The technology is simple, silicone is superior to acrylic roof coatings and will stand up to harmful UV rays. The reflective silicone technology cuts energy use up to 35% and will remain strong in standing water, with a Limited Lifetime Warranty!

SmartRoof™ 1-Coat High Solids Silicone Roof Coating offers one coat coverage with no primer typically required.  Just three simple steps – clean it, prep it, coat it!  Restoring your existing roof with SmartRoof™ Silicone Roof Coating requires no tear-off of your existing roof saving you time and money and can be applied in temperatures ranging from 35-120 degrees.  

To prep the roof properly, SmartRoof™ Silicone Sealant and Silicone Seam & Repair Roof Sealant are the perfect companion products that can be used with SmartRoof™ coatings or on their own.

Let SmartRoof™ Silicone Roof Coatings extend the life of your roof and save you money today!

NeverWet™ is an extraordinary new product from Rust-Oleum that repels water, ice, mud and other liquids.  This new class of coatings is a superhydrophobic treatment that causes liquids to form into spheres that roll off of the surface.  Designed to guard surfaces exposed to moisture against corrosion and wear.  The product works best on wood, metal, concrete and masonry, although it can be applied to other surfaces as well.  It even works on fabric, leather and canvas and can protect surfaces from thicker water-based liquids like syrups, juices and many other water-based condiments.

NeverWet™ is a simple, two-step process.  Simply spray on the base coat and allow to dry for 30 minutes.  Then apply two coats of the NeverWet™ Top Coat.  The product will dry to a frosted haze.  Once treated, the surface can be exposed to water in as little as 30 minutes after the application of the final Top Coat.  The product cures fully in 12 hours.  The product can be reapplied as needed when water no longer beads up and rolls off of the surface.  The product is resistant to normal wear and tear, however if used on walking surfaces or areas of excessive abrasion, the properties of the product will diminish quickly.   

As a commercial painter, you may be aware that this
occupation requires special painting equipment and tools in order to maintain quality.
Yet, how much time do you take to consider the safety issues of commercial
painting? A large part of what you do should include taking safety precautions
at all times to reduce injury to you, your crew, and the properties you work on.

While the average person may think that anyone can paint a
home or office, there are a whole gamut of skills and techniques that painting
professionals use to end up with a superior look. No DIY person can produce the
kind of quality work that a pro can. However, it’s important to use safety at
all times when engaged in commercial painting practices.

To help you remember this, here’s all about commercial
painting safety.

Equipment Handling

A great deal of equipment used by commercial painters can be
dangerous to an amateur. This is because an inexperienced DIY’er doesn’t have
the training to handle many commercial painting items correctly. The results
end up being injury or illness caused by painting agents. Use certified
painting contractors for any painting job, especially for an industrial space.

Personal Protective
Wear

The chemicals and conditions of commercial painting necessitate
the use of personal protective gear. This can include protective coveralls,
respirators, goggles, gloves, shoe and face covers, and more. These materials should be
purchased from a reliable commercial painter supply store in order to maintain
OSHA safety standards.

Ladders, Scaffolds,
and Harnesses

Falls are the number one injury in many industrial professions,
causing millions in dollars in workers’ compensation claims and property damage
each year. The very nature of commercial painting that requires the use of
ladders, scaffolds, harnesses and other elevation equipment can produce deadly
mistakes when used improperly. Always use the best painting equipment from an
authorized commercial painting dealer to improve safety.

Environmental Factors

Another safety factor to consider as a commercial painter is
the use of best practices when dealing with disposal of paint chemicals and
debris. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises against allowing
paint, paint thinners, and debris to get into soil and water around a paint job
site. To do so could cause long term harm to the residents and wildlife of that
area.

Getting a great finish in an exterior paint job means starting with a good, clean surface. To do this, painting pros often turn to a pressure washing technique for removing dirt, mildew, and peeling paint found on the outside of the home. Yet, pressure washing a home before painting isn’t as simple as turning on the water and hoping it all comes out right. Care must be
taken to pressure wash the home’s exterior without damage to the property and
materials.

Here are some helpful tips that can help you get superior
results when pressure washing before painting a home exterior.

Schedule Dry Time

You will not be able to pressure wash a home and paint it on
the same day. Doing so will ruin the paint finish and create a mess. Instead,
schedule at least one day to pressure wash the home, then follow by a full day
of drying time. Return on the third day to start prepping and painting the home
exterior. Consider weather factors into this time span too. If it’s muggy or
raining, the home may need more time to dry fully before applying paint. If it’s
dry and windy, the house may dry faster.

