Expert Answers - Interior

How do I paint over wallpaper?
First of all, we recommend removing wallpaper whenever you can before painting. If you have metallic wallpaper, it’s really got to go before you paint. If for some reason you can’t remove it, you should be able to paint over the surface by following the steps below if the wallpaper is in good shape. 

• Determine whether it is paper wallpaper or vinyl coated.
• If paper—apply oil base primer coat; If vinyl—scuff/sand surface with sandpaper.
• Remove any sanding dust with a tack cloth or damp clean rags.
• Let dry.
• Use an oil base primer, not a latex. A latex may reactivate the paste.
• Paint. (In kitchens and bathrooms, use a semi-gloss finish.)
   

Why do the darker colors have such poor coverage—particularly reds and burgundy?
Contrary to popular belief, dark colors DO NOT hide better than whites. Go figure, right? Actually, the reason for this is because the base that the dark color is made from has little or no Ti02 (titanium dioxide), which is what gives the paint its hiding power. Since Ti02 is a white pigment or powder, it can’t be used in dark colors or it will make them milky in appearance.

To help ensure better coverage, we offer two options:

1. Choose a color from one of our Devoe® Ultra-Color® products: Ultra-Color Interior/Exterior Latex Eggshell, Ultra-Color Interior/Exterior Latex Flat and Ultra-Color Interior/Exterior Latex Semi-Gloss. These pre-toned, deep accent-color acrylic paints will cover in two coats.
2. If you’re changing your paint color to a deep, vibrant one, check out our Monochromatic Gray Basecoat System of Kilstain-WB products. Our Color Lab has identified all the low-hiding colors (those which would require more than two coats) in our Color Key system. They then matched these values to one of nine shades of gray. The key to the system is to start with a basecoat that has the same reflectance value as your topcoat, as opposed to a whiter base that will dilute your vibrant color. The Monochromatic Gray system “fools the eye” and makes it appear as if coverage is complete. One coat of Monochromatic Gray basecoat, plus two topcoats, and your result is a beautiful, uniform finish—without having to use five coats of paint. Ask your local dealer about a gray base coat when using dark, vibrant colors.

Should I prime before painting?
We recommend that a primer always be applied prior to the topcoat for both interior and exterior projects. There are several key reasons to prime:

• To seal the surface on any new or bare surface.
• To prevent smoke or water stains from consistently bleeding through to the surface.
• To prevent grease and mildew stains from bleeding through to the surface.
• To make a major color change.
• To paint over a glossy surface.
• If you don't know when the wall was last painted.
• To prevent topcoat from being absorbed into the surface.
• To ensure great adhesion of the topcoat.
• To promote greater color retention, greater wash and scrub resistance,
• To make a more uniform, attractive appearance and better holdout if the topcoat has a sheen.

How do I paint wood cabinets or paneling?
To paint your wood cabinets/paneling, follow these steps:

• Scuff/sand lightly.
• Remove sanding dust with clean, damp rags or tack cloth.
• Follow any additional product label instructions for preparing surface.
• Apply an oil primer or latex primer, depending upon surface. Check your can’s label.
• Follow all drying and recoat times on the label instructions.
• Apply an oil or latex in satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss. Oils tend to yellow.
• If you need a second coat, check the recoat time on label instructions before applying.
• NOTE FOR CABINETS: Depending on usage, you may add a clear polyurethane topcoat that is compatible with your paint (oil/latex).

How do I prepare a surface before I paint?
Surface preparation is the number one most important part of painting. Almost all common paint problems are associated with bad surface preparation. A clean surface will maximize paint adhesion and minimize stain bleed-through. Check out our Troubleshooting section and our Interior Preparation Guide for more specific prep advice.

• Spackle any nail holes or cracks.
• Sand any rough spots lightly to a smooth finish.
• On smooth surfaces, such as walls or doors, clean with a mild detergent and warm water applied with a rag or sponge.
• Rougher areas such as masonry, brick or tile can be cleaned with a bristle brush.
• A cleanser, such as ammonia, should only be used where grease and dirt build-up is substantial.
• Always rinse thoroughly to eliminate any detergent residue and allow the surface to dry completely.
• Prime the surface.

What is the best type and color of paint to use on walls with imperfections?
Light colors in a flat or eggshell finish will help hide wall imperfections. The darker colors and higher sheen levels (such as semi-gloss and gloss) will emphasize surface imperfections.

How do I paint brick or stone?

• If the surface has never been painted, it is important to prime it using any latex topcoat. Thin the topcoat with water, up to 1 cup per gallon mix. Apply one coat.
• If the brick has been previously painted, prepare the surface by using a wire brush first to remove any loose paint. Unless the old coat of paint was peeling all over, a single coat of latex paint should be sufficient to refresh. To finish the job, use the same paint—not thinned—as the second or final coat.

