No products in the cart.
Blog
PAINTING: Easy as 1, 2, 3
If you’re someone who enjoys doing the occasional DIY project around the house, you know that some projects can be so big and daunting, that you simply never get started.
Luckily, painting isn’t one of them and it’s often the quickest way to make a real and visible change to any item or space.
Whether you’re a complete painting novice, or your hands are constantly covered in some or other colourful hue, we’re here to help with a few basic things you need to know.
1. Prep before you paint
The finished product is only as good as the surface it’s painted on. As such, it’s important to take a few moments to make sure the area is clean and smooth.
While that is essentially all you need to know, there are a few other things to consider when preparing a surface for painting:
• Holes or cracks in the wall need to be repaired using a crack filler product, which must be left to dry as per the product’s instructions. Any rough patches left after the filler is dry need to be sanded down.
• A primer or base coat is particularly important when painting raw plaster walls. It can also come in handy where the paint colour you’re applying is vastly different to the one currently on the wall; leaving you concerned that it might shine through. Many people prefer to simply apply two coats of their chosen paint, which usually stops any base colour showing through. It’s up to you, really.
• When painting a surface that has a gloss finish, it’s a good idea to rough-up the surface by sanding it with a high-grit sandpaper (anything above 200 grit), to give your new paint something to hold onto.
2. Paint colours: What’s trending and does it matter?
While everyone has their own tastes and vision for a space, it’s always good to take a moment to consider colours that are currently making waves. It might not steer you away from the colour you have in mind, but could help to spark your creativity even further.
A quick internet search will reveal a few colours that are predicted to be a big hit in 2023. For example, Dulux’s colour of the year for 2023 is a shade called “Wild Wonder” and described as “a positive, glowing tone, inspired by the natural world.”
Follow the link to see more and discover some complementary paint colours worth considering: https://www.dulux.co.za/en/dulux-colour-of-the-year-2023
When it comes to your walls, don’t get carried away with too many trendy colours. Choose one that you can see yourself loving for at least a couple of years, as you will most likely not be repainting your walls anytime soon.
However, for furniture or other less permanent fixtures, go wild! This is where you can really add some unique and trendy accent colours to your space, that can easily be switched up without costing too much.
When choosing colours, our advice would be to get a colour sample from your nearest BRIGHTS store and paint a test patch on your wall to see what it looks like in your actual space.
3. Got the paint? Don’t forget the accessories
In addition to the right paint brushes or rollers, which we can advise you on in store, you should also consider the following paint essentials to make the job even easier.
- Plastic drop sheet: Rather be safe than sorry. If you’re painting in rooms with expensive carpets, tiles or any other floor coverings to secure your wooden floor, it’s best to cover up to avoid nasty splashes or spills.
- Masking tape: the trusty masking tape is an essential partner if you’re attempting to paint a focal wall, or need to protect ceiling cornices or skirtings while painting.
- An old cloth: Some mishaps are unavoidable. It’s best to keep a cloth around so you can quickly wipe away any rogue brush strokes or wet paint that ends up where it shouldn’t.
- Thinners: If you’re working with an oil-based paint, don’t forget that you will need thinners to clean your brushes or roller afterwards. For water-based paint, all you really need is regular tap water. But be sure to clean your brushes or trays right away, as this type of paint becomes more and more difficult to clean the longer it’s left to dry.
Ready to paint & save?
Now that you are clued up and ready to start a paint project, why not check out our latest specials.
Whether it’s paint and paint accessories you require, or you’re looking for power tools, electrical solutions, or gardening equipment, we’ve got something for everyone – at prices you can afford.
WIN your share of over R25 000 with BRIGHTS and Dulux Purchase any Dulux product to the value of R1500 or more between 15 November and 24 December 2022 for a chance to WIN 1 of 3 vouchers valued at R3000, R7500 and R15000.
To enter: Put your till slip in the entry box provided in store. A random draw will be done, and the winners announced the second week of January 2023.
