What’s the difference between oil and water based paint? When referring to whether paint is oil or water based we are actually referring to what type of solvent is used in the paint itself which is the liquid component in the paint that evaporates as it dries. Oil based paint which is often identified as enamel, is typically made up of mineral turpentine and water based paint often called acrylic is generally made up of mostly water. Typically oil based paints have been used as they have been known to offer a higher sheen level and dry harder than a water based paint however oil based paints have been shown to dull and yellow overtime and due to their composition they offer limited flexibility which means they are more likely to crack and become dry, brittle and chalky overtime. Luckily technology has advanced our water based paints to surpass our oil based options giving us a non yellowing, hard wearing yet flexible paint that also dries faster and is easier to use and clean up it also provides a much high gloss level than previously. VOC (Volatile organic compounds) are also a very important factor to consider when choosing the right paint, we will explain these in depth in our next post. How to tell if you have oil or water based paint in your home? Simply pop some methylated spirits on a rag and wipe the paint in question, if the paint comes off on the rag it is water based. If it is oil based and you wish to repaint, it will need sanding back to remove the sheen, coated with an undercoat, allowed to dry and re-painted with a water based paint.
What about sheen levels?
We all know that a fresh coat of paint can give any space an instant facelift but how does the finish impact the overall look and long term outcome? Preparation is the most critical step, as well as the use of the right product, and of course the correct application to ensure your new lick of paint will stand the test of time. A quality paint finish should protect your interior and exterior surfaces. High quality products will help protect from dust, dirt, moisture, mould and the general effects of ageing and It should also hide the inevitable wear and tear. Do you know the different options when it comes to paint finishes? One consideration is the sheen of paint: Flat 0-1% gloss: used on ceilings only, designed to produce a flat, uniform finish with no roller marks Matt 2-4% gloss: can be used in low traffic areas on walls and ceilings. Can be a useful tool on uneven surfaces to hide imperfections. Low sheen 5-8%: a subtle sheen level that is good for cleaning Semi gloss 20-30%: ideal for use on doors and trims, it offers good stain resistance and is easy to clean in high traffic areas Gloss 80%: ideal for use on doors and trims, it offers the highest gloss level, it is very easy to clean and is the most hard wearing option.
VOC’s, what are they?
VOC’s, what are they? If you have been to the hardware store lately or have been buying paint, you will notice a lot of brands marketing their environmentally friendly ranges with low VOC’s so what does this mean? Volatile organic compounds are solvents that are released in to the air as the paint dries (it should be noted that many other products emit VOC’s such as cleaning products, adhesives & even some home furnishings such as joinery etc) they can linger in the air for weeks and months and can cause acute symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and some are known carcinogens so it’s clear that they aren’t good for the air we breath and our health. These can be avoided by requesting the use of low or no VOC paints, these products generally emit less odours and offer faster drying times. It’s great these products are becoming more available and are a great idea to consider these options if you are living in the home at the time of painting especially if children are present.
Does your garage floor need a refresh?
Could your concrete garage floor do with a freshen up? We have the solution. A seamless, epoxy flake coating for residential or commercial applications suited to garage floors for its durability. Resistant to scuffing, scratching and cracking and also has a high resistance to most oils and solvents. The absence of grout and joint lines in a flake flooring system not only looks amazing but it enhances the clean ability. They are water resistant, easy to repair, extremely stain resistant and can have anti slip agents added. It is a system comprising of an epoxy primer, an epoxy base coat, coloured polymer flake chips and two UV stable coats of polyurethane. It is a great way to give your garage that fresh polished concrete feel without the hassle.
Lead paint alert!
Renovating or restoring an old home? Lead alert!! Most Australian residential dwellings built before 1970 were coated with paints that contained lead. Exposure to even small amounts of lead in old paint coatings presents a serious health risk, to both the occupant and to any contractor, if and when the old paint coatings are disturbed by either hand or power tools. Dangerous levels of lead may be present in paint dust, paint flakes or paint waste which if swallowed or inhaled, can be very harmful to humans. Lead is a heavy metal poison that accumulates in the body, It is especially dangerous to children, pregnant & nursing woman. Before any maintenance work or surface preparation of old paintwork commences, a test kit should be used to detect if lead is present or not. If lead is detected, stringent precautions will need to be employed to prevent any contact with lead-paint dust and debris so engaging a trained and qualified professional contractor is highly recommended.
White, white, white
“Just white paint” some may say while thinking they have chosen the simple option, when in fact white may just be the trickiest selection of all. There are a million and one whites to chose from and there are many factors to consider before choosing “the one”. Did you know there are neutral whites, warm whites and cool whites? It is important to chose the right one especially when layering white on white on white but what does this mean? Most whites will have a base tint, it is rare a pure white is used, with the exception of ceilings. It is important to look at these tints as it will give an indication of what undertones the colour will throw such as yellow or blue. There is a fine line between an interior that feels fresh and relaxing and one that feels sterile and cold. There are other factors that come in to play as well such as whether the lighting and flooring is warm or cool and how much natural light the space receives which will impact how the colour is perceived. Warm white will often carry subtle peach, pink or yellow undertones. These tones are perfect if you would like to invite a soft, cozy atmosphere. They pair well with earthy organic shades and are typically used in heritage or traditional style settings, they can also be a great tool to soften a space if there isn’t much exposure to natural light such as a south facing building. As we previously mentioned, lighting has a large impact on how colour is perceived and artificial lighting is a very important factor to consider. Cool globes will enhance those cool grey/blue tones in the paint and warm globes will enhance those yellow undertones in the paint. Therefore Warm whites can be effectively used in a space to counteract cool artificial lighting such as cool light globes or fluorescents to soften the space and eliminate the sterile feeling this type of lighting projects. In a modern environment we tend see cool whites more commonly used. Cool white: with an abundance of natural light at the heart of a modern home, It is common to see cooler whites used in most interiors as cool crisp whites are an excellent way to neutralise the suns warm tones without removing it all together. Careful consideration should be taken when selecting a cool white as there is a fine line between a clean/crisp white and a white that may look more blue or grey. It is here our artificial lighting selection can play a major role in how the colour is perceived such as using cool globes with a cool white as this can highlight those blue/grey undertones further. It is also important to carefully consider the ceiling and trim colours when layering white. By using a pure white on the ceiling or trims this will create a contrast with the undertones in the wall colour which in turn can highlight blue/grey which you may or may not be hoping for. In turn another option can be to use the same colour for the ceilings, walls and trims and use a satin or gloss on the trims to create a layer of depth without the contrast in colour and therefore will just look “white”.