I'm painting my house, where do I start first?
Painting the rooms in a house in the correct order will not only save time, but it will also save money. Begin with the (1) ceilings, (2) walls, (3) doors, (4) windows, (5) radiators, and (6) trim.

What is sheen?
When beginning your paint project, you'll want to consider the sheen of the paint—or the gloss level. The higher the gloss level, the shinier the appearance and the more scrubbable the finish.

There are different types of sheens for different areas of your home.

• Flat sheens are ideal for low-traffic areas, such as formal dining rooms, living rooms and master bedrooms. They provide a beautiful matte coating that hides minor surface imperfections.
• Eggshell paints provide excellent coverage that is washable and scrubbable. They have a slightly lower sheen than satin, but offer the same level of durability. Eggshell paints are ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and family rooms.
• Satin paints go a step above eggshells in scrubbability, providing a nice balance between washability and subtle gloss. They perform and look great in just about any room.
• Semi-gloss paints ensure maximum durability. They are commonly used in children's rooms and high-moisture areas, such as bathrooms. They are also commonly used for trim.
• High-gloss paints are highly reflective and work well for highlighting details, such as trim and decorative molding. They are also the best choice for doors and cabinets—or any area that sees a high volume of abuse.
• Ceiling flats are designed specifically for ceilings. These are usually very spatter-resistant.
  How do I know which sheen to choose?
  A paint color’s appearance is affected by the difference in its gloss level. Here’s a quick recap of what to expect from a paint finish, and where they are best used.
• Flat: Traditionally used on interior walls, a flat finish is soft and non-reflective, and is good at hiding minor surface imperfections. Consider a flat finish for living rooms, bedrooms and ceilings.
• Eggshell: Close cousin to the flat finish, an eggshell finish gives you increased durability and washability.
• Satin/Silk: This is your most versatile finish, excellent for higher traffic areas and kid’s rooms. Satin finishes are rich, velvety and offer outstanding scuff resistance.
• Semi-Gloss: This shiny finish provides decorative contrast with flat, eggshell or satin/silk. Highly wear-resistant, semi-gloss finishes work well in bathrooms and kitchens, and on wood trim.
• Gloss: Very luminous and reflective, a gloss is used for bold, decorative accents. It provides maximum durability and is ideal for surfaces such as cabinets, doors and furniture.

Can I use Windex on marks on the wall?
We do not recommend cleaning solutions like Windex, Lysol, etc. Instead, use a mild liquid dish detergent and water. Use a soft sponge in light circular motions. And don’t forget, wait 30 days after application before washing latex paint.

What are the best paints to use in my kitchen, bathrooms and other high moisture areas?
Due to high levels of humidity and condensation that kitchens and bathrooms are subjected to, they become prone to paint cracking, peeling and mildew. To avoid these problems, a semi-gloss paint is recommended. A semi-gloss paint has a higher sheen value, which means it provides a harder finish that is more moisture resistant. A semi-gloss finish is also very washable and scrubbable.

How long does alkyd/oil paint take to dry between coats?
When applied at room temperature, most alkyd/oil paints will be set-to-touch within 6 to 8 hours and may be recoated within 16 hours. Poor ventilation, low temperatures, thick films and high humidity will increase these times.

How long does latex paint take to dry between coats?
When applied at room temperature, most latex paints will be set-to-touch within 1 hour or less and may be recoated within 4 hours. Poor ventilation, low temperatures, thick films and high humidity will increase these times.

What do I do about mildew on painted walls?

• Mildew is a surface problem, characterized by areas of black, gray or brown spots on paint and other surfaces, particularly in damp areas or corners. Mildew is caused by warm, humid conditions and poor air circulation, common in bathrooms and basements inside.
• Mildew must be removed before painting or it will come through the new paint. Remove all mildew by scrubbing with a solution of household bleach and water. Mix 1 part bleach to 3 parts water, and remember to rinse the surface thoroughly after washing. Always wear appropriate safety equipment (rubber gloves and eye protection) when using this solution.
• After getting rid of all the mildew, priming is essential for better adhesion, sheen uniformity, mildew control and durability of paint. Select a top-quality paint in the color and sheen of your choice.
• In the future, try to reduce the amount of moisture. In bathrooms, install an exhaust fan, and in basements use a dehumidifier.

Can I use interior paints outside?
We do not recommend using an interior-labeled paint for exterior use. Interior paints are designed for specific use on interior surfaces; hence performance and film integrity may be compromised if used on exterior surfaces.

