Interior Paint Projects
- Q: I tried to touch-up my living room wall, and the color and finish look different—even though I used the same paint.
- A: It is very important that you use the same paint (color and finish) and the same application tool (brush or roller). Thin the paint by approximately 25% before beginning.
- Q: What kind of paint will survive best in my children's room?
- A: For the best stain removal, use scrubbable paints such as 100% acrylic semi-gloss or gloss paints, rather than ordinary latex paints. As a general rule, stains are easier to remove from paints with higher levels of sheen and tough acrylic formulas. These paints are also excellent choices for kitchens, baths, cabinets, and doors.
- Q: I just painted my walls with a dark green latex paint and it's still not dry after 24 hours. What's wrong?
- A: Paints with large amounts of colorant usually take longer to dry than lighter colors. Increase the amount of air movement in the room, and make sure the temperature is adequate.
- Q: What's the best way to paint over a gloss paint?
- A: Lightly sand the surface to dull the sheen, and clean the surface thoroughly. When recoating with an oil-based paint or Porter®'s® ADVANTAGE™ 900 Interior/Exterior Acrylic Enamel, you may paint directly over glossy surfaces as long as they are clean.
- Q: Can a latex paint be applied over an alkyd enamel?
- A: Traditionally, latex finishes cannot be applied to an alkyd enamel without proper surface preparation, which includes sanding, cleaning, and priming. However, Porter®'s® ADVANTAGE™ 900 Interior/Exterior Acrylic Enamel, with the addition of acrylic resin, may be applied directly to clean alkyd enamel surfaces.
- Q: How much paint do I need to buy?
- A: Use our Paint Project Calculator to find out.
- Q: What size brush should I use?
- A: Let the surface that you're painting be your guide. The larger the surface, the larger the tool you'll need. For exterior siding, use a 4" brush. Use a 3" brush for exterior gutters. For painting interior trim, you'll only need a 1" to 2 1/2" brush.
Download the Porter® Paints brush and roller cover recommendations guide - Q: Is a natural bristle brush better than a synthetic bristle brush?
- A: The answer depends on the type of paint you plan to use. Natural bristle and synthetic brushes may be used with oil-based paints. Only synthetic bristle brushes should be used with latex or acrylic paints. (The water in latex or acrylic paints takes the oils out of natural bristles, making them unmanageable).
- Q: What is the best way to "rejuvenate" an old brush with dried paint in it?
- A: Dried latex paint can be removed by soaking brushes in denatured alcohol and cleaning with a brush comb. Commercial brush cleaners also work well on synthetic brushes. Oil-based paint can be removed by soaking brushes in a liquid brush and roller cleaner that's formulated for oil-based paints.
- Q: What type of roller cover should I use?
- A: First of all, after choosing high-quality Porter® Paints, don't skimp on your tools-use a quality cover for an easier, more uniform application. Lambswool is recommended for some oils and epoxies; otherwise use a synthetic fiber cover. A 3/16" nap cover is recommended to apply an ultra smooth finish when using an enamel, and a 3/8" to 1/2" nap roller cover is recommended for paint being applied to smooth drywall or plaster. Rough plaster and stucco walls may require a 3/4" to 1" nap cover. Use a 1 1/4" nap cover when painting concrete block or other extremely rough surfaces.
Download the Porter® Paints brush and roller cover recommendations guide - Q: Is there a paint that can be used to prevent moisture from seeping through basement walls?
- A: A product containing Portland cement, such as Porter®'s® BLOC-LOC Waterproofing Block Filler, can be used to waterproof masonry surfaces. Extreme moisture leakage, however, may require more extensive measures such as applying a vapor barrier material to the exterior surface of the walls, or contacting a certified waterproofing contractor to evaluate and repair the problem.
- Q: There's some old paneling in my basement that I don't have time to replace. Can it be painted?
- A: You can paint panel, but be sure to clean it well so that the paint will adhere to it. It's also good to use a stain killer on it to stop it from bleeding through. Then use a latex paint, which will cover the wood grain.
- Q: How can I paint my baseboard without getting paint on the carpet?
- A: Use a tool designed especially for this purpose—a metal shield that can be placed between the carpet and the baseboard. Another method is taping the carpet with masking tape or masking paper.
- Q: My windows have been painted shut. How do I open them?
- A: Trim along the sealed area with a knife and gently apply pressure to separate.
- Q: How should I safely dispose of leftover paint?
- A: Liquids are banned from many landfills. If you have a small amount of latex paint, allow it to dry out naturally (adding cat litter will speed the process) and deposit it in the trash. For oil-based paints, check with your local county environmental agency for a hazardous waste disposal facility near you.
