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Paints

What type of paint should I use and how do I use it?

I believe it is best if teams stay with water based paints.  Water based paints are easier to deal with, easier to cleanup and generally less expensive.  Oil based paints are difficult to work with, hard to cleanup and sometimes give off fumes that are irritating at best and toxic at worst.  The instructions provided on this page are based on using a water based paint.

For small painting projects where you may need a large number of different colors of paint I would recommend that you use acrylics that are available in small bottles from most hobby stores.

Tempra paints are another option - particularly for Rising Star teams.  However, Tempra paints do not cover very well.  Tempra paints also tend to run more should you accidently get the dried paint wet.

Spray paints should be used on a limited basis for very specific small paint jobs (see below for more information.)

The best source for latex paints (other than left overs that team members might find at home) is shopping the "OOPS" rack at your local Hardware or paint store.  We make it a habit of walking by the mismixed paint rack every time we go by the hardware store to see if there is a color that we don't have.  Generally, you can get a one gallon can of mismixed paint for $5 or a one quart can of mismixed paint for $1.  Black is a color that you don't see very often so we always pickup a can of black paint if we find it in the mismixed rack.

Storing Paint

  • Paint should be stored in a cool place where it will not freeze and where it will not hurt anything if it leaks.  Heat accelerates the deterioation of paint so it is best not to store it in a hot attic or next to a hot water heater.
  • The key to storing paint is to keep the air out.  This requires properly resealing the lid of the paint after use.   Many people recommend storing paint cans upside down which also helps keep air out of the can.  The first step to properly closing a paint can is to thoroughly clean the lip and rim of the can.  Then seat the lid on the can and close the lid by placing a flat piece of wood over the lid and then using a hammer (a rubber mallet is better) to carefully tap around the the edge of the lid.  Hammering directly on the medal lid will distort the lid and keep it from seating properly.
  • Some paints are now being distributed in plastic conainers with screw on lids.  It is important to clean the threaded rims of these plastic containers before screwing on the lids.  If you don't clean the edges you may have trouble removing the lid the next time you try to use the paint. 
  • Once you have used a lot of the paint from a 1 gallon can you may find it best to move the paint into a smaller container.  I have found that the plastic containers that many fabric softeners and liquid detergents come in make excellent storage containers for paint.  Use the ones that have the rim designed to let the liquid run back into the container when the lid is reinstalled.  These containers are easier to pour paint out of without drips and the rim is basically self cleaning because of their design.  Clean out the container before using it for paint.  Pour the paint into the container.  Take a small brush and paint the paint color on the lid and body of the container so that you can identify it in the future.

 Using Brush on Paints

  • Almost all paints need to be shaken or mixed before using.  This includes both can paints and spray paint cans.   If you are buying can paint at a home improvement center or paint store, ask the sales associate to place the paint in their mixer before you take it home.  If it is paint you have had stored for a while you will need to shake it up or stir it well before using.  I recommend purchasing a paint mixer/stirrer that can attach to your drill.  My opinion is that the type with a squirrel cage as shown to the right is the best type to purchase.  You can purchase a mixer similiar to the one shown for less than $10 and it will make the job of mixing paint much easier.
  • When you are painting wood or metal it is best that you use a primer coat before painting. Most Primers are designed to improve adhesion to the surface and to fill in voids in the raw surface being painted. Using a primer can result in having to paint fewer coats of paint to get the coverage you need. Primers are designed to work on specific surfaces - such as bare wood, bare metal, previously painted metal, previously painted wood, rusty metal, etc. Make sure you use the appropriate primer for the surface you are painting.
  • The type of brush you use depends on the type of paint that you are using. Brushes come with manmade and animal bristles. Different types of bristles are approprate for different types of paints. The store associates at paint and home improvement stores can tell you the best type of bristles to use with varios types of paint. If you are conscintious about cleanup of your paint brushes after every use then you should invest in a good quality brush. If you are not going to be conscisintious then you should purchase a cheap brush and then just plan on throwing it away.
  • Foam brushes are another alternative for painting. These are relatively inexpensive and are designed to be thrown away after use. I have found that while foam brushes work accetably on corrugated and other relatively smooth surfaces, they do not work very well when painting wood.
  • To paint with a brush dip your brush into the can no more than about 1 to 2" depending on the size of the brush.  Then clean excess paint from the outside of the brush.  Most people do this by dragging it over the lip of the can.  This creates cleanup issues.  A good alternative is to tape a piece of 1/2" to 1" wide across the middle of the paint can.  Clean your brush off by draggin the brush over the piece of tape.
  • When you are painting use long smooth strokes.  When you are trying to paint the edges of an area you need to keep a wet edge on your paint brush.   This helps you paint a smooth line.  When your brush starts to dry out don't keep painting.  Dip your brush back into the paint.
  • Follow the paint manufacturers instructions for cleaning your brushes.  In most cases, warm soapy water can be used for cleanup.  If you clean your brushes carefully they should last a long time.  After you have cleaned your brush(es), wrap them in a double layer of paper towel.  This helps keep your brush bristles straight.  If your brush came with a container that fits over the bristles use this in lieu of the paper towels.
 

