Doors (Interior). Because doors are a prominent feature, they should be painted to show them off. If panelled, you can use wood colors, oil-based paints or acrylic paints. If plain, a high-gloss, light color is most effective. Use a High Gloss Enamel or a Gloss Acrylic paint.
Fences (Timber). Much depends on the look you want to achieve. For example, if you have a period-style picket fence, you’ll probably choose a glossy finish. For rough sawn timber, a weather-resistant paint is better.
Fences (Metal). When painting a metal fence, I divide the work into sections. With metalwork, about 90 per cent of the job is in the preparation. A Metal Primer and High Gloss Enamel are recommended.
Fibre Cement. Ready-to-paint interior fibre cement has two surfaces – the fibre cement sheet itself, and the jointing compound. Both must be sealed so that paint won’t be absorbed into the surface and come out blotchy. Exterior sheet has filed nail holes which have a rate of absorption different from that of the sheet itself. Use a Low Sheen, weatherproof paint.
Fireplaces. Smoke from wood and oil fires not only affect the area around the fireplace, it also migrates to adjoining walls and rooms. Before painting around fireplaces, smoke stains must be cleaned off. Then choose a paint system which sill make washing down easy. Use a stain-sealer and a Low Sheen or Semi Gloss Acrylic paint.
Gutters and Downpipes. Flaking paint is a common problem with gutters and downpipes because the work wasn’t properly prepared in the first place. When paint flakes off, you find rust spots appearing and, eventually, holes. Treat red rust spots with an all-metal primer before finishing with a High Gloss Enamel.
Kitchens. Kitchens can present problems because they are frequently steamy, with oil and grease collecting from cooking. Some old kitchens were painted with gloss enamel, but it is better to use a Semi Gloss Acrylic, because it adheres well to old surfaces and is able to withstand repeated wiping down and penetration by water vapour. Clean kitchens thoroughly to remove grease and oil before painting.
Latticework. Either oil-based or water-based system can be applied by brushing. Conventional spraying is not a proposition, as the overspray is hard to control when the lattice is already fixed in position.
Lead Flashing. Unless you paint lead flashing, rain will wash tiny particles of lead (as oxides) into gutters and downpipes, causing corrosion. Many old gutters rust through because lead flashings are left unpainted. Tiled roofs, especially darker colors, are often disfigured with lead oxide streaking caused by unpainted flashing. Use a roof and structural acrylic paint.
Topic:acrylic paints, fibre cement sheet, flaking paint, metal fence, oil fires, paint flakes, resistant paint, rust spots, smoke stains, wood colors