Newbie problems

[themixer77]

Hi I recently had plain lining paper put up in my kitchen. Painting myself for the first time I didn't use undercoat and instead painted it warm terracotta which came out pink - no thanks.

I went to B and Q and they sold me two 2.5 ltrs of 'everywhere' paint for £20, one cotton white which the woman told me to use for undercoat and then red. I used the undercoat and have painted it red twice afterwards. However it still looks blotchy a few hours later, does this mean it needs another coat? Obviously I have hardly enough paint to do it a third time.

Also, was I ripped off?

 

[paul_v]

firstly you didnt need to use the white as undercoat you could of gone straight on with red, lining paper doesn't really need undercoating like plaster does.

I know its not what you want to hear but you are going to need to put a third coat on.

What brand paint is the red? it usually works out cheaper to get a good paint like dulux as you dont end up doing as many coats as you would with B&Q paint.

 

[vv2806]

Remembering my experience with B&Q paint, you may need more than 3 coats, sorry.

 

[kjacko]

However it still looks blotchy a few hours later, does this mean it needs another coat? Obviously I have hardly enough paint to do it a third time.

How many hours? Could it be that its not fully dried yet?

 

[dcdec]

Red is just about the most difficult colour to get a solid looking finish with. Manufacturers do recommend a bascoat for a handful of colours, don't know if your colour does but i can pretty much guarantee it wont be white for a red finish, B&Q staff talking rubbish as usual.

A good quality brand name emulsion is vital with red and i doubt B&Q paint is up to standard, even then its likely to need three coats

Allowing plenty of drying time between coats, stirring the paint regularly and thoroughly and an extra couple of coats is the key, but dont hold your breath for perfection.

 

[dcdec]

.... and the blotchyness could well be down to the pigment seperating, like i said you've got to stir it often

 

[themixer77]

Thanks for replies.

Yeah B and Q staff certainly seem to push their own brand paint hard. Guess I'll have to buy another pot from them although the store is in the middle of nowhere and I don't drive!

Also, I have been painting in mainly cross cross 'w' type manner rather than just straight up and down and have read this may not have helped.

 

[kjacko]

with a roller?
If so, then i work with decorators and they told me to go up and down but in slight arcs to each preceding stroke, and going horizontal is fine also, if that makes sense.
If you're using a brush, i think that's asking for trouble.

 

[xr4x4]

cut in first, roller up and down, next roller over covering last run by about 2 inches, use plenty of paint.

 

[themixer77]

Thanks.

I went back to b and q yesterday and got conflicting advice. An older guy who seemed more experienced told me should have used a grey undercoat for red and would have to start again as it wouldn't improve, while a young guy said another two coats could do the trick. I admit I didn't stir the paint at all so maybe doing that may help. Really can't be bothered starting again as that would mean I'd have to do at least seven coats all in.

 

[xr4x4]

red over red over red is red..

i cant see how grey then red then red..will help?

your going backwards by using grey??!!