This document provides an overview of painting and decorating techniques for a Level 2 Diploma. It discusses different types of paints and coatings, including waterborne and solventborne paints. It also outlines various primers, undercoats, and finishes for different surfaces like timber, plaster and metal. Specific topics covered include stains, varnishes, the functions of primers, and the characteristics of different paint finishes from flat to high gloss. The goal is to understand how to properly prepare and apply different coating systems to surfaces based on the manufacturer's instructions.

1. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Type of paint
Unit 216: Applying paint systems by brush and
roller to complex areas

2. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Learning outcomes
• Understand how to prepare and apply waterborne and solventborne
coating by brush and roller, in line with manufacturers' instructions,
to complex areas.
• Be able to prepare and apply waterborne and solventborne coatings
by brush and roller to complex areas in line with manufacturers'
instructions.
• Understand the properties of paint coatings.

3. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Surface coatings
Paint is a pigmented or coloured liquid, used to preserve, decorate,
sanitize and identify.
Stain is semi-transparent and a varnish is transparent – they are used
to enhance the beauty of the timber grain in hardwoods.
The classification of coatings are generalised as waterborne and
solventborne.

4. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Primers and sealers
The primer or sealer coat on a new surface is the base of the paint
system. The coating combines with the surface material to form a key
with that surface.
The paint mechanically grips the surface. If the primer is
incorrect, the durability of the paint system will be reduced.
Functions of a primer:
1. Provides a base for the paint system to adhere to (stick).
2. Helps to protect the surface.
3. Evens out porosity.
4. Seals the surface.
5. Forms a barrier between the surface and subsequent paint system.
Research the types of primers available for timber, plaster and
metal.

5. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Stains
Decorative stains are available in a variety of types. They are used to
enhance the beauty of the timber grain in hardwoods. They can be
used on softwoods and building boards of certain types, and can be
used by specialist decorators to imitate the grain of timbers.
Oil-based interior wood stains have pigment in
a mixture of resin/solvent, like oil paints. These take
a long time to completely dry – up to 24 hours.
Water-based interior wood stains are similar to latex
paint in that they have pigment in a resin/water mixture.
Unlike oils, these stains do not take much time to dry.
Opaque stains
These stains are used for general work such as the protection of
fences, garden sheds etc. They are high build.

6. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Varnishes
Varnishes are clear coatings which offer a hard, chemical-
resistant protective layer over stains and some paints.
Varnishes are either very hard and brittle, or soft and elastic.
Finishes: matt, satin and gloss.
Polyurethane varnishes are typically hard, abrasion-resistant
and durable coatings.
Alkyd varnishes are chemically modified vegetable oils that
operate well in a wide range of conditions.
Acrylic varnishes are waterborne, quick drying and do not
yellow.
Discuss in groups the types of varnishes available for use.

7. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Types of primers
Solventborne
Plaster – alkaline-resistant primer
Timber – aluminium wood primer, universal primer
Timber boards – aluminium wood primer, universal primer
Metal – zinc phosphate, etch, red oxide, micaceous
iron oxide
Waterborne
Plaster – thinned emulsion, acrylic, resin-based combined primer
Timber – acrylic primer
Timber boards – thinned emulsion, acrylic primer
Metal – acrylic metal primer

8. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Undercoats
An undercoat is the coating that offers high build
to the paint system; it also has good covering
power due to the high pigmentation levels in the
paint make-up (obliterates) – the undercoat
adheres to the primer key coat.
Discuss in groups the types of undercoats available for use.
A high solid – like alkyd interior undercoat –
demonstrates excellent coverage, grip and sealing
properties. May be top coated with either latex or
alkyd finishes.

9. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Undercoats
• Latex paint is non-toxic and has less odour than
other paints, such as oil-based paint.
• When used indoors, fumes from oil-based paint may
linger for several weeks.
• On the other hand odours from latex paint dissipate
quickly after the paint has dried.
• However, adequate ventilation is always necessary
when painting indoors, regardless of the type of paint
used.

10. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Finishes
There are many different types of interior
paint finishes. Flat and matt paint finishes
have no real sheen when the paint has dried.
Rather than reflect light, flat and matt paint
finishes absorb it. Both paint finishes are
good for hiding small surface imperfections
and imperfections in application.
Silk emulsion is an attractive high sheen
paint with light reflecting properties, making it
the ideal choice if you want to make a room
look bigger. It is washable, making it ideal for
kitchens and bathrooms.

11. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Finishes
An eggshell paint is a mid sheen but has a tiny amount of sheen to it
when dried.
It is a good choice for interior walls and washes slightly better than flat
wall paint (available in water and oilborne).

12. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Finishes
A satin paint finish is often the glossiest paint finish a decorator will
recommend for any room apart from the kitchen and bathroom. It is not
a high-gloss finish but has a smooth, velvety shine when dry.
Satin paint finishes do not hide imperfections in surfaces or application
as well as matt finishes.

13. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Finishes
High gloss paint finishes are at the other end of the spectrum and
reflect the most light of any paint finish when dried. High gloss is a
great choice for high traffic areas and exterior areas.
Image reproductions courtesy of Decorating Warehouse and Axminster.

14. © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved.
Level 2 Diploma in Painting and Decorating
Any questions?