If you love transforming your home with paint, but need some help with the technical side of things, we’re here to assist.
Q: My wife and I have just bought a house and the previous owner painted the inside with enamel. Do I need to scrape it all down or can I just apply a universal undercoat over it before repainting?
A: You are on the right track. First, ensure that the walls are clean, sound and dry, before sanding them lightly to create a key, then dusting them off. Apply one coat of Plascon Universal Undercoat; allow at least 16 hours drying time, then finish with two coats of your top coat.
Q: I have just erected new boundary walls that have been plastered. Now they need painting. What is the correct step-by-step preparation that should be followed? I’ll gladly paint two or three coats if necessary.
A: It’s very easy. First, ensure that your surface is dry, sound and clean. The new plaster needs to cure for a minimum of 28 days before any paint is applied. Prime the walls with one coat of Plascon Plaster Primer and allow it to dry for 16 hours. Follow this by applying two coats of Plascon Wall & All or Plascon Micatex, allowing it to dry for two hours between coats. This will definitely provide you with a superior, long lasting finish.
Q: I recently had the putty replaced in my cottage’s unpainted galvanized steel window frames and now need to paint them. What products would you recommend?
A: Most importantly, make sure that there are no traces of the putty left on the frames. Clean the surface of the frames with Plascon’s Metalcare Galvanised Iron Cleaner, rinse with tap water and allow to dry completely. Apply one coat of Metalcare Galvanised Iron Primer and allow to dry for 24 hours before applying two coats of your chosen top coat.
Q: I have a problem with mould on my bathroom ceiling. Is there an easy way of removing it?
A: Yes, there is. First, scrub the ceiling using a solution of two parts water to one part household bleach. Leave the solution on the surface for 30 minutes, then wash it off with a sugar-soap solution and allow the ceiling to dry properly. If your ceiling was painted with enamel, you will need to sand it to a matt finish and then dust it off. Next, apply one coat of Plascon Universal Undercoat (UC1) and let it dry for at least 16 hours. Follow this with applying two coats of Kitchens & Bathrooms over the undercoat to prevent fungal growth.
Q: We repainted our living room, but foolishly got paint on one of the door handles, which has now dried. What would be the best way to remove it?
A: If the paint is relatively fresh, rub it off using mutton cloth soaked in lacquer thinners. If it’s been quite a while since you painted, use Plascon Removall All Purpose Paint Remover (RRA220). Apply a thick coat over the paint and allow two hours to react, then scrape it off and wash with water.
Q: We’ve finally saved up enough money to give our kitchen a much-needed makeover. Now we are wondering what to do first: tile or paint?
A: Our advice would be to tile first and allow the tile cement and grout to cure completely before covering the tiles with dropsheets and masking tape and painting the walls. It would be much easier to cover a floor when painting that to cover walls while doing the tile work.
Have your home repairs gotten the better of you? Email advice@kansaiplascon.co.za or visit www.plascondiy.co.za.
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