Why should I hire a professional painter?
Before deciding to "do
it yourself" or hire the least expensive painter in the
phone book, there are several factors that suggest the lowest
price may not be the best value, i.e.:
Safety -- Painting can be
hazardous work, whether it’s working on a ladder, dealing
with solvents and dust, or disposing of hazardous materials.
Hiring a professional contractor means you don’t have
to worry about these problems.
Health -- If your building was finished before 1978,
it was almost certainly painted with a lead-based paint
(which can cause serious health effects when it is scraped
or sanded in preparation for repainting.) A professional
contractor will take appropriate steps to protect both himself
and you. On June 1, 1999, remodeling contractors (including
painters) were required to furnish an EPA produced pamphlet
to their customers before they begin any job that involves
disturbing lead-based paint. Professional painting contractors
will understand and be willing to follow the recommendations
on this pamphlet.
Preparation -- Getting the surface properly prepared
makes all the difference (the best materials perform poorly
if the preparation is not proper.) Professional contractors
know the value of preparation and will do it right.
Product knowledge -- Coating choices today are more complicated
than just oil or latex, and professional contractors will
know what paint system works, how to use it, and will have
the right tools for the job.
Cleanup and Disposal -- During any job there is the
definite probability that hazardous waste will be generated.
Professional contractors will know how to handle these hazardous
wastes and how to dispose of them. This means you don’t
have to worry about dealing with paint residues and other
leftovers. |
How do I choose the right
contractor?
Once you have decided
to hire a professional contractor for a particular project,
selecting the right person or firm becomes a matter of matter
of price, size of company, years in business, and other criteria.
Selecting a group of names is the easy part -- many sources
are available to find potential contractor names, e.g., the
Internet, friends, relatives, architects, decorators, yellow
pages, trade associations, local "quality- oriented" paint supply stores, and newspaper advertisements. However,
these sources can only give you limited general information.
In order to make an educated decision, you need some specific
information about any person or firm you are considering hiring.
For example:
License and Insurance
-- Verify that the contractor is bonded, licensed, and
insured. Quality contracting firms will be only too happy
to provide you with copies of their certificates of insurance.
Contract -- Reputable contractors will provide a written
contract. The contract will provide (and explain): the scope
of the work to be performed, objects to be repaired, methods
and extent of surface preparation, surfaces to be painted,
time schedules for the project, and payment procedures.
(These details allow a better comparison of multiple bids.)
The contract serves to protect both you and the contractor.
Testimonials and References -- Obtain a list of references
from the prospective contractor. This list should include
the contact person, address, telephone number of the previous
client, and the date that the work was done. Remember, the
contractor is not likely to give you a bad reference. Therefore,
ask references if they know of any other work this contractor
has performed. Be sure to ask whether the contractor and
employees treated you professionally and with respect. The
references you are interested in should be from projects
similar in size and scope to yours. These projects should
span several years -- this will help determine if the work
is consistent or improving (or declining.) Try to see the
work that was done first hand -- this will help gauge the
performance of the construction and materials used.
Warranty -- Two parts to this aspect of a project:
(1) First, ask about the manufacturer’s warranty on
the products to be used on the project -- what is the expected
life of the applied paint on the surfaces of the specific
project. Remember long-term durability from the coating
is the goal; hence, the use of high quality products is
as important as the selection and performance of the contractor.
(2) Second, what is the contractor’s warranty on workmanship. |
What is a paint system?
A paint system is a group
of compatible products that give a desired result when they
are used together. Normally a paint system consists of a primer,
finish coat, and possibly solvents.
What is the difference between lay tex and alkyd (oil) based
paints?
The basic difference is
in the binders. Latex paint binds the particles of pigment
with a lay tex such as acrylic or vinyl, while oil paint uses
a binder or resin that is derived from a vegetable oil such
as linseed or soy bean. With latex paint spills can be cleaned
up with a damp rag, brushes and rollers can be cleaned with
soap and water, hands can be cleaned with soap and water.
What is the difference between paint and stain?
Paint colors a surface
by forming a thin opaque film on a substrate. Stain colors
a surface by penetrating into the substrate.
