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.
Using Brush on Paints
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Paint Rollers are another option for applying paint |
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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. | |
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Using Spray Paints
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.