We would love to help you getting the job done correctly
There’s so much happening behind the scenes of Shepstone Paint to ensure our clients receive the most quality, reliable products possible. To bring our exceptional production process to light, we’ve outlined the key features below. Keep reading to learn the benefits you’ll receive when you choose to do business with us.
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Ceiling
Painting the Ceiling
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Painting the Ceiling
Attach an extension pole to the handle of the roller. Pour paint into the paint tray and load the roller, taking care not to overload it. Roll the paint onto the ceiling in sections, lying off each area before you reload the roller. When painting a ceiling, it is important to wear goggles to protect your eyes from drips and spatters of paint.
You can lower a high ceiling visually by painting it a darker shade than the walls. By the same token, you can expand a room by selecting a lighter colour for your ceiling than the walls. Don’t be afraid to add a tint of colour to your ceiling paint for a tied in and subtle looks. One way to go if you are afraid of too much colour in your ceiling is to paint the ceiling, door trim and floor mouldings the same shade such as a creamy ivory. This will add a touch of elegance and a nice transition throughout your room.
Walls
Painting the Walls
Painting the walls
Once the central area of the ceiling is coated, paint around the edge with a brush. Overlap slightly onto the wall surface
Roll paint on in vertical sections. Use an extension pole to save bending when painting lower sections of the wall, and reaching for the higher areas
Cut in at the junctions between the walls and the ceiling. A roller is not accurate enough, so use a 4-inch brush or a small paint pad if your walls are straight.
Slightly overlap the wall colour onto the baseboard, or, if your baseboard has a natural finish, protect it with blue painter's tape
Window
Painting a Window
Remove any window hardware before painting to make the job easier and to provide a neater finish
Use a 1-inch brush, starting with the stiles and the rails of the opening sections
Open the window so that you can paint both the opening and the hinged edge, but avoid painting over the hinges themselves. Wedge the window open until the paint is completely dry.
Paint the rails of any non-opening casements
Create a clean dividing line between the window frame and the wall surface.
Baseboard
Painting the Baseboard
Begin to paint the baseboard, one manageable section at a time. Start by coating the middle of the board, and then cut into the floor. Cover the floor if needed.
Cut in neatly at the baseboard and wall junction. Lay off the paint carefully for an even finish then move on to the next section of baseboard.
Door
Painting a Door
Remove the door hardware before you start painting. Begin by coating the panels and continue to paint the door If you stray onto the stiles or rails, brush out the paint to avoid lines.
Follow the grain of the wood as you paint the stiles and rails. Where they cross, create a line along the joint of the two pieces of wood
Finish by painting the casing, cutting in precisely along the edge created with the wall surface. Paint the door jamb for inward-opening doors, paint the lining up to but not including the doorstop. For outward-opening doors, continue on to paint the doorstop. Wedge the door open while you paint the opening edge.
Obstacles
Painting around Obstacles
After you have rolled paint on the ceiling, and then on the walls, it is time to handle the details and paint around any obstacles. Learning the technique to cut in a straight line saves you time spent lining the obstacles with painter's tape.
If you decide to use tape to line your obstacles, make sure to press it firmly down to keep any paint from bleeding underneath.
When it comes to large obstacles like a radiator or even small obstacles like a light switch, there are a few tricks you can try.
Painting Behind a Radiator
Use a radiator roller to coat the wall behind the radiator. The long handle will reach down easily. An alternative is to remove the radiator while you decorate.
Painting Around a Light Switch
It's usually easiest to remove any wall plates before you start painting to avoid spending time carefully painting around them. But if you live in a house where the previous owners have painted the wall plates to the wall, you may choose to paint around them. Use the cutting-in method described left. Tackle the switches last, after you have perfected your technique. Unlike outlets, the light switches are at eye level in the room, so any mistakes cutting-in are visible.
Painting is a quick and cheap way to give an old room a breath of fresh air or to make your house more sellable if you are putting it on the market. Find out all you have ever wanted to know about selecting paint.
Focal Points
Creating Focal Points:
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Think focal point when you are painting a room. You can quickly change the look of any room by adding contrasting colours to the walls and trim or by adding a darker colour to one particular wall. You can make a large room look smaller by painting one wall a darker shade. You can also visually expand a room by painting the walls a darker colour and the trim a lighter shade within the same colour scheme, especially if you have a room with detailed trim on the walls. This easy change will make the room pop out more visually and add definite appeal. If you have a room with moulding halfway between the ceiling and floor, use two different shades of the same colour for a wonderful visual contrast. Highlight any interesting aspect in your rooms with a darker, complementary shade to the one you have chosen for your walls. Visible stairways, especially those in the middle of the room look incredible when painted a darker shade than the walls and gives you a wonderful focal point.
