Painting With Semigloss Paint

Uses

• The look of a semigloss paint isn't as appealing to some people as a flat color, however, it offers the clear advantage of being much easier to clean up. Semigloss walls don't stain as easily as other finishes, and wipe clean quite easily. This makes them popular in rooms like kitchens where messes are common. Semigloss walls are also a good option for rooms where children spend a great deal of time.

Preparing the Walls

• Make sure that the walls are in good shape before you apply a semigloss paint. On new walls, ensure that the drywall has been sanded flat and remember to apply two coats of a primer designed to work with your particular paint brand. The problem with glossier sheen paint, including semigloss, is that any imperfections in the wall show up. You want the surface as perfect as possible before you start to paint.

Coats

• The more coats of semigloss paint that you apply to a wall, the more you up the strength of the paint surface. This allows you to clean it more vigorously. With two coats, you should have no problem taking a wet rag and washing off grime on the wall. With some paint, two coats will be enough that you can scrub the paint vigorously when it needs it. Some semigloss paints might need an extra coat though to make them scrubbable.

Problems

• Painting with a low quality semigloss paint, or applying it incorrectly leads to problems with the paint job later. Low quality semigloss paint has a tendency to stick to other painted surfaces, making it a very poor choice for doors and door frames, for instance. Another problem occurs when you apply semigloss paint with a long nap roller, as this causes small bubbles to appear in the paint's surface. Instead, a short nap roller should be used.