HOME & GARDEN :: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007
Painting Takes More than Just a Little Elbow Grease
When undertaking a project yourself it is very important to make sure that you select the right product for the specific job you are doing. We have seen the results of consumers just applying paint to surfaces without even considering the different factors that ensure a good paint job. Each surface will have different needs and require specific paint systems for these needs. For example, when considering painting any surface you should first answer some simple questions:
Claymore Senior Center Before
Claymore Senior Center After
- What is currently on the painted surface? (I.e. Is it stained or painted? Is it a flat or semi-gloss finish?)
- In what condition is the surface in? Does it need to be sanded? Do you have any soft spots that are hiding wood rot?
- Is it currently a slick surface that you would like to become a non-skid surface?
- Does the color of your paint show a lot of dirt?
- Do I want to change the existing color?
- Does the surface show a lot of finger prints or smudges?
All of these questions play into your decision process on how to tackle your painting project. Please know that the paint application succeeds or fails on the level and care of the preparation process that you put in prior to applying the final top coats of paint. So the questions above may seem trivial but they are the most important part of your whole project.
Once you have determined what your surface looks like, now it is pertinent to perform the necessary preparation work to ensure good paint adhesion. If you have loose and peeling paint it is best to power wash the area if possible and then permit to dry for 24 hours. This will give you a good snapshot of how much sanding will be necessary. If working indoors, it is best to scuff sand your walls and trim to remove loose or embedded objects in the previous painting workmanship. Once sanded, you will need to ask yourself, “Do you see any bare wood?” or “Do you see water marks, black scuff marks?” If answered yes, this will mean that you will need to prime the area with primer prior to applying any top coats of paint. Remember each primer has its own specific qualities. For example, if you have smoke damage that has occurred due to prolonged nicotine smoking it is best to find the strongest hide primer such as a Shellac Primer. We typically use this product on ceilings with water spots or nicotine stains. Your local Sherwin Williams Dealer will be able to best guide you towards the products that will best suit your specific needs.
Another component that needs to be considered is the color. If you are making a dramatic color change you must first look at the pigment that is applied to the base to make that particular color that you have chosen. A lot of times you can turn over your color card from the paint manufacturer and it will guide you on the base tint that is required to make that particular color. The deeper the base the more the paint will typically cost you. Furthermore, a deeper base may require you to purchase a special primer to assist in the exact color match that you are looking to obtain. An important point to remember deeper colors will typically not cover in 2 coats of paint. The standard is typically 2 – 3 coats. So if you have fallen in love with a deep based color, please know you will need to allocate sufficient amount of time for your project to get good coverage and apply the full 3 coats that are necessary.
Continuing on the topic of color, if you are having a difficult time finding the perfect color paint chip your local Sherwin Williams Dealer has the capability of doing custom color matches. So let’s say that you were at a friend’s house and loved the color of their wood siding and they did not know the color name or who the paint manufacturer was. Try to take a 1 inch sample front under an inconspicuous spot (i.e. Downspout, be-hind a door jam) and take it to your local Sherwin Williams Dealer. He /she will be able to provide you a custom color match with the sample you have provided. They also have the ability to blend colors. Meaning that if you have two colors that you really like but want something custom shaded between them; they have the capability of doing that and so much more.
Another important factor to consider is sheen type for your paint. Typically paint systems have their own specific sheen type for a particular product. For example, Sherwin Williams Interior Super Paint comes in flat, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. But their Duration Interior Paint line comes in matte, satin and semi-gloss. So it is very important to consider what sheen type you will be putting where. This will highly impact the successfulness of your painting project. We find that our Customers also use the sheen type when considering the scrub ability of a particular surface and use sheen type to draw people’s eyes to a particular surface. For example, when one of our Customers decided to paint her front door red, Sherwin Williams Theatre Red SW7584, we recommended playing with the sheen type to highlight this area. She really wanted her newly painted front door to be a focal point. So we recommended going up to the high gloss finish type. So between the bold red color and the high shine finish added dramatic curb appeal to her home.
As demonstrated above, painting your home or office is much more than putting in a little elbow grease. It requires knowledge and expertise to ensure that the investment you make today lasts as long as possible. We at CertaPro Painters provide our Customer’s with free consultations. We give product recommendations and color consultations. We try to give each Customer as much personalized attention as possible. We feel that we need to paint each Customer’s expectation with the utmost respect and care. Please feel free to contact us to find out more about how we can make your next painting experience a more successful one. CertaPro Painters proudly serves New Castle County and the surroundings areas. To schedule a FREE interior/exterior painting, power washing, or staining estimate contact us at 1-800-GO-CERTA or visit www.certapro.com.
Here is what some recent customers have been saying about their experience with CertaPro Painters:
“The guys were great, they were there on time, they were fantastic, and they were extremely accommodating and nice guys too!” ~ Resident of 19807
“Continue your personal touch & immediate responses.” ~ Resident of 19701
“Excellent timeliness of response to initial inquiry, great timeliness of arrival each day of the painting team. The communication between the painting team and me was great. The cleanliness of the workers and the job and the overall professionalism of the organization added to the overall experience.” ~ Resident of 19703
“Quick and efficient staff. Great customer service. Excellent end product.” ~ Resident of 19805
