If your walls could talk, what would they say? That's what leading paint brand CIL® paint is asking Canadians with the promotion of its online Ask an Expert service that will answer consumers' paint questions within one to two business days.

TORONTO, July 6, 2015 - If your walls could talk, what would they say? That's what leading paint brand CIL® paint is asking Canadians with the promotion of an online Ask an Expert service to answer consumers' paint questions.

"We're encouraging Canadians to pay closer attention to the needs of their walls and giving them the tools to address them," said Alison Goldman, brand manager for CIL paint, a brand of PPG Architectural Coatings. "Feedback from our dealers across the country shows that while many people recognize that their walls need a lift, the idea of a paint project can feel overwhelming."

The message of CIL paint to consumers is that "we're listening to you and we're here for you," Goldman explained. From choosing paint colour, to determining how much or what kind of paint is needed for a room, to surface preparation and other technical queries, CIL paint experts will provide an answer within one to two business days, she said.

From the comfort of home or on the go, users simply enter their questions and submit photos of their rooms at www.cil.ca/advice. Questions are then filtered to the appropriate CIL paint expert, depending on the topic. The team of CIL paint experts includes décor and colour specialists, product and technical professionals and experienced painters.

"CIL paint is all about making the painting process simpler for Canadians, and our new online help service is one more way we're doing that," Goldman said. She added that users can also access the extensive online bank of painting advice from CIL paint experts, from how to create a kitchen colour scheme to basic application techniques, by typing questions into the site's search tool.

According to CIL paint, some of the most common questions asked by consumers include:

What colours are best for small spaces? Cool colours, such as soft blues, creams, purples and greens, help make small areas feel airy. Using different shades of colours from the same colour family also has the same effect. To make a room look deeper and wider, paint horizontal stripes on the walls. If the room is narrow or short, paint thin vertical stripes in two tone-on-tone shades. To make walls appear taller, paint the bottom half of a wall in a darker colour than the top.

How do I paint a hallway? A long and narrow hallway can feel more compressed by painting the long walls a lighter colour and the far, short wall a darker colour. To make a narrow hallway look larger, paint the ceiling a very light colour and any doorframes, window frames, moldings and trim the same shade as the walls. A crisp white ceiling will add height to a closed-in space.

What finishes work for which rooms? The most common sheens are flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Semi-gloss and gloss are recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, doors, baseboards and banisters. Satin, the most versatile finish, works well in higher-traffic areas, such as kids' rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Eggshell is commonly used in hallways, family rooms and bedrooms, and flat finishes are suitable for ceilings, living rooms and dining rooms.

How much paint do I need? On average, one gallon of paint will cover 300 to 400 square feet. To calculate how much paint you need, measure the perimeter of the room and multiply by the wall height. Then subtract the square footage of each door and window in the room, and divide the remaining number by the spreading rate of your paint (shown on the label). In general, the trim of a room will require about one-quarter of the amount of paint needed for the walls.

What is the best order in which to paint a room? For best results, always begin with the ceiling, followed by the walls, and then the doors, windows and trim. For the ceiling, start by painting a 2-inch to 3-inch strip around the top of your room where the ceiling meets the wall (called a cut-in), using a small brush. Then use a roller with an extension handle for the rest, moving from right to left if you're right-handed and left to right if you're left-handed.

For more paint tips and to get answers to your painting questions, visit www.cil.ca/advice.

CIL paint is a brand of PPG Architectural Coatings, a business of PPG Industries, the world's leading coatings company.

Available in Canada at The Home Depot, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Rona and other independent paint dealers, CIL paint has been a trusted brand in businesses, communities, schools and homes across the country for 85 years. With more than 1,200 colours in its palette, CIL paint has developed a colour mood system that guarantees a perfect match across a wide spectrum of colours.

PPG Architectural Coatings, U.S. and Canada, is an industry leader in residential and commercial coatings, delivering the latest technologies and operational advancements through its strong portfolio of brands. It is a business of PPG Industries, the world's leading coatings company, and manufactures and sells interior and exterior paints, stains, caulks, repair products, adhesives and sealants for homeowners and professionals. Its distribution network includes more than 15,000 touchpoints through company-owned stores, independent dealer locations and all major home improvement centers across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit PPGAC.com.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.™
PPG Industries' vision is to be the world's leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were $15.4 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.

CIL is a registered trademark of the PPG Group of Companies.
Bringing innovation to the surface is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

Contact:
Jamie Altman
PPG Architectural Coatings
724-742-5599
Jamie.Altman@ppg.com

Gail Bergman/Marie Bastard
Gail Bergman PR
905-886-1340/905-886-3345
info@gailbergmanpr.com

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