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(Updated 12.04.07)
Are there acoustic qualities to BLENDS?
We can't claim any serious sound attenuation benefits to the application of BLENDS.....but it should
not negatively impact the acoustic profile of a space either. Think of it as acoustically neutral.....
Can I paint over BLENDS?
You will be so pleased with your BLENDS application that we can't imagine you would want to, but
yes, you can either apply another architectural coating or another colorway of BLENDS if you like. The
preparation would be the same as it would be for repainting over a latex semigloss enamel.
BLENDS has a texture, so if you paint over it with a conventional coating that texture will read through.
To eliminate the texture you can sand the wall or skim coat it.
Are there any special tricks to applying a BLENDS solid color flake?
The most important thing is to keep everything clean. Make sure that there are no stray flakes in your
hopper or suction gun from the last job that could show up in your finish. Also when you apply the
topcoat if your roller is new be sure to defuzz it (press and remove masking tape all over the cover).
How the heck did you do the HOLIDAY VIDEO that we were emailed?
It's the same process that you would use to apply a border or other graphic effect. Stencil on the
design in our standard topcoat, then immediately (while it is still wet and open) blow solid color
BLENDS flakes on to the area. The flakes will only stick in the stencilled area.
Are dry paint flakes really that easy to clean up?
Yes, because they are, well, dry.....but we have a couple of caveats. Putting a piece of vinyl or
cardboard at the base of the wall to catch excess flakes not only makes the cleanup even easier, but
it is economical. You might as well pour those flakes back into the container and re-use them. On a
hard surface the flakes can be easily swept or vacuumed up but be sure to do that before you roll on
the topcoat, because any stray roller splatter that happens to land on a flake will glue it to the floor. If
you are applying flakes in a carpeted space, be extra careful because the flakes are more difficult to
vacuum from a carpet nap, especially if you step on them and grind them in....
Why can’t I use ordinary flat wall paint as a basecoat?
BLENDS basecoat has some features that most wall paint doesn’t have. Most notably BLENDS is
formulated to be applied thickly (10 mil is about 4 times as thick as most wall paints) and to stay
“open” long enough for you to be able to apply flakes.
How can I get a smoother finish with BLENDS?
You can do any or all of the following:
1) SCRAPE THE FLAKES WITH A JOINT KNIFE. After the basecoat/flake matrix is dry, use a joint knife
to smooth the surface out before brushing and topcoating.
1) SAND THE FLAKES. Use a pole sander and medium grit production sandpaper to lightly sand
the surface. Vacuum or brush off the sanding grit and apply the BLENDS topcoat.
2) APPLY A SECOND COAT OF TOPCOAT. A second full coat will give more build and will flatten the
surface profile.
Do I have to apply the topcoat?
The topcoat gives additional durability and some gloss to the finish. In areas where abrasion is
unlikely some users opt to leave the topcoat off to get a more matte effect. In the case of blends with
metallic colored flakes, there is a little more sparkle without the topcoat.
Can I use an epoxy topcoat over BLENDS on a wall?
We currently do not have an epoxy topcoat to recommend. As we see it, the difficulty you have to keep
in mind with an epoxy-coated wall is the surface prep. With the BLENDS acrylic topcoat, repair and
touchup are simple.
Can I apply BLENDS directly over new drywall?
You'll have to seal the drywall first with good quality sealer, such as BLENDS UNIVERSAL PRIMER.
The problem is this: an unsealed surface will not allow the basecoat to stay "open" long enough for
you to apply the flakes. In addition, a surface that is not tightly sealed will dry rougher than a sealed
surface.
Can I apply BLENDS over wallpaper?
There are too many variables for us to make that recommendation. It might work, but our advice is
always going to be to strip any wallcovering and remove every trace of paste (paste under paint
coatings can cause alligatoring). If you want to take a chance on applying BLENDS over wallcovering,
here are some things to keep in mind:
best chance of success:
Are there acoustic qualities to BLENDS?
We can't claim any serious sound attenuation benefits to the application of BLENDS.....but it should
not negatively impact the acoustic profile of a space either. Think of it as acoustically neutral.....
Can I paint over BLENDS?
