Getting Started

Getting your home or workplace is much more than just protection of walls. Just like
the colours of the clothes you wear, the colours of your home are an expression of
your personality. Moreover, the effects of the surroundings can be used to enhance
your work place or dwelling place and set the mood you desire.

Here are a few ideas to plan and have your painting job done in a more organised
way:

• Identify the rooms you wish to paint.

• Decide the shades/ scheme you want to use in each room. To arrive at the
right colour combinations check out our online Colour Palette
• Measure your rooms to find out the area you need to paint. You can use our
Paint Calculator to determine the area of all surfaces that you are planning to
paint.
• Check our product range to see which of our brand best meets your needs.
Our specially designed Paint Selector is just the right help for you to arrive at
"Merawala" brands for your painting needs.
• Use Paint Calculator to arrive at the approximate budget that you would need
to keep aside for the project.
• You can then locate our Colour World Dealer closest to your home using the
Dealer Locator . Alternatively, if you want us to take care of the entire
painting process, find out about our unique painting service, Home Solutions
(available in select cities only).
• Remove door knobs, handles and other decorative accessories from doors and
windows, in order to prevent damage due to paint spillage. Remove light
fixtures or mask them with masking tape, paper and/or cloth.
• Remove the dust on the walls thoroughly using a dry mop. Walls of bathroom
and kitchen can be washed with water and allowed to dry.
• It is preferable to buy all the paint you need at one time and in the largest
possible pack size for convenience and to reduce the chances of slight colour
variations between batches. It is also more economical.

Water Seepage facts and fiction

Paint is NOT a water proofing solution. The only permanent solution to water leakage
and dampness is to rectify the source of the problem. Typical causes of water
seepage are:

• Cracks in the external walls

• Leaking drainage pipes or water supply pipes
• High ground water level that is getting absorbed in the walls from the
foundation
o Application of Enamels (Oil Paints) will not solve the problem of water
seepage.
o The water seeping through the wall will erupt on the surface at some
place or her.
 o We advise you to get a civil contractor or Waterproofing expert to
rectify the problem before you paint.

Painting Process
The process of painting can be divided into three parts:

Pre-painting work

This includes preparation work like masonry work, crack filling, water proofing etc.
These have to be undertaken to ensure maximum life for the final paint film.

Surface preparation

This refers to the process of making the surface fit for paint application. For example,
if you are painting your interior walls you would need to make them smooth by
applying Plaster of Paris (POP) or Putty. Using of biocide wash in case of microbial
growth is recommended.

Painting

This includes the steps to be followed in getting the final paint film on the surface.

The process of painting is different for different types of surfaces. To know more
about the painting process for each type of surface click on the type of surface you
wish to paint.

Interior Walls

Pre-painting

• Check surface for incidence of dampness or water seepage.

• Rectify the water seepage problem at source. This could mean repairing
leaking pipes or cracks in the exterior walls.
• Any loose plaster should be removed from the wall. Check for loose plaster by
tapping on the walls. A hollow sound indicates loose plaster.
• Masonry work is to be undertaken to fill up all cracks and repair broken plaster
• Please ensure proper curing time (7 to 21 days depending on extent of
plastering). When re-plastering is done it should be given proper drying and
stabilising time to bridge the cracks or smoothen the surface.

Surface Preparation

• Allow newly plastered surfaces to mature for a period of at least 6 months

after the application of a coat of lime ash to ensure thorough drying of plaster.
Popping of plaster commonly associated with new Neeru plasters can be
taken care of subsequently during painting.
 • Remove loose particles and paint flakes. Scrape with sandpaper to ensure that
the surface is dry and free from dust, dirt or grease.
• Previous coatings of lime wash or powder distemper or cement paint must be
thoroughly scraped off. Earlier coatings of oil or synthetic emulsion paints, if in
good condition, need not be removed. However, the gloss or sheen of such
coating must be removed by thorough sanding.
• Cracked or flaked paint must also be completely removed.
• Fungus affected areas need to be given a separate treatment. Make a 5-10 %
solution of bleach powder in water and apply on affected areas with brush or
sponge. Wash the walls with clean water after an interval of 8-10 hours. Allow
the surface to dry sufficiently.

