Priya Kapoor
Painting coving is considered more difficult than painting walls or ceilings. The type of paint you should use depends on the material of the coving. For example, polystyrene coving is very absorbent and will need several coats of paint to get a nice finish. Paper-coated plaster coving will typically require less paint but will need to be pre-primed first. Modern polymer-based products will usually be supplied with a quality primer undercoat already applied, so they will only require a single topcoat. Coving is traditionally painted white, but you can experiment with different colours for a more contemporary look. Matte is a popular choice for interiors as it offers a smooth, flat finish with minimal light reflection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint type | Emulsion |
| Sheen | Matte, eggshell, soft sheen, silky |
| Colour | White, brilliant white, pure brilliant white, magnolia, or any colour of your choice |
| Paint technique | Use a medium-sized nylon or synthetic paintbrush, apply paint evenly in small sections, working from the edge of the coving towards the middle |
| Number of coats | At least 2 coats, depending on the material of the coving |
| Primer | Required for plaster coving and paper-coated plaster coving |
| Filler | Use a suitable filler like Gyproc EasiFill for cracks |
| Degreaser | Zinsser's Universal Degreaser and Cleaner |
| Stain-blocker | Zinsser Cover Stain |
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What You'll Learn
Paint type depends on coving material
Painting coving can be a tricky task, and the type of paint you use depends on the material of the coving. Coving is a strip of material that creates a border between the ceiling and the wall, and it usually features a decorative pattern.
If you have plaster coving, you will need to apply a special plaster primer first. Paper-coated plaster coving will also usually need to be pre-primed. Modern polymer-based products often come with a primer undercoat already applied, so you can skip this step. After priming, you should let the coving dry for about two hours before painting.
Polystyrene coving is very absorbent, so it will need several coats of paint to get a nice finish. On the other hand, paper-coated plaster coving will typically require less paint. If you are painting over an existing layer of paint, especially if it is a darker colour, it is recommended to use a primer first to achieve an even finish.
When it comes to the type of paint, emulsion paint is often recommended over gloss paint for coving. Emulsion paint will likely need a couple of coats, whereas gloss paint may turn yellow quickly. If you want to add some contrast, you can paint your coving a different colour from your walls and ceiling, but traditionally, coving is painted white.
Finally, consider the amount of sheen you want your coving to have. Matte finishes are popular and trendy as they offer a smooth, flat finish with minimal light reflection. Eggshell finishes provide more light reflection and are better at stain resistance than matte. Soft sheen and silky finishes offer a silk finish with mid-sheen and are easy to clean and highly durable.
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Preparation and cleaning
Clearing the Space:
Start by removing as much furniture as possible from the room. For larger pieces that cannot be easily moved, push them towards the centre of the room, keeping them away from the coving and walls. It is important to protect your belongings and the floor with dust sheets, plastic sheets, or tarps.
Cleaning the Coving:
Wipe down the coving with a damp cloth or a dusting brush to remove dust, dirt, and debris. This step is crucial as it ensures that the paint will adhere correctly to the surface. If there are nicotine stains or greasy deposits, a more thorough cleaning is required. Use sugar soap or a degreaser like Zinsser's Universal Degreaser and Cleaner. If there is existing paint on the coving, consider using a product like Barrettine PeelAway, which can help remove the old paint.
Filling Cracks and Gaps:
Inspect the coving for any cracks, gaps, or signs of damage. Use a suitable filler, such as Gyproc EasiFill, to fill in any cracks, and use decorator's caulk for filling small gaps between the coving and the wall or ceiling. Caulk is flexible and less likely to crack if there is minor movement. Flush the filler as much as possible to minimise the need for extensive sanding, especially if the coving is made of plaster, as aggressive sanding can damage it. Once the filler has cured, sand it smooth to create an even surface.
Priming the Coving:
Check if your coving requires priming. Polymer-based coving often comes with a primer undercoat already applied. However, plaster coving usually needs a plaster primer. Priming is also recommended if you are painting over an existing layer of paint, especially if the new colour is significantly lighter. Apply the primer with a medium-sized nylon or synthetic brush, working in small sections to avoid dripping. If your coving has intricate patterns, use a smaller brush to reach into crevices. Allow the primer to dry for at least 2 hours before proceeding to paint.
Applying a Mist Coat:
If your coving is made of a porous material, such as gypsum, consider applying a "mist coat." A mist coat is a watered-down coat of paint that helps create a strong bond between the plaster and the paint. This step is especially important for porous surfaces to prevent cracking, flaking, or peeling of the paint.
Protecting Adjacent Surfaces:
Use painter's masking tape along the walls and ceiling just above the coving to create a clean edge and prevent paint from getting on adjacent surfaces. This step is essential if you are painting the coving a different colour than the ceiling or walls. Run your thumb along the tape to ensure it is securely stuck.
By following these preparation and cleaning steps, you will be well on your way to achieving a professional and polished look when painting your coving.
