Paints
form an integral part of any building construction. Not only do they reflect
the aesthetic sense of the inhabitants, they also attribute the powers of
protection and durability to the walls hiding behind them. Without getting into
the science of painting technology, let us approach house painting with a
common man's perspective.
It
is suffice to know that paints are broadly classified into two categories:
water based and oil based. We shall deal with the types of paints, their
classification and proper application procedures. The entire painting process
can be divided into three stages: pre-painting stage; surface preparation; and
paint application.
Interior wall painting
Selection
of a painting scheme either as an interior décor or as an external facade
depends upon the spaces you are dealing with. Each space has its own
requirement and a function. There are four categories of interior wall paints:
Distemper regular, Distemper acrylic, Emulsion regular or matt, and Emulsion
silk. These are in the ascending order of price and quality. One can choose
depending on the affordability factor.
Emulsion
paints dry quickly and are washable, stain resistant and durable. They give
smoother finish. Distempers are available in dry and oil-bound varieties. They
are more popular for lower budget schemes. Oil paints take longer time to dry.
Wooden and other metal surfaces are not treated with wall paints. Normally
these are treated with Enamel paints. Polishing of wooden surfaces and high-end
metallic finishes are not dealt with in this article.
Stage 1
Before starting the painting work, do
the following:
- Check
surface for ingress of dampness or water, including seepage.
- Arrest
the water problem.
- Properly
pack gaps between walls and beam joints.
- Ensure
proper curing of masonry walls before taking up the plastering work.
- Ensure
proper curing of plastered surface.
- Use
water-proofing admixture while plastering of walls falling under high moisture
zone.
- Remove
loose patch of plaster if any and re-plaster with care. Plastering layer after
drying should not sound hollow when tapped.
- Ensure
walls are fully dry before taking up any painting work.
Stage 2
- Ensure
surface is dry and ready to receive the treatment.
- In
some parts of India, lime rendering is used as a part of internal plastering.
Good quality lime must be used. Thick lime layer will lead to flaking of paint
and hence to be avoided.
- Brush
the surface and remove all loose particles.
- Sandpaper
the surface to ensure that the surface is dry and free from dust, dirt or grease.
- In
case of repainting, the previous coatings must be thoroughly scraped off.
- Fill
the cracks using suitable crack filler.
- Fungus-affected
areas need to be given a separate treatment. Make a 5-10 per cent solution of
bleach powder in water and apply on affected areas with brush or sponge. Wash
the walls with clean water after an interval of 8-10 hours. Allow the surface
to dry sufficiently.
Stage 3
- Select
proper type of wall primer compatible with the type of paint you chose. This is
normally mentioned by the manufacturer. Repeat the process if required.
- Apply
proper putty and level the surface for undulations. White cement-based wall
putty is preferred to Plaster of Paris (PoP) putty. PoP is highly hygroscopic
and reacts with water.
- In
case of major undulations on the wall surface, PoP can be used and then the
above procedure adopted.
- Allow
the primer layer to dry at least for 10 to 12 hours. If the primer coating
after drying does not appear uniform, an additional coating is recommended.
- Use
second layer of putty after primer if the surface is not found uniform and
repeat the primer layer as above.
- Allow
the wall surface to completely dry, then clean and apply two or three coats of
the paint that you have selected. Ensure the surface is dry between two coats
of paint.
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