Paint tips!

Choosing your brush

If you use latex paint, we recommend a good quality synthetic brush (nylon and polyester) – natural fibers are not fit for latex because they absorb water. For alkyd based paint, you can use natural or synthetic brushes.

It's a Wrap!

When taking a coffee break from painting, you don't always need to clean your brush.

Wrap the brush tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

The brush will stay moist for up to one hour without a problem.

Keeping paint leftovers

Keeping paint leftovers is a good idea; this way, whenever you need to touch up a small area, you have the right colour at hand.

In order to keep paint in a can that has been opened, you need to ensure good sealing of the lid. To do that, with a wet paper towel, clean paint on the lid and in the groove in the rim of the paint can. Cover the can with plastic wrap and press the lid back into place. If the paint is alkyd based, put a piece of waxed paper directly onto the paint surface before placing the lid back.

This will help remove the film that tends to form on alkyd paint.

And don't forget - latex paint won't stand freezing !

Gloss or velvet

Choose your finish on the basis of the ambience you wish to create and with maintenance in mind. Lightly glossed finishes are very attractive, but you should know that they are not suited to a child's room where finger marks are liable to show up everywhere. You should use a pearl finish which washes more easily.

On the other hand, if you insist on a very matte finish even in a child's room or in a well-traveled area, we suggest MT2 Mat Total, a paint that is totally without gloss, totally washable and resistant. To find out more about this exceptional paint, click here.

A coloured ceiling

The ceiling colour doesn't always have to default to white; in fact, it can be an important asset in home decor.

To negate the boundaries between ceiling and walls, paint them in the same colour.

To heighten a room, apply a paler or cooler colour to the ceiling. For a cozy feel in a grand room, darken the ceiling slightly, or use a warm hue.

A good rule of thumb? For a more unified look, try a failsafe, monochromatic approach: apply ceiling colour that is only one or two shades lighter or darker than the wall colour.

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