The seven steps
Decide what you are painting and measure the walls
Walk through the house and list what needs paint: which rooms, inside or outside walls, ceilings, doors, grills, and whether any wall has damp patches. Then measure each wall with a tape, height times width, and subtract doors and windows. Write the totals in a notebook. Bring that list to us and we will work out how much of everything you need.
Choose the colour and test a patch
Look at the shade cards at our shop with your furniture, flooring and curtains in mind. Shortlist two or three shades, not ten. Paint a small patch of each on the actual wall, let it dry, and look at it in morning light and under your bulbs at night. Dry paint looks different from wet paint. Pick the one you still like the next day.
Buy the full set: putty, primer, paint, tools
Buy everything in one go so the work does not stop halfway. That means wall putty, primer, the paint itself, and the tools: brushes, rollers, a roller tray, sandpaper, a putty knife, masking tape and sheets to cover the floor. If a wall has seepage, add waterproofing. Give us your measurements and we will put the whole kit together, with home delivery if you need it.
Prepare the surface: clean, fill cracks, sand
Move furniture to the middle and cover it. Wash the walls to remove dust, grease and cobwebs, and scrape off any loose or flaking old paint. Fill cracks and nail holes with crack filler or putty and let them dry. Then sand the whole wall lightly so it feels even, and wipe the dust away. A clean, dry, smooth wall is the real secret to a good finish.
Putty and primer
Mix the wall putty with water as the bag says and apply a thin, even layer with a putty knife. Let it dry fully, sand it smooth, and apply a second thin layer if the wall still shows dents. Wipe the dust off. Then apply one coat of primer over the whole wall and let it dry. The primer seals the putty and helps the paint hold on evenly.
Two coats of paint with drying time between
Stir the paint well and thin it only as much as the bucket label says. Cut in the edges and corners with a brush, then roll the big areas from top to bottom in even strokes. Let the first coat dry fully, as the label advises, before you start the second. Two thin coats look far better than one thick one. Keep windows open for air while it dries.
Clean up, register the warranty, keep the invoice
Peel off the masking tape while the last coat is still slightly soft, so it does not tear the edge. Wash brushes and rollers right away. Keep the leftover paint sealed for touch ups. Then register your Birla Opus warranty within 15 days of purchase by calling 1800 120 1234 or on the Birla Opus website, and file the tax invoice safely.
Painting words
- Emulsion
- Water based wall paint, the usual choice for inside and outside walls today. It spreads smoothly, dries without a strong smell, comes in many shades and finishes, and can be wiped clean.
- Distemper
- A basic, low cost wall paint with a flat matt look. Fine for rooms you will repaint soon or spaces that do not get much wear, but it marks easily and is not meant to be washed.
- Primer
- The first coat that goes on the wall before paint. It seals the surface, evens out how the wall soaks up paint, and gives the top coat a firm grip so the colour comes out uniform.
- Putty
- A white paste spread over the wall to fill small holes, hairline cracks and rough spots. Once dry and sanded it leaves a smooth, level surface, so the paint on top looks clean and even.
- Enamel
- A hard, glossy paint for doors, windows, grills, gates and metal or wooden furniture. It dries to a tough, shiny skin that stands up to knocks and can be wiped down with a damp cloth.
- Waterproofing
- A coating or treatment that stops water from seeping into walls, terraces and bathrooms. It goes on before the paint. Use it wherever you see damp patches, peeling or white powder after rain.
- Wood finish
- A clear or tinted coat for wooden doors, furniture and frames. It protects the wood from moisture and scratches while letting the natural grain show through, or adds a stain colour if you prefer.
- Sheen
- How much a dried paint surface shines. Matt has no shine, sheen has a soft glow, gloss is the shiniest. More sheen means easier cleaning, less sheen means small wall flaws are hidden better.
- Coverage
- How far a litre of paint goes on the wall. It depends on the paint, how rough or thirsty the wall is, and how many coats you apply. Bring your measurements and we will estimate the quantity.