Can I use exterior paints inside?
We do not recommend using an exterior-labeled paint for interior use. Exterior paints are designed for specific use on exterior surfaces; hence performance and film integrity may be compromised if used on interior surfaces. Additionally, exterior paints typically have mildewcides in their formulation, which resist the growth of mildew on dry paint film. The level of mildewcides in the exterior paint may be above the level recommended for interior use.

How much paint do I need to paint an interior room in my home?
If you are painting an interior room, measure your room carefully. Coverage per gallon of paint is approximately 400 square feet. Use our paint calculator  to help determine how much paint is needed. Remember that darker colors may require more than one coat for complete coverage.

What can I do to minimize paint odor?
Use a low or no-VOC paint and ventilate. Warm air movement is the most effective paint curing mechanism. Remove any drapes and furniture, if possible before painting. Paint fumes, even from latex paints, can permeate drapes, carpet and furniture. Cover furniture, if you can’t remove it.

Do you make low odor, no-VOC paints?
Yes. We are dedicated to bringing you some of the most environmentally responsible formulations on the market—virtually all our latex products are no-VOC or low-VOC. The Devoe® Paint Wonder Pure™ label is no-VOC and free of offensive paint odors. This product is available exclusively through your local independent dealer store. To find a dealer nearest you, check out our store locator. We have also lowered all of our Devoe Paint latex products to a VOC level of less than 50 grams per liter—making all Devoe Paint latex products compliant to the strictest regulations currently in place.

Can I apply latex over existing oil paint?
Yes. Applying a latex paint over existing oil can be done, but only after the surface involved has been properly prepared. To insure that proper adhesion takes place when painting over a semi-gloss or gloss surface, the old paint should be either dulled with sandpaper or a dulling solvent prior to applying the new topcoat. However, if you prime the surface with our Kilstain All-Purpose Stain Killer/Primer/Sealer, an exceptional quality, interior, general-purpose alkyd primer and stain killer, you won’t have to sand. In general, it is always a good idea to prime a previously painted surface before applying a topcoat.

Should I use an oil or latex paint?
Usually, a quality latex or water-based paint will work to fulfill your painting needs. However, in some circumstances, it may be better to use an oil or alkyd-based paint. Here are a few suggestions and some strengths and weaknesses for both:

Latex
Quality interior latex paints provide better long-term resistance to cracking and chipping. Latex paints also tend to resist yellowing with age in areas protected from sunlight. They emit fewer odors, clean up with water and are not flammable. Latex paint takes a shorter amount of time to dry than oil paint.

Pros

• Low odor
• Faster dry time
• Water clean-up
• Long term flexibility
• Non-yellowing
• Not combustible

Cons

• Relatively small open time (amount of time paint can be brushed before it sets)

Oil
Oil-based paints offer superior one-coat hiding and better adhesion to difficult surfaces (such as those not thoroughly cleaned). Oil-based paints allow for greater ‘open time’, or length of time the paint may be brushed before it sets, superior resistance to ‘blocking’ (or face-to-face sticking) and resistance to abrasion, once cured.

Pros

• Hard, durable
• Moisture resistant
• Greater flow and leveling
• Greater open time

Cons

• Yellows with age
• Odor
• Solvent clean-up
• Cannot use in some areas due to VOC regulations

How can I safely dispose of leftover paint?
If you have any leftover paint, thinner or other chemicals, they should never be poured down the drain or otherwise disposed of carelessly. Leftover paint in useable conditions can be donated to churches, schools or other organizations.

To determine if old paint is still useable, stir it with a paint stick and if the paint is smooth and does not have a foul or sour odor, it is still good.

• Empty cans, or those with a small amount of water-based paint left in them, should be left open and allowed to dry in a ventilated area, out of the reach of children and pets. In most states, cans with dried latex paint may be discarded with household trash.
• Oil-based or alkyd paints left in a can should be allowed to dry by adding absorbent material such as kitty litter. Leftover paint can become dangerous if not disposed of correctly.

Research the disposal procedures recommended in your municipality. Some make regular, scheduled pickups of household hazardous waste; some have recycling programs.

Does paint expire, or have a specific shelf life?
When stored properly, an unopened can of latex or oil-based paint should have a shelf life of 2 years. The best storage for paint is in a cool, dry area, away from extreme hot and cold temperatures. Paint should never be allowed to freeze and should be stored away from furnaces and other heat generating appliances.

Where can I obtain information and resources for lead paint problems?
For lead renovation and renewal information, please contact:

Lead Information Hotline
800-424-5323

We also suggest that you contact your local city or municipality as regulatory requirements may vary.

Where can I obtain more “green” information and resources?
For more information on being environmentally-friendly during your project, visit the U.S. Green Building Council Web site:  USGBC.com