Pure Flat Emulsion Paint Finish

The pure flat emulsion paint finish is a matt water-based emulsion paint that dries to a soft chalky finish. The high pigmentation gives a profound depth of colour and the flattest emulsion available. The paint is also micro-porous, to allow the fabric of a building to breathe.

Surface Preparation Guide

New Wood
For soft woods, knots should be sealed with knotting compound to prevent staining and then primed with Paint & Paper Library Oil Undercoat or Paint & Paper Library Architects Undercoat. Resinous hard woods require cleaning and treatment with Little Greene Aluminium Wood Primer (consult the relevant product data sheets for further details) prior to undercoating.

Ensure moisture content of the timber is below 15% before commencing application. Damp wood should never be painted as this may give rise to blistering, flaking, cracking and premature coating failure. Green oak should not be painted unless it has been weathered for at least 6 months.

Metals
New ferrous metalwork should be hand, or mechanically cleaned, to remove any surface rust before application of Paint & Paper Library Oil Undercoat. Non ferrous metals must be pre-treated or primed with an appropriate proprietary primer.

Existing Paint Finish
Remove all loose and flaking paintwork. Degrease with a suitable detergent solution, such as sugar soap, followed by clean water rinse. Rub down thoroughly with a medium grade sand paper to provide a key and a defect free smooth surface, “feathering in” areas where paint has been removed. Make good any repairs, sand and apply primer to exposed surface as appropriate.

Plastics
For long term performance, clean & lightly sand down surfaces. Prime using a proprietary adhesion promoting plastics primer before applying the finishing coat.

New Plaster Walls
For plaster skim, allow at least four weeks for the plaster to thoroughly dry. Apply a primer coat by thinning the paint with a 5 to 25% (v/v) addition of clean water, depending upon the porosity of the substrate. Cut in by brushing at the same dilution recommendation as for priming, to promote flow and sealing of the substrate.

Finish by applying two full coats. For new, fully plastered walls, allow at least six months for the plaster to thoroughly dry before painting. This product is not recommended for painting lime or other natural plasters.

Existing Plaster Walls
Lightly wash any existing paint work to remove any dust or surface laitance. Apply a primer coat by thinning with a 0 to 25% (v/v) addition of clean water, depending upon the porosity of the substrate.

Finish by applying at least one full coat, as required. For significant colour scheme change, undercoating with Paint & Paper Library Architects Undercoat is highly recommended. This product is not recommended for painting previously painted lime or other natural plasters.

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Application

Stir thoroughly before use. Do not apply to surfaces when the ambient temperature is below 5˚C.

Brushing
Use a high quality synthetic bristle brush that is suitably sized for the project at hand. New brushes should be conditioned by washing in clean water and thoroughly drying with a clean, lint free, cloth.

Avoid immersing brush too far into the paint to prevent paint from entering the ferrule. Avoid drips and splashes by not overloading the brush. Apply paint in even strokes and only extend painting area such that a wet edge can be easily maintained. For the highest quality appearance, keep final brush strokes all in the same direction and never go over paint that has already begun to dry.

For intricate items, or when high ambient temperatures/high air flow conditions cannot be avoided, the open time maybe extended with a 10 to 15% (v/v) addition of a propriety water based paint conditioner. This advice is also applicable to large flat areas; however, use of a paint roller is the recommended application method in such cases.

Roller
Use a short nap wool blend type sleeve for best appearance on smooth surfaces. Increase nap length for textured surfaces, as appropriate, to ensure even and thorough coverage. Keep final strokes all in the same direction, maintaining a wet edge throughout.

Never be tempted to go over already drying paint as this will lead to lap marking and flashing. When high ambient temperatures/high air flow conditions cannot be avoided, the open time maybe extended with a 10 to 15% (v/v) addition of propriety water based paint conditioner.

Aftercare

Cleaning
For light surface soiling; use a dilute, lukewarm solution of domestic washing up liquid and a clean sponge or lint free cloth. Ensure sponge or cloth is well wetted (but not dripping), wipe the affected area and repeat as required.

To help prevent general build up, keep your home well ventilated during activities likely to contribute to oil and grease accumulation, like cooking. Tackle dust generated from DIY by, preferably, collecting at source or thorough vacuum cleaning.

General dusting can be effectively achieved using paper towel or soft cloth and the damp dusting method. To prevent marking, always use a soft brush attachment to vacuum clean adjacent surfaces.

Special Care
Avoid placing heavy objects onto surface for a least a week after painting. Bookshelves and other frequent use surfaces may benefit from a very light application of beeswax polish to help prevent marring over the long term.

Repair
Lightly rub down area to be repainted, apply a suitable primer to any exposed substrate. Repaint item “break to break” with one or two coats as required. Stand alone items, such as window frames and doors, may require the whole item to be repainted to avoid slight colour differences between the existing finish and adjoining repair areas. Inferior aesthetic results will likely be achieved with just spot repairs.