Get those jobs done with a little help from DIY guru Julia Gray. This week: how to use oil-based paints and varnishes.
Top tips for... using oil-based paints and varnishes
:: Oil-based paints and varnishes tend to separate, so you need to stir them really well before you use them, ensuring that you reach right down into the bottom of the tin.
:: These products tend to dry slowly, so be patient and don't do another coat until the previous one's completely dry. If you want something that dries faster, opt for a water-based one instead. Quick-drying glosses and satinwoods, for example, dry in a fraction of the time of oil-based ones and are a lot nicer to use. Warm conditions will speed up the drying time, while cold or damp conditions will slow it right down and may even ruin the finish.
:: Cleaning brushes after using oil-based paints and varnishes (natural bristle brushes are generally best) is hard going compared to water-based ones. You'll need to use white spirit or turpentine substitute and should soak your brushes in these between coats. It's very easy to ruin brushes by not cleaning them properly and then leaving them to dry.
:: It's essential to paint in well-ventilated conditions and to wear rubber gloves and old clothes, as oil-based paints and varnishes give off fumes and are hard to remove from your skin. Remember to protect the area around where you're painting as well.
:: Over time, oil-based paints and varnishes tend to go yellow, especially if they're white or clear. To avoid this, opt for non-yellowing varnishes and water-based white paints, which shouldn't discolour.
DIY news bulletin
:: If the onset of autumn has turned your thoughts to home improvement, check out the new range of MacAllister power tools recently launched at B&Q.
The range comprises more than 40 power tools, including drills, sanders, angle grinders, jigsaws and circular saws, and is available exclusively at B&Q stores. So whether you're cutting wood for a new floor, drilling to put up shelves, sanding before painting or doing more complex carpentry tasks, you'll find a tool for the job.
Prices start at £24.98 for a 100W corner sander, ranging up to £149.98 for a 14.4V li-ion cordless impact wrench. Find your nearest store at www.diy.com.
:: If you want to protect your decking in time for winter, make life easier for yourself by using the Cuprinol PowerPad, which is specially designed for decking. The PowerPad combines the benefits of a paintbrush and a pad - the bristles get right into the decking's grooves, while the pad glides over the surface to give a smooth, even finish. The PowerPad is battery powered, so it's quick and easy to use and makes light work of large decks.
For the wood stain, use Cuprinol PowerPad Decking Stain - you simply slot the bottle into the handle of the PowerPad. The stain is available in four colours - Boston Teak, Golden Maple, Hampshire Oak and Natural Oak - and produces a matt, waterproof finish.
The PowerPad costs around £24.99 (replacement pads are around £5.99), while one litre of Decking Stain is around £12.99. Go to www.cuprinol.co.uk to find out more.
Ask the expert
Q: I'd like to paint the base of a ceramic table lamp - is it easy to do?
A: The key is to prepare the base properly. Start by cleaning it, then sand it to roughen the surface ready for the paint. Wipe clean, and when dry apply a couple of coats of tile primer. Use eggshell, satinwood or gloss paint as your topcoat, or specialist tile paint, applying as many coats as you need - use a foam roller for a good finish. For an even smoother finish, use a suitable spray paint, preferably outside. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and take full safety precautions.
Seasonal task
Our hoped-for Indian summer may well be here, so why not construct a simple pergola against a wall in your garden to make more of your seating/entertainment area and provide some shelter from the showers we're so used to? Before you begin, though, check that you don't need planning permission.
