Historical December 1993 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Welcome to your new Home Improvement column! Since this is the first installment, I feel I should introduce myself.
My name is Amrit Gill.
I have lived in the neighborhood for the last 5 years and own my own remodeling company which is in the process of rehabbing two properties in Skinker DeBaliviere.
With the holidays approaching a project that many homeowners consider is interior painting. Having done a lot of interior painting (and having made a lot of mistakes along the way), I thought this might be a topic of interest for the readers of the Times.
There are three basic factors that determine the quality of a paint job: quality of preparation, quality of the paint, and the quality of the application. Quality of preparation is important for a variety of reasons.
First, paint will not adhere well to dusty or dirty walls.
This seems like a very basic observation, but it is surprising how many homeowners will call me because they cannot get their paint to “stick.” All walls that are going to be painted need to be wiped down (I use a mixture of warm water and TSP or household ammonia). Only when you have a clean wall can you accurately evaluate what further preparation the wall needs before the finish coat of paint can be applied (fix cracks, nail holes, etc).
I have found that with old plaster walls its well worth it to use a shellac sealer/primer such as Kilz or Bulls Eye. Both these products seal the wall and are stain killers that cover crayon marks, water stains, etc.
This is a great product for people with children as it can cover up many stains and blemishes.
If moisture is a problem that cannot be alleviated, an alkyd underbody with a vapor barrier is advised; find these at any paint store. Once the wall is cleaned and primed, it is ready for the first coat of paint.
It is very important to use a good quality of paint.
It is also important to select the type of paint with care.
I have found that good washable eggshell or satin finish latex paint lasts longest in high usage areas such as hallways..
This is great because, although it is washable, it is also latex for easy application and clean up. Avoid semi gloss paint for plaster walls since it tends to highlight the irregularities in the plaster.
I have used washable flat latex paint with mixed results, the eggshell finish is better in my opinion. Cheap paint not only looks cheap but only lasts a short time. Don’t be fooled by the short term savings–all paints are not the same. (The value for your money is a mid range Glidden – Consumer Reports 1993).
The best paint in the world will show poorly if the application is spotty or streaky. Over plaster walls I recommend using a 3/4 inch nap roller, with the paint in a bucket with a grille inside it. Apply the paint without a lot of pressure on the roller. Brush the corners and edges before you roll so that the paint merges together better.
If you need advice please feel free to write or call the SDCC office to find out how to get in touch with me. Next month: How to get the most out of your heating system.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1993.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1993_12.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
