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Frequently Asked Questions
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Which Finish do I choose?
Matt finishes hide lumps and bumps. Higher sheens are more durable but can accentuate them. New technology now offers a matt finish in a tough, durable, formulation so if you prefer a low sheen and want to hide imperfections in a room which might get quite a lot of traffic these are the paints for you, just check the pack for details of it's scrubability. Higher sheens reflect more light and can brighten a room, matt finishes absorb it and are more atmospheric, so choose based on the function of your room or when you frequent it. High traffic areas, like hallways or kids rooms, are more susceptible to scuffs and stains, so use tough, washable paints, especially if you have children or pets so consider scrubbable formulations such as out Hall and Stairs paint. Consider the room’s function, for example, does the paint need to be steam or mould resistant? Visit our product page for and browse our room specific, functional paints for Hall & Stairs, Bathrooms and Kitchens. Not every colour off the shelf will be available in the finish you require so always determine exactly what you need the paint to do. If the colour you need doesn’t come ready mixed visit a Crown Colour Mixing Stockist where every colour can be made in the size and finish or your choice.
How Much Paint do I need?
Decide on the areas you want to paint well in advance and measure it accurately (height x width) to work out the square metre space to be painted, be sure to add all the surfaces you want to paint together. Check the spreading rate (per square metre) of your chosen paint, you'll find it in the product description online, or on the back of the can. Then simply divide your surface area by the spreading rate. Most paints will require two coats, so multiply that result by two to make sure you have enough paint. Alternatively you can use our simple online paint calculator to work out how much paint to buy.
How do I choose the right colour?
Begin your search with existing accessories in mind, you won’t always be changing furniture, carpet or upholstery so use colours within existing items as a starting point. Begin with some colour cards and shortlist your favourites. Colours do change in different lighting conditions, so your next step should be to try the real paint colour in your room and in different positions within it, you can do this easily with no mess using a Crown Pure Paint Sample or with a 40ml matchpot. Don’t be bashful, a ceiling need not be white, adding colour to your ceiling will change the feel of a room dramatically.
What is the best way to change the look of the kitchen?
Painting cupboards injects fresh life, off whites are great and complement any design. The size and shape of your kitchen will influence the colour you choose for the walls, as will the room's aspect and lighting. Use paler colours in smaller rooms to accentuate space. Southern facing rooms can carry colder colours, like blue, whereas northern facing rooms will require bright uplifting off whites with citrus tones, or earthy warm tones. Crown’s Kitchen & Bathroom paint covers walls, wood and metal & includes Mouldguard, invaluable in any kitchen. Pair white with cool blues or warm naturals.
How can I make my room look bigger and brighter?
Off whites, with a slight hint of citrus yellow or green will brighten any space with reduced lighting. Paint your ceiling in Brilliant White to really open up the space and ensure light is reflected throughout the hall. Bright accent colours can be introduced on picture frames and furniture to add some contrast and interest to the space. Use artificially lighting where possible, always keeping in mind the mood you want to achieve for the room.
When painting doors, should I choose satin or gloss?
Both gloss and satin finishes are durable and suitable for interior doors, the choice will be your preference for sheen. Lower sheen satin is tactile and comforting, gloss more clean and crisp. Gloss is suitable for both interior and exterior doors. Gloss will require undercoating whereas satin can be applied directly (with two coats). Both finishes are available in solvent of Quick Dry (water based), the latter is low odour and lets you DIY fast.
I’m about to paint new window frames and doors but there are a lot of knots. How can I ensure they won’t spoil my handiwork?
Due to modern timber in many cases being grown quickly it can sometimes contain high amounts of knots and excess resin. There is no 100% guarantee that knots can be cured from exuding resin. However the best chance we have to try and avoid spoilage by knots is to firstly run a heat gun over each knot and try to force excess resin out of the surface. The resin should then be wiped away with a cloth and methylated spirits. Following this the application of two coats of proprietary knotting solution will usually suffice. In severe cases however there may be a need to drill out each knot and fill the hole using a two pack filler.
Where do I start painting?
When painting a room, always start from the top down. Ceiling first, then followed by walls and finally doors and skirting.
What Preparation do I need to do?
Just think about it logically and simply, what are you painting? If it’s dirty or greasy, clean it, if it’s shiny or flaky sand it or prime it. OK, it’s not always that simple but never be scared to ask for advice, drop us a line at info@crownpaints.ie, message us on Facebook at Crownpaintsireland or call us on 01 816400. Masking and covering up is essential for protecting all the things that you don’t want to get covered in paint, and is also a massive time saver in the long run.
There are patches of render on the walls that seem powdery to the touch, should I paint over them?
If the surface to be painted is only slightly powdery which rubs of onto your hand, the use of a stabilising solution will usually bind the surface together and create a sound surface for subsequent painting. In severe cases however when render is extremely loose and can be removed or dug into easily, there may be a need to replace the render. If there is any doubt whether the render is sufficiently sound, we would suggest seeking the opinion of a local reputable builder.
How should I prepare walls which have cracks and small holes?
If the cracks are small, use a fine surface preparatory filler. If there are larger cracks and holes, these should be raked out to remove any loose material. Fill with a suitable interior filler, leaving it slightly proud of the surface. When thoroughly dry, sand smooth with sandpaper.
What tools will I need?
Masking tape, mask off any areas you don’t want to paint. You can then paint quickly and with more freedom, avoiding the need to fiddle about with edging. Dust sheets are inexpensive and really are a worthwhile investment. Rollers let you paint larger areas in less time, making the job less of a chore. Disposable kits are readily available; but, better quality trays and sleeves can all be reused, think of this as an investment that will save money.
Which type of roller do I need?
Use short pile rollers for smooth walls, long pile for rough surfaces, or smooth gloss rollers for trim and radiators. You might need roller extensions for stair wells or extended roller arms for getting down the back of radiators.
Which brush do I use?
Buy brushes of various sizes, to help you get in every corner, and give you a perfect finish. Use large brushes where the roller won’t go, then smaller brushes (such as the edging brush) for painting edges and corners neatly. Synthetic bristle brushes are good value for money and great for using with water based paints as the bristle will not expand when wet. Natural bristle brushes are recommended for oil based paints where a smoother finish and reduced risk of losing bristles is necessary.
What else should I do before I start?
Sometimes colour can vary slightly from batch to batch, if you need to use more than one can mix the two together to ensure consistency. If you pop of the lid off your paint don’t panic if it looks different to the colour card you picked it from. Paint in its wet state looks completely different until all the pigments dry out on your wall.