Painting

• Apply a coat of wall primer. Use Decoprime Wall Primer (solvent thinnable) on
absorbent surfaces and use Decoprime Wall Primer (water thinnable) on new
surfaces.
• Fill and level the minor undulations of wall by applying putty. For best results,
use Asian Paints Acrylic Wall Putty. In case of major undulations on the wall
surface, POP (Plaster of Paris) work needs to be carried out. Ensure that the
surface is uniformly smooth by sanding after POP or putty work.
• One liberal coat of Decoprime Wall Primer (solvent thinned or water thinned)
is recommended on puttied areas before the application of top coat. The
primer should be allowed to dry for 10 - 12 hours. If the primer coat is not
applied over the puttied areas, there can be a patchy appearance of the top
coat.
• Avoid application of putty or filling compound while painting exterior surfaces.
Fill up cracks with a 1:3 (by volume) cement and sand mixture.
• All external drainage pipes must be checked for rusting or leakage. Any faulty
plumbing must be rectified
• Special attention must be given to the roof. Check for cracks near the edges
and close to the water reservoirs. Proper masonry or waterproofing work on
the ceiling will enhance the performance of the paint.

Exterior Walls

Pre-painting

For exterior surfaces it is very important to undertake repairs of any wall

imperfections before commencing painting. The most common problem with exterior
walls specially old constructions is cracks in the wall. Avoid applying putty or filling
compound while painting exterior surfaces. Fill up cracks with a 1:3 cement and sand
mixture. All external drainage pipes must be checked for rusting or leakage. Any
faulty plumbing must be rectified.

Special attention must be given to the roof. Check for cracks near the edges and
close to the water reservoirs. Proper masonry or waterproofing work on the ceiling
will enhance the performance of the painted surfaces.
Surface Preparation

• Newly plastered surfaces must be allowed to cure for at least 35 to 45 days

before painting.
• To ensure long protection, the surface to be painted should be free from dust,
grease and any loose materials.
• Remove any fungus and algae growth thoroughly by brushing it vigorously
with wire brush and then cleaning it with bleaching powder solution in water
(dissolve 10% bleaching powder in 1 litre of water, filter the solution and apply
with a brush or sponge). This treatment should be done with greater care on
the top of the awnings, sunshades, parapets and other horizontal surfaces
where water is likely to accumulate during monsoon.
• Previously oil painted surfaces, should be sanded thoroughly to remove loose
particles and made dull and matt for better adhesion. Exterior rough surfaces,
previously coated with cement paint, should be wire brushed and washed with
water thoroughly and dried completely. Before painting, ensure that the
surface is free from chalking.
• The exterior surface should not be affected by water and constant dampness
should be avoided . If you are painting during the rains allow for 2-3 days of
total sunshine for the surface to dry out completely and before commencing
painting.

Painting

• Apply a liberal coat of Asian Paints Exterior Wall Primer using recommended
method.
• Apply two coats of top coat paint at recommended dilution. You can use Apex
Weather Proof Exterior Emulsion or Apex Textured Exterior Emulsion or Ace
Exterior Emulsion as top coat.
• A gap of 4 to 6 hours must be given between two coats.
• It is recommended that horizontal surfaces like the tops of awnings and
Parapets must be given an additional coat for greater protection.

Metal Surfaces

Pre-painting

Surface should be free from dirt, dust, grease, rust, moisture etc. The area which is
not to be painted must be covered by a masking tape, paper and/or cloth.

Surface Preparation

• De-grease and de-rust ferrous metal substrates by suitable treatment.

• For nonferrous metal substrates like Aluminium as well as Galvanised Iron, Tin
etc pre-treat the surface with Apconyl Wash Primer -WP 636. For ferrous metal
substrates apply AP Metal Primer - Corrosion Resistant either by brushing or
spraying.
• If necessary, the use of AP Knifing Paste Filler is recommended to fill up dents
and rectify surface imperfections.
 • Ensure that the surface is free from moisture and loose matter.
• Apply one more coat of AP Metal Primer- corrosion resistant by brushing or
spraying to cover puttied areas.
• For best results, allow the primer coat to dry for 6 hours and dry sand with
emery paper no. 320 before application of subsequent coat.

