GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Temperature: The ideal air temperature to do the painting is between 15ºC and 30ºC. Paint shouldn’t be applied when temperatures are below 5ºC or above 40ºC. It is better to paint during the day. Very hot temperatures can cause the paint to dry too fast. If paint is applied when air temperature is too cold, the proper formation of the paint film can be seriously affected.
Relative humidity: Extreme high humidity conditions (above 80-85%) lead to a loss of adhesion to the substrate. Avoid doing exterior painting if it is raining.
Wind: Avoid painting if it is extremely windy. Too much wind can cause loss of paint, and makes it difficult to get homogeneous painting surfaces.

It is very important to clean, sweep and/or remove the grease from the painting substrate. It is also recommended to use a mechanical treatment, depending on the type of substrate: sand blasting, shot blasting , sanding, milling, etc.

The paint will be prepared according to the method of application selected.
* Brush.
* Roller.
* Equipments. Airbrush or airless.
Also, it must be taken into account the type of thinner used (water or solvent-based), the mixture’s lifespan (two component paint systems) and the recoat and drying times. See always the paints’ technical specifications.

Always request the safety data sheets to ensure the adequate protection of both people and environment.

If you are going to paint exterior walls, you must do it under the appropriate environment conditions. Don’t paint if it is raining or if rain is expected. Paint during the day.

Remove loose and poorly attached paint layers , lime, saltpetre, and all other possible contaminants .If walls are in bad condition, it is advisable to perform an abrasive blast cleaning until you get a smooth surface.

Fill properly all the cracks, fissures and holes of the substrate, and apply exterior spackling paste.

Depending on the condition of the painting substrate, apply a sealer or a fixative varnish.

Apply a first coat of slightly diluted paint (5-10% of water), and once is dry apply a second coat to get a homogeneous surface.

There are different types of exterior wall coatings: stone, elastic, silicate, silicone-based coating, etc. Get top quality paintings, with a high percentage of binders, with low water absorption and a good water vapour breathability.

Ask always for coatings made with lightfast pigments, otherwise the painted wall will lose its colour in a short period of time.

Use appropriate protective methods, and don’t allow children get close to the paint. When using scaffolding or elevation equipments, these must be approved and always follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations.

Eliminate the residues in a responsible way. Follow the instructions included in the product’s safety data sheet.

There are two types of finishes on the market: Matte (total lack of brightness), specially designed for totally smooth substrates, and Satin (soft sheen), designed for stipple finish substrates or for smooth very well plastered walls.

If you decide to apply a coloured paint, keep in mind that the colours shown in the charts don’t look exactly the same than the colour you will see on your wall; the colour on the wall will always appear more intense than the one in the paint colour chart. White ceilings and coloured walls always give a feeling of a more spacious room. Try to find a neutral colour as a common element to create a sense of flow among all the rooms in the house, and apply more intense colours on some walls to give a touch of originality to your decoration. Try to contrast the wall colour with your furniture’s colour; light furniture will always stand out more in a darker background, and vice versa.

Use appropriate protective equipment (gloves, mask,etc); try to work in properly ventilated spaces, and under no circumstances should you allow children get close to the paint.

Do not flush down the toilet or pour down the drain the paint residues or the water and solvent used to clean the tools. Deposit the empty cans in the designated place.