Problem Solvered

Red Gum Bench Top Coated With Norglass Liquid Glass

Crowies Paints are proud to be the stockists of Norglass Specialty Finishes

Painting laminate or melamine cupboard doors is an inexpensive way to refresh the appearance of kitchens and bathrooms. It is critical however that the surfaces are thoroughly prepared to ensure the desired results are achieved.

Selecting the right paint gloss level, colour and application tools is extremely important to ensure the success of your painting project. Here are a few tips to consider.

Conventional paints only have a limited ability to mask surface imperfections. Don’t underestimate the importance of preparing surfaces thoroughly to achieve a smoother, more even finish. Between coats you may need to sand off any bumps or re-fill any imperfections before applying the next coat.

Never try to paint over an area that has partly dried as the brush or roller can pick up the first coat resulting in unsightly brush marks and uneven roller texture.

Remove door knobs, light switch and powerpoint covers and curtain rod brackets before you start painting. It is much easier and faster to remove these items and reinstall them rather than trying to work around them and the overall finish will look more professional.

Many old homes used paint that contained lead based pigments. These coatings can not be sanded as the dust generated will contain lead which extremely toxic. To determine whether paint contains lead, use a lead test kit before commencing any work.

To determine whether the surface you are painting has an oil based or a water based paint coating on it, wet a cotton ball with methylated spirits and rub it over the surface. If the paint is removed, it is a water based.

Roller sleeves can hold a large amount of paint. Scrape the excess paint from the roller sleeve using a circular roller scraping tool before you wash it. This will save paint and make it much easier to clean.