Christmas 2023 🌲

Have you completed your Christmas shopping? Paintway have been “wrapping up” (Pardon the Pun? hehe) all of our Christmas gift shopping over the past week, but I still have a few gifts left on my list. We have been so busy this month, it will feel great to have our shopping and gifts all set to go so we are ready to relax and enjoy time with family and friends.

Paintway would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas 🎄 and would like to take the opportunity to thank you all so much for your business in 2023.

Thank you again for your Support in 2023!

Merry Christmas Toowoomba 🤶🏻 – James + Melissa

Housepainters Toowoomba

House painting is a process that involves preparing the surfaces of a house, applying paint, and then allowing it to dry. It’s a great way to improve the appearance of your home, protect it from the elements, and increase its value. Here are some key points to consider:

Preparation: This is a crucial step that involves cleaning the surfaces, scraping off old paint, and repairing any damages. It’s important to ensure that the surfaces are smooth and free of dirt, grease, and loose paint for the new paint to adhere properly.
Choosing the Right Paint: The type of paint you choose depends on the surface you’re painting and the look you want to achieve. There are different types of paint for different surfaces, and they come in various finishes like matte, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss.
Painting Techniques: There are various techniques for applying paint, such as rolling, brushing, and spraying. The technique you choose can affect the finish and the time it takes to complete the project.
Safety: Painting can involve working at heights and using chemicals, so it’s important to take safety precautions. This includes using a sturdy ladder, wearing protective clothing, and ensuring good ventilation.
Clean Up: After the painting is done, it’s important to clean up properly. This includes disposing of used paint cans and cleaning brushes and rollers.

There are alot of “non qualified Painters” Ensure your painter is Licensed (they must be to complete any work over $3300) Fully Insured and Hold the correct Qualifications.

Why Does Paint Blister on Weatherboard Homes?

So you’ve just finished repainting the old timber house, it looks great; but only a few weeks later blisters occur on the sides that are exposed to the most sunshine, and the blisters cause the new paint film to peel off, sometimes back to bare timber. Sounds familiar? Why does this happen, and how can we prevent it?

Blistering is a common problem that can occur when re-painting timber weatherboards. Many disputes between painters and their clients arise because the new coats of paint form blisters soon after application. This is when the surface of the paint develops bubbles or blisters, which can then burst and leave behind unsightly patches of peeled paint. Blistering can occur for a variety of reasons, including poor preparation, inadequate priming, and incompatible paint types, but the most common cause of blistering is moisture.

Timber weatherboards are particularly susceptible to moisture-related problems because they are constantly exposed to the elements. Rain and humidity can all contribute to the moisture content of the timber, which can cause the wood to swell and contract. When moisture gets trapped beneath a layer of paint, it can create pressure that causes the paint to lift and bubble. The current trend to paint timber houses using dark colours exacerbates this problem, because the darker colours absorb heat and create air gas bubbles that need to escape the substrate.

Poor preparation can also contribute to blistering. If the surface of the timber is not properly cleaned and prepared before painting, any dirt, grease, or other contaminants can interfere with the adhesion of the paint. This can cause the paint to lift and bubble, especially if the timber is not completely dry before painting.

Inadequate priming can also cause blistering. A good quality primer helps to seal the timber and prevent moisture from penetrating the surface. If the primer is not applied properly, or if an insufficient number of coats are used, moisture can still seep through and cause blistering.

To prevent blistering, it is important to take proper care when painting timber weatherboards. This includes ensuring that the surface is clean and dry before painting, using a high-quality primer, and selecting a paint that is compatible with the timber surface. Painters should use a moisture meter to check the moisture content in the timber. If the moisture content is above 15% the existing paint may need to be stripped off to allow the timber to dry thoroughly.

When painting over old timber surfaces it also pays to do an adhesion test. A simple adhesion test is done by scoring the paint film using a sharp blade, in a cross hatch pattern. Place some tape with strong adhesion (such as duct tape) over the paint surface, press it down, and then quickly remove the tape by ripping it off. If any paint comes off and sticks to the tape the paint film has failed the adhesion test, and the entire surface may need to be stripped of paint before repainting.