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Priming
Before priming, cover the floor with a dust sheet and move or cover any furniture to protect it from paint splashes. Next, apply masking tape or masking film to the wall just below the coving and on the ceiling just above it for the entire length of the coving to avoid paint drips. Run your thumb along the tape to ensure it is securely in place.
Now, you are ready to apply the primer. Use a medium-sized nylon brush and work in small sections at a time, especially if using paper-coated coving as over-wetting the brush can spoil the coving or cause drips. If your coving has intricate patterns, use a smaller brush to dab the primer into crevices. If your coving surface is smooth, a polyester brush will give you the best finish.
Once you have finished applying the primer, you need to leave it to dry for about two hours before painting.
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Painting techniques
Painting coving can be a tricky task, but with the right tools and techniques, you can achieve professional-quality results. Here are some detailed painting techniques to help you paint coving effectively:
Preparation:
Before you start painting, it's important to prepare the room and the coving itself. Remove as much furniture as possible from the room, and cover the remaining items and the floor with dust sheets or drop cloths. Use masking tape or masking film around the coving and on the ceiling to protect the adjacent areas from paint splashes and create clean borders. If your coving has any cracks or flaws, fill them with a suitable filler and let it dry completely before sanding the patched areas smooth. Give the coving a thorough cleaning to remove any dust, dirt, or debris, ensuring a level surface for the paint to adhere to.
Priming:
If your coving is new or has never been painted before, priming is an essential step. Apply one coat of a suitable primer, such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3, in a thin layer. This will help the paint adhere properly and create a solid base. For plaster coving, a 'mist coat' is recommended, which is a watered-down coat of paint that helps the plaster soak up the paint and creates a strong bond.
Painting Technique:
Use a synthetic paintbrush that is the appropriate size for the job, allowing you to reach all the nooks and crannies of the coving. Start painting from the edge of the coving, working towards the middle in small sections. Apply the paint evenly and gradually, ensuring a smooth finish. If your coving has fine patterns or mouldings, use a fine brush to carefully paint them without saturating the brush. Let the first coat dry completely before applying the second coat. The second coat should be thicker than the first but still maintain an even finish.
Final Touches:
Once the paint is dry to the touch, slowly and carefully remove the tape at a slight angle to avoid peeling off any fresh paint. Inspect the coving for any missed spots or uneven areas, and touch them up as needed. If you notice any gaps between the coving and the wall or ceiling, you can use decorator's caulk to fill them. Finally, clean up any spills with soap and water, and enjoy your freshly painted coving!
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Sheen and colour
When it comes to painting coving, there are a few things to consider in terms of sheen and colour. Firstly, it is important to determine the material of the coving, as this will impact the type of paint and the number of coats required. For example, polystyrene coving is very absorbent and will need several coats of paint for a nice finish, while paper-coated plaster coving will typically need fewer coats but may need to be pre-primed.
Once you've determined the material and prepared the surface, you can consider the sheen and colour. If you want your coving to blend in with the ceiling, you should use a paint with a similar sheen and a matching or complementary colour. For example, if your ceiling is painted with a matte finish, using a matte paint in a similar colour on the coving will help it blend in. On the other hand, if you want your coving to stand out, you can choose a paint with a higher sheen or a contrasting colour.
It's worth noting that traditional coving is painted white, but you can experiment with different colours if you're going for a more contemporary look. If you're painting over an existing layer of paint, especially a darker colour, it's recommended to use a primer first to ensure an even finish. You can also use a special stain-blocking paint if there are nicotine or grease stains.
In terms of sheen, there are a few options to consider. Matte is a popular choice for interiors as it offers a smooth, flat finish with minimal light reflection. Eggshell provides more light reflection and is better at withstanding stains than matte. Soft sheen and silky finishes offer a mid-sheen look and are easy to clean and durable. Silk-style paints have the most sheen and will make your coving stand out.
Ultimately, the sheen and colour you choose for your coving depend on your personal preference and the aesthetic you want to achieve. It's recommended to get a few testers or look at examples to help you decide on the best option for your home.
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Frequently asked questions
Emulsion paint is the best option for painting coving. You can also use a coat of Zinsser Cover Stain and finish with a couple of coats of white emulsion.
Matte, eggshell, soft sheen, and silky are all sheen options for painting coving. Matte is the most popular option as it offers a smooth, flat finish with minimal light reflection.
Coving is traditionally painted white, but you can experiment with different colours for a more contemporary look.
Before painting, cover the floor with a dust sheet, move furniture, and cover anything you don't want to be painted. Wear protective gear such as coveralls, gloves, and a mask. Apply painter's tape to the wall and ceiling to avoid overspill.
Use a medium-sized nylon or synthetic paintbrush, dipping it into the paint without overloading it. Start from the edge of the coving, working towards the middle in small sections, ensuring a smooth finish. Apply a second coat once the first has dried, and use caulk to fill any gaps.
