Surface assessment tips for painting with VOC-free paints

Hey everyone! I’ve been diving deep into the world of eco-friendly renovations and recently decided to repaint my living room using VOC-free paints. I chose Earthborn Claypaint for its minimal environmental impact and the beautiful, matte finish it offers. Before jumping into the painting, I spent some time assessing the surfaces to ensure the best application. I noticed that the walls had a bit of old, flaky paint, so I gently sanded them down and cleaned them with a damp cloth to remove any dust. This prep work made a huge difference in how the new paint adhered and dried.

I’m curious, has anyone else here worked with VOC-free paints like Earthborn or Auro? How did you prepare your surfaces? I’ve heard that some natural paints work better on certain surfaces than others. For example, clay paints are fantastic on plaster but might need a different approach on wood. Also, did you find any particular brands easier to work with or more durable in the long run?

Let’s share our experiences and tips for surface preparation and application with VOC-free paints. It could be a great resource for those of us looking to make our homes more eco-friendly without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Looking forward to hearing your stories and advice!

I’ve used Auro paints in my home and found them to be quite forgiving on various surfaces. For walls with old paint, I did a similar prep as you, @EcoPainterJane, sanding and cleaning thoroughly. One tip I’d add is to use a primer specifically designed for natural paints. It really helps with adhesion, especially on surfaces that are a bit tricky.

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Has anyone tried Earthborn Claypaint on wooden surfaces? I’m considering it for my kitchen cabinets but worried about durability.

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@SandyShore, I’ve used Earthborn on a wooden bookshelf. It turned out great, but I made sure to sand the wood thoroughly and applied a natural wood primer first. The key is in the preparation!

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Thanks for the tip, @GreenThumb88! I’ll look into getting a natural primer. It’s great to hear about your positive experience with Auro. Has anyone else found certain brands easier to work with or more durable?

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I’ve had a good experience with Biofa paints. They’re a bit pricier, but the coverage and durability are excellent. I used them in a high-traffic area, and they’ve held up really well over the past year.

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Just a quick note to say I appreciate this thread! I’m planning to repaint my home with VOC-free paints and these tips are super helpful. Keep them coming!

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@LeafyGreen, I’ve heard great things about Biofa! It’s good to know they perform well in high-traffic areas. I’ll definitely consider them for my next project. Thanks for sharing!

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Does anyone have tips for dealing with mold-prone areas when using natural paints? I’m worried about the paint not holding up.

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@BreezyDay, I tackled a moldy bathroom with Auro paints. First, I treated the mold with a natural anti-mold solution, let it dry completely, then applied a mold-resistant primer before painting. It’s been a year, and no mold has come back!

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That’s a fantastic tip, @FungusAmongUs! Mold resistance is definitely something to consider, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. I’ll keep that in mind for future projects. Thanks!

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