What is the difference between interior and exterior paint?
| Interior paint is
formulated for: |
Exterior paint is
formulated for: |
Good scrub ability and stain resistance
Good hiding ability
Splatter resistance
Easier touch up |
Color retention
Resistance to fading
Flexibility (to withstand expansion and contraction due
to weather)
Mildew resistant
Resistance to bleed |
What do primers and sealers
do?
The goal of both is to
make the finish coat (topcoat) look better and last longer.
They do this by providing a variety of properties such as:
Stain blocking -- preventing stains
(e.g., water stains on wallboard, ball point pen ink, or
resins from a knot in a wood surface) on the original surface
from bleeding through the topcoat and becoming visible.
Corrosion inhibition -- provide a moisture barrier between
the topcoat and the raw metal surface.
Chemical isolation -- similar to corrosion inhibition in
that a primer separates the surface to be covered from the
topcoat with an inert material.
Bonding enhancement -- provides a compatible layer between
the substrate and the topcoat. (The topcoat may not adhere
well to the substrate. The primer adheres to the substrate
and provides a surface that the topcoat can adhere to.)
Surface filling -- sealers and primers fill/block the porosity
of a wood surface so that it does not absorb the topcoat
medium
Enhanced hide -- two effects aid in enhancing the hide capability
of the topcoat, a primer provides a more uniform color and
it tends to mask any color pattern on the substrate.
Protection paint -- A clear coat sealer may be applied over
a faux finish to protect the layers of pigmented paint.
A clear coat sealer is used on automobiles to protect and
enhance the gloss of the paint. |
Why should I buy high
quality paint?
The most important benefit
is the tremendous saving in hours of work (and money if
you are paying to have the paint applied.) Two factors affect
this time saving:
High quality paint generally
covers better than less expensive paints -- so less
is needed. And less time is needed to apply it.
High quality paint lasts longer, in some cases two to
three times longer. |
What is the best exterior
trim paint, acrylic or alkyd?
100% acrylic topcoats
are typically better because of their color retention properties
and flexibility. However, an oil based primer must be used
before using the acrylic topcoat when painting over bleeding
woods like redwood or cedar. (A complete acrylic paint system
may be used on non-bleeding surfaces.)
What causes paint to chalk?
Chalking is a natural
degradation of a paint film when exposed to weathering. It
results from chemical reactions with the oxygen in the air
and may be accelerated by the ultraviolet light from the Sun.
Some common causes of excessive chalking include application
of a topcoat to an unsealed surface, overspreading the paint,
or poor quality paint.
What causes blistering and peeling on exterior wood?
Generally the cause is
moisture getting between the paint and the wood surface. However,
it can also be caused by inadequate surface preparation, using
a low quality paint, or painting in direct sunlight.
Why can't I paint in direct sunlight?
Paint needs to be liquid
for a period after application for proper penetration, adhesion,
and solvent evaporation. The heat from the sun can cause the
outer layer of paint to dry too quickly and form a skin over
a liquid layer. The skin could result in solvent entrapment,
which leads to the formation of blisters. Another effect of
a too rapid drying is the early loss of the ability of the
paint to flow -- this means that brush marks may be visible
when the paint is fully cured.
How cold can paint be applied?
This depends on the type
of paint (and to some extent the paint's manufacturer.)
latex and acrylic paint should not be applied when temperatures
are below about 50° F (10° C). Some specially formulated
paints claim to have application temperatures as low as 35°
F (2° C).
Alkyd/oil based paints should not be applied when temperatures
are below about 40° F (4° C).
What other weather factors
must be avoided?
If the temperature is
over 95° F (35° C) or the humidity is over 85% its
best to avoid painting (neither the paint nor the painter
perform well under these conditions.)
Which is better, a natural bristle brush or a synthetic bristle
brush?
The choice really depends
the type of paint being used. Both natural bristle and synthetic
brushes may be used with alkyd or oil-based paints. With acrylic
and latex paints, however, only synthetic brushes should be
used -- this is because the water in the medium takes the
oils out of natural bristles and they no longer hold their
correct shape.
Can I paint over wallpaper?
The simple answer is yes,
but. As with all painting projects, the surface must be properly
prepared. Any loose paper must be re-attached or removed.
The surface must be smoothed with spackle or wallboard compound
so that seams and patches do not show. Finally, if a water
based paint is to be the coating, the wallpaper must be sealed
with an oil or alkyd based sealer. Even after proper preparation,
it is possible for the texture and or seams to be visible.
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