Navan Albany - Home Decor Specialists

Home Decorating

Quality Paint Brush

I need a small amount of a particular tinted colour. Where can I buy this at reasonable cost?

At Albany of course! We offer a computerised tinting service that can virtually match any colour. Bring along your sample to our Trimgate Arcade outlet and see what we can do for you.

How easy are decorative effects for a beginner?

It depends really on the effect you want - some techniques are simple and can be re-created effectively by the average DIY enthusiast. For example, wood graining, dragging, stippling and colour washing can be done relatively simply. However, other techniques that create the effect of marbling or even sponging are more advanced and require more care, patience and experience! Whatever effect you want, almost all decorative effects are achieved using acrylic glazes, which when added to the paint allow an extended working time with the paint.

How can I avoid getting an uneven colour finish when painting?

It is helpful to first apply a primer that is a similar shade to the paint colour you will be applying. It is also worth investing in a top quality roller to apply the paint giving less dripping and spattering resulting in an even finish. For the best result use a water-based acrylic paint, such as Colortrend, and ensure it is applied using evenly across the whole surface area. Choose a roller to suit the paint type and surface to be painted.

What is the difference between a transparent and opaque stain?

Transparent stains have considerably less pigment than opaque stains, in order to allow the grain of the wood to show through. Opaque stains obliterate or hide the grain; and because of the added protection of the wood from UV radiation, will last longer before needing to be re-applied.

What is the difference between wash and scrub resistance?

Wash resistance, or better, "washability," is the ease with which dirt and stains can be washed off the paint. How well the paint resists absorption of dirt and stains is part of it. Scrub resistance is simply how well the paint will stand up to scrubbing without abrading through; it is not an indicator of how readily stains can be removed from the paint.

How can I recognise a good quality interior paint from the wide choice available in a retail store?

At Albany all our decorative finishes are of the highest quality. However, since we can't speak for everyone.... the ingredients in a can of paint determine the level of quality. Premium paint will have more of the prime ingredients. A key ingredient in paint is the resin used. The better the quality of the resin used, the higher the performance of the paint. Colortrend paints use 100% acrylic resin. This means our paint has superior stain resistance and colour retention, as well as being extremely durable.

I hear mixed comments on the need for primers. When and why is using a primer important?

This is a very good question. In general priming is essential when:

>	The surface is porous in any way.
>	The surface has never been painted before.
>	The surface contains substances which can bleed through (eg dirt, water and tobacco stains, tannins in wood such as mahogany). For less common substrates, call us for advice.

Priming has an important role; it blocks out staining materials from the surface being painted, it provides a good base for a uniform topcoat appearance and ensures maximum adhesion to the surface being painted. Primers can be solvent-based, such as Colortrend Undercoat, or water-based, such as Colortrend Primer Sealer Undercoat, a multi-purpose acrylic foundation for interior and exterior use on plaster, woodwork and masonry surfaces prior to finishing with Colortrend Interior Matt and Colortrend Weather, Colortrend Soft Sheen, Colortrend Silk and General Paints Water-based Gloss.

Our PSU is 100% acrylic which allows substrates to breathe after application, thus ensuring maximum adhesion and flexibility, which will aid against problems such as blistering, flaking and peeling.

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