Gus Asciutto
Up against some of the world’s best young painters and decorators, Gus has developed world-class decorating skills to become the very best in his field in Australia. Gus shares his trade secrets in this handy tips guide for DIY painting and decorating...
Tips for Painting and Decorating
Paint Selection Tips When choosing paint it is important to select the most appropriate paint for the area you are covering: Oil based paint – hard wearing and durable, oil-based paint is well suited for woodwork and for achieving a high gloss end result. The strong fumes should be factored in when considering use of oil based paints indoors – make sure you open windows for ventilation. Acrylic-based paint – quick dry and minimal fumes. Although less durable, acrylic based paint is great for amateur painters, as mistakes are easier to fix.
Paint Application Tips
1. Preparation prior to painting is vital. Steps to ensure the best blank canvas include filling in any gaps and sanding down surfaces.
2. Clean and dust down the surface and surrounding area. Dusting will ensure no particles will get under the paint and affect the adhesiveness.
3. Cover your surrounding area with drop sheets to make post-painting clean up quick and easy.
4. Lay it on - when it comes to applying the paint, more thin layers are better than one thick layer. A few thin coats will ensure even coverage.
5. Lay it off - to get rid of thick brush marks or roller lines, reapply paint to a big brush or roller and very gently (applying very little pressure) go over the brush mark or mistake.
6. Once you are happy with the paint coverage it is important to leave the surface to dry. Acrylic paint is touch dry within two to three hours, whereas oil-based paint will be touch dry when left overnight. Ideally, it is best to leave the surface overnight before moving any furniture into the room or hanging photographs.
Wallpaper Application Tips
1. Preparation for applying wallpaper is similar to preparing to paint. Fill any holes, gaps, cracks and sand down the surface.
2. The most important part of preparing to apply wallpaper is ensuring no particles are on the wall. Once gaps are filled and the surface is filled, take time to remove any residue or dust particles to ensure a smooth surface.
3. Take your time when applying the paper – whilst bubbles can be fixed creases cannot. Smooth out the paper as you cover the wall.
4. If there are bubbles in the wallpaper, make a small cut into the wallpaper, insert a small amount of glue using a syringe, smooth over and allow the surface to dry.
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