Inspect the Home Materials

Before pressure washing, using a professional painters’
pressure washing system, do a full walk around of the home and inspect the
property materials and landscaping. Note any brick surfaces or wood that is
rotting, as they can crumble under too much water pressure. Pay keen attention to
home windows which can be fragile and crack when hit by water. If there are
painted surfaces, check to see how delicate they are and if the pressure wash
will remove this. Check with the homeowner to make sure they approve all
removal of old paint.

Prepare the Home

Cover any open electrical outlets or pipes leading into the
home with secure poly tarps so you do not flood it or get injured. Watch out
for pets, plants, and children at all times. Pressure washing is a two-person
job, therefore have a helper to hold any ladders securely, operate the
compressor, and provide backup when you begin to get tired. Consider that you
will want to take your time with your pressure wash to avoid any accidents or
missing a section of the home.

Pressure Washing for Painting

Using a cleaner approved for exterior pressure washing, start
by sweeping the water at a medium level at the top of each exterior wall of the
home, paying careful attention to windows, doors, and outdoor household items.
Work your way down the building with the pressure washing, and then move to the
right until you are all the way around the home. Then follow with a rinse on a
lower setting to reduce spots to windows and smooth surfaces. Remove any fallen
debris from the property with a wide sweeping pattern into a nearby refuse
pile or a contractor’s plastic garbage bag.

Now that the home is clean, let it dry and then return for
your painting prep work.

During the summer, your deck is your outdoor kitchen, a place for family gatherings, a playground for your little ones and a nice place to relax and unwind after a long, hard day. Part of a growing trend in the U.S., large decks and patios function as a seasonal family room and provide the perfect atmosphere for everything from a casual family barbecue to an extravagant garden party. With that in mind, it’s important to remember that composite and wood decks require regular care and maintenance, as even treated would can break down over time. The impact of water, humidity and sun exposure should not be underestimated and can turn even the most charming outdoor setting into a dirty, dingy, warn out deck in as little as one season. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your outdoor oasis looks beautiful and remains healthy season after season.

Get to Know Your Deck Products!

Building the perfect deck may be all about the aesthetics, but deck maintenance requires a little research. While wood may look and feel relatively indestructible, the contrary is actually true. When using a power washer or choosing a specific stain or deck protectant, it’s important to remember that you are using powerful equipment and solvents. Also keep in mind that deck maintenance products are manufactured to be used in a very specific way. When not used according to manufacturer’s instructions, almost all of them can wreak havoc on your deck.

The importance of reading product instructions carefully cannot be overemphasized. For example, if you use a pressure washer against the grain of the wood, you can cause unsightly damage that can only be repaired by a healthy amount of sanding. Applying sealer at the wrong time, during a cold weather spell or right before a rain, will leave your finish looking less than professional. And, the mistakes you make this season may come back to haunt you for years to come. Do yourself a favor and read the instructions (yes guys, that goes for you too).

Give Your Deck a Good Cleaning!

The truth is, no deck preservative will work effectively unless applied when your deck is clean. Prepping your deck for its seasonal coat of waterproof sealant can be an overwhelming task if you don’t have the proper tools. Ideally, use a pressure washer combined with cleaning and pretreating products that are designed to lift dirt and remove loose wood particles.

While there is some debate among the expert about the use of pressure washing equipment to clean wood, proponents claim that the wear and tear a pressure washer can cause is minimal and the efficiency of using a pressure washer and the quick cleanup are worth the risk. Just remember to use the lowest possible setting required to get the job done. It’s best to start with a pressure of around 500 psi and work your way up from there, while maintaining a smooth even motion. Finally, when your deck is clean, be sure to give it plenty of time to dry thoroughly.

Don’t Forget to Seal!

Your deck, if left unsealed, WILL deteriorate quickly. Even pressure treated woods which resist rotting and insect damage are still vulnerable to cracking and splitting from water exposure. The only way to be sure your deck is protected successfully over time is to use a deck preservative. There are a variety of sealers, stains and paints on the market that have been specifically designed to protect your outdoor oasis. While visually, each of these products can give your deck a very different look, they all protect wood and composite decking material from moisture damage, as well as fungal growth and UV rays. Many products even have fire retardant qualities.

The only drawback to using deck protectants? They lose their protective qualities over time. There is no one product that can offer lifelong protection for your deck and thus you will have to periodically reapply. Doing so on a regular basis is the single most important step you can take to protect your deck investment. While newer formulations of deck protectants offer protection for up to three or four years, applying sealer every year is a safe bet.

Thepaintstore.com carries a wide variety of products and equipment to help you keep your deck in stellar condition for years to come.  Come take a look!

