Pro Painter Pete

Choosing The Right Sheen

ProPainterPete — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:52:25 +0000

DOES PAINT SHEEN REALLY MATTER?
“What type of paint sheen should I get?” The answer depends on where the paint will be applied and the general purpose of the painted surface. Here are some very helpful tips to keep in mind to help make the selection easy.

Flat Paint
Flat paints the most commonly used sheen in homes is called flat or matte finish. Most flat and matte finishes tend to have no shine at all. However, there are a few brands of flat paints that tend to leave a very light shine to them, due to the amount of acrylic resin in the paint. Flat sheen lends itself well to ceilings, formal dining rooms, and large contemporary rooms with lots of natural light. Flat or sometimes called matte, finishes really do look the best for walls if you are trying to hide defects in the wall. Also, if you have a lot of artwork on the walls, flat sheens look great.

Satin Paints
Satin paints the next selection of paint sheens have several different names depending on how much shine the paint has when it dries. Several names you would see in the paint stores are “Egg-shell,” “Low-Sheen,” and “Satin.” Typically, these paints are far more scrub-able than the standard flat finishes mentioned above. This tends to be the main reason homeowners decide to use one of these types of sheens. Satin-type finishes look great in areas that do not have a lot of natural light, closets, hallways and stairwells, and, of course, your kids’ rooms. Most satin finishes are found on walls only, not ceilings or wood surfaces. However, some homeowners will opt for painting their baseboards, doors and trim work with a satin finish. If prepared and painted correctly, trim and fine woodwork can look beautiful with a satin finish – even kitchen cabinets.

Gloss Paints
Gloss Paints The last types of sheen are known as glossy paints. On the paint shelf, they are labeled as “Semi-Gloss” and “Gloss.” Typically, the semi-gloss gives off a shine of 65%-85% compared to gloss at 100%.

Gloss paints are difficult to work with and are best applied by a professional painting contractor. Semi-gloss is the number one choice for most homeowners for bathroom walls, kitchens, laundry rooms, rental properties and, of course, woodwork. Selecting the right paint sheen is a matter of personal preference. Some of us love flat. Others have to have semi-gloss on every wall!

If you are unsure of the types of paint and paint sheens, give us a call at 520-881-0542. We will give you some professional advice.

ProPainterPete — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:35:12 +0000

Lead in Paint

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about lead in paint. The Environmental Protect Agency has been working for three decades to reduce exposure to lead in paint. On April 22, 2010 a new law went into effect that requires all contractors performing renovation, repair or painting projects that disturb lead based paint to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. This “lead paint controversy” began in the 70’s. In 1978, the federal government banned lead-based paint from being used in homes. In 1996 additional laws went into effect requiring individuals to receive information concerning a property before renting, buying or renovating pre-1978 housing.

Lead Based Paint Health Concerns

Exposure to high levels of lead can be damaging to children whose nervous systems are still developing, and to pregnant women whose unborn children are still growing. One out eleven children in the United States has a high and/or dangerous level of lead in their blood stream. In 1991 the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services called Lead the “number one environmental threat to the health of children in the United States”.

Certified Renovators

Contractors today must jump through numerous hoops to guarantee they are meeting rigorous safety standards when working in homes, businesses and other child related facilities. They have been trained and certified as “Renovators” by EPA-accredited trainers. If you have concerns or questions about lead-based paint and its effects, or how to safely perform home renovations you should contact a professional who has received the EPA certification.

We have received this certification and would be happy to provide further information about the new certification requirements and lead paint testing.

Here’s some help selecting the perfect color. Enjoy!

ProPainterPete — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:40:14 +0000

Need help selecting a color?

Over the years I have found that for many home owners, the process of selecting colors can be very stressful. This is understandable when you consider that color can set the mood of a room. Color can make a smaller room feel bigger, it can also give a larger room a warm homey feeling. Research has found that color can bring out emotions and can stimulate us in many positive ways such as creative thinking and problem solving. No wonder many find this process intimidating! Here’s an suggestion I found that on several occasions has been very helpful. Hopefully it can help you reduce your choices from literally millions to a select few.

