Irvine Carpet One :: Paint and Stain

Preparing to Paint
Always stir paint thoroughly, mixing upwards to blend the paint. Stir occasionally during use to maintain uniform colour and sheen.
Techniques for Brushing on Paint
The use of an angular tip brush allows more accurate placement of the paint, and is especially suitable when painting trim and window frames. To paint a consistent, straight line along the edge of trim or along the edge of a window pane, give the brush a gentle wiggle as you apply the tips of the bristles to the surface. This gently flares out the bristles. Now move the brush along the surface, remembering to hold it at it's metal ferrule for greater control.
Techniques for Rolling on Paint
Use the brush first to cut-in a 4" wide strip around the edges where the roller cannot reach. Keep the edge of the brushed area thin where the roller will be overlapping. Cut-in and immediately roll only one wall or area at a time to achieve a uniform appearance once the paint is dry.
Painting Exterior Floors/Porches
See Preparing the Surface (below) to determine how to properly prepare concrete and wood for painting, to prevent future failure of the paint on the floor's surface. Also have ready a bottle of anti-skid media (e.g. sand, walnut shells, cork, etc.) to sprinkle onto the top coat of paint, to prevent slipping on the surface when the floor/porch is wet.
Paneled Doors, Garage Doors, and Window Frames
Paint both sides of wooden garage doors to avoid warping due to absorption through the back of the door.
Painting Paneled Doors
To allow the paint to flow and level out when painting paneled doors, it may be beneficial to thin the paint slightly, up to 10% (use water for acrylic latex paints, and mineral spirits for alkyd paints). This will also prevent one area from drying before you can blend back into it from neighbouring areas.
Cleaning Painting Tools
Do not dispose of mineral spirits down your drain; it harms the environment. Pour used solvent into a metal can, and dispose of it at a proper hazardous waste facility. A brush and roller spinner quickly and thoroughly cleans and dries brushes and rollers.
Preparing the surface
General Plan on 1 - 2 days for preparatory work including repairs and washing the surface. Allow at least one day for the surface to dry. Repainting Previously Painted Surfaces After sanding the desired surface, use primer before top coating. If you suspect the old glossy surface to be an alkyd paint and you would like to apply a new latex topcoat, apply a coat of latex primer after washing and before applying a top coat of Latex Paint. Preparing Unpainted Surfaces Bare Wood: Exterior Latex Paints are 100% acrylic, allowing harmonious expansion and contraction of the paint film with the surface substrate during temperature extremes. Pure acrylic Latex Paints also allow humidity from inside the house to escape through the wood and through the paint film without causing the paint to peel. Pre-finished Aluminum: If pre-finished aluminum is glossy, lightly sand then apply a coat of Acrylic Latex Primer before applying the topcoat, to ensure lasting adhesion. Vinyl Siding: Never use a color darker than the vinyl, to prevent warping from the sun's heat. Bare Masonry: (Stucco, brick, concrete block, cement) New masonry is very alkaline, and is best not painted for a year, after which a pure acrylic primer is recommended, followed by pure acrylic Exterior Paint. If you must paint sooner, wait at least 30 days.