Handyman Guide > Water Paint and Plastic Paint

Water Paint. Calcimine is a type of water paint. It is composed of whiting, glue, and coloring. The water is added by the painter. Calcimine is used extensively for interior walls and ceilings. It is considerably cheaper than oil paints and has the added advantage of being quickly applied and of drying in a very short time.



Another advantage is that calcimine does not have the unpleasant odor of oil paints. A good grade of calcimine does not rub off after it is dry, but it will not withstand water and should not be used in bathrooms and kitchens, where there is a considerable amount of moisture present. Calcimine cannot be washed, and when a new coat is to be applied, the old coating should be removed. This finish can be had in many attractive colors.

There are many different kinds of cold water paints besides calcimine. Some of these are very like calcimine, while others are almost the same as oil paints and can be washed and overpainted. Casein and resin emulsion paints are two examples of this type of finish. As each brand differs somewhat from the others, the painter should read the directions on the package carefully and be sure that he fully understands the limitations of a particular paint before he applies it. These paints can be put on with brush, spray gun, or with a roller.

Plastic Paint. This paint is used to give a rough or textured effect to wall surfaces, or as a finish for plaster walls in such poor condition that a regular oil paint would not prove satisfactory. Plastic paint is stiffened by the addition of whiting, plaster of Paris, or some other material, so that it has sufficient body to prevent flowing once it has been applied.

The composition and, therefore, the characteristics of plastic paints differ according to the brand. For example, some are made with a white lead and oil base, while others are in a powder form and thinned with water before use. In general, the water-thinned paints have more body than the white lead type and produce a roughter texture. Several brands of plastic paint have coloring added, while others can be colored during mixing or painted over when they are dry.

Surface preparation is important when working with plastic paints, and the manufacturer's directions should be followed carefully. The better brands will list the necessary preparations for different wall surfaces, such as plaster, concrete, wood, and wallboard.

When a textured effect is desired, apply the paint with a brush to a small area at a time; and then, before the paint has set, texture it, either by using a stiff brush, special tools designed for this work, or even the fingers. Often, the texture produced by applying the paint with a still brush is sufficient.

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