You will be so pleased with your BLENDS application that we can't imagine you would want to, but
yes, you can either apply another architectural coating or another colorway of BLENDS if you like. The
preparation would be the same as it would be for repainting over a latex semigloss enamel.
BLENDS has a texture, so if you paint over it with a conventional coating that texture will read through.
To eliminate the texture you can sand the wall or skim coat it.
Are there any special tricks to applying a BLENDS solid color flake?
The most important thing is to keep everything clean. Make sure that there are no stray flakes in your
hopper or suction gun from the last job that could show up in your finish. Also when you apply the
topcoat if your roller is new be sure to defuzz it (press and remove masking tape all over the cover).
How the heck did you do the HOLIDAY VIDEO that we were emailed?
It's the same process that you would use to apply a border or other graphic effect. Stencil on the
design in our standard topcoat, then immediately (while it is still wet and open) blow solid color
BLENDS flakes on to the area. The flakes will only stick in the stencilled area.
Are dry paint flakes really that easy to clean up?
Yes, because they are, well, dry.....but we have a couple of caveats. Putting a piece of vinyl or
cardboard at the base of the wall to catch excess flakes not only makes the cleanup even easier, but
it is economical. You might as well pour those flakes back into the container and re-use them. On a
hard surface the flakes can be easily swept or vacuumed up but be sure to do that before you roll on
the topcoat, because any stray roller splatter that happens to land on a flake will glue it to the floor. If
you are applying flakes in a carpeted space, be extra careful because the flakes are more difficult to
vacuum from a carpet nap, especially if you step on them and grind them in....
Why can’t I use ordinary flat wall paint as a basecoat?
BLENDS basecoat has some features that most wall paint doesn’t have. Most notably BLENDS is
formulated to be applied thickly (10 mil is about 4 times as thick as most wall paints) and to stay
“open” long enough for you to be able to apply flakes.
How can I get a smoother finish with BLENDS?
You can do any or all of the following:
1) SCRAPE THE FLAKES WITH A JOINT KNIFE. After the basecoat/flake matrix is dry, use a joint knife
to smooth the surface out before brushing and topcoating.
1) SAND THE FLAKES. Use a pole sander and medium grit production sandpaper to lightly sand
the surface. Vacuum or brush off the sanding grit and apply the BLENDS topcoat.
2) APPLY A SECOND COAT OF TOPCOAT. A second full coat will give more build and will flatten the
surface profile.
Do I have to apply the topcoat?
The topcoat gives additional durability and some gloss to the finish. In areas where abrasion is
unlikely some users opt to leave the topcoat off to get a more matte effect. In the case of blends with
metallic colored flakes, there is a little more sparkle without the topcoat.
Can I use an epoxy topcoat over BLENDS on a wall?
We currently do not have an epoxy topcoat to recommend. As we see it, the difficulty you have to keep
in mind with an epoxy-coated wall is the surface prep. With the BLENDS acrylic topcoat, repair and
touchup are simple.
Can I apply BLENDS directly over new drywall?
You'll have to seal the drywall first with good quality sealer, such as BLENDS UNIVERSAL PRIMER.
The problem is this: an unsealed surface will not allow the basecoat to stay "open" long enough for
you to apply the flakes. In addition, a surface that is not tightly sealed will dry rougher than a sealed
surface.
Can I apply BLENDS over wallpaper?
There are too many variables for us to make that recommendation. It might work, but our advice is
always going to be to strip any wallcovering and remove every trace of paste (paste under paint
coatings can cause alligatoring). If you want to take a chance on applying BLENDS over wallcovering,
here are some things to keep in mind:
- Moisture from the coating can penetrate the face or seams and loosen the paper.
- Metallic pigments in wallpaper inks can oxidize and stain the surface long after the paint is
applied - One desirable feature of BLENDS is that it is permeable, allowing water vapor to pass through
which is desirable in preventing conditions that lead to mildew. Layers of wallcovering
(especially vinyl wallcovering) under the coating could reduce that permeability.
best chance of success:
- Wash the surface with a detergent solution, rinse and dry
- Check carefully for any loose areas or loose seams, glue any you find down with vinyl to vinyl
adhesive - Seal the surface with a coat of stain killing BLENDS UNIVERSAL PRIMER
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