Choose the paint for the walls
Each paint consists of:
* A binder: rubber, resin and / or oil
* A solvent, which makes the binder liquid: alcohol, petrol, ester, ketone, hydrocarbons… Once the paint has been applied, the solvent evaporates allowing the paint to dry and harden. Attention! Solvents should not be confused with thinners (eg White Spirit), which instead serve to make the ready-made paint more liquid.
Some paints may contain toxic or flammable solvents, and must therefore be handled with care.
* A pigment color that determines the tint of the paint.
See also
Terrace plants: which ones to choose based on sun exposure
* Various additives. Additives act on various factors: talc, marble or silicon give a certain consistency to the paint; siccative oils allow the paint to dry faster and finally the plasticizers make it more malleable. It is the additives that make the paints opaque, shiny or satin, which determine the drying time, the covering capacity or the resistance of the paint itself ...
The 3 types of paint
The vinyl paints, which are now increasingly being replaced by acrylic paints.
The acrylic paints: are water-based paints that contain a synthetic resin-based binder and little - or no - solvent. Suitable for many surfaces and any room, they can cover already painted walls, wallpaper or fiberglass fabrics. They dry in less than an hour, are almost odorless, easy to apply and clean (they are washable), and quite resistant. Nowadays they are the most popular paints.
The glycerol paints they are oil paints (especially linseed oil) to which synthetic resins are added. They often contain solvents that are harmful to the environment and are therefore increasingly replaced by acrylic paints. In addition, glycerophthalic paints are difficult to apply, have a very persistent smell (remember to air the room well after painting!) And take a long time to dry (6 to 12 hours). Generally, however, these paints are more durable and give a smooth, satin finish of excellent quality.
The environment
Most glycerophthalic paints contain solvents that are harmful to the environment ... and to health! Acrylic paints are considered less aggressive and some have an ecological label: the European Ecolabel. It means that they do not contain heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic ...) and that they have a limited percentage of hydrocarbons.
The advanced paint
Do not throw leftover paint down the sink or toilet - it could damage the plumbing and drainage system. To find out the collection points for these products, call the nearest waste collection center.
Choose the finish
For ceilings or bedrooms, a matte paint will give an intimate and sober look to the environment and hide the irregularities of the wall. For the living room, hallways and bathroom choose a satin paint. Remember that bright paint emphasizes imperfections. As for the colors, you are spoiled for choice! Among the most classic colors and high tech shades, you will surely find the shade that best suits your style!
Calculate the amount of paint needed
Divide the surface to be painted (in m²) by the yield per liter indicated on the paint can. Multiply the result by the number of layers needed. It abounds a little on the quantities, since often the yield indicated on the jar is not very reliable. If you buy more than one jar, remember to check that the codes are identical, to avoid ending up with different colors!
Good to know: the more resin a paint contains, the brighter it will be; if it is rich in pigments, it will be opaque.
