Decorating Advice

[Mk5 GTian]

I'm a decorator by trade, so If any Forum members have any related issues, problems or want some free advice, please feel free to PM me.

Ian 

[Poppa Dom]

Where are you based? Am looking for a good decorator at the moment.

Dom

[Mk5 GTian]

Guildford Dom. 

 

[Poppa Dom]

OK, I am in Bracknell - will PM you tomorrow when I have a proper Keyboard in front of me 

[Mk5 GTian]

Ok, no worries 

[andrewparker]

What's the best way to key in Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion?

[garrardrj]

I haven't got a ladder so how do i paint my Fascia board , do they make long handled paint brushes ?

[Mk5 GTian]

What's the best way to key in Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion?

Take it straight back to Brewers, you've only got to look at Estate emulsion and it marks. Then go to Johstones/Leylands and get their Vinyl Matt made up into F&B equivalent shades. Hey presto, 25 quid off a gallon! If you really must use F&B, use Modern emulsion, which is wipeable and more durable, but still not in the same league as Dulux Diamond Matt. Estate Emulsion gives a special, chalky textured finish, which looks great, but can't be touched in. It's a paint-the-whole-wall-job! Areas of high traffic or houses with pets and children are not really appropriate for Estate Emulsion. Also don't use it in kitchens or bathrooms.

In terms of prep for emulsion, make sure the walls are chemically clean, any cracks have been raked out to a gully, PVA'd and filled with Toupret. When you rub down any filler, take this opportunity to remove any nicky-nacky-noos (old roller fibres or plaster spots). I go over all the walls I paint with a pair of padddles to make sure I take off any slight imperfections, and fill under a halogen light to pick up any dents that need filling. Then give the walls a semi-damp sponging to remove any dust, allow to dry and then paint.

[Mk5 GTian]

I haven't got a ladder so how do i paint my Fascia board , do they make long handled paint brushes ?

Yes, they do actually, you'll find them in the section with the skirting ladders and the skyhooks, opposite the tartan paint. 

[skard]

Why do you live so far away, my whole house needs painted and I have no inclination to get started.

Like I've been told at work on occasion - I can paint but I'm no painter!

[Mk5 GTian]

Why do you live so far away, my whole house needs painted and I have no inclination to get started.

Like I've been told at work on occasion - I can paint but I'm no painter!

It's really tough if you are doing it yourself in evenings and weekends after work. If I'm doing work  at home, I try and take time off and do it as I'd do a normal job.

Take it one room at a time from start to completion, and don't rush or skip any of the prep. Or get a local professional to help you.

Like I said at the top of this thread, if you need any advice or help in terms of what to do, just let me know. 

[TANNER]

Hi Ian, what is the best gloss to buy that won't yellow within months?
I decorated last year and the crown gloss I used has gone really yellow already.

Any tips as I've got the hall to gloss next, stair spindles ect, we want white with best possible finish!
Thank you. 

[Frodo-anni]

Hi Ian, what is the best gloss to buy that won't yellow within months?
I decorated last year and the crown gloss I used has gone really yellow already.

Any tips as I've got the hall to gloss next, stair spindles ect, we want white with best possible finish!
Thank you. 

Great question, my staircase has gone yellow again and it was only done 12 months ago!

[tony_danza]

I always use satinwood, no yellowing and easier to use.

[Mk5 GTian]

Hi Ian, what is the best gloss to buy that won't yellow within months?
I decorated last year and the crown gloss I used has gone really yellow already.

Any tips as I've got the hall to gloss next, stair spindles ect, we want white with best possible finish!
Thank you. 

This is a tricky area at the moment. Since the new 2010 VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regs came in, it seems that oil-based gloss is yellowing a lot quicker than previously. I suspect the VOC that was in prior to 2010 was a chemical that slowed down the yellowing. I've heard that Dulux are putting this back in, but that's just hear-say. it's not just gloss, it's affecting eggshell as well.

The problem occurs mostly in dark areas that don't get UV light. That's why you rarely see it on painted windows. You have two options really. Continue with oil-based paint, (which I do), and I'd recommend Sikkens Rubbol Gloss which is an excellent paint. I've not had problems with this in 2 years of using it in any area. Make sure you also use the Sikkens Rubbol Primer Plus, which is an excellent primer undercoat.

http://www.decoratingwarehouse.co.uk/buy/woodstains/sikkens-woodstains/sikkens-rubbol-az-plus/461

Second option is to use an acrylic or water based paint, but I avoid them like the plague, as it is really difficult to lay it off without leaving brush strokes, and is nowhere near as durable. However, it won't yellow!

Other than make sure the paint is at room temp, do your rads in the summer (as they will yellow really quickly if turned on before the paint has cured fully) and follow the instructions on the tin to the letter and you give yourself the best possible chance of a top finish with no yellowing. Give each coat a light flick off to key with an Oakey fine foam pad between coats