Re: Roll and Tip Interlux Brightside Paint
Some conclusions. Painting with polyurethane paints is a challenge because the techniques used to apply them directly effect the look of the dry paint.
It must be applied evenly. This is normally done with a very short nap roller or a closed cell (firm) foam roller. Apply thin coats.
When applied, the brush or roller will leave surface defects that if not smoothed out will remain in the paint when dry. As the paint is applied it must be tipped (smoothed out) using a second tool. This is normally done with a quality fine bristle brush that can be used with solvent based paints. A firm closed cell roller can also be used for this. The tipping tool is used dry (not loaded with paint). In fact it is best to clean your tipping tool periodically during the work. Some people pre-clean their tools (roller and tipper) and leave a small amount of solvent in the tipping tool.
Weather effects the paint.
If it is warm out (above 75 deg or so) and you have to paint outside it is much easier to have a helper apply the paint while you tip it off. If it is very warm (above 80) then you may have to add thinner to slow the flash drying effect warm temps can cause. Too much thinner can cause the paint to flash even more quickly so be conservative. (no more than 10%)
Wind is your enemy!
Even a slight breeze can cause the paint to flash off making tipping it impossible. Paint indoors if at all possible. If you must be outside then paint in the early morning when the wind is calmest.
Leveling the paint
The paint has leveling agents in it that will help it to smooth out as it dries. The effect of this is limited but you may be surprised how well it works. The point here is not to spend too much time trying to tip the paint perfectly smooth. Remove any bubbles and try to skim the paint lightly and evenly. If you make a mistake that will not smooth out simply keep moving and come back to it after the paint is dry. You may find that your mistake is far better than you thought. Tipping is time sensitive. Keep moving and work only in wet paint. If your tipping tool starts to drag or the paint on it starts to feel dry, clean it and move on. I keep two tipping brushes handy. I have my helper keep one clean at all times. As my tipping brush gets loaded with too much paint I simply switch to the clean one and move on.
Enlist Help
All the techniques and advice on this subject can be carried out by one person doing the painting. If you are doing the work in less than ideal conditions and you have a large area to paint, get a helper. It make things go more smoothly. If they can roll while you tip, that's great, and a big help. I personally would not attempt painting a large area outside without a helper doing the rolling. If you must work alone paint and tip smaller areas at a time. Roll an area perhaps 2' x 3' and tip it immediately. then move to the next 2' x 3' area. The trick will be to keep a wet edge from one section to the other. If the line from one section starts to flash before the next is rolled on, lines or ridges can be seen in the dry paint. This is a big problem when painting alone. The paint must be kept wet from one area to the next.
hope this helps
poly paints are a pain compared to house paint but the results are spectacular! you just have to overcome a slight learing curve.
If you have prepped properly then you are used to sanding by now. If you make a mistake, sand it and re-do it, simple huh?
