This document discusses different types of surface coatings used in painting. It describes primers, undercoats, gloss, eggshell, emulsion, acrylic, and varnish paint finishes. It provides instructions for preparing various surfaces like walls, wood, and old paintwork for painting. Walls should be protected with dustsheets and loose plaster removed before painting. New wood requires sanding, knotting, and filler while old paint needs flaking paint removed and sanding to prepare for new coats.

1. © City of Glasgow College
Charity Number SC0 36198
Painting and Decorating
Faculty of Build Environment
Types Of Surface Coatings

2. Types of surface coatings
Primers
1, Whenever a surface is to be painted whether it is :-
2, Wood, metal, plaster, brick or any other material, a
primer needs to be applied.

3. Types of surface coatings
Primers
3, The primer adheres to or sticks to the surface to
protect it and allows a key for subsequent coats
4, Each type of surface has a suitable primer
recommended by the paint manufacturer

4. Types of surface coatings
Undercoat
Undercoats are the second coat of paint applied to a
surface.
The purpose of an undercoat is to give a high build of
paint on the surface and to cover any previous paint.
They produce a good clean sound surface for finishing
paint to be applied to

5. Types of surface coatings
Gloss
Gloss paint is traditionally an oil paint that leaves a
shiny surface when dry
It is reasonably hard wearing and is ideal for such
areas as doors, door frames (facings and stops)
windows and skirtings
The term gloss refers to the shiny surface that it
produces

6. Types of surface coatings
Eggshell
Eggshell paints are an alternative finish to gloss
paints.
They have similar properties although the term
eggshell refers to the way that the dried film of paint
looks
When eggshell dries it has a satin or semi gloss
appearance just like the shell of an egg

7. Types of surface coatings
Emulsion
Emulsion is a type of paint that is suitable for internal
walls and ceilings.
It is only ever thinned with water and brushes are also
washed in water after use.
There are two types of emulsion Matt and silk. Matt
has no sheen on drying and silk has a similar finish to
eggshell

8. Types of surface coatings
Acrylic
Acrylic paints are modern paints that are used in
similar ways to traditional oil based paints
They come in Gloss, Eggshell and Matt finishes but
are thinned with water in exactly the same way as
emulsion
Acrylic varnishes are also available

9. Types of surface coatings
Varnish
Varnish is basically a paint without any colour in it.
It is transparent or see through and is suitable for protection and
improving the look of wooden surfaces
Varnish comes in Matt, Eggshell/Satin and Gloss finishes

10. Types of surface coatings
When working with solvents or paints always
wash your hands when work is complete
and always before eating or using the toilet
Whenever using paints or solvents always refer
to the manufacturers information and COSHH
regulations which are usually printed on the
side of the tin

11. Preparing the walls for painting
1, First of all remove any curtains, light shades, pictures
and any breakable items from the room.
2, Place all the furnishings such as sofa’s, TV, tables,
lamps etc in the centre of the room and cover with
dust sheets.

12. Preparing the walls for painting
3, Ensure you place dustsheets on all floor coverings
before commencing work
4, This will provide protection from any paint splashes
and dust

13. Surface Preparation
4, To check the walls for loose plaster tap around any
suspect areas and remove any loose or flaky plaster
with a scraper
5, When filling try to leave a nice smooth finish, its
better to leave the filled area slightly proud of the
surrounding area and then sand down with a fine
sandpaper until flush

14. Preparing New Wood for Painting
1, To prepare new wood for painting, first sand down
the wood with a fine grade sand paper following the
wood grain, any sharp edges should be slightly
rounded off.
2, Wipe the wood down with a rag and white spirit to
remove any dust. Apply knotting to any knots, this
will stop any resin leaking from the wood and
spoiling the finish.

15. Preparing New Wood for Painting
3, Use a suitable wood filler to repair any joints or
cracks, leaving the filler slightly proud and then again
rubbing down with fine sand paper.
4,Wipe the wood down with a clean rag and white
spirit to remove all dust and debris.

16. Surface Preparation Old Paint work
1, Check for any flaking paint, remove with a scraper
and then feather the surrounding paint with fine
sand paper to even the surface, fill any open joints or
cracks leaving the filler slightly proud and then rub
down with fine sandpaper.

17. Surface Preparation Old Paint work
2, If the woodwork has been gloss painted ensure it is
fully rubbed down with a fine sandpaper which will
allow a key for further coats.
3, Before coating wash down with sugar soap and allow
to dry