Instructions for indoor painting

The perception of colour in indoor spaces is affected by the texture of the painted surface and the balance of natural and artificial light as well as other colours and materials in the space. That’s why colours should always be chosen in the space they are intended for. Take into consideration that colours appear slightly different on large surfaces than in a small sample and even the same colour can look different when on a wall, ceiling or floor, due to the quality and angle of light hitting it. We recommend testing your chosen colour on a separate but similar material and observing it on the surface it is planned for to ensure the desired end result. Due to differences in tinting methods, tinting machines and tinting pastes there may be subtle variation in colour. For continuous surfaces reserve enough interior paint from the same batch and mix enough paint in one container to avoid any potential variation in tone.

The effect of gloss levels

The gloss level of interior paint affects its reflectivity and the visibility of any unevenness on the surface. Matt paints hide unevenness of the surface better. The higher the gloss level, the more visible the texture of the surface and the brush or roller strokes. Humidity and temperature at the time of painting as well as the chosen equipment also affect the evenness of the gloss level and the painted surface, so it is worth painting the final coat with care. Careful preparation of the surface before any paint work has a big impact on the final look as well as the longevity of the paint.

Choose your interior paint to suit the surface you want to paint. Plan the work based on what the surface is like and what treatments it has had in the past, if any. Make the required preparations before commencing on any paint work. Purchase the equipment, paint and other supplies in advance, including protection for all the surfaces you don’t want any paint on.

Tips for preparing the surface and paint removal 

When painting a new untreated wall, ceiling or piece of furniture we recommend priming the surface before painting. Uula Interior Primer has excellent adhesive properties, including on plastered and stone surfaces. Priming helps the absorption and adhesion of the subsequent paint layers, and makes it easier to paint. Prime according to the surface and other products chosen and the instructions on the product. Depending on the paint, the instructions for priming may vary. There are also differences in the preparatory work for opaque and translucent paints. No primer is used with translucent paints to allow the grain of the wood to remain visible.

Painting previously painted surfaces

When painting previously painted surfaces that require the removal of the old paint due to flakiness, we recommend the safe and easy-to-use Uula Paint Removal. Uula Paint Removal is suited to removing paint from wood, metal, concrete and mineral surfaces. It is virtually odourless and contains no solvents. It is safe in indoor use, and you can quickly remove paint from furniture, for instance. Watch a video on paint removal.

Order your interior paint well in advance to ensure you have it when you intend to paint. Make sure you have enough of the same batch and colour, and test the paint on a separate piece of material to ensure the desired end result.

Mix enough paint for a large continuous surface to avoid any potential variation in tone. The batch should cover the whole surface. Check the instructions for painting on the side of the tin or on our website.

Follow the instructions as there is variation in methodology depending on the type of paint. Stir the paint thoroughly before and during painting. Testing is particularly recommended with translucent paints as the colour and texture of the surface, type of wood and previous treatments affect the final result. The number of coats also affect the final colour. Paint cures and gains its final hardness over several weeks. Treat newly painted surfaces with care.

Choose a good quality brush or roller of a suitable size and sufficient stiffness. For different phases of the work, use brushes and rollers of different sizes as well as edge painters. The quality of the tools can have a significant effect on the painting experience and the end result. If you have volunteer painters, take into consideration that the evenness of the end result may vary according to the unique style of each painter. Watch tips on edging and roller painting here.

The paint tray stays clean is more pleasant to use if you line it with a plastic bag before pouring paint into it. The roller needs to be able to roll fully in the tray when dipped in paint. When painting ceilings or high walls, use an extension pole for the roller. Tip: When painting a paneled ceiling, choose a roller the width of two panels with which you can easily apply the paint on the ceiling and even it out with a paint brush attached to an extension pole. Choose a paint brush the width of one panel and work the full length of two panels at a time from one end to the other.

When painting walls, make the final roller stroke from the bottom of the wall to the top. Use plenty of paint when roller painting to avoid potential stripes and variation in gloss levels.

Choose a paint brush suited to the interior paint and the surface to be painted. Painting with a brush too small or too large can affect the end result. Excessive paint may cause the paint to crack to wrinkle. If unsure about the correct amount of paint, we recommend testing the paint on a separate but similar surface to check.

The cleaning of equipment is worth doing straight after finishing painting work. Water-based paints come off easily with water and soap, equipment used with solvent-based paints can be cleaned with Uula Universal Thinner or white spirits and finished off with soap and water.

Make sure that the lids of any left-over paint are closed properly. We recommend storing paint in a dry and cool place. Water-based products do not tolerate freezing temperatures.  Take care to store all paints and treatment products out of reach of children.

Empty, dry packaging can be recycled, but all liquid waste must be taken to a hazardous waste collection point. Dispose of any cloths and rags stained by linseed oil-based products by burning or wetting them before placing them in a rubbish bin, as it is possible for linseed oil to self-combust in closed, low-oxygen conditions.

For the longevity of painted surfaces, look after their cleanliness. Use soft, non-abrasive cloths and sponges. Use neutral cleaning products and rinse surfaces with care.