You do not have to spend a lot of money on an interior designer to redo the look of your house. With a little paint and a lot of imagination, you can easily change the look and feel of a room. Look for highlights of your rooms and think of ways to make them stand out. Think of how you want to feel when you are inside that room. Do you want to feel romantic and calm? Choose a light warm or cool shade. Or do you want to feel homey and comforted? Select buttery yellows such as for your kitchen. Do you want a feel of calmness and balance? Select shades of green that are light or moss or sage coloured. Do you want to feel energized and express your vibrant personality? Choose vibrant shades. Do you want an air of elegance and serenity to a room? Select neutral shades or cool light greens. The point is, you can quickly feel the way you want with a can of paint or two, a paint brush and a little imagination.
Roof
How to clean and paint a cement tile or corrugated iron roof
A cement tile roof is an affordable and attractive way to top off a house. This type of roof looks good for up to 10 years but the colour does tend to fade over time. The problem is solved by applying cleaning the roof tiles and applying a quality roof paint to ensure that your home looks good for many more years.
Exposed to extremes of climate the roof of a home expands and contracts which results in faded colour, loose tiles and possibly loose cement on ridge caps. Annual inspection and regular maintenance makes sense, and can help prevent spending money on costly future repairs and a roof that is kept in good condition means that your home is protected from the elements.
For the do-it-yourself, cleaning and painting a roof needs to be planned properly, using the proper tools and equipment and using quality paint. Apart from the height and working on a wet
Slippery surface, cleaning your roof yourself is a relatively simple process and only costs as much as the chemicals you use to do the cleaning and painting.
You will need:
Ladder
Shoes with good traction
Garden hose long enough to reach all parts of your roof or high-pressure washer*
Soft bristle broom
Cleaner and chlorine bleach* (for fungi and mould)
Plastic to cover nearby trees and shrubs and protect from cleaning agents
Paint roller with long handle or Bosch PFS Spray System.
If you have a high-pressure washer, your job is much easier that having to scrub.
Simply washing the tiles with this can get almost all the dirt and filth off your roof in a matter of minutes.
It is still a good idea to have the bleach solution handy to assist with any stains.
Get the right paint.
Roof paint should offer UV resistance to extend the painted surface and be water based for easy cleaning and short recoating periods, reducing the time spent on the roof.
Shepstone Paints Roof Paint can be used on both cement roof tiles or corrugated iron roofs and is easy to apply. Plus, the product is specifically formulated with outstanding adhesion to cope with flexibility of galvanised gutters and cladding under varying temperatures.
Added benefits are that Shepstone Roof Paint contains anti-fungal properties. The product can be tinted to specific colour requirements, and for those who prefer eco-friendly products, Shepstone Roof Paint is 100% lead free.
Here’s how:
Clean the roof surface with a soft-bristle brush - a sweeping brush will do -to remove loose dirt and larger debris that may clog your gutters or damage the roof while washing.
Wet the roof surface with a garden hose and allow the roof to soak for at least five minutes. This will loosen dried dirt and make cleaning easier.
Tackling this project is best done in Autumn when it is not too hot or windy.
Sweep the roof again with the sweeping brush and then rinse to check that the roof is clean. If the roof is still dirty, re-wet the surface and allow it to soak for another five minutes.
Apply cleaner to the roof while soaking once again and scrub lightly with the sweeping brush.
Give the roof a final rinse with clean water before the soap has a chance to dry.
Allow the tiles to dry before applying roof paint as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Note: If there are areas of fungal or mould, using a bleach and water solution that is 1 part bleach to 4 parts water and scrubbing with the sweeping brush will remove and effective kill the growth. You need to thoroughly rinse the roof when you are done and take care not to slip, as bleach can make tiles slick.
Preventative maintenance
if you live in at the coast, or have many large trees that shade your home, watch for mould and moss growing on the tiles. You will need to remove this as soon as you possibly can to keep your tiles looking beautiful. Mould and moss can stain the tiles, and even cause underling problems if allowed to sit.
Concrete Floor
Repair concrete floors
Repairing Small Cracks in Concrete Floors
Oil and grease stains make any garage floor unsightly and messy, but they can also cause problems with paint and epoxy finishes. Learn how to get rid of the stain in Removing Stains from Concrete Floors.
Finally, those garage floor coatings and coverings will not eliminate moisture problems, nor will paint and epoxies last long on concrete that is too wet. Before you put anything on top, take a moment to Test the Concrete Floor for Moisture.
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The following instructions apply to latex garage floor paint. Products sold as one-part epoxy require the same treatment. Two-part epoxy coatings require more extensive applications. Paints that are made specifically for use on concrete floors should provide adequate slip resistance without additional additives.
Regardless of the product you choose, read the instructions carefully. Pay particular attention to surface preparation and temperature suggestions. Most garage floor paint jobs that fail do so because the surface was incorrectly prepared or the surface temperature (which is not necessarily the same as the air temperature) was too low to allow for a good bond. High humidity can also negatively affect the durability of the paint job.
Inspect the Garage Floor
Garage floor paint is best applied to concrete that is clean, dry and free of serious cracks or damage. Cracks and small holes can be patched with concrete patch products before painting.
Concrete that is frequently wet should be treated with concrete water proofer before painting.
