The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Interior Decorating
To give a simple example, many of the high gloss paints which are recommended especially for use tor interior decorating may rapidly deteriorate when used for outside work. Special priming paints are required for the treatment of new woodwork, bare metal work, newly cemented surfaces and any surfaces subject to special conditions, such as radiators. These different kinds of paints will all be found listed in the manufacturers' catalogues.
It will be found false economy to purchase cheap paints, and it is generally true to say that the more the paint costs the better it is. When comparing the prices of the paints, the main point to be considered is the cost per square yd. of the surface covered and usually the difference between high quality paints and cheap ones is very small when this factor is considered, together with the knowledge that a good quality paint will last much longer than a cheap one and it is just as easy to apply.
Just as paints vary in their suitability for different types of work, they also vary in their composition, covering power and finish and all different manufacturers work to different formulas for paint making. Therefore it is inadvisable to meddle with the paints after their purchase and generally two different brands of paints should not be mixed together. The balance of the ingredients of branded paints is very accurately calculated to achieve the particular purpose of that kind of paint and, of course, the manufacturers have a wealth of experience on which to draw. In the case of good quality paints, directions for their use, especially any instructions for thinning the paints, are printed on the cans and these instructions should always be carefully followed. It is wrong to thin paint with a medium that is not recommended by the manufacturer and the result in most cases will be deterioration of the surface some time after the job has been finished.
When storing paints, ensure that the lids of the tins are tightly fastened. If paint is brought into use after being stored for some time, it may be found that a skin has formed over the top of the paint. This skin should not be stirred into the liquid as it will break into pieces which will show on the surface being decorated. The film of dry paint should be removed by cutting round it at the edges of the tin with a point of a putty knife and lifting the skin in one piece. Paint that has been stored for some time may require straining before it is used and this is quite a simple matter. Special paint strainers may be purchased from local suppliers but it is quite easy for the home decorator to devize his own strainer from a piece of muslin or any other fine mesh fabric such as old stockings.