Exterior Paint Projects
- Q: How can I remove mildew?
- A: Wearing rubber gloves and eye protection, scrub the mildew with a household bleach solution (one part bleach to three parts water). Rinse thoroughly and paint as soon as the surface is dry to avoid recontamination.
- Q: What's the best exterior trim paint: acrylic or alkyd?
- A: 100% acrylic topcoats are typically the best due to color retention properties and flexibility. It is important, however, to use an oil-based primer before using the acrylic topcoat when painting over "bleeding" woods like redwood or cedar. A complete acrylic system may be used on all other woods.
- Q: What causes exterior paint to chalk?
- A: Some degree of chalking is normal. Some paint manufacturers have even touted this as a "self-cleaning" process. However, excessive film erosion can result in unsightly heavy chalk. Excessive chalking is caused by the disintegration of the paint film during weathering. Some common causes of heavy chalking include application to an unsealed surface, overspreading the paint, or poor quality paint. All can lead to premature breakdown by the weather.
- Q: Can I paint in cool weather?
- A: Most latex or acrylic paints should not be applied when temperatures are below 50°F. Porter®'s® ACRI-SHIELD® LTC Low Temperature Exterior Acrylic paints may be applied as low as 35°F. Alkyd/oil based paints may be applied in temperatures as low as 40°F.
- Q: What is the most common cause of peeling paint on exterior wood?
- A: The most common cause is moisture. But peeling and blistering can also be caused by painting in direct sunlight, inadequate surface preparation, or using a low-quality paint.
- Q: Why is it not recommended to paint in direct sunlight?
- A: Paint needs to be liquid for a period of time for proper penetration and adhesion after application. The heat from the sun can cause the outer layer of the paint film to dry prematurely, which can cause blisters to form.
- Q: Can aluminum or vinyl siding be painted?
- A: Vinyl siding or new aluminum may be painted with a 100% acrylic finish without priming, as long as the surface is clean and dry. Weathered aluminum needs to be cleaned and then primed with an oil-based primer before applying the acrylic topcoat. When painting vinyl siding, be sure that the color chosen is no darker than the original color, because dark colors absorb heat from the sun and may cause warping or buckling.
Download the Porter® Paints guide to Painting Metal - Q: How should I paint my peeling gutters?
- A: The most common cause for gutter peeling is improper surface preparation. Power wash or wire brush the gutters to remove any loose material. Spot prime bare areas with PORTER GUARD Galvanized Metal Primer No. 290 for galvanized gutters, PORTER GUARD Alkyd Metal Primer No. 276 for copper or PORTER GUARD DTM Acrylic Primer/Finish No. 215 for painted aluminum gutters. Topcoat with 100% acrylic, such as Porter®'s® ACRI-SHIELD® Acrylic Finishes. Download the Porter® Paints guide to Painting Metal
Primers & Sealers
- Q: What do primers do?
- A: Their main function is to seal the surface and cover minor imperfections. That helps with stain blocking, corrosion inhibition, enhanced hide. The result is a surface that looks better and lasts longer. Use a primer when you're painting a light color over a dark color, covering stained surfaces or wallpaper, and painting new surfaces, such as wood, masonry, fresh plaster, or drywall.
- Q: How can I paint my metal lawn furniture and keep it from rusting again?
- A: Wire brush the furniture to remove any loose or chipping paint. Sand off any rust and spot-prime those areas with a rust inhibitive like Porter®'s® GLYPTEX™ Rust Inhibitive Primer No. 296. Finish with an oil-based topcoat like Porter®'s® GLYPTEX™ Urethane Gloss Enamel No. 4139 Series. Don't use a latex paint, which may become tacky when hot.
Stain Projects
- Q: What type of coating is best for wood decks and fences?
- A: Most decks are constructed of pressure-treated lumber. A penetrating deck stain tends to work best on the horizontal surfaces (flooring) of decks due to constant foot traffic. The vertical surfaces of decks and fences may be stained or painted according to personal preference. Check the porosity of the wood before attempting to stain by sprinkling water on the surface. If the water beads, then the stain will not penetrate the wood. If the deck is new, let it age for about 30 days and check the porosity again. If it is an existing deck, a deck cleaner and powerwasher may be used to prepare the surface for staining.
- Q: I like the natural look of the cedar siding on my house. How can I protect it?
- A: Instead of coating the wood with paint, you can stain your wood siding. Solid stains cover like paint but let texture show through. Semitransparent stains impart subtle color without hiding grain. Do it when it's clean and dry for long-lasting coverage. In addition, it will breathe, which prevents blistering, cracking, or peeling.
If you have questions about your paint project, we're here to answer them. Write us at info@porterpaints.com.
