Frequently Asked Questions about Painting at Left Moon Painting
At Left Moon Painting, we receive numerous customer questions regarding various aspects of repainting and home renovations.
In this article, we thought we should put together a quick shortlist of the most asked questions from homeowners around Pennsylvania.
Here we go;
Interior Painting
In what order should you paint a room?
Start with the ceiling.
Then paint the walls.
Finish with the doors and windows.
Should you start by painting the inside or the outside of a frame?
It is better to paint the inside first, as the air humidity is usually higher inside. This protects the wood on the side, where the risk of moisture infiltration is greatest.
If the wood is still wet, evaporation to the outside is possible.
How long do I have to wait before painting new plastering?
On average, allow 3 months of drying per centimeter of the thickness of the plaster layer.
This applies at a temperature between 20 and 25° C and air humidity of about 50%. If the average temperature is lower or the air’s humidity higher, the water in the plaster will evaporate more slowly, and you will have to take into account a longer drying time.
While the plaster is drying, try to ventilate the room well so that the humid air is constantly exhausted.
Exterior Painting
What are the ideal weather conditions for painting?
It is recommended to paint at a temperature between 12° C and 25° C and humidity below 65%. In cold and humid weather, drying will not occur optimally, which can lead to blistering, differences in gloss, etc.
Never paint in direct sunlight. The paint will dry too quickly on the surface, which can cause blistering.
Never paint in a strong wind as dust may be washed away on the paint, which is still wet.
How long do I have to wait after the rain before I can paint?
It depends on the humidity of the surface.
After heavy rain, it is best to wait at least a full day.
The surface must be completely dry before you start painting. If the substrate is too wet, the paint will penetrate to an unnecessary depth. This may result in blistering or chipping of the paint.
When to remove the masking tape?
Remove the masking tape when the paint is still wet.
If the paint is already dry, you risk damaging it.
When to sand
Sanding never hurts and contributes to the quality and durability of the paint applied.
Sanding is required in the following cases:
Before applying a primer to unpainted wood, this will sand the surface and improve grip after applying a primer to unpainted wood. This removes rough straightened fibers from the wood.
How do I keep my paint bucket clean?
Protect the edge of the paint can work with aluminum foil to keep it clean.
Once the paint is finished, you can close the can properly.
How to store leftover paint?
Always keep leftover paint away from frost.
Place the jar upside down, lid down. In this way, air cannot enter the jar through the edges, and you prevent skin from forming on the surface of the paint.
Isn’t a single thick paint coat as good as two normal coats?
No. The paint will dry on the surface but will remain supple for a long time at depth. Your paint may leak.
For even shine and full-color coverage, it is best to apply two topcoats.
Color
Can I have the same color in a mural and a lacquer?
Yes, virtually all types of paint are available in the same color. However, note that due to a different degree of gloss, the same color may still show slight differences.
Is it possible to buy back the exact color if I run out of stock during my paint jobs?
Normally you can repurchase the same color. A slight color difference may nevertheless appear between cans from different productions.
Therefore, before painting, always mix some leftover paint from the old jar with that from the new jar.
Also, be careful not to stop in the middle of a wall but in a corner. A possible small difference in color will not be noticed because of this.
Should I go DIY or Hire a Painting Contractor?
If you don’t have the painting skills, experience, and tools required, consider hiring a professional painting contractor like Left Moon Painting.
We have years of experience offering residential repainting services in Kennett Square, PA, and West Chester, PA.
If you would like to try us, request a FREE estimate below to get started or call us at (484) 757-5295 for more information.