If you are either new to commercial painting or you have been in the business for a while, be sure to have these top ten items on hand as part of your painting equipment at all times.

High quality set of paint brushes and rollers.

When it comes to a job well done, nothing can compare to a good quality set of paint rollers and brushes. Cheap brushes and rollers fall apart and leave residue behind. Quality painting supplies leave a smooth, professional looking finish.

A sturdy and adjustable painting ladder.

Getting into every nook and cranny of a paint job requires the use of a contractor’s ladder that adjusts to the type of job. Look for a painting ladder that has added safety features, such as locking mechanisms, and a light aluminum frame that allows you to transport it from one place to another.

Personal protective gear and apparel.

Painting jobs can be dangerous to the commercial painter, if the proper protective gear is not used. Every professional painter needs a good pair of safety eyewear, painting coveralls, and sturdy shoes covered to reduce paint splashes.

High powered paint sprayer and compressor.

Getting a professional finish for exterior and interior paint projects is a cinch with a high powered paint sprayer and compressor system. Choose yours from a wholesale painting supply company that offers a manufacturer’s warranty and support.

Reusable drop cloths, rags and masking tape.

When a professional painter wants to do a great job without damaging the other areas of a property, the use of painters tape, reusable drop cloths and rags is must. This helps with recycling of paint materials too, a factor that’s good for the environment and your contractors’ budget.

Extendable roller frames and poles.

Professional painting contractors need to be able to safely apply paint to large surfaces and ceilings at times. This is where an extension painting pole and roller frame comes in handy. Get a few in a variety of lengths to do the job.

Dust-free vacuum sander kit.

New construction and remodeling often leaves dust and other residue behind, which can wreak havoc on a paint job. To reduce this dust and get a smoother finish on recently spackled surfaces, a dust-free vacuum and sander kit can easily remove this problem before paint goes on.

Shatter-proof 5 gallon paint buckets and lid.

Oftentimes, for the painting contractor, there will be large areas to prime or paint with custom colors or finishes. This is where having a few shatter proof buckets and reusable lids will be very helpful. Get labels made so you don’t mix products with each other when there are leftovers.

Universal paint can and bucket opener.

No professional painter’s supply list would be complete without a universal can and paint bucket opener. Get one or two and attach them to your belt loop for on-the-job convenience.

Small hand tools and drill mixer.

To make your work easier as a professional painter, having access to a few small hand tools and a drill mixer attachment is essential. Hammers and screwdrivers help to remove and repair nails and screws left in walls, while a power drill can make work lighter.

To buy your painting supplies, a wholesale paint company like The Paint Store can provide you with access to all these essentials. Look for specials and buy multiples so you always have the supplies you need for superior painting work.

Image Credit: Google Commons Use License

Choosing the right paint colors for the updated kitchen comes down to the way in which the homeowner enjoy this space. Here are some suggestions for selecting the perfect paint shades for the kitchen home improvement project.

Inspired by Mother Nature

If your client loves everything about the outdoors, then it makes sense that you would want to bring some of that beauty into the kitchen too. Colors like blue skies, peony pink, and any shade of green look amazing when used to paint the kitchen.

When Life Hands You Lemons

Give the kitchen an instant lift with bright paint shades of citrusy yellow and orange. When combined with cabinets in simple lines, and clean tiles; the lemon yellow kitchen lends itself to the French countryside. Use yellow and white kitchen elements to coordinate with the kitchen’s new look.

A Touch of Spice is Nice

Want to give the kitchen a designer touch? Spice it up with rich paint colors of reds, pumpkin, and forest greens can make this kitchen look like a 4-star restaurant. Use modern furnishings and complimentary copper kitchen appliances to make the kitchen shine.

Primary Perfection

It has been said that Picasso had his kitchen painted in bright primary colors to inspire him as he dined. Your client’s kitchen can honor this tradition with red, blue, and yellow used on complimentary walls and surfaces. Refinish cabinets in a rustic look for a fun and creative kitchen.

Warm Pecan Panache

Warm up the kitchen with a combination of paints in pale browns and yellows that add a layer of infused light into this space. Use oak cabinetry, soft natural fabric seating, and light pecan flooring to tie the look together.

Mod Mauve

Give the kitchen a complete redo with a beautiful paint color scheme in shades of mauve and raspberry. Use a single wall finished in a deeper shade, with accent walls using a slightly lighter shade of paint. Seating arrangements supplied by the client can be used to compliment this modern look.

As you select the kitchen paint colors, remember that this can be as creative as you wish. Achieve the look you want by consulting with the professionals at a reputable wholesale paint supply company, and choose quality paint products.

