingles and moulding. Countersink all nail heads and putty them. Be sure to seal out moisture and make your home energy efficient by using a top quality acrylic caulk.

1. Blistering and peeling paint

Scrape all loose and peeling paint.

After scraping, spot prime and seal all bare areas, cracks, and joints with caulk. Be sure to prime the bare edges of wood.

2. Preparing metals

All rust should be wire brushed or sanded clean, then primed with Suntec 3020 Rustking or 801A Rustking Acrylic.

All new metals have an oily film on them that must be removed. Wash down metal with lacquer thinner, then prime.

Galvanized metal needs to be washed down with lacquer thinner and painted with Suntec 7105 Acrituf. Rusty areas should be primed with Suntec 801A Rustking Acrylic.

Rusty nail heads should be sanded, countersunk, and primed with 801A Rustking. Fill in the hole with putty before painting.

3. Mildew. It grows everywhere and on anything. No paint is mildew proof, but Suntec 7105 Acrituf is one of the best for mildew resistance. Remove all mildew by washing the surface, preferably with a power washer, with a solution of bleach and water mixed 3 parts water to 1 part bleach. Rinse the surface well and let thoroughly dry before painting.

4. Rough or unpainted masonry prime with Suntec 1005 Masonry Block Filler or Suntec Sun Pro 315 Masonry Block Filler.

5. Glossy surfaces should be dulled by sanding or using Paint Deglosser. Prime with Suntec 763A.

6. Chalky surfaces Wash down and seal with Suntec 205 Tungtuf Latex Surface Conditioner.

7. Efflorescence, a white salt-like deposit, needs to be removed with Masonry Cleaner and Etch.

8. Stains and discolorations from bleeding of water soluble extractives need to be primed with Suntec 737. Some stubborn stains may require two coats.

9. All surfaces must be clean, dry, and free from dirt, dust, grease, oil, wax, or any other surface contaminant. Clean interior surfaces with a detergent and water and rinse well. Exterior surfaces should be power washed using a minimum of 2500 psi at 3.0 gallons per minute.

What application tools do I need?

Always use good quality paint applicators. An inexpensive brush or roller will not hold as much paint, will not apply the paint in a smooth or uniform coat, and will not be reusable. They can make a top quality paint look cheap.

1. Brushes

The bristles should be made of quality material with a tapered tip. The ends of the bristles should be flagged.

a. Natural bristle

Use for solvent thinned paints, varnishes, lacquers, or shellacs. Do not use in latex paints. Bristles should be soft.

b. Polyester/nylon bristle

Use in all latex paints. Some may be used in oil base paints, but not lacquer and shellac. Bristles should be fairly stiff.

2. Rollers

The fiber can be natural lambskin or synthetic polyester. Be sure to get a phenolic core and not flimsy plastic or cardboard. Use a 9" cover instead of a 7".

a. Smooth surfaces - use 1/4" to 3/8" nap.

b. Semi-rough surfaces - use 3/8" to 1/2" nap.

c. Rough surfaces - use 1/2" to 3/4" nap.

d. Very rough surfaces - use 1" to 1 1/4" nap.

3. Roller frames - use a good frame with a 5 wire cage, threaded handle, and sturdy shank. The cage should spin easily.

4. Pad applicators

Excellent for flat surfaces such as doors or walls and ceilings to be painted. Easy to use.

5. Airless Sprayers

Excellent for exteriors, some interiors, and furniture. (HVLP is recommended for furniture)

6. Aerosol cans

Clear finishes and enamels are available in spray cans. Good for use on small, difficult to paint projects. Excellent for graffiti artists.

What other tools and materials are needed to do the job right?

Sandpaper or deglosser

Scrapers

Putty Knife

Wire brush

Steel wool

Caulk and caulking gun

Roller extension pole

Roller pan

Spackling compound and putty

Drop cloth

Masking tape or paper

Ladder

Mineral spirits (if using oil based paint)

Brush cleaner

Paint remover

Top quality paint

Are there any significant final preparations?

Read and follow the label directions carefully.

Check the temperature. Do not apply latex paint when the temperature of the air or the surface to be painted is below 50oF (10oC) or above 90ºF. The ideal temperature range is between 60ºF and 85ºF.

Check the weather. Do not paint when there is the threat of rain or high winds. Avoid painting in direct sunlight.

Where do you start?

A. Interior

1. Ceilings

Always paint ceilings first, working across the width instead of the length.

Use a brush to trim in the edges and around lights and a roller with an extension pole for the rest of the ceiling.

2. Walls

Begin in upper left hand corner if you are right handed.

Trim edges first, then roll out paint in a W fashion, being careful not to spread out the paint too thin or over roll the paint.

3. Trim

Use a 2-2 1/2" sash brush.

Use tape or a trim guide tool to protect the other areas.

B. Exterior

1. Choose a time when morning dew is gone but the sunlight is not direct.

2. Eaves and gables - paint them first using either a brush or sprayer.

3. Main body should be painted next with a brush, roller, or sprayer depending on the surface.

4. Trim, shutters, and doors should be painted next with a brush.

5. Patios and garage floors should be the last surface painted. Use a brush and roller.

XI. Other frequently asked questions.

A. Can latex paint be used over oil base paint?

Yes, but you must have a properly prepared surface. The surface must be clean, dry, and free of dirt, dust, grease, oil, wax, mildew, loose, chalky or peeling paint, and any other surface contaminant that may affect adhesion of product performance. Glossy surfaces must be sanded or deglossed, and use only a top quality acrylic latex paint. If a primer is necessary, use Suntec 763A Acrylic Latex primer, which is great for use over glossy surfaces. Suntec 4405 Acrylic Semi Gloss and 4505 Acrylic Gloss Enamels can also be used over glossy surfaces.

B. Can vinyl siding be painted? Yes, but again the surface must be clean and power washing with 2500 psi at 3 gpm is recommended. Repaint using Suntec 7105 Acrituf 100% Acrylic Velvet Finish, 7705 Acriglo 100% Acrylic Semi Gloss, or 7505 Acriglo 100% Acrylic Gloss House Paints.

C. Can brick be painted? Absolutely, just follow the steps used for painting vinyl siding. Also be sure to pre-dampen the surface before applying an acrylic latex paint.

D. Can wallpaper be painted? Yes, but for best results it is recommended to remove the wall covering and any residual wall covering adhesive left on the surface, then prime with Suntec 763A Acrylic Latex Primer. If painting over wall covering, be sure the surface is clean and repair any loose seams or tears. Prime the surface with Suntec 763A Acrylic Latex Primer, allow to dry, then topcoat with Suntec 3105 Masterpiece Velvet, Suntec 4105 Acrylic Semi Gloss, Suntec 4405 Acrylic Semi Gloss, or Suntec 4505 Acrylic Gloss. Remember that you will see the seams in the painted wall covering.

E. How can unused paint be disposed? If there is enough paint, it can be donated to charitable organizations.

Latex paint, which is considered non hazardous, can be hardened by leaving the can open or mixing it with an absorbent such as cat litter or sawdust and then disposed as solid waste. Also, your county may have a recycling program that will accept and re-use latex paint

Solvent-based paints must be disposed in a manner allowable by your local or state environmental agency. So, always call them for the proper disposal method.

BACK TO MAIN MENU