Got a Question? We have the Answer!

When you are starting a paint project, or if you are considering hiring a contractor there are many questions you may want answers to before you embark on that next project. Below are several questions that you can have answered by clicking on the blue arrow to the right. 

How Long Does Interior Paint Last?
The shelf life of paint depends on the type of paint and the state of the can – whether it has been opened or not. For oil based and alkyd paints they will remain usable for up to 15 years if they were never opened and kept away from extreme temperatures. Water-based acrylic paint will stay good for up to 10 years if never opened.
How much does it cost to paint an average sized room in your house?
The cost can vary from room to room and the size of your house, the amount of trim and the quality of paint. Generally speaking to paint a small room you can expect to get that done for an average price of $120 if you are doing it yourself and purchasing premium interior acrylic/latex paint. Many CPCA members provide paint calculators on their website to assist with determining paint costs.
What are the steps to preparing a room for paint?
Preparing a room is done in about 10 steps or less. You can find more information here or refer to one of our tutorials.
Should I paint the interior of my house one colour?
There are pros and cons to painting your house a single colour, adding accent walls, or doing any combination of finishes on your wall. CPCA members are experts in paint ideas and finishes and many inspiration rooms and colours can be found here
How long does interior paint last on the wall?
Generally speaking paint can last up to 10-years. Many repaint walls for various reasons depending on the location and level of traffic and exposure to temperatures and environmental factors. Of course, it is a personal preference to change the look and colour of ones room at any time. Most repaint immediately before listing a house for sale.
Can I put latex paint over a surface that was previously painted with an alkyd (oil-based) product?
If you are painting with acrylic over a previously oil based paint you'll want to be sure to do it right. CPCA Members offer a wide range of products to help you choose the right paint for the right project.
Do I need to prime every time I want to freshen my walls with another coat of latex paint?
There are benefits to using primer, but there are also paint and primer products available on the market. If the room you are painting hasn’t been painted in a few years it may be worthwhile using a coat of primer to cover up hard to remove stains and add a fresh undercoat that will make your colour pop.
Do paint products that are considered a “Paint and Primer” in one product have primer mixed in?
While there are many self-priming paint products on the market these products don’t in fact have primer in the mix. These are paints that are thicker and build higher giving you a sturdier coat of paint. Many choose to use a primer when painting over a darker colour or porous surface.
How do I tell if the paint on my walls is latex or alkyd (oil) based?
There’s a little trick you can use to test if the paint on your walls is in fact oil or acrylic. Using an acetone-based solvent like nail polish remover on a rag or paper towel rub the surface and if nothing rubs off it’s oil paint, if paint rubs onto your rag, it’s latex/acrylic.
How long does it take for paint to dry?
There is a difference between your paint being dry and then fully cured. Paint dries when the solvents, including water-based latex paint, evaporates enough to make your paint dry to the touch, it is fully cured only when it is 100% dry. Water-based or latex paint dries very quickly in one to two yours and up to eight hours for oil-based paints.
What causes lap marks in dried paint?
To avoid lap marks, roll the full height of the wall and keep a wet edge. Lap marks are those ugly stripes caused by uneven layers of paint buildup. They occur when you roll over paint that's already partly dry. (In warm, dry conditions, latex paint can begin to stiffen in less than a minute!)
Why does the paint on my freshly painted wall peel off when I remove the masking tape from the trim?
When taping walls for painting and trim the removal equally has a specific process – otherwise you could end up with paint chipping. There are also different types of painters tape with different adhesive levels and you need to use the appropriate one. The rule of thumb is to never remove the tape after the paint has completely dried.
Why is my paint not covering after one coat has been applied?
Some of the main reasons include drastic color changes i.e. light to dark color or even dark to light color, thinning the product, stretching the product near or beyond its coverage rate, or improper roller cover used. It is always important to ask the retail store staff which brush or roller to use in applying the type of paint chosen.
How do I determine how much paint or stain I need?
Determining the amount of paint you’ll need will vary depending on the project type. If you are painting a room there are many paint calculators available to help you establish how many cans of paint you’ll need. For other projects like furniture refinishing you may require less than if you were to paint a wall.
How will a colour change the mood of a room?
The mood in a room is enhanced by colour. Often interior designers will look to the psychology of colour to establish a colour schematic for a room. To learn more read our colour theory page here.
What are the best weather conditions to paint in?
Optimal painting conditions in Canada are from mid-Spring to mid-to-late fall and all year round if you are painting indoors. When painting outdoors you'll need to be mindful of the weather as too much humidity, rain, or extremely high temperatures could cause unwanted results, or failure of your paint to adhere properly to the surface you are painting.
 

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