Image Credit: Google Common Use License

Painting faux finishes can be a great way to add texture, color, and life to any room in your home. For the do-it-yourselfer, this is a rewarding project because you can give walls and ceilings a fresh new look in just one weekend. It’s also a relatively inexpensive home improvement that looks like a million bucks when you are finished. The only hard part about painting faux finishes is choosing from the hundreds of colors and unique patterns available.

To help you get started, here is The Paint Store’s list of the most popular faux finishes you can try, along with some helpful links to the painting products you will need to pull it off.

Old World Charm

Love the look of old world décor and earthy colors and textures? You can easily transform any room in the house to your very own palace with a faux finish that honors the Tuscany style. Start with a base coat of primer, and allow to dry. Then pick out two complimentary colors in browns and beige, one darker than the other. Roll on the dark paint and let dry. Follow up with a large natural texture sponge, dipped lightly in the lighter color. Simply sponge as much or as little as you like to get the desired effect.

Linen Luxury

This lovely faux paint finish is perfect for a bedroom or dining area where you would like to add a classic touch to interior walls. Start with a clean wall, primed and dry. Add a layer of white paint to walls, followed by a coat of a light beige or pale green. While the paint is still wet, start in one corner of the room near the ceiling with a graining comb. Start creating vertical lines down the wall, about 2 inches apart. You should start seeing a natural line that appears to be fabric pattern.

Go Bright

If you are adding texture to a child’s play area, or just want to have some fun in the family room, then a bright faux paint pattern may be a good choice. Choose two paints in bright colors, but that coordinate well. Add a base coat of your brights, sponge painted with an alternate color. Then follow up with little hands dipped in different colors of bright paint. Use a paint marker to add family members’ names to each hand print for a personalized touch.

Tiered Tribute

While it may have taken Michelangelo all of his life to paint the Sistine Chapel, your living room ceiling doesn’t have to take that long with this amazing faux finish. Give a previously ignored ceiling the look of a vaulted ceiling in less than a day. You’ll need 1 inch painting tape, three shades of paint in soft tones of the same color scheme. Starting in the center of your ceiling, measure a square that’s 36 inches in diameter. Then create another set of two squares with the painter tape that are each 18 inches outside of this square. Paint the center square in the darkest color, then the next square in the next lightest shade, then the final square in the lightest shade. Let dry and remove tape for crisp clean lines and a faux vaulted ceiling.

Striped Spender

If you want to give your home a modern, yet chic look, then a striped pattern can be a beautiful choice in faux finishing. Choose two complimentary colors that you love. Start with clean and primed walls, with all drapery rods and nails removed. Start by taping your walls at a 30 degree angle from floor to ceiling, about midway up the wall. Use a paint roller on the large wall areas, skipping the painted area inside of the tape. Then paint inside the taped area with your complimentary color. Let dry and remove the tape. You’ll end up with a bold looking stripe that you can use to line up your favorite artwork in a cool display.

Enjoy some more ideas and demos of these and several other faux paint patterns by watching this video from HGTV:

Image Credit: Google Commons Use License/Flickr

The summer months can be an opportune time to beautify your home with a fresh coat of paint in a new color. Yet, many people have very little information about the proper methods for preparing and painting the exterior of a home, so they hire outside help to do the job. This can become expensive, particularly if you have a large or multi-level home with a lot of exterior surfaces to cover.

It is possible to paint the exterior of your home, and save a significant amount of cash for your summer vacation. That is, if you have the proper painting tools and learn a few simple techniques for a long-lasting finish. Whether you are renovating an older home or just want to give your new house a look that’s about your personal style, here are a few expert tips for getting it right.

Preparing the Exterior of the Home for Painting

Professional painters know that the first step in getting a nice exterior finish result is to prepare the surface to accept paint. This is done by first removing any debris and dirt with a pressure washer. A solution with bleach can remove outdoor mildew and most stains. Then the loose paint is scraped away from exterior surfaces, unless the house was built before 1978 and then it should be sprayed away to reduce exposure. Let the exterior dry for at least 12-hours to reduce any moisture.

Priming the Home Exterior for Maximum Paint Coverage

Now that the exterior of the house has been prepped for painting, it will probably look fairly ugly at this stage. However, the next critical step in getting an outstanding paint finish is to prime all surfaces where you will be applying paint. Don’t skimp on this step as it will end up costing you more when you have to start all over next year. Coat the home’s exterior with adequate primer, in either a latex based or oil based formula. A professional paint supplier, like The Paint Store, can advise you on what type will work best for your home. Keep in mind oil primer sinks deeper into wood, while latex blocks moisture and mold.

