Paint

Paint buying guide

Veldkraft lists 577 paint, priced from R1 to R6 035, from brands including Steel Cladd, Powafix, Rcm, Sprayon. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

Choose paint by surface first

Pick paint for the surface, then the colour. Masonry, plaster, metal and timber each need a coating made for them, and the label states which surfaces a product suits. If you are shopping for roof paint, choose one whose label names your roof surface, such as galvanised sheeting or fibre cement. This range covers Rcm general coatings, Steel Cladd quick-dry metal finishes, Sprayon aerosols, Powafix wood treatments, thinners, stripper, bonding liquid, brushes and rollers.

Water-based or solvent-based?

Check the clean-up instructions on the label to tell the two apart. Water-based paints clean up with water, dry faster and have less odour, which suits interior walls. Solvent-based enamels and many metal finishes clean up with thinners, such as Powafix Super Gloss 300 Thinners, and generally give a harder, more moisture-resistant surface. Never mix the two systems in one tin, and confirm a new coat suits the old one before painting over it.

Work out how much paint you need

Measure before you buy. Multiply the length of each wall by its height, add the walls together and subtract large doors and windows to get the area in square metres. Divide by the spreading rate on the label, given in square metres per litre, then multiply by the number of coats. Rough or porous surfaces such as new plaster and face brick absorb more, so allow extra. Coatings come in sizes up to 20 litres.

Prepare the surface properly

Preparation decides how long a finish lasts. Clean off dirt, grease and loose material, sand glossy surfaces to give a key, and remove flaking coatings; Powafix Aquastrip lifts old coatings on the surfaces its label lists. Treat rust on steel first. For cement and plaster work, Rcm Bonding Liquid improves adhesion when used as its label directs. Use strippers, thinners and cleaners such as Drain Mate with gloves, eye protection and ventilation, and never mix chemicals.

Spray paint and touch-ups

Use aerosol spray paint for small items, metal fittings and touch-ups where a brush would leave marks. Sprayon standard aerosols come in 250ml cans in colours such as Rose and Seaspray Green, and the tractor touch-up range comes in 350ml cans matched to implement colours. Shake the can for the time on the label, spray light coats from the recommended distance and build colour gradually. Mask nearby surfaces and work in a ventilated area away from flames.

Brushes, rollers and wood finishes

Match the applicator to the coating and surface. Professional brushes hold more and leave fewer marks, while utility brushes suit rough work and primers. A mock mohair roller, such as the Hamiltons 225mm, suits smooth surfaces and gloss finishes. For timber, Powafix Burmese teak oil feeds and protects wood, and Fence Defence colours outdoor timber. For a clear wood varnish, check the label says varnish and whether it is for interior or exterior use.

Paint: common questions

How much paint do I need for a room?

Measure the length and height of each wall, multiply to get square metres, add them up and subtract doors and windows. Divide that area by the spreading rate on the tin and multiply by the number of coats, usually two. Add a margin for porous or rough surfaces, and buy from one batch so the colour stays consistent.

Can I paint over enamel with water-based paint?

Only after preparation. Gloss enamel is too smooth for water-based paint to grip well on its own. Clean it with a degreaser, sand it to a dull finish, wipe off the dust and apply a primer or undercoat whose label says it is suitable over enamel. Then apply your water-based topcoat.

What paint should I use on steel?

Use a paint made for metal, such as a quick-dry metal finish or a coating whose label lists steel. Remove rust and loose paint with a wire brush or sandpaper, degrease the surface and apply a primer if the label calls for one. Finish with two coats, letting each dry fully, and touch up chips quickly before rust spreads.

How much does paint cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 577 paint and painting products priced from R1 to R6 035. Brushes, small spray cans and cloths sit at the low end of that range. Price rises mainly with tin size, from 1 litre to 20 litres, and with product type, such as specialist metal finishes, wood treatments and strippers compared with general coatings.

How do I clean paint brushes?

Use the clean-up method on the paint label. Wash water-based paint out with warm soapy water straight after use. For enamels and solvent-based paints, work the brush in thinners, then wash with soapy water and rinse. Shake out excess liquid, reshape the bristles and dry brushes flat or hanging, never standing on their bristles.

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