Paint and Primer

Painting is a job that requires preparation and the right equipment. Oftentimes homeowners are unsure about whether they need to use primer before painting or if just paint will do the trick. Although there are no firm rules, there are certain cases where one or the other will be adequate.

Consider a room where the walls have been heavily stained, either by moisture infiltration, rust or another factor. Deep-set stains may bleed through regular paint, therefore a primer should be applied to help block and lock-in the stain. When a room had previously been painted in a very dark color, like red or purple, a primer can help cover the color quickly without the need for multiple applications of regular paint. There also are specialized primers that can be used in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms that often contain a lot of moisture. These primers inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on painted surfaces. Primers also may be used on materials, such as metal or plastic, to help the colored paint stick to the surface of the item. If a room is only to be painted white or tinted slightly with color, then a primer alone can be used. Certain primers seal porous wall surfaces so they do not absorb paint, requiring more coats for coverage.

Rooms that are being painted that are already white and free of stains or other surface abnormalities may be painted sufficiently with just a coat of regular paint. If skipping primer, look for a high-quality, thick paint that boasts good coverage in one or two coats.

There are new products today that offer primer and paint all in one combination. The jury is still out on the efficacy of these new items, but homeowners can experiment with these paints to see if they work for them. Keep in mind that the cost of a combination product may be more than traditional paint and primer.

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Paint Like the Pros: Estimate How Much Paint You'll Need

We've all heard how paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to give a room a new look. But before any homeowner embarks on a painting project, it is wise to learn approximately how much paint will be required of the job to plan accordingly.

Few things are more frustrating than running out of paint in the middle of a project which can ruin the flow of the room. Even a second batch of paint mixed to the same specifications could be slightly off in shade. That's why it's important to have enough paint at the start of the project. Conversely, too much leftover paint can take up valuable space in a garage or basement.

To figure out how much paint is needed, use this handy guide to estimate for a ceiling or a room project.

Add together the length of all the walls and then multiply the number by the height of the room, from floor to ceiling. The number you get is the room's square footage. Now you have to determine how much of that square footage is paintable surface area.

Because you use a different paint on the doors and windows, subtract those areas from the room total. Just subtract 20 square feet for each door and 15 square feet for each average-sized window in the room. You will end up with a number that is close to the actual wall area you have to cover with paint.

In general, you can expect one gallon of paint to cover 350 square feet. You need slightly more than a gallon if the walls are unpainted drywall, which absorbs more of the paint. You also need to consider whether to paint more than one coat. If you're painting walls that are unfinished, heavily patched or dark in color, plan on two coats of paint.

Next, divide the paintable wall area by 350 (the square-foot coverage in each gallon of paint) to find the number of gallons you will need for the walls. You can round uneven numbers. If the remainder is less than .5, order a couple of quarts of wall paint to go with the gallons; if the remainder is more than .5, order an extra gallon.

The following examples can walk you through the calculations for a 14-by-20-foot room that has 8-foot ceilings, two doors, and two windows.

Ceiling only

1. Multiply the length of the ceiling by its width to find its area. 14 x 20 = 280 square feet

2. Divide that number by 350 to figure out how many gallons of paint to buy. 280 / 350 = .8
For this example, you want to buy 1 gallon of ceiling paint for a single coat.

For the walls

1. Add together the length of each wall.

14 + 20 + 14 + 20 = 68 feet

2. Multiply the sum by the wall height to find the total wall area. 68 x 8 = 544 square feet

3. Subtract 20 square feet for each door (20 x 2 = 40) and 15 square feet for each window (15 x 2 = 30) to find the actual amount of wall area you're painting. 544-70 = 474 square feet

4. Divide this figure by the paint coverage (350 square feet per gallon) and the result is the number of gallons to purchase. 474 / 350 = 1.4

For this example, you want to buy 1 gallon and 2 quarts of paint for a single coat or two gallons if it is more economical than buying quarts.

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Create an Aged Metal Look with Paint

(MS) - Aged metal accent pieces can add a touch of drama and elegance to any room in your home. While a beautiful baroque mirror, aged bronze lamp or patinaed copper vase can command a hefty price at the local antique shop, it's easy and inexpensive to transform ordinary household objects into extraordinary "Old World" masterpieces thanks to modern paint technology.

