Honest answers
What the tin says,
and what is true.
The painting claims we hear most often, each given a straight verdict and the reason behind it.
Most of these come from labels, adverts and well meant advice passed down. Some are partly right, which is what makes them stick.
- Half true
“One coat paint only needs one coat.”
It can cover in one coat over a sound surface in a similar colour, laid on fairly thickly. Over a big colour change, new plaster or patchy repairs, you will still need two.
- Myth
“You can paint over damp.”
Paint does not cure damp. Moisture pushes it off as bubbles, flakes or salts. Find and fix the source, let the wall dry, then paint.
- Half true
“Gloss needs no undercoat.”
Over sound gloss in a similar colour, a keyed surface and two top coats are often fine. On bare or primed wood, or a strong colour change, undercoat builds the colour and gives a far better finish.
- Half true
“Masonry paint lets the wall breathe.”
Breathability varies a lot. Many acrylic masonry paints let much less moisture through than limewash or mineral paints. On traditional lime harling and soft stone, that can trap water in the wall.
- Myth
“Bleach kills mould for good.”
Bleach whitens the surface but does not always reach roots in porous plaster or grout. Use a fungicidal wash and fix the condensation that feeds the mould.
- Myth
“Dry to the touch means fully hard.”
Paint can feel dry in an hour but take weeks to fully cure. Clean gently and avoid rehanging pictures or pushing furniture against walls for the first couple of weeks.
- Myth
“More coats always means more protection.”
Thick coats sag, run and stay soft. Two or three thin coats, each dry before the next, outlast heavy ones.
- Half true
“Expensive paint is always better.”
Premium ranges often have more pigment and better colours, but a cheaper trade durable paint can outlast a luxury flat matt in a hallway. Pick by the data sheet and the room, not the price.
- Myth
“You can paint in any weather as long as it is dry.”
Most paints have a minimum temperature, often around 5 to 10 degrees, and damp evenings stop them drying. Coastal haar can ruin a day’s work.
- Myth
“Filler does not need priming.”
Filler soaks up paint differently from the wall around it, so it shows as dull patches. Spot prime each repair first.
- Myth
“Leave the masking tape on until the paint is dry.”
Pull it off while the last coat is still slightly soft, at a low angle. Dry paint bridges the tape and tears away with it.
- True
“You should test old paint for lead before sanding.”
Homes built before about 1960 often have lead paint under newer layers. Dry sanding it releases harmful dust. Test first and use wet methods.
Heard another one?
Ask us
straight.
If there is a painting claim you are not sure about, send it over and we will give you an honest answer.
Practical painting advice for Fife homes.