Clean the Garage Floor
Use a broom and wet-dry vacuum to thoroughly clean debris from the floor. Remove grease with a degreaser and stiff brush. Rinse the degreaser and allow the floor to dry. Heavy stains may require a pressure washer.
Etch or Acid Wash the Garage Floor
Garage floor paint adheres best if the surface of the concrete has the texture of light sandpaper. Garage floors, however, are often trowelled to a very smooth surface. Use an etching product or muriatic acid to treat smooth surfaces. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. You may need to etch or wash the surface twice to achieve the proper texture.
Apply the First Coat of Garage Floor Paint
Garage floor paint manufacturers often suggest thinning the first coat with a little water. This will improve absorption of the paint into the concrete. It is also best to use a brush for the first coat (be sure to have some knee pads handy!), as brushing allows you to work the paint into the surface better than a roller. Allow the paint to dry.
Apply the Second Coat of Garage Floor Paint
The second coat of paint can be applied full strength, using either a brush or a roller. Latex garage floor paint dries to the touch in a matter of hours, but it is best to let it dry at least a full day before walking on it and a full week before driving your car on it.
How to repair and paint outside
Exterior
Step 1: Prep Your Surface
You may be tempted to get straight to the painting, but diligent prep work is critical to a professional-looking finish. "Ninety-five percent of good painting is having a good surface."
If you are repainting an existing home, inspect the exterior walls and trim for chipping, peeling, mildew and other imperfections. Kill off mildew by applying a chlorine bleach solution with a garden sprayer. Then pressure-clean the entire exterior to remove dirt and old paint that has come loose.
Before you pick up a paint roller, grab a tube of caulk. It's vital to seal any cracks, as well as the joints where one type of exterior material meets another. This includes: window frames, door frames, molding and fascia boards.
If an old stucco surface has chips or pits, patch them with new stucco (and allow time to cure). Replace wood siding or fascia boards that show signs of rotting. Gently sand wood trim and doors to ensure an ideal surface for painting.
Take Time to Prime
To get the most out of your paint job, prime with a quality sealer. "Sealer has high resin content, "That goes over old paint, locks everything in place and creates a good surface for the new paint to adhere to."
If you are repainting walls that have become chalky or dusty, select a chalky wall sealer. Paint will not stick to a dusty surface.
As for new construction, latex primer works well for vinyl and most wood siding. If you're working with stucco that is not fully cured, you can apply a hot stucco primer. This sidesteps the waiting period, allowing the surface to accept paint as soon as the primer dries. It's best, however, to let stucco cure for the recommended time period if possible.
Check the label on your primer or sealer to determine how long to wait before you begin painting.
Step 4: Choose Quality Exterior Paint
A good exterior paint is 100 percent acrylic latex. The formula consists of three main components:
- Pigments, which provide the color.
- Binders, which hold the pigment to the wall.
- Solvents, which make the paint spreadable. Today, most exterior paints are water-based.
As paint dries, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind only the pigments and binders. These are known as volume solids. Higher quality paints are generally higher in volume solids. They may also have better binders, which will hold the pigments in place longer. This improves durability.
To determine the percentage of volume solids in a brand of paint, check the manufacturer's website or ask your local distributor for a Technical Data Sheet. In general, paints labeled "premium" or "super-premium" are likely to be higher in volume solids than budget brands.
Pick Colors With Curb Appeal
When it comes to color selection, there are so many choices that the decision can be overwhelming. If you're not sure where to start, spend some time driving around your neighborhood to see what appeals to you. Keep in mind that vibrant colors will fade sooner than more muted ones.
Be sure to consider the stylistic elements of your home — choose a color that complements your roofing material and any brick or stone accents. If you're having trouble deciding between two shades, paint sample swaths on a section of your home's exterior. Look at the result during different times of day to see which one you like best.
Before getting your heart set on a certain color, check with your neighborhood association and local building department to make sure there are no restrictions on paint colors in your area. Spray and Roll
The ideal way to paint exterior walls is called spraying and back-rolling. This method requires two people. One uses a sprayer to quickly and evenly spread paint across the surface. The other person follows behind, running a roller over the paint that has just been sprayed on. This delivers an even finish, particularly on textured surfaces like stucco.
"This offers the best of both worlds,"You get the speed of the sprayer and the evenness of the roller." To protect your windows, cover them with plastic before you begin spraying, or use a sprayer with a shield.
If your budget allows, apply a second coat after the recommended dry time. Muted colors cover better than bright ones. For vibrant shades, you may require a second coat just to get the full color.
"Two coats are always going to give you a better result,"It evens everything out to put a better shell on your house. You'll get more life out of the paint job with a second coat."
Finishing Touches
The last step is to paint the doors, fascia, molding, shutters and other decorative details. The best tools here are "a steady hand and a good brush,"You can save a little time by using 6-inch rollers to get the paint on quicker, particularly along the length of the fascia. But there are no short cuts to a professional finish — you have to put in the time to get the best results.
Depending on your climate, a superb paint job with top-of-the-line materials can hold up for as long as 7 years.