Jay Sharples shares expert advice and tips for your next DIY project

What are some DIY projects that people might be able to complete in a weekend?

The list is endless, but it depends on the weather and how well you have prepared. If you don’t have any painting projects on the go, you can always clean and maintain your property. Over the last long weekend I sprayed Resene Moss & Mould Killer on my concrete pathway, decks and fencing.

Now we’re coming into winter, do you have any tips for painting in cold weather?

Plan! Think about the temperature of the surface you are painting as well as the air temperature. Use Resene Wintergrade Additive if the temperatures are below 10°C. Finish early enough in the day for the paint to dry – as a guide, paint between 10am and 2pm. Remember that colder temperatures will extend the drying time of the paint, and you need it to dry before the dew point hits. If possible, control the environment with heaters, fans and dehumidifiers.

Do you have any tips for cleaning outdoor areas?

For outdoor areas, use Resene Deep Clean. Attach the container to your hose and spray decks and paths to slow down and prevent algae growth.

What is your own home like and what is your decorating style?

I have two boys and two dogs, so my home is usually pretty messy! But we recently redecorated the interior using Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on the walls due to its strength and durability, tinted in the colour Resene Half White Pointer. We have feature and accent walls in Resene Element (lounge), Resene Nocturnal (bedroom and ensuite) and Resene Holly (spare room). I used Resene Ceiling Paint and Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Half Black White on the ceilings and joinery.

Wood stains are a huge trend right now. What projects are good for staining?

I stain pretty much all timber. I like the grain patterns of the different types of wood and how stains can bring those patterns out. I have a stained ceiling, I have a homemade macrocarpa dining and coffee table – I used Resene Danska Teak Oil followed by Resene Qristal Clear Poly-Flat.

The exterior of my house is stained in Resene Woodsman penetrating oil stain tinted to Resene Dark Oak, and my decks and retaining walls are stained with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil. Stain does require more regular reapplication, but I think it’s worth it for the look.

Colours Jay uses is his home:

What upcoming projects will you be working on in your home?

I need to restain sections of the exterior of my house, but that may have to wait until the summer as the junior rugby league has just kicked off and I’ll be travelling around Auckland getting the boys to games. I need to clean the exterior south side of the property though, so I will be spraying more Resene Moss & Mould Killer and then soft washing.

What DIY job do people think is harder than it actually is?

Most DIY jobs can appear daunting at first, but once customers have spoken to the Resene ColorShop staff or checked the ‘How-to’ videos on the Resene website or the MasterStroke by Resene website, the nerves settle and the job doesn’t seem so big. I think the hardest part of any project is colour selection as there are so many to choose from – the prep and painting are the easiest parts.

What’s the best MasterStroke by Resene tip you’ve seen?

Johnny from Profile Painting suggested taping the bristles of a paintbrush on the metal part where they attach to the handle. It’ll make cleaning so much easier and extend the life of the brush. I hadn’t seen this tip before and thought it was a pretty amazing hack.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The friendships I build with the multitude of people I meet and the fact that most days provide a different challenge.

Top tip:

To protect the life of your paintbrush before you start painting, wrap a piece of painter’s tape around the edge of the paintbrush, where the bristles meet the metal so that half on the tape is on the metal and half on the paintbrush bristles. This will stop paint from drying right against the head of the paintbrush, which can cause the bristles to splay and lose their shape.