Painting

For best results

• Allow the surface to dry overnight after application of primer as above.

• Apply top coat (Apcolite Premium Gloss Enamel or Apcolite Premium Satin
Enamel, Gattu Synthetic Enamel ) using the recommended thinner. For best
results, apply two coats allowing 8 hours of drying time between two coats.
• The first coat should be wet sanded with waterproof emery paper grade 400
before applying the second coat.

Wooden Surfaces

Surface Preparation

• Previously painted wooden surfaces must be properly sanded to remove any

dust or grease.
• Apply wood primer by brush, after thinning to given ratio by recommended
thinner.
• Allow it to dry for 6-8 hr then apply putty or Lambi .
• Sand the applied putty with number 180 sand paper and then apply second
coat of wood primer.
• Now the wooden surface is ready for painting with the top coat

Painting

• For opaque finish you can choose conventional enamels (Apcolite Premium
Gloss Enamel, Apcolite Premium Satin Enamel or Gattu Synthetic Enamel).
• Apply wood primer by brush, after thinning to given ratio by recommended
thinner.
• Allow it to dry for 6-8 hr then apply putty or Lambi.
• Sand the applied putty with 180 no. sand paper & apply 2nd coat of wood
primer.
• Now the wooden surface is ready for painting with the top coat
• Enamels are normally applied by brushing although they can also be sprayed.
• The drying time of enamels is longer; hence care must be taken to ensure a
dust free environment while the paint film is drying.
• Two coats of paint is sufficient in most cases, however if the earlier paint
shade was significantly darker than the new shade an additional coat of paint
is recommended.
Post Painting Care
A good painting job will make your home come alive. You would go through some
desolation and hardship while the painting is in progress. Some simple precautions
and small steps can ensure that your walls keep looking new for a far longer time.

• Most wall paints (like emulsions and washable distempers) are washable. This
means they can be periodically cleaned with mild soap water solution.
However, stubborn and very old stains are difficult to remove from the film.
• Cleaning can be done at least 2 weeks after application of finished coat for
removing the dust collected on the surface.
• Special care should be taken for the passages, kitchens and children's rooms.
• Every month keep a day aside to clean the walls. Use a sponge and mild soap
solution and lightly scrub the areas that have stains. Heavy scrubbing may
result in permanent damage to paint film.
• In case there is an incidence of severe staining (like spilled food) clean the
walls immediately before the stain dries up.
• Children's rooms are likely to get dirty far more quickly than the rest of the
house. Hence it is advisable to get a single coat of paint done every two years
or so. However one must ensure a mild sanding of the surface with emery
paper 400 for making the surface conducive for fresh paint application.
• Check your walls periodically for signs of paint flaking or peeling. This could
be the first signs of water leakage or seepage problems. The moment such
problems are noticed, get a contractor to look at the problem area. If the
problem is localised (only occurring in specific areas) and the source of water
seepage is detected, have it rectified immediately to prevent water seepage
to spread further. This might mean repainting of one or two walls. Ignoring the
problem however will aggravate the matter and will turn out to be much more
expensive later.
• The enamel paint on the doors and windows exposed to sunlight loses its
gloss over time. It is a good practice to apply a single coat every two years to
keep them looking fresh. However one must ensure a mild sanding of the
surface with emery paper 400 for making the surface conducive for fresh
paint application.

ADVANTAGES OF OIL BOUND DISTEMPER -

It is durable and economic paint that gives a super smooth matt finish.
It is used for the decoration of walls and ceilings.
It is durable.
Easy in application.
Provides a range of colors
Unmatched purity and quality of colors.

DISADVANTAGES OF OIL BOUND DISTEMPER -

Oil bound distemper is not washable. It gradually comes out if wet.

Advantages of plastic emulsion paint:

It can be applied on concrete, stucco surfaces.

It is decorative paint with its easy application, high covering power and
breathing specifications.
The water base interior finish highly improves the overall decoration.
It is washable.

Disadvantages of plastic emulsion paint:

At least 3 hours are required to paint between first and second layer.