Go to your closet notice what color dominates your wardrobe.
Visit a local paint store, Sherwin Williams has a beautiful color display in every store.
Notice the colors in a favorite family heirloom, artwork or piece of furniture.
Or, bring a favorite area rug into natural light and choose the first and the last color you notice.

After you have selected a favorite color, think about the feeling you would like that room to bring out in those who enter it. Bringing in neutrals such as khaki’s and milk whites with any color will work beautifully. Mixing light and dark colors can give you a very dramatic effect. For example chocolate browns and pale pinks can bring a romantic feeling to master bedroom.

Finally, after you choose your colors, you can take advantage of the many resources that are available to you. If you visit Sherwin Williams’s website they will allow you to upload photographs of the rooms you want to make over. You can virtually paint and preview the result of you color selection, this will help alleviate the overwhelming task of selecting the perfect color. The exciting thing about paint is that new color you now can’t live without is only a brush stroke away! Give us a call at 520-881-0542 and we will be happy to make you new colors a reality!

Can’t decide if you should replace or repaint your Kitchen cabinets?

ProPainterPete — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:49:19 +0000

One of the most cost effective home repair or home improvement items is paint. Adding a new color to a bedroom or repainting some wood trim around the home can add quick value to your home. However, one of the questions we get asked often is regarding kitchen cabinets. Homeowners want to know if they should repaint their cabinets, replace them completely or reface. It is always less expensive to apply paint than replace, so let’s look at some of the reasons why you might consider repainting your kitchen cabinets and you decide what is best for you. Just about any type of kitchen cabinets can be painted. Typically homeowners are considering painting because they are tired of their outdated stained cabinets. The popular finish of the late 1980s and early 1990s was the whitewashed oak. This was then replaced by more of a natural oak finishes followed by dark cherries, maples and very dark stains. The latest in kitchen cabinets tends to be more in distressed woodwork and stains (made to look older yet clean), solid colors or cabinets with a faux finish applied to it, typically known as French Country. So, the question remains what should you do with your kitchen cabinets? Price out replacing your kitchen cabinets and painting will look better and better. The cost to paint a kitchen is typically 1/3 to ½ the cost of replacing. The paints applied to cabinets are also very durable and will last just as long as new cabinets in most cases. If a professional paint company is handling your cabinet project, that has lots of experience with woodwork, you will be surprised at how good the finish product will look. The only time you really do not want to paint or re-stain your cabinets is when you are tired of the look of the doors and drawers. This is where you can do a combination of replacement and repainting or refinishing. In other words, if you want new doors and drawers, you can typically hire a professional cabinet maker to install unfinished doors and drawers with new hinges and drawer guides and then have your cabinet painting company do the finish work. When it comes to kitchen cabinets, there are many different options a painting company can offer you. The main thing you have to decide is what you want the cabinets to look like when you are done. Do you want a solid color? Do you want a different faux finish? Do you want them to look “Old World?” Whatever it is you want, typically for a lot less than gutting your kitchen and starting over your painter can make it happen. But remember; only a few companies are good at painting cabinets. Don’t go with the cheap guy if you decide to repaint rather than replace. You’ll thank me in the end! If you would like me to take a look at your Cabinets, give me a call at 520-881-0542

Wallpaper, to paint or not to paint?