If this occurs the painter should give the client the option of stripping off the paint. In most cases the building owner cannot afford to pay for the complete stripping of the paint. In this case the painter should put this in writing and inform the client that adhesion failure of the new coats of paint or blistering is possible, and no responsibility will be taken if this occurs.

In many cases it is more cost effective to treat the paint bubbles that may occur by cutting them out, sealing the bare timber, and filling the surface before recoating. This is also an acceptable outcome as long as the home owner is aware of this prior to work commencing.

In conclusion, blistering of new paint on timber weatherboards is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, including moisture, incompatible paint types, poor preparation, and inadequate priming. By taking the necessary steps to ensure substrates are dry, and ensuring proper preparation, it is possible to avoid blistering and achieve a high-quality, long-lasting finish. No matter what the outcome is, is important that the painting contractor inform the client of the possible risks prior to starting the project and that the client is aware of possible outcomes for the chosen method of surface preparation.

How to Paint a Front Door

If you’re looking for simple ways to beautify the front of your house while also protecting it, painting your front door should be at the top of your list. Whether for resale or for your own enjoyment, a newly painted front door boosts curb appeal and gives the whole house a fresh look. Because front doors bear the brunt of weather extremes, painting the door increases its durability and extends its lifespan.

Basics of Painting a Front Door

Nearly any front door that is made of wood, fibreglass, or steel can be painted. Many exterior front doors are sold unpainted and otherwise unfinished, with the expectation that the owner will paint it. Front doors with peeling, cracking paint can usually be successfully refurbished and re-painted.

Prep Work

The key to an attractive, long-lasting paint job is to thoroughly prepare the door. The door should be cleaned, sanded, patched where needed, primed, and then painted. Painting over peeling paint, dirt, dust, or cracks and holes will significantly reduce the paint job’s lifespan.

Removing the Door

Ensure a great front door paint job by removing the door from the hinges and painting it flat on sawhorses. Painting the door horizontally reduces drips. Additionally, removing the door gives you access to the hinge-side and bottom edges of the door.

Front Door Paint

Oil-based paints take longer to dry than water-based latex paints, stretching this from a one-day to a multi-day project. Plus, oil-based paints and related tools must be cleaned up with paint thinner or mineral spirits. However, oil-based paints are more durable than water-based paints and help to reduce brush marks.

Water-based latex paints are easy to work with and they easily clean up with water. Unlike oil-based paints, latex paints can be found in low- or no-VOC form, making them green and eco-friendly.

Semi-gloss or glossy paint sheens offer better clean ability. If you value the look of flat or matte paint for a more contemporary look, just know that they scuff more readily than glossy paints. For flat/matte doors, it helps to have a can of paint on hand for quick spot touch-ups.

When to Paint Your Front Door?

Schedule your painting project during warm, dry weather since your house will be open and exposed. Start early in the day since you need to lay down a second coat of paint before re-installing the door.

If you want to replace the door the same day, paint the exterior side and the four edges first. Then, if you run out of time to paint the inside of the door horizontally, paint it after it has been re-hung.

Christmas 2022

Paintway would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas 🎄 and would like to take the opportunity to thank you all so much for your business in 2022.

We would like to leave you with one more Painting Tip for the Year.

Thinking of painting your home and want to know the paint colour trends forecasted by the interior design experts for 2023? As professional painters we see the trends and know what works. Trends in interior design are as cyclical as those in clothing and furnishings. The good news is that updating your walls is practically as simple as updating your wardrobe.

Its all about making Changing Colours inside your home can have a great impact on your mood. Which is precisely what is necessary as the world emerges from the pandemic’s gloom. It’s for this reason that one of the new colour palettes has been selected: to give us a much-needed boost of energy and positivity.

If you are planning a house makeover, ensure you hire a QUALIFIED Painter to redecorate the interior paint, if you are trying to decide what colour to repaint your newly constructed or renovated home, Just call us and we can help you with all those decisions.

