Painting Tips

Planning to Paint

Painting is the most economical way to decorate your home whether you are remodelling or adding the finishing touches to a newly built structure. With Sherwin-Williams high quality paints and our expertise, you can be sure you’ll achieve beautiful results.

The type of paint you’ll use depends on the purpose of the room to be painted and the desired type of finish. Interior paint is specifically formulated to provide:

• Scrubbability and stain resistance
• Good hiding ability
• Good coverage
• Spatter resistance
• Easy touch-up

Latex or Oil?

Interior house paints are either latex- or oil/alkyd-based. Today, most oil-based paints are made with synthetic resins (alkyds), which perform better than paints based on natural oils. Each has different characteristics and uses. Your neighbourhood Sherwin-Williams paint expert can provide advice about which paint is right for your project.

Latex – Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention. Sherwin-Williams latex paints are easy to work with, dry quickly, and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.

Oil / Alkyd – Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil/alkyd-based paints excellent choices for trim in high-traffic rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Remember to clean paint tools with mineral spirits.

Preparing to Paint

To get a great-looking finish coat and the beautiful, long-lasting results you expect, take the time to ensure that the surface to be painted is clean, dry and smooth and coated with the correct primer. And remember, we also carry all the tools you’ll need for surface preparation—such as wire brushes, ladders, paint scrapers, putty knives, wood filler and spackling paste—to prepare a surface for painting.

Previously Painted Surfaces

• Wash off dirt, grease, soap and oil buildup with the appropriate cleaner. Rinse thoroughly.
• Remove loose paint and powdery substances.
• Patch holes and cracks with spackling or patching compound. Allow to dry, then sand smooth.
• For glossy or nonporous surfaces, lightly sand to a dull finish or use an abrasive cleanser.
• Remove sanding dust or cleanser residue.
• Make sure to prime all bare areas prior to applying topcoat. (Avoid “spot priming,” which can result in a non-uniform appearance between primed and non-primed areas.)

Masonry, Concrete, Cement, Block

• All new surfaces must be cured according to the supplier’s recommendations- usually about 30 days.
• Remove all form release and curing agents.
• Rough surfaces can be filled to provide a smooth surface.
• If painting cannot wait 30 days, allow the surface to cure 7 days and prime the surface with Masonry Primer.

Have even more questions? Visit our knowledge base.