ProPainterPete — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:12:38 +0000

In this current market many homeowners are finding themselves updating their homes and in some cases they are dealing with wallpaper trends of the 80′s and 90′s, stripes and flowers are no longer in great demand. They find themselves having to decide whether to remove aging wallpaper or paint over it! There are pros and cons to both sides of the issue, many experts agree that removing the wallpaper is the better choice. Many times walls have layers of wallpaper, or have been “painted over” if this is the case it could very well be time to contact the experts. It is possible to paint over wallpaper, this is not necessarily recommended. There are several things to consider before painting. The seams should be covered with a coat of wallboard compound to hide them. Next, an oil-based primer may be needed to seal the paper, as latex paint could soften the paste on the wallpaper, which would cause it to bubble. In addition, the wallpapers sometimes have a slight texture that would be more noticeable when painted. Finally, if you paint over wallpaper and then decide to remove it later, the process could be more tedious as the paper may become stiffer over time. If you are not sure of the correct course of action, talk to us. Removing the wallpaper before painting may be time consuming and messy, but starting with fresh walls will create a finish that may not be possible with wallpaper underneath. Removing the wallpaper without damaging the walls is a slow, painstaking process and should be approached with great patience. There are several options available. While steamers were once popular to remove wallpaper, we prefer concentrated remover solutions that are mixed with water. The solutions dissolve the adhesive backing, making it easier to peel. Before beginning, remove outlet/light switch covers and gather necessary tools (scoring tool, sprayers and 6-inch broad knives for lifting corners of the paper). Mix the solution with hot water and begin by testing a small section of the paper. Work carefully, in small sections and do not force the paper off. If it will not come off easily, spray the solution on the area and allow it to soak into the wallpaper. Once the paper is removed, wash the wall with warm water and allow sufficient dry time before proceeding to the next step. Repair the walls and sand before painting. If the process seems daunting, we are available to examine your walls and recommend the best procedures for each situation. Give us a call at 520-881-0542

Wallpaper, to paint or not to paint?

ProPainterPete — Sat, 22 May 2010 18:51:22 +0000

Wallpaper, to paint or not to paint?

ProPainterPete — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:43:14 +0000

SAHBA Home Show

ProPainterPete — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:00:08 +0000

Tomorrow is my first day at the Home Show Come out and see me. Booth 1603 in the remodelers row.

Home Tour

ProPainterPete — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:13:46 +0000

SAHBA’S Home Tour Starts today, please check it out. For more information please visit sahba.org

ProPainterPete — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:53:23 +0000

What type of paint sheen should I get?” The answer depends on where the paint will be applied and the general purpose of the painted surface. Here are some very helpful tips to keep in mind to help make the selection easy. Flat paints the most commonly used sheen in homes is called flat or matte finish. Most flat and matte finishes tend to have no shine at all. However, there are a few brands of flat paints that tend to leave a very light shine to them, due to the amount of acrylic resin in the paint. Flat sheen lends itself well to ceilings, formal dining rooms, and large contemporary rooms with lots of natural light. Flat or sometimes called matte, finishes really do look the best for walls if you are trying to hide defects in the wall. Also, if you have a lot of artwork on the walls, flat sheens look the great. Satin paints the next selection of paint sheens have several different names depending on how much shine the paint has when it dries. Several names you would see in the paint stores are “Egg-shell,” “Low-Sheen,” and “Satin.” Typically, these paints are far more scrub-able than the standard flat finishes mentioned above. This tends to be the main reason homeowners decide to use one of these types of sheens. Satin-type finishes look great in areas that do not have a lot of natural light, closets, hallways and stairwells, and, of course, your kids’ rooms. Most satin finishes are found on walls only, not ceilings or wood surfaces. However, some homeowners will opt for painting their baseboards, doors and trim work with a satin finish. If prepared and painted correctly, trim and fine woodwork can look beautiful with a satin finish – even kitchen cabinets. Gloss Paints The last types of sheen are known as glossy paints. On the paint shelf, they are labeled as “Semi-Gloss” and “Gloss.” Typically, the semi-gloss gives off a shine of 65%-85% compared to gloss at 100%. Gloss paints are difficult to work with and are best applied by a professional painting contractor. Semi-gloss is the number one choice for most homeowners for bathroom walls, kitchens, laundry rooms, rental properties and, of course, woodwork. Selecting the right paint sheen is a matter of personal preference. Some of us love flat. Others have to have semi-gloss on every wall! If you are unsure of the types of paint and paint sheens, ask us. We will give you some professional advice.