Painting - red paint a disaster!
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JennaC
10-02-02, 08:11 PM
My husband and I are painting our bedroom a dark red...however, we can't get the paint so it looks even (even with four coats!), especially around the ceiling and trims, the brush strokes are much to light. Should we start over or is there something that can save us?? Any ideas would be great!
bungalow jeff
10-02-02, 11:25 PM
Are you thinning the paint? What brand are you using? And, How did you prep the walls? What primer did you use?
RichD
10-03-02, 04:43 AM
Are you noticing a different color when you use the brush? Maybe the paint is not mixed thoroughly? If it's a color problem return it to the store! Always buy quality brand paint.
Or, is the brush leaving a different sheen? .... more shiney than the rest of the wall? If it's the sheen, be sure to use a good brush and a good roller. Try cutting in as close as possible to the ceiling with the roller. Minimize the area you'll need to brush.
Just my thoughts...
:rolleyes:
Or, is the brush leaving a different sheen? .... more shiney than the rest of the wall? If it's the sheen, be sure to use a good brush and a good roller. Try cutting in as close as possible to the ceiling with the roller. Minimize the area you'll need to brush.
Just my thoughts...
:rolleyes:
TomBT
10-03-02, 09:34 AM
Not to mention that deep reds can be a difficult color to work with. Quality well mixed paint is my only thought on this. Is it a flat paint or something else?
BobF
10-04-02, 05:23 AM
Reds, especially deep reds, have a lot of pigment and it is very difficult for a h/o to get that pigment evenly distributed. Not many people have experience with heavy pigmented paints. Many pros haven't had the pleasure either. If you've never used them, you don't appreciate the difference.
You aren't the first h/o to need 5 coats and you won't be the last.
Go ahead and put on another coat.
Seems like we address this issue a couple times a month here. Too bad people don't visit us first.
1. We say it many times and still people don't listen. You need to start with quality materials and tools. You truly get what you pay for. From your description you are using either a cheap brush and/or a an oil brush for latex paint. Throw it away. Go buy a 2 or 2-1/2 inch top of the line brush. This will cost you $12-20 depending on where you live. Its worth every penny.
I also imagine you got the paint at a big box, not a paint store.
2. Prep work is a real key. It really helps to use a primer first. And not the basic cheap white primer. Quality counts. Use a high quality primer (zinsser is very good) and have it tinted gray.
3. Technique is another key. Forget what you see on the diy shows. The techniques they show won't work with heavily pigmented paints. You absolutely must keep a wet edge and resist the urge to brush more than a couple of times. Brush the paint on with one stroke and then use one stroke to even it out - no more. Here's one place you can really tell the difference between a $2 brush and a $15 dollar brush.
Same with rolling. Most diyers overroll. The W technique shown on diy programs invites over-rolling. You can get away with it using light paints, but not dark colors.
4. Keep a wet edge. If you paint slow, then two of you work on the same wall together. One cuts in around the trim and ceiling and the other comes right behind and rolls.
5. Cut in first, then roll.
One more thought: Flat is best for dark colors. Satin is OK but is harder to get looking good when using dark colors. Semi-gloss will drive you nuts trying to get it to look good.
You aren't the first h/o to need 5 coats and you won't be the last.
Go ahead and put on another coat.
Seems like we address this issue a couple times a month here. Too bad people don't visit us first.
1. We say it many times and still people don't listen. You need to start with quality materials and tools. You truly get what you pay for. From your description you are using either a cheap brush and/or a an oil brush for latex paint. Throw it away. Go buy a 2 or 2-1/2 inch top of the line brush. This will cost you $12-20 depending on where you live. Its worth every penny.
I also imagine you got the paint at a big box, not a paint store.
2. Prep work is a real key. It really helps to use a primer first. And not the basic cheap white primer. Quality counts. Use a high quality primer (zinsser is very good) and have it tinted gray.
3. Technique is another key. Forget what you see on the diy shows. The techniques they show won't work with heavily pigmented paints. You absolutely must keep a wet edge and resist the urge to brush more than a couple of times. Brush the paint on with one stroke and then use one stroke to even it out - no more. Here's one place you can really tell the difference between a $2 brush and a $15 dollar brush.
Same with rolling. Most diyers overroll. The W technique shown on diy programs invites over-rolling. You can get away with it using light paints, but not dark colors.
4. Keep a wet edge. If you paint slow, then two of you work on the same wall together. One cuts in around the trim and ceiling and the other comes right behind and rolls.
5. Cut in first, then roll.
One more thought: Flat is best for dark colors. Satin is OK but is harder to get looking good when using dark colors. Semi-gloss will drive you nuts trying to get it to look good.