There are two main categories of paint - water-based and enamel. Water-based paint is water soluble while still wet. That means you can fix mistakes or mishaps by wiping immediately with a damp cloth, and tools such as paintbrushes, rollers and trays can be rinsed with water after use.

Enamel paitn has an oil base and can only be removed with turpentine. Paint-brushes, rollers and trays have to be cleaned with turps as well, although you will need to use so much to get them clean that it might be cheaper - and kinder to the environment - to throw them away and use new ones the next time.

Water-based paint delivers a luxurious matt finish (Duraline recommends Natural Silk). It is easier to apply than enamel paint and dries within a few hours. Nowadays most good-quality water-based paints are fully washable.

Note: You can apply water-based paint only over other water-based paint, or on a untreated surface such as wood or cement. You cannot paint over enamel paint or varnish - it will peel off. These surfaces need to be sanded or treated with a coat of universal undercoat before being painted with a water-based paint.

Enamel is slightly trickier to apply and takes longer - about 24 hours - to dry. When painting walls, the procedure is the same as for water-based paint - you paint the outlines with a brush and the large areas with a roller. But to ensure a smooth finish on furniture and other smaller items, you should use a small sponge roller. Because they have an oil base, all types of enamel paint - even those that promise a matt finish - have a slight gloss once dry. However, this type of paint is highly durable and is ideal for rooms where there is a lot of moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. You can use enamel paint on most surfaces, including ones previously painted with a water-based paint, although metal and raw cement will need to be treated with a suitable primer first. (Duraline recommends Masonry Primer for cement and Universal Undercoat for Metal)

www.paintquality.com