Red paint is used on both the interior and exterior of buildings.
From iconic barns to rich walls, red paint decorates both exterior and interior houses, and other buildings with striking color. However; red paint, whether bright or subdued, draws the eye and shows the brushstrokes and paint layers much more obviously than many other hues. By painting carefully and following several techniques for using the specific color of paint, the perfect coloring can be achieved, whether on a barn side, front door, or in a living room.
Primer
A primer is an integral part of painting either an exterior or interior surface. The primer for red paints is even more important, due to the unusually thin nature of the color and the tendency for primers to show through the subsequent layers. Due to this, red primers, with the primer actually being the color red rather than the standard pink undercoat, should be used. If that is not available, use a gray primer underneath, for it has less of a tendency to create a splotchy look when the following layers are applied.
Coats
Due to the need for a higher pigment-to-white base ratio in red paint, the paint becomes thin. Thin paint can be difficult to work with, and many layers must be applied, sometimes up to eight or 12, to create an even color across the wall. Only painting with one or two layers can create a splotchy-looking wall, with the base coat showing through intermittently. Leave at least 24 hours between coats.
Small Roller
Always use a small roller, no bigger than 3/8-inch thick, for red paint. The thin nature of the paint means it spreads easily on the surface, but if a larger roller is used for application, it creates dripping and splattering on the wall, creating an uneven texture.
Finish
Though a gloss finish may be desired on a certain area of the house, it is more difficult to paint. Gloss reflects light, and in doing so, shows more brushstrokes, drips, and other imperfections. If you can, paint with a matte/flat finish. This absorbs light and does not show imperfections as clearly.