Merry Christmas Toowoomba 🤶🏻

Common House Painting Mistakes

Do-it-yourself painting can be a way to save money on house painting. But you need to do your homework first. As you want the end result to look like a professional house painters job. Painting is a great way to give your home a face-uplift, and DIY painting is one way to achieve this. We always see the same common mistakes people make when undertaking the house painting themselves.

Most of these mistakes people make during the painting process are avoidable; all you need to do is to pay attention to the small details before starting the paint job and during the painting process.

Below find the DIY mistakes outlined by our experienced painters; they will help in your next DIY paint project.

1. Avoid Choosing the Wrong Colour

Did you know that most of the common painting mistakes happen before you start painting? One of them is picking the wrong colour; it is advisable to choose a paint colour based on a colour swatch. Most clients get frustrated when looking for the best colour. You visit the store and buy your preferred colour, but the final look differs from the colour you initially picked. Light plays a major part when looking at colours!

Always ask the paint store for a mix of the sample paint, take it home, and try it out. Paint experts will advise that you observe it in both artificial and natural light.

2. Over-brushing is not a Good Idea

When undertaking your interior painting on cabinets, doors, or any other woodwork, avoid too much brushwork. This strategy will help achieve the smoothest possible finish. After loading your brush, immediately cover the area with paint. After that, apply one or two strokes to level it off. Avoid brushing the same spot when the paint starts to dry off. That will only cause brush marks and ridges.

3. Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures like Queensland summers or Melbournes winters are not the right atmosphere for any paint job. Avoid any exterior painting during the heat of the day or conversely a cold morning.

Painting on a hot surface is not a good idea; the paint will dry faster before spreading it evenly. Sometimes the colour can slough and bubble off. Always avoid the direct sun when painting and know the best time to paint your home.

4. Cover Everything before Spray Painting

When you decide on DIY, never underestimate the power of sprays from paint sprays and spray cans. Always cover everything with thin plastic. In case you are working outdoors, avoid spraying on a windy day. The spray may end up on the neighbour’s property.

5. Surface Prep

Before you start your DIY paint job, it is crucial to prepare your walls or ceilings. Remember to remove any flaking and peelings surfaces. Scrape any glossy surfaces before applying a fresh coat of paint. It ensures that you end up with an evenly painted surface. Avoid the mistake of painting on unprepared surfaces, and the result will be an uneven paint job.

6. Do not Use the Wrong Finish

When you choose the wrong paint sheen or gloss for your DIY, it will not deliver professional work no matter how good you are. Below are some tips to help avoid that:

When the surfaces are not perfect, avoid using any high sheen. That glossiness will only maximize the problem, and light-reflecting will bring out all the defects. In case you decide to use gloss sheen or semi-gloss, ensure that the surface is well prepared and smooth enough.

If you are using different sheens and the same colour, always label your cans. It will make your DIY easier and avoid any mistakes until the paint dries.

7. Avoid Rookie Mistakes

There are two common mistakes that rookie DIY make:

Leaving the lid off after opening the paint can; the main problem is that anyone can step on the lid and spill paint all over. The other reason to avoid leaving the lid off is to keep the paint clean and prevent it from drying out. You will prevent mixing colours up.

Always lock your pets; if you forget to, they may end knocking the paint cans or putting paintbrushes in their mouth. It is the best trick for any DIY project.

8. Avoiding having your Roller Touch the Floor

In case you are painting new walls before installing the skirting, always leave an unpainted strip that the skirting will cover. When you paint close to the floor, the roller might pick some dirt and spread it across the wall. When painting over any ceiling, test a small section. If the texture looks fine, you can continue with the painting on the whole ceiling.

9. Wash Your Brushes

After the DIY project, you will be exhausted, do not leave the brushes in the garage to clean them later; it is a bad idea. Protect your tools by washing the brushes immediately with water and dish detergent. Ensure you wrap the brushes in airtight aluminium foil or plastic wrap. After cleaning, store them in the original packaging to maintain their shape.

