Using a Roller
Paint rollers are generally used to apply paint to large flat areas, such as Ceilings and Walls. Choose a short nap roller (11 - 15mm) for smooth plaster surfaces, a medium pile (15 - 18mm) for slightly rougher surfaces or a long nap (18 - 25mm) for Textured surfaces.
Rollers can also be used to apply paint to flush doors, and baby Rollers can even be used on Panel Doors, Window sills and other wide pieces of timber or steel.
Standard Rollers leave an orange peel finish as opposed to the smooth finish of a brush.
Of course before rolling a surface you will need to use a brush to cut in the edges. It’s also a good idea to cover your floors and furniture, as rollers tend to splash and leave a fine overspray.
The correct way to apply paint with a roller is by using overlapping diagonal strokes to spread the paint evenly. Finish with full length strokes (laying off).
What is an Industrial Painter
If you look through the ads on the web and in the Yellow Pages, you will see that most painters state “Industrial, Domestic and Commercial”, however when you start talking to them about Epoxies, Membranes, Polymers, 2 part polyurethanes etc, they soon get lost, and do not know what these products are.
Therefore an Industrial Painter can be defined as someone who does know these products and more importantly, what they are used for.
Prime Painting Group specializes in On Site Industrial Coatings, and it’s principal, Eric Gordon has experience in all aspects of Industrial preparation and painting.
We know that the Food Industry will require paints that can cope with freezing temperatures, or the Marine Industry will require long life water proof paints.
If you are looking for a real industrial painter, then look no further. Phone for a free quote, or advice.
Paint Stripping
Every time you repaint a surface, a little more thickness is added to the existing layers. This build up of successive layers of paint can eventually lead to problems, including clogging of detailing and the moving parts of doors and windows start to bind and catch against their frames. Anyone with an old house that has double hung sash windows will know exactly what I am talking about. When this happens, it is time to strip the paint back to bare wood and start again.
In the past using a blow torch was the most popular method to strip paint, however these days electric heat guns are commonly used. Alternatively, a chemical paint stripper can be used. Most Paint strippers contain dimethylene chloride or caustic soda. You must wear the correct safety gear when stripping paint. Heavy duty Industrial gloves, Safety Glasses, an Apron or disposable coveralls and steel cap boots.
You should have access to running water, in case any of the chemical gets on your skin or in your eyes. Wash with copious amounts of water. If you get any in your eyes go to a doctor asap.
Another thing to be aware of when stripping paint from old buildings, is the possibility that there will be lead based paint in a prior coating. Where possible the area to be stripped should be encapsulated, so as to catch the old paint for easy collection and disposal when you finish.
Preparing Surfaces for Painting
Modern paints have excellent adhesion and covering power, but to get the best from them you must prepare the surface properly. To prepare previously painted woodwork, in good condition, use a fine grit sandpaper to remove any nibs and key the surface for repainting. For woodwork that may be in worse condition use a heavier grit sandpaper to remove flaking areas, then a fine grit to feather off the edges before repainting.
Previously painted ceilings and walls are best prepared by washing with Sugar Soap or a strong household detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow to dry.
Remove areas of flaking, bubbled or blistered paint with a scraper and sand paper. Be sure to feather off the edges or fill the edges, with polyfilla or similiar. Sand then seal the bare plaster areas before repainting.
Cracks in the surfaces should be opened up with the edge of a scraper in a v shape. This is to ensure your plastering repair will be effective . Sometimes you may need to double fill as the first layer may shrink. Then you will need to get the sandpaper again! Sand it smooth and seal prior to first coat.
Fun facts and Trivia - Colour of the week - Purple
Blue & Red mixed together gives you Purple. Here are some fun facts about Purple.
HISTORY - Purple is a colour associated with wealth and power. The original purple dye came from a Phoenician city named Tyre which is now in modern day Lebanon. The dye was made from the mucus of snails. As many as 250000 would be required to make 1 ounce of dye!
PURPLE HEART - Is of course a U.S. medal awarded to fallen or wounded soldiers. First awarded February 22 1932, more than 1.9 million have been awarded to American Service men & women.
DEEP PURPLE - English rock band formed in 1968 and still going strong. Sold more than 350 million albums. In 1974 Deep Purple were the biggest band in America.
SONGS
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix - 1967. #3 UK charts:
Purple Rain - Prince - 1984. #1 US & UK charts
Purple People Eater - Sheb Woolley - 1958. #1 US charts, #12 UK charts
Adventures in Kaniva
So for the last 7 weeks, we have been busy rejuvenating the Kaniva Shire Hall. Yes, that’s right Kaniva, 35km from the SA Border on the Western Highway, 19 km from Nhill.
This Heritage listed building was in desperate need of a refurbishment. The Shire of West Wimmera posted a tender, which we won.
The scope of work included a complete refurbishment of both the exterior and interior of the building. The Interior walls were so bad that they crumbled when we started to scrape them down. We also had to replace half a ceiling in the Old Chambers that had a hole in it.
Day 1 was spent traveling for 5 hours, then set up base camp at the McCracken family farmhouse. Many thanks to Rob & Judy for letting my crew stay there.
Day 2 - Site Induction and set up. After going through the site job file, and helping to establish the ground rules for the job, I headed back to Whittlesea, leaving Jake in charge.
Jake and Zac proceeded to carry out plaster repairs, while Adam and Tyler followed through with the painting.
Tyler is a local boy that wandered in looking for some work. I admired his gumption, so I gave him a casual labourers position.
I visited the site weekly to check on progress and quality. On my week 3 visit, I thought the boys deserved a bit of a reward, so we went to the local pub for a meal. I discovered that Zac drinks like a fish!, and I was the first to retire from the innings!
Very surprised to see them all on the job bright and early the next day.
Seven weeks later, we hand over the job, and everyone is very happy. The local council were a pleasure to deal with. Thanks, Trent and Bernie.
Big thanks to the team, Jake, Zac, Adam, Ahmet, and Tyler.
Edwardian Renovation in Hughesdale
One of our latest projects is an Edwardian home in Hughesdale that needed upgrading.
Every Room had wallpaper, which we removed. The walls in this old house crumbled in parts as we took the wallpaper off. Our resident plastering pro, Jake, returned the walls to as new condition. Then Shannon and Jake finished the painting to a very high standard.
See our Gallery for a look at the finished product.