New decorative painting systems, like Modern Masters® Metal Effects®, can help you achieve a variety of beautiful aged metal finishes on old lamps, wood picture frames, ceramic sculptures - anything you can paint. And it's so easy even an inexperienced painter can create a modern masterpiece. Here's how:

· Prep the surface with Modern Masters Metal Effects Acid Blocking Primer. This specialty primer will seal the surface of the object you're painting and prevent aging solutions and activators from altering the desired finish.

· Apply a coat of reactive metallic paint. Metal Effects Reactive Metallic Paints are water-based for easy application and clean-up. They are available in a variety of rich colors - copper, pale gold, harvest gold, rich gold, iron, bronze and baroque - to appeal to a variety of tastes and to complement any décor.

· Apply a coat of patina aging solution, like one of the Metal Effects Patina Aging Solutions & Activators. Metal Effects Green, Blue and Black Patina Aging Solutions react with the metal particles in Metal Effects Reactive Paints, speeding up the oxidation process to create beautiful green, blue or black patinas in just minutes. Or, apply Metal Effects Baroque Activator to Baroque Metallic Paint or Rust Activator to Metal Effects Iron Paint to create the rich finish of the Baroque period or a real weathered rust finish.

· Protect your work with a coat of a protective sealer, like Metal Effects Permacoat Patina Sealer to protect the painted surface and prevent further oxidation.

For more information about Modern Masters Metal Effects Decorative Painting System or other elegant alternatives to ordinary latex paint, visit www.modernmastersinc.com or call 1-800-942-3166.

CAPTION: It's so easy to achieve an Old World style.

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Transform Your Outdoor Living Space With Paint

(MS) - Home decorating trends come and go, but one thing is certain: Americans have rediscovered the potential of outdoor spaces. Last year alone, homeowners spent nearly $5 billion on outdoor furniture and accessories, sparing no expense to bring the indoors out and create high-end outdoor living spaces.

Don't have the money to invest in new outdoor furniture or high-end accessories? It's easy to transform your backyard into a luxury outdoor environment on a "real world" budget. All it takes is a little imagination and a few cans of spray paint. Here are some outdoor decorating ideas from the experts at Rust-Oleum:

· Give your patio table and chairs a designer look. Designer patio sets can cost thousands of dollars. But, with spray paints like Rust-Oleum's new MultiColor Textured, it's easy to give your old patio set a rich contemporary look that's virtually indistinguishable from pricier counterparts. Choose a rich multi-hued finish like Autumn Brown, Aged Iron, Desert Bisque or Deep Forest. Or try one of today's trendiest colors, like Espresso, from Rust-Oleum's American Accents collection, to transform an ordinary patio table into café classico.

· Transform ordinary planters into sophisticated garden accents. Flowering plants in stylish planters can add color and interest to any outdoor space. And it's easy to spray new life into old planters - or give inexpensive planters a touch of sophistication - with paint. The possibilities are endless. Spray paint an old metal planter with paint like Rust-Oleum's Stops Rust Dark Brown Metallic for a sophisticated, upscale look. Transform an inexpensive plastic planter with Stone or Terra Cotta spray paint from the American Accent collection. It will look just like its expensive counterpart. Or, spray paint a simple planter with a hot new hue, like Painters Touch Mango or Aqua, to add a splash of color to your outdoor space.

· Give your barbeque grill a facelift. Who said barbeque grills have to be black? Now, thanks to innovations like Rust-Oleum's High Heat Ultra spray paint, your old weathered grill can wear one of today's hottest colors - like Brown or Aged Copper.

· Accent, accent, accent! Accent pieces make a house a home, so why not accent outdoor spaces, too? Turn an ordinary metal trellis into outdoor wall décor with American Accents Honey spray paint, or a simple wooden garden stand into a terra cotta latticework obelisk with American Accents Terra Cotta. And don't forget about simple lanterns or table accents painted in vibrant colors or nature's hues to add drama or tranquility to your outdoor space. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

For inspiration and more project ideas, visit www.paintideas.com. There are hundreds of easy, inexpensive projects that can help you transform any outdoor or indoor living space.

CAPTION: Create a cozy café experience by painting inviting colors on outdoor patio sets.

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