Paint Rollers are another option for applying paint
A paint roller is a good option for covering a large area.  Paint rollers are not good for detailed painting.  For instance you might use a paint roller to paint a background coat of paint on a backdrop. 
  • Pour some paint into the paint roller tray
  • When using a water based paint you should dampen your paint roller with water before dipping it into paint. 
  • Dip the roller into the paint well at the bottom of  the paint tray and then roll it on the top of the tray to remove any excess paint.
  • Lay down the paint in the shape of an "N" or "M", then go back over it in straight columns, being careful to flatten the paint ridges as you go.
  • If you are going to stop painting for more than just a few minutes you should wrap the roller in foil or plastic wrap.
  • When you have finished painting, throughly clean your roller frame and roller sleeve.  Squeeze as much paint out of the sleeve as you can, then rinse, squeeze, and rinse with water until the water is pretty clear.
  (place holder for future video)

 Using Spray Paints

  • Spray paints are probably the most expensive way to paint (particularly for large areas). However, there are times when spray paints are the best option.

1)  When you have something very small (its easier than digging out the paint cans)
2)  When you are painting something with lots of small crevices that would be difficult to cover with a regular paint brush.
3)  When you need a very smooth (brush stroke free) finish on something.
  • Spray Paint cans must be shaken before using.   Most people make the mistake of not shaking the paint can long enough before using the paint.  Follow can directions for shaking the spray paint can.
  • Almost every spray paint can has this in the instructions, but several light coats of paint are better than one heavy coat of paint.
  • I recommend you purchase a spray paint can handle/trigger similiar to the one shown on the right.  This trigger is designed to snap onto the paint can.  You then pull the trigger on the handle to spray the paint in lieu of having to push down the button whcih can be very tiring for your hand.  This attachment is paricularly useful for younger team members who may not have the strength to push down on a spray paint can sprayer nozzle for an extended period.
  • Hold the spray paint can about 10" from the item you are painting and make long smooth strokes starting outside the object your are painting and continuing till you have gone past the edge.  Hold the can the same distance from the object the entire stroke.  This ensures an even coat of paint from one side to the other. 
  • Clean out spray nozzle on the paint can when you are finished.  Many people forget this step and end up with clogged spray nozzles.  Hold the can upside down and spray the paint until the mist is clear.

 Painting Corrugated

  • Painting corrugated can be tricky.  When you paint corrugated it will warp as it dries.  You can combat this by setting weight on the corrugated as it dries.  This may require that you come back and touch up some areas but that is an improvement over trying to straighten out a sheet of warped corrugated.

Cost Saving Hint

  • Many municipalities have a recycling center where people can drop off paint that they wish to get rid of.  In most cases, it is available free on a first come first served basis.  Note that even though you do not pay for it, the team must still must assign a value to any of this paint they use for their solution.