1. Most wall paints (water based paints) can be periodically cleaned with a mild soap water solution. However, stubborn and very old stains are difficult to remove from the film.
2. Cleaning can be done at least 2 weeks after application of finished coat for removing the dust collected on the surface.
3. Special care should be taken for the passages, kitchens and children’s rooms.
4. You can clean your walls by using a sponge and mild soap solution and lightly scrub the areas that have stains. Heavy scrubbing may result in permanent damage to the paint film.
5. In case of severe staining (like spilled food) clean the walls immediately before the stain dries up.
6. 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 a fine grade sandpaper (400 grit) to make the surface conducive for fresh paint application.
7. Check your walls periodically for signs of paint flaking or peeling. This could be the first sign 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 the water seepage from spreading further. This might require repainting one or two walls. Ignoring the problem however will aggravate the matter and will turn out to be much more expensive later.
8. 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 a fine sandpaper (400 grit) to make the surface conducive for fresh paint application.

Dreamed up by JWT and shot by Exposure’s Kevin Denholm over 10-11 days, the series of ads that JWT’s managing director Simon Lendrum hopes will have enough appeal to run for 18 months focuses on a home being built in Huntly—and on the team that brings the house together, including PlaceMakers.

In almost Attenborough-esque fashion, Lendrum says the goal was to capture the salt of the Earth builders and tradesmen in their natural habitat, “which is when they’re at their best”. And there’s certainly plenty of ‘talent’ on display in the ads, even though there are no scripts or actors involved. This gives the campaign, which will be rolled out over the next few weeks, a good whack of authenticity and, as it’s unashamedly trade focused, the cheeky on-site banter and self-deprecating humour feels like it will resonate well with the target audience.

Lendrum says PlaceMakers’ has been more focused on retail in the past few years, but, unlike its largely price-focused competitors like Bunnings and Mitre 10, this campaign focuses on the customer, promotes industry values and highlights the importance of quality workmanship and product, something that’s captured in the new tagline ‘Together, we’re building New Zealand’.

“PlaceMakers isn’t about selling cheap hammers,” he says.

Chief executive John Beveridge says PlaceMakers, which is the retail trading arm of Fletcher Building, is positioning itself for anticipated industry growth and it’s “focused on strengthening our position as the leading and largest building supplies partner to the trade in New Zealand”.

“It was important we put a stake in the ground as first and foremost for the trade,” he says. “… We want our customers to know who we are and what we stand for: we value people, we’ve got the knowledge and we’re great and reliable on the job.”

He says a researcher from the US was brought out to get insights into some of the language and behaviour on display on a typical Kiwi building site and that information fed directly into the creative.

“We didn’t want some actor from Australia,” he says. “We wanted real New Zealand builders and we wanted to show we understand what some of that banter on the site leads to: great houses.”

The building industry certainly has a few perception issues at the moment, with ongoing tales of shonky practices and financial mismanagement, so he says the campaign is also about trying to improve the public’s view of the industry by showing there are a core group of builders in New Zealand who firmly believe in craftsmanship and quality. And, with a housing shortage looming in Auckland and the Christchurch rebuild around the corner, he hopes it will also help to attract more young Kiwis and migrants into the trade to reduce the shortage that will soon exist.

Tradies are renowned for enjoying their sport—and particularly a bit of code—so in an effort to increase activation, PlaceMakers announced its sponsorship of the New Zealand Super Rugby teams in January. It is also the official broadcast sponsor for SKY’s coverage of the Investec Super Rugby competition, so it’s obviously a good platform on which to blast the new trade-focused campaign.

“Last year was an unforgettable year for rugby, and as a proudly New Zealand company, we’re really happy to be supporting the national game,” he says. “Rugby builds excitement, camaraderie and competition across the regions like no other sport, and we are looking forward to being part of that.”

The company also sponsors rally driver and PWRC World Champion Hayden Paddon, the Master Builders’ House of the Year competition, a new fishing programme, Big Angry Fish, which airs on TV3 in April, and the ONE News sports segments, which Beveridge says helped set the tone for the new brand campaign.

1. When painting walls, always roll your first stroke upwards. This helps prevent paint drips.

2. Always have the open end of the roller handle pointing into the wet painted area to help eliminate join lines.

3. If you stop for a break, seal your roller sleeve in a plastic bag and store upright. It will remain usable for up to 24 hours.

Till next time – Happy Decorating.

Well, luckily there is a simple solution. Purchase a quality paint brush. Ok – it costs a bit more but you really get what you pay for. A good quality paint brush ensures a thicker, more consistent and smooth paint finish. It has longer bristle so you don’t get streaks and the bristle is glued with premium epoxy to stop the bristle loss.

Good quality paint brushes also hold more paint. So you get the job done quicker and dip the brush into your paint pot less often- meaning you get less fatigue.

The handles are also ergonomically designed making it easier and more comfortable to hold and use, especially painting for long periods.

Other features that you may not even notice, but very important is the nailed ferrules ( the shiny metal part) and quality brushes use stainless steel, not cheap tin that will simply rust and deteriorate.

At PAL, we have been designing and making paint brushes, rollers and other paint accessories since 1961. Our quality products can be found at most major decorating stores and we are proud that PAL premium products will give you the perfect finish.

1. When painting any room, the golden rule is start from the top and work down, therefore, paint the ceiling first, then scotias, walls, followed by doors and finally skirting boards and floors.

2.Paint with your brush tips, never the sides. Hold your brush at about a 45 degree angle to the surface and work mostly with your wrists rather than your arms and shoulders.

3. Always brush into the wet areas. Paint should be applied to a dry area and then worked into a wet area. This helps any overlap to blend and gives your a perfect finish.

4. When looking for a paint brush, look for long tapered bristles that will not fray, nor flick paint. Generally speaking you get what you pay for, so if you’ve spent long hard hours prepping the project, bought quality paint – spend the money on a decent brush so you reap the rewards of a perfect finish.

Till next time – happy decorating.

Cheerful, optimistic yellows and oranges speak to our playful side, while tranquil blues and greens muster a sense of well-being and warmth. Add to that a vibrant mix of purples, mustards, ochres and earthy tones – all colours that celebrate our past – and the new season’s colours combine to refresh, inspire, motivate and lift our spirits. Hues have a feminine edge with a sense of cosiness. Alongside femininity lies retro. Old is the new new, as we look to surround ourselves with nostalgic pieces. Raw, unblemished beauty sits easily beside luxurious materials or simple, up-cycled objects.

Splashes of strong colour feature not just on accent walls – our appliances and homewares are getting an overhaul too. Toasters, mixers, fridges, ovens and other homewares are becoming brighter and cheerier, with oranges, yellows, reds and blues coming through.

Splash those feel-good colours onto walls and you have instant pick-me-up pizzazz. Try Resene Wild Thing, a star-bright yellow gold that’s bold, energetic and frivolous. For the really adventurous, pair this playful colour with blacks or blues, such as Resene Bowie, a clear litmus and cyan blue reminiscent of the 1960s.

For the full article  http://www.resene.co.nz/comn/whtsnew/2012_paint_colours.htm

It’s that time of year again – the sun is out, the air is warming up and there’s no better time  to get outside and enjoy it. We have some great tools and handy tips to re-rejuvenate your outdoor furniture and deck ready for the summer ahead.

Click here for our comprehensive tips for painting your exterior.

Here is another video in the colour forecast by Dulux talking about different colours, what they mean & how they can be applied in your home.

For help with selecting the right tools for the job, see our how to guides section. Or click here.