Paintways 7 Simple Steps to Calculate the Amount of Paint Needed for your Painting Project

When wanting to repaint your home, there are a number of things to work out first before that brush ever touches the paint. Once you have found the perfect colour for your living room, the next step in the process is to find what the best paint to use is and how much you will need. Calculating the amount of paint you will need doesn’t have to be difficult, and Paintway’s guide will be able to easily figure out how much you need.

1. Measure up your room

The first thing to do to determine how much paint you will need for your project is to measure all of the walls you want to paint. This is done with a simple calculation to help you quickly find the average amount of paint in litres for a single coat of paint. You will need to measure the surface area of your room, discounting the ceiling and the floor. To do this you should measure all of the walls in your home from ceiling to floor and wall to walls. Add the measurements of the width of your walls multiply them by the height of the room to determine the square metre size of your room.

2. Take into account windows and doors

When measuring the surface area of your room, you may not be painting the ceiling or the windows and the doors, so you need to determine the size of these surface areas and discount them from your calculation. With your square metre number, simply subtract roughly 1.85 square metres from your calculations for your doors, and perform the square metre measurement for your windows to find their size. Simply remove this number from your initial calculation to determine the surface area of your room.

3. Buying the right amount of paint

With your calculation determining the surface area of your room, you are now ready to purchase the right amount of paint – but wait there, it all still depends on how many coats you want to give the walls, as well as the viscosity and type of paint you want to use. On average, a 4 litre bucket of paint will allow you to paint roughly 32 square metres of wall for a single coat.

4. Number of coats
Whilst many people simply paint over the previous colour until it is no longer visible, the best painting services paint has to offer often like to add a primer coat in order to blank the previous pant, as well as paint a tint layer to bring the vibrant colours to life for a more professional look and feel. You will need to calculate how many coats you will need for each room, so test out your walls with a tester pot of the paint of your choice to see how it holds and finishes before purchasing more.

5. Finalising your calculations

When you have determined how many coats of paint you want to put on your walls, and the surface area of your rooms, you will need to divide the paintable surface area of your room by the square metre capacity of a 5 litre tub of paint. If your paint comes in smaller or larger sizes, use this number to determine how many tubs or tins of paint you will require to finish the job properly. If you find that you are short by a little, order a few small tins to make up the difference, but if you find that you will need more, then go for the extra big tub to make sure you can finish with a little spillage into the equation.

6. Using a paint calculator

Using an online paint calculator can be a simple way of quickly getting the amount of paint you will need for the room to be painted. Taking rough guesses is a good way to determine roughly the cost of your painting project, but getting the precise figure is the best way of making sure that you don’t go over budget, or come up short when that special paint you bought at a discount is no longer available.

7. Paint your walls

Painting your walls accordingly will be the best part of your final calculation and will make all of the hard work worth it in the end.

If you are in any doubt about the calculations and price involved in high quality paint, or the types of paint you will need for your particular rooms finishes, don’t hesitate to call Paintway, who will be able to talk you through the process, and give you a solid estimate on the final price for the job done.

We often get asked…”How is the cost of having our House Calculated?” Here is How:

Painting is one of the quickest and easiest ways to give your home’s interior a facelift — and it is one that can produce dramatic results as well. Unfortunately, many homeowners feel overwhelmed when tasked with choosing a lasting color scheme. To avoid getting stuck with a less-than-perfect color choice, they will spend hours studying the subtleties between Smokey Topaz and Roycroft Suede paint swatches, considering the mood they want to create (whimsical? relaxing? modern edge?), and deciding whether to trust their guts or hire an interior decorator to make sure things turn out just right.

Fortunately, interior painting doesn’t have to be that difficult. Most paint stores offer samples that you can take home for a wall test. With these samples, you can paint a few colors in large swaths on your wall to see the how the paint interacts with the room’s natural light. And you can compare it against design elements like pillows or furniture to see whether it will work with your overall decor as well.

Calculating Room Painting Costs

The cost to paint an average size room (10X12) ranges from $380, not including ceilings, trim or cost of the paint. DIY, this can cost between $200-$300. When estimating the cost, Paintway will start with how much paint will be required to complete the job. To know this, we first need to know the size of the area to be covered.

