Paints have the ability to reflect one’s personality. The festive season, when people give their house a new look, is an opportunity to give the house a jovial, colourful look matching the spectrum of festivals.

Selection of paints is no longer the sole responsibility of a painter/contractor and buyers are taking upon themselves the onus of picking the right brand for their homes. As end-consumers are becoming choosy, paint companies are also now providing paints that propagate healthy living.

A good painting can add a new dimension to your home. Undertaking simple precautions and procedures can ensure that your walls remain new for a long time.

Pre-requisites

One must check for areas that need to be mended before painting. Any sort of plastering, waterproofing and repairing must be completed before painting. You may also ask your contractor to use a moisture meter to scan wall surfaces for dampness brought by the rains.

It is imperative to check wall surfaces for water seepage/leakage, which should be rectified at source. All structural cracks must be opened in V-shaped pattern and filled before painting.

Loose plaster must be removed from the wall. This can be done by tapping on the walls, looking for a hollow sound, an indicator of loose plaster. Ensure proper curing time after repairs so that when re-plastering is done the cracks are bridged and the surface is smooth for painting.

Remove loose particles and paint flakes. Scrape with sandpaper to ensure that the surface is dry and free from dust, dirt or grease.

Fungus-affected areas need a separate treatment with 5-10 per cent solution of bleach powder followed by a wash with clean water after 8-10 hours. Allow the surface to dry sufficiently.

It is essential to use paints that are “lead-free” or “low” or “Zero volatile organic compounds” which help maintain indoor air quality.

Before the first coat, the wall surfaces should be evened using a quality primer, or “putty.” For the best outcome, apply two-three coats of paints, rather than one thick coat.

To add the sparkle and shine to your homes, you can pick any of the following colours:

Bedroom: A tint of bright fuchsia pink with a combination of dusky violet will add warmth to a bedroom. Shades of pink and violet and red are said to bring higher level of thought, even into the realms of spiritual values.

Living Room: The gateway creates the feel of an instant welcome. A luminous orange or a right shade of yellow adds to the hallway to really enhance and uplift the space. The glowing quality of the shades helps capturing our attention and adds to the existing tenderness.

Kitchen: Kitchen being the most used place in a house can be painted in shades of blue, green, red, yellow, and every imaginable colour – plus soothing neutrals and whites as there is lot of opportunities in a kitchen to add a punch of different shades. Blue resembles coolness and refreshment, while green denotes relaxation and reassurance. White creates the feeling of airy and clean; using a greyed-down version of a paint color will make it pretty and unusual, and you won't get tired of it.

Bathroom: Neutral shades with undertone of grey create the perfect look of sophistication. Shades of blue like the “ocean cruise” (a tropical pastel blue) is also highly recommended for the bathroom as blue emphasizes the bath as the room of relaxation and retreat.

Maintenance Tips

Most wall paints are washable and can be periodically cleaned with mild soap water solution. For distempered walls, minimum pressure should be applied while cleaning. Cleaning can be done at least 2 weeks after application of finished coat for removing the dust collected on the surface.

Never use water for spot-cleaning unless the wall is totally free from extraneous dust. In case of severe staining clean the walls immediately before the stain dries up.

(The author is VP, Marketing (Decorative),

Kansai Nerolac.)

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