So you've decided to repaint! Great, now what paint gives you the most bang for your buck? Do box stores or paint stores offer better choices? In my opinion a paint store will deliver much better service and provide you with more information to make the right choice. Many times I have gone to the big boxes to be greeted by a new paint center employee who has no idea what they are talking about or what will work best for your application. By choosing a store that specializes in serving strictly paint customers you will save money and time. Let me explain.
Over the years we have painted many homes and properties in Syracuse NY and relied on a professional paint representative to provide us with the right product, information and tools to get the job done right. If you have a question or concern you have a line to call and talk to the same person you just bought the product from. If you need more of the product they will be able to replicate the paints color and stand behind the results.
For instance last summer while we were painting a Tudor home in the Syracuse University neighborhood we needed more light cream exterior paint for are customers repaint. I knew by going to our local Benjamin Moore store that we would be getting the exact color and product mixed by a pro.
On repaints you may need more paint so you can just call up and order it because your not being routed all over the place or getting someone who doesn't have a clue. When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck choose a store that specializes in paint. In the long run you will be choosing someone that stands by their product, is there if you have any questions and will provide you with information that will save you from running back and forth for something you may have forgotten or overlooked. Purcell's and Sherwin Williams both provide top notch paint products and service in Syracuse. We go to both depending on the customers preference. They offer a wide selection to fit all budgets.
Donigan Painting
Syracuse, NY 13208
313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/contact.html
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Painting Contractors Syracuse NY
Spring is here and it's time to freshen up your home or properties look and value with an exterior paint job. Paint may be peeling, cracking or buckling off your house causing you to be concerned and take action. You want to maintain your homes value and integrity so it can weather the next Syracuse storm. Bravo! To help you figure out the best way to manage such a large project let me give you some helpful insider tips to make this undertaking smooth as possible.
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
1. Consult a professional. Even though you have a good idea of what needs to be done a trained eye that does the same routine year and year out will be able to help you see what's unnoticed or needs more attention. A professional painter can provide you with insights that will save you thousands of dollars in the repaint and years that follow it.
2. Get a handful of quotes and compare them. Are they all apples to apples? Often times you will find that you will run the gamut of having the lowball to middle of the road to high ball estimates. The differences are usually obvious. Attention to detail, product, and your overall gut feeling will help weed out hacks. If cheapest price is what you are looking for be prepared for headaches. Low ballers skimp on high quality paints and extensive preparation, which is the key to a lasting paint job.
3. Is your contractor protecting you and your property? Are all adjacent surfaces covered so the paint goes where it is intended? Do they carry insurance? Do they look and act professional? When you choose a contractor based on a higher price point you will see the difference in the aforementioned. So sit down and really do your homework.
4. When you add up what a typical Syracuse NY exterior paint jobs life expectancy is, 10-15 years, and divide it by what you are paying how much is it really going to cost you to know it has been done correctly to the highest industry standards? As a professional there are standard practices and methods that produce consistent high quality results. Being informed and educated will only help you make the best decision for your exterior or interior repaint. When we come to your home or business for an estimate you can bet we will listen very carefully to you and figure out what exactly you are looking for then provide a detailed solution to best fit your needs. Hope this helps and good luck!
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
1. Consult a professional. Even though you have a good idea of what needs to be done a trained eye that does the same routine year and year out will be able to help you see what's unnoticed or needs more attention. A professional painter can provide you with insights that will save you thousands of dollars in the repaint and years that follow it.
2. Get a handful of quotes and compare them. Are they all apples to apples? Often times you will find that you will run the gamut of having the lowball to middle of the road to high ball estimates. The differences are usually obvious. Attention to detail, product, and your overall gut feeling will help weed out hacks. If cheapest price is what you are looking for be prepared for headaches. Low ballers skimp on high quality paints and extensive preparation, which is the key to a lasting paint job.
3. Is your contractor protecting you and your property? Are all adjacent surfaces covered so the paint goes where it is intended? Do they carry insurance? Do they look and act professional? When you choose a contractor based on a higher price point you will see the difference in the aforementioned. So sit down and really do your homework.
4. When you add up what a typical Syracuse NY exterior paint jobs life expectancy is, 10-15 years, and divide it by what you are paying how much is it really going to cost you to know it has been done correctly to the highest industry standards? As a professional there are standard practices and methods that produce consistent high quality results. Being informed and educated will only help you make the best decision for your exterior or interior repaint. When we come to your home or business for an estimate you can bet we will listen very carefully to you and figure out what exactly you are looking for then provide a detailed solution to best fit your needs. Hope this helps and good luck!