The easiest way to calculate the size of the paintable area is to add together the length of the wall and multiply it by the width of the room from floor to ceiling. The resulting amount is the room’s square footage. This total is a starting point, as it is not all paintable surface. Paintway won’t paint the windows and doors, for example, and they must account for ceiling trim and baseboards as well.

The next step is to subtract the area of the doors and windows — along with the square footage of the trim and baseboards — to get an average. Then, use the same calculation (length x width) on the windows, doors, trim and baseboards, and subtract all of those numbers. The result of this equation is the square footage of the room’s walls. This is your surface area number. We will typically add a little square footage back in to this amount to account for extra paint, which may be required.

Room Painting Cost Factors Here are some other cost factors to consider when it comes to the cost of painting a room:

Size of Room to be Painted

The size of the room to be painted is the most important factor in determining the cost of professional painting. It will take a paintway longer to cover a large room than a small room, and this means higher labor costs in addition to supplies and time. When estimating the paint for such a job, keep in mind that a litre of paint covers about 400 square feet (though the label claims it will cover 450 square feet). You will be charged for the number of paint cans needed, among other factors.

Textured Walls

A textured wall will need more paint than a smooth wall. The texture adds more surface area, even though it doesn’t increase square footage. Determining the additional surface area depends on how much texture there is. Paintway will probably estimate about 300 to 350 additional square feet of paint to account for texture. Factor additional surface area into your square footage calculations when seeking professional estimates.

Speed Factor

The speed with which a paintway can complete the job will determine its final cost, but time is difficult to estimate. Some painters have more experience and cover a wall faster, but some are more methodical and take more time. Most painters should be able to cover about 100 to 120 square feet of flat surface in an hour, unless they are working on a very large wall. Wood or plaster might reduce that amount to 80 to 100 square feet. You should also consider the time required for a first coat to dry before a second coat may be applied. This will add time as well — anywhere from one to 48 hours depending on the paint.

Multiple Rooms or Whole House

If you decide to paint multiple rooms in your home, choose colors that relate to one another without being completely the same — unless uniformity is your goal, of course. Costs may vary based on differences in color, gloss and room size. However, each room will flow depending on the trim’s color — which should all be white or neutral — so they look connected.

A whole-house color scheme presents the same cost factors as painting multiple rooms individually: colors you choose, the gloss, the size of the rooms and time/labor. You can choose to use the same color throughout your entire home to save on money, or you can use a color scheme with the same gloss throughout, though this isn’t recommended for selling purposes.

Interior House Painting Cost Factors

Average Paint Prices

Generally, it will take a minimum of two litres of paint to cover a room. At the highest end, paint will cost anywhere between $30 and $60 per litre and come in three different finishes: flat, semi-gloss or high-gloss. Flat finishes are the least shiny and are best suited for areas requiring frequent cleaning. Semi-gloss finishes are a bit shiny but can also be easily cleaned. A high-gloss finish is stain-resistant and easy to clean. Traditionally, living rooms should be painted with a flat finish to allow the paint to stand out. Glossy finishes should be reserved for hallways, and a semi-gloss is best suited for trim. Invest in pre-primed paint whenever possible. This cuts down on time by combining the layering process.

Almost any paint job will require a primer, which will cost anywhere from $7 to $15 per can. Primer helps the paint to stand out against the underlayer of paint it’s covering, especially if the new paint is lighter than the old coat. You will need at least two cans of primer, if not more, to cover one wall.

Supplies Needed

Paintway will typically provide most of the supplies for a project, but sometimes they will allow you to pay for solely labor if you provide all of the materials yourself. You might decide to do a DIY paint job down the road, in which case having these supplies on-hand will save you time and money. The supplies you should invest in include:

Brushes: Trim and sash brushes for intricate painting, beaver-tail handles on larger brushes for larger surfaces.
Tape: Standard painter’s tape to protect trim and ceilings from droplets.
Drop cloth: To protect floors and furniture from drips.
Paint tray: To keep out only a portion of paint rather than drying out an entire litre.
Paint rollers: A quick way to cover a large portion of a wall in paint.
Ladder: Necessary for reaching high areas (don’t use a chair!).
Small brushes: For touch-ups.

Additional Updates

Consider having your molding, trim and baseboards checked while you have a professional painter in your home. This might be a good time to upgrade or repair any cracks, warps or other issues. Paintway usually touch up or replace these items for an affordable rate, and they may even package such fix-ups with your painting project.

Cost of Painting a Room as a DIY Project

A handy homeowner can buy paint and equipment for about $200 to $300. Don’t forget to factor in the time it will take you to do this yourself though. Depending on the size of the room and how much help you have, this could be a day project or a weekend project.

Here are the general steps to follow when painting a room on your own:

Decide on a color palette: Earth tones and neutrals will cover up marks, scratches and hand prints.
Buy supplies: You will need rollers, brushes and other supplies (see above) in addition to paint and primer.
Remove furniture: Remove all furniture from the room to protect it from drips and avoid trips and falls.
Clean the walls to be painted: Clean with a water and detergent mixture. For any stains, use trisodium phosphate.
Remove outlet covers and switch plates: Remove but don’t paint the sockets or switches. Turn off electricity in the room to avoid an accidental shock.
Outline: Put any painter’s tape over baseboards, trim and edging to avoid drips.
Paint the first coat.
Apply the second coat.
Touch up: Touch up baseboards and ceiling trim as needed. Also touch up any spots on the wall.

How to paint the exterior of your home?

Thought about doing it yourself?

Paintway are giving you a few tips to help you get started.

How to Paint a House Exterior.

Before you begin your exterior house painting project, keep these steps in mind.

Preparing to Paint.

First, remove as many items as you can (planters, mailboxes, shutters, house numbers, hoses, outdoor furniture, light fixtures, etc.). Then be sure to protect any bushes or items that can’t be removed by covering them up with drop cloths. You can also put drop cloths under the areas you plan to paint. Next, be sure to clean (an option is to power wash), repair (fill in holes or cracks with caulk), and prime all surfaces before painting your house’s exterior.

Once the primer coat has dried and all your preparations are complete, you’re ready to paint. Remember to mix your paint thoroughly before you start painting–and continue to stir it during use. Start with the Body of the House (“Fascia”)

When tackling your exterior house painting project, you can paint with either a brush, a roller or, most likely, both. Rolling can save you time, but you will need to use a brush for corners, trim, and doors.

Painting with a Brush.

To load your paintbrush, immerse the first third of the bristles into the paint and tap it lightly against the inside of the can. Try not to drag the bristles across the lip of the can, as this will remove too much paint.

When you apply paint, use long, smooth strokes with your brush. On clapboard surfaces, if paint gathers along the horizontal edge, it has been applied too heavily or not brushed out enough. Remember that for a well-spread, even coat, you should brush oil-based house paints back and forth several times.

Latex paints, however, require less brushing. Because they dry out quickly, excessive brushing can cut deep brush marks into the paint film. When you use latex paints, apply the paint generously with one or two back strokes and then leave it to dry.

.Painting with a Roller.

Applying paint with a roller works well with porous surfaces like masonry and stucco. Ideal for flat surfaces, rollers will not fit into inside corners, and will often deposit too much paint on the edges of outer corners.

To use a paint roller, dip your roller in the paint tray, rolling it back and forth to remove any excess paint. If it drips when you pick it up, it is overloaded. Use long, even strokes, and roll in different directions to coat the entire surface. Finish painting with strokes in one direction.

Painting Trim.

The trim should be the last area you paint. Begin by coating your window sash and door paneling first, and then paint the window frames, sills, and door trim.

If paint gets on the window’s putty line, it will serve to protect the puttied surface from water. To create a clean edge, scrape off any excess paint with a razor blade. If shutters can be removed, paint them separately and replace them when the rest of the job is finished. Then it’s time to admire your work!

wpaintway2019.au3.live-preview.net