Getting Ready to Paint the Exterior of Your Home

Now comes the fun part. It’s time to choose the paint color(s) for the exterior of your property.  Consider the historical home colors of your area, the modern color choices that will look the best for your home style, and the complimentary colors for windows, doors, and trim. Once you have selected your exterior paint, it’s time to buy or rent a professional paint sprayer to get the job done fast. Use slow, even strokes and keep the paint sprayer filled at intervals. Once all large surfaces are covered, go back and hit missing sections with a paint roller and brushes.

Applying the Trim to Your Exterior Surfaces

Allow your house a good solid day to dry before adding the finishing touches to the exterior of your home. By now, it’s probably looking very good. Take a walk around because it’s possible you may have overlooked a few spots, like a door or a wall panel. Now prepare your exterior paint for the trim. This will be applied using exterior paint brushes to ensure accuracy. Carefully, work your way from the top floors of your home and down to the ground floor, then move clockwise around your home to get all exterior trim completed.

Now that you have a beautifully painted home, you can stand back and be proud of your accomplishment. Schedule a celebration with your friends and family and enjoy the fruits of your labor – a gorgeous home with a fresh new look.

Using Protective Equipment

The basic gear you need for a safe paint job are:

• Gloves; e.g. Scott KleenGuard Nitrile Gloves
• Safety Glasses or Goggles; e.g. AOSafety Safety Goggles Close Fit With Strap
• Dust-Mask for Sanding; e.g. 3M Tartan Home Dust Masks

Skin protection:

• Be sure to wear the appropriate gloves: cloth or leather gloves for sanding and scraping, impermeable gloves for applying water-based paint, solvent-resistant chemical gloves for handling solvent-based products.

Eye protection:

• Always use eye goggles or glasses, or a face mask.  Thepaintstore.com carries various choices from light weight glasses to full face masks and everything in between.

Lung Protection:

• Wear an anti-dust mask during the sanding process or a solvent-respirator while working with solvent-based products.
• Make sure to allow proper ventilation while working indoors by keeping windows and doors open.
• Always remove all flammable substances from within the area you are working to avoid combustible situations.

Handling Solvent-based Products

All organic-based solvents – including white spirit, solvent-based paints, solvent-based thinners and primers, solvent-based wood treatment products and paint strippers  – can all be potentially hazardous.  The use of these products require that particular precaution be taken both in use and in storage.

Here are some tips:

• Always be sure to read all labels carefully for information on safety and health-related issues.
• Keep in mind that solvents are highly flammable, always keeping them away from heat sources and never exposing them to an open flame.
• Store in cool, well-ventilated areas.
• Keep these products out of reach of pets and children.
• Remember to dispose of rags properly, keeping in mind that rags soaked with oil-based materials can ignite spontaneously if not spread out to dry.
• Always ensure good ventilation with open windows and doors.
• Never forget to wear protective equipment.

Remember that water-based paints are a viable alternative:  Largely, water-based paints pose fewer potential risks and health hazards than solvent phase paints.  Modern, high quality water-based paints offer an excellent performance profile and superior durability, as well as color retention.  They also offer excellent washability and can be more convenient to use.  They are low in odor, they dry quickly, and brushes can be cleaned with warm, soapy water, eliminating the need for white spirit or turpentine. And of course they are more environmentally-friendly.

Using Step-Ladders Safely

Step ladders are very often both a central part of a paint job, but also a key danger area. Here are some tips on how to minimize the likelihood of a ladder-related accident:

Inspect the ladder:

• Take time to check the condition of the ladder both before and after use.
• Check that the ladder is sufficiently robust to support your weight.
• Make sure the steps are free of oil, wet paint, mud, or any other potentially slippery substance.

Erecting the ladder:

• Clear the area around the ladder from any clutter. Make sure that no electrical cords or wire leads are close.
• If the ladder needs to be in front of a door, consider locking the door to prevent surprise openings.
• If the ladder is in a high-traffic area, draw attention to this fact in the house – a hand-written sign would do.
• Make sure the floor is even and stable. Avoid wet or slippery surfaces.
• Always support the ladder at four points

Climbing the ladder:

• Wear suitable shoes – no heels, barefoot is not good, nor are most sandals.
• Never climb onto wet or slippery steps, make sure they are dry.
• Never overstretch – do not climb beyond the last three steps of a ladder.
• Keep your shoulders between the rails and don’t over-reach – move the ladder instead.
• Always keep 3 point contact with the ladder.
• If your ceilings are high, but your ladder too small, don’t try to overreach yourself – renting or borrowing a suitable ladder is much safer.
• Don’t let your children climb up the ladder: prevent access at the end of the day if you have to, or fold it up after use.