How to Use Green 23 Paint for a Calm Living Room

Quick answer

To create a calm living room with Green 23 from Lick, choose the right finish for your wall type, prepare the surface properly, and apply two coats using a quality brush and roller. Avoid common mistakes like skipping primer on bare plaster or painting in direct sunlight.

Step-by-step guide to painting with Green 23

1. 1. Prepare the room and surface: Clear furniture or move it to the center and cover with dust sheets. Fill any holes or cracks with filler, sand smooth, and wipe away dust. Apply a primer if the wall is bare plaster or if you are painting over a dark color. Use painter's tape to protect trim and ceilings. Skipping primer on bare plaster can cause the paint to soak in unevenly, leading to patchy coverage.
2. 2. Choose your finish and stir the paint: Select Matt or Ultra Flat Matt for walls, Eggshell for woodwork. Stir the paint thoroughly with a stir stick to ensure the pigment is evenly distributed. Do not shake the can—this introduces air bubbles that can ruin the finish. Pour a small amount into a paint kettle rather than working directly from the tin to avoid drying out the remaining paint.
3. 3. Cut in around edges: Use a high-quality angled brush to paint a 2–3 inch border around the ceiling, corners, windows, and doors. Work in small sections and keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks. Let this dry completely before rolling. A common mistake is cutting in too wide—stick to 2–3 inches so the roller can blend seamlessly.
4. 4. Apply the first coat with a roller: Load a medium-pile roller sleeve evenly with paint, then roll in a 'W' pattern to distribute. Fill in the gaps with parallel strokes without pressing too hard. Work in 4x4 foot sections and maintain a wet edge to avoid streaks. Overloading the roller causes drips and an uneven texture—roll off excess on the tray's ridges before applying.
5. 5. Allow proper drying time and apply a second coat: Wait at least 2–4 hours for the first coat to dry (check the tin for exact times). Apply the second coat using the same technique. Two coats are usually enough for full, even coverage with Green 23. Painting the second coat too soon can lift the first layer, creating bubbles and an uneven finish.
6. 6. Remove tape and touch up: Peel off painter's tape while the paint is still slightly tacky to avoid tearing the fresh paint. Inspect the walls in natural light and touch up any missed spots with a small brush. Waiting until the paint is fully dry to remove tape often pulls off chunks of paint—remove it while still slightly wet.

Product facts

• Green 23: Green 23 from Lick is a refined designer paint choice for interior walls and woodwork, offered in a selection of finishes including Matt, Eggshell, and Ultra Flat Matt. This means you can select the exact sheen that suits your living room's lighting and durability needs without switching brands.