Carpentry Basics: Painting

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Key Questions

The following key questions are answered in this module:

How long does oil-based paint typically take to dry?
Oil-based paint normally requires 24 to 48 hours to dry and repel water.

What is the best type of paint for interior walls?
Latex paint is the best type of paint for interior walls; however, it's not recommended for use in damp, wet, or high humidity type areas such as a kitchen or bathroom.

What should be used to clean walls prior to painting?
To clean the walls prior to painting, use a mild cleaner such as a mixture of warm water and dishwashing soap. Use a sponge to apply and then to prevent streaking use a towel to dry

Why is it important to have proper ventilation when painting indoor or enclosed spaces?
If you do not have sufficient ventilation in a room or space to be painted, the toxic fumes of that paint could make it difficult to breathe and cause a variety of health and safety complications, such as nausea and dizziness.

What tools are used during painting activities?
Common painting tools include cloth rags, abrasive pads, sandpaper, scrapers, putty knives, wire brushes and chipping hammers.

Sample Video Transcript

Below is a transcript of the video sample provided for this module:

As oil-based paints dry, they release solvent fumes into the atmosphere. These solvents are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which increase ground-level ozone and contribute to smog. So, their use has been limited by the EPA and many states. VOCs are also flammable and can contribute to a number of health problems, including headaches and nausea. Water-based latex paints can also contain VOCs and other chemicals with negative health effects. Therefore, when painting interior surfaces or in enclosed areas, make sure there is adequate ventilation and consider using a low-VOC or no-VOC paint. Before you begin, open windows and doors, and install fans to push the fumes outside. If you have enough openings, use additional fans to pull fresh air in. If you can’t adequately ventilate the space with windows and fans, wear a respirator designed for organic vapors while you paint and don’t let anyone enter the space until after the paint has dried completely. It is also a good idea to take more frequent breaks to take in some fresh air. Low-VOC and no-VOC paints have been formulated without solvents, so they are better for the environment and have less odor than VOC-containing paints. These paints are another good option for painting projects in areas where ventilation is a challenge. As paint dries, it continues to release solvents, water, and other chemicals into the air. This is why it is important to keep ventilating an area after you finish painting, to prevent the accumulation of irritating and/or harmful fumes. It takes 24 to 48 hours for a freshly painted room to dry completely. Even in areas with low levels of ventilation, like a basement, it is important to keep fans running during drying to circulate the air and help push fumes out.