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Deck Staining and Refinishing Syracuse NY
When it comes to maintaining your deck preventative maintenance goes along way. It's best to stain or seal your deck at least every five years. Syracuse's weather can be brutal and wear down the best applied stain or sealers quite fast. Some homeowners make the mistake of using paint to seal their deck not realizing it is going to cost them if they ever want to get it right again. Paint sits on top of the substrate it is applied to while stains penetrate the surface protecting the wood further. Like anything else with repaints or staining preparation is the key to lasting high quality finishes.
Decks can be in many conditions in this neck of New York so knowing what you are dealing with will help you choose the right methods for an optimal deck staining. Here are some basics to keep in mind when tackling this type of project:
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Choose the Right Cleaning Product - Which cleaning product you need depends on the condition of your deck or porch.
Use stain & sealer remover on all exterior wood that has been previously treated or stained. There are many great products available to make this step easy. Use deck wash solution to remove mold and mildew from composite decking and unstained pressure-treated wood.
Choose the Right Stain - The type of stain you choose depends on the appearance and durability you want to achieve. Buy the best product available. It will save you time and money. The cheap grade stuff will spread to thin and be gone before Labor Day.
Clear
While offering the least UV protection, clear stains provide an optimum view of natural wood grain.
Toners
Toners provide a light color that highlights wood grain and provides good durability.
Semi-Transparent Stains
Semi-transparent stains provides very good durability as well as a rich, pigmented color that allows the natural wood grain to show through. For severely weathered natural wood it's recommended that you apply two coats of semi-transparent stain.
Solid Color Stains
Solid color stains help cover up wood blemishes or unsightly grain while offering maximum durability. Advanced technology makes Solid Color Stain a perfect choice for composite decking.
Use the Right Project Materials - To properly prepare and finish your deck or porch, your project checklist should include the following items: Gloves, broom, garden hose, drop cloth, sanding sponge, stiff synthetic-bristle brush, 4" stain brush, brush holder, roller extension pole, pump sprayer
Preparing the deck
Hand scraping loose and flaking stain or sealer.
Secure loose decking, rail, spindles. Hammer down popped nail heads and make repairs to wood if necessary
Sand the boards, rail, spindles
Depending on the age and condition of your deck it may need to be professionally pressure washed. Pressure washing to the inexperienced can do more damage than good if you do not know what tip to use, are to close to the surface, are to far from the surface. This is the point where you either use a garden hose and cleaning product or pressure wash to remove dirt, grease, dust, mold, mildew.
Once it is dry check by sprinkling water on it and seeing if it is absorbed. During the spring and summer how long it takes your deck to dry will vary. Typically 1-2 days with warmer weather.
Application
Applying your stain or sealer can be done a few different ways. When applying stain take a board at a time to avoid lap marks. Start high with rail/spindles if applicable and work your way off the deck. Don't stain yourself in a corner! You can use a roller, stain brush, pump sprayer. If you do decide to spray it on make sure you brush it in or roll it in for maximum protection. You may need two coats so allow at least 4 hours in between coats. Allow 48 hours before using your newly stained or sealed deck.
Thank You for stopping in,
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Decks can be in many conditions in this neck of New York so knowing what you are dealing with will help you choose the right methods for an optimal deck staining. Here are some basics to keep in mind when tackling this type of project:
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Choose the Right Cleaning Product - Which cleaning product you need depends on the condition of your deck or porch.
Use stain & sealer remover on all exterior wood that has been previously treated or stained. There are many great products available to make this step easy. Use deck wash solution to remove mold and mildew from composite decking and unstained pressure-treated wood.
Choose the Right Stain - The type of stain you choose depends on the appearance and durability you want to achieve. Buy the best product available. It will save you time and money. The cheap grade stuff will spread to thin and be gone before Labor Day.
Clear
While offering the least UV protection, clear stains provide an optimum view of natural wood grain.
Toners
Toners provide a light color that highlights wood grain and provides good durability.
Semi-Transparent Stains
Semi-transparent stains provides very good durability as well as a rich, pigmented color that allows the natural wood grain to show through. For severely weathered natural wood it's recommended that you apply two coats of semi-transparent stain.
Solid Color Stains
Solid color stains help cover up wood blemishes or unsightly grain while offering maximum durability. Advanced technology makes Solid Color Stain a perfect choice for composite decking.
Use the Right Project Materials - To properly prepare and finish your deck or porch, your project checklist should include the following items: Gloves, broom, garden hose, drop cloth, sanding sponge, stiff synthetic-bristle brush, 4" stain brush, brush holder, roller extension pole, pump sprayer
Preparing the deck
Hand scraping loose and flaking stain or sealer.
Secure loose decking, rail, spindles. Hammer down popped nail heads and make repairs to wood if necessary
Sand the boards, rail, spindles
Depending on the age and condition of your deck it may need to be professionally pressure washed. Pressure washing to the inexperienced can do more damage than good if you do not know what tip to use, are to close to the surface, are to far from the surface. This is the point where you either use a garden hose and cleaning product or pressure wash to remove dirt, grease, dust, mold, mildew.
Once it is dry check by sprinkling water on it and seeing if it is absorbed. During the spring and summer how long it takes your deck to dry will vary. Typically 1-2 days with warmer weather.
Application
Applying your stain or sealer can be done a few different ways. When applying stain take a board at a time to avoid lap marks. Start high with rail/spindles if applicable and work your way off the deck. Don't stain yourself in a corner! You can use a roller, stain brush, pump sprayer. If you do decide to spray it on make sure you brush it in or roll it in for maximum protection. You may need two coats so allow at least 4 hours in between coats. Allow 48 hours before using your newly stained or sealed deck.
Thank You for stopping in,
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Monday, March 21, 2016
Kitchen Painting Syracuse New York
Donigan Painting- Syracuse New York
315-313-3254
For those of you who find painting your kitchen a daunting task here are some helpful tips to minimize common problems for the diy'er. Picking the color and buying supplies is the easier part of the many steps to get it done right so it looks amazing and will last for years adding to your most valuable assets roi.
First, do not buy cheap materials. Sure you can go to the discount depot and buy brushes, a nap, roller frame, painting pan, tape etc but ultimately it will cost you time because the cheaper stuff, although easier on your budget, does not provide good coverage-often breaks. The old saying you get what you pay for applies here. If you want to get the best coverage for your buck go at least middle of the road on your supplies and buy them from a reputable store whether it's a big box or a paint store you will get a higher quality product that will save you a huge headache and a lot of time running back and forth to get what you need to now fix mistakes from cheap equipment-materials. Buy a good angle sash 2.5 brush, a cut can, roller frame, 3/8 nap, roller pan/inserts, blue tape, a drop cloth, plastic to cover furniture, a five, wall spackle for nail holes, sand paper, painters caulk, caulk gun, rags, an extension pole, a step ladder, flat head screwdriver.
Typically when painting a kitchen people prefer a paint with a bit of a shine-luster. Keep this in mind when you are choosing paint. Sheens range from flat-matte-eggshell-velvet-satin-semigloss-gloss. Depending on how shiny you'd like it and the degree to which you want to be able to clean it these will factor into your choice. Next how much paint will you need for your room? A gallon of paint covers about 300 square feet. Once you know your rooms dimensions to be painted you will arrive at your square foot number. Next will it be a light color or dark color? Depending on what you choose your kitchen repaint may need 2-4 coats of paint to cover correctly. This means you may need to apply a primer coat or two to achieve the desired finish and buy more than just finish paint. Beyond the walls will you be painting the ceiling, molding, doors? If so plan on buying more paint to suit your taste. In a kitchen some customers like flat bright white on their ceilings and others like a semi-gloss. That's up to you. With molding and doors due to their constant use-traffic you want a highly durable paint other than what you are putting on your walls. For these it's recommended you use an enamel. Enamels setup harder than your latex wall paint and provide a surface coat that will take a beating and clean right up.
So now you have everything you need. Let's start with the process:
1. Remove all switch-outlet plates, curtains, hardware, screws, nails
2. Remove all your keep sakes and kitchen counter clutter
3. Center your furniture in the room so you can move around easily
4. Cover your furniture with plastic
5. Tape out and cover counter tops, cabinets, lights, door knobs, appliances
6. Fill nail holes and caulk cracks in molding
7. Repair any dings-dents-scratches
8. Sand all surfaces to be painted so the paint adheres correctly
9. Wipe down and thoroughly clean the sanded surfaces
10. Cut in your ceiling and apply two coats of finish paint
11. Cut in your walls and apply two-four coats of finish paint depending on color choice
12. Allow 24 hours for paint to properly dry and setup
13. Tape out walls along molding
14. Apply two coats of enamel to molding-doors allowing for 3 hours dry time between applications
15. Remove tape and plastic
16. Replace furniture
17. Reinstall hardware, covers
18. Clean area
These are some basic steps for