Paint a Mural - What Paints to Use

For painting murals and creating faux finishes on walls, some understanding of paints and their properties and possibilities is essential if you don't want to make ugly and potentially costly mistakes. If in doubt, you should be able to get good advice from your paint retailer or hardware store.

* Applying your design is only part of the process of creating murals. Remember that your paint finish will only be as good as your surface, so it needs to be prepared well. Fresh concrete or plaster, or areas where cracks and holes have been filled, need sealing with the right kind of sealer. Also, when you've finished your design, you may want to seal it with a transparent glaze that will protect it and, in some designs, add a suitable glossy finish.

* Remember to choose your paint according to whether it is for interior or exterior use. Also consider how much wear it will receive and what it will need to withstand. For example, murals in kitchens and bathrooms will need a paint that is water-resistant. It's never worth skimping and buying cheap paints, so shop wisely.

* You will need to look at your base coat carefully since it will affect the paint applied to it. Standard interior paint is a matte finish, water-based paint often called 'flat paint' because of its low-gloss quality. This is the worst kind of base coat. Subsequent layers tend to dry quickly, leaving you without the 'wet edge' you need to create a good finish. Also it tends to flatten color on subsequent layers. Paints with a higher gloss content, known as satin or pearl paints (depending on manufacturer) are always a good base for faux painting.

* For your design, acrylic and latex paints are ideal for many interior purposes. (In fact, many latex paints today use resins other than rubber and are sometimes called 'acrylic latex'). Acrylic paints are easy to use and because they are water-based cleaning up is much easier.

* A golden rule in painting is that oil and water don't mix. Remember that latex and acrylic paints are water-based and therefore can't be mixed with oil-based paints. It's also best not to apply acrylic and latex paints on a high-gloss base coat, since they may not adhere properly.

* As well as considering the composition, texture and reflective qualities of your paint, you will be looking for the ideal colors for your design or room makeover. Always remember that colors change according to various factors. Most will appear more intense when applied over a large area than they appeared on the tin or sample strip. The same color can also look very different in a sunny or shady room. It's worth trying out colors before you begin. If it's too light or dark, you can always adjust it by mixing - bearing in mind the oil and water rule.

As well as knowing your basic paints and allied materials, you might want to explore some of the novelty paints and glazes on the market: metallic, fluorescent and textured paints are just a few of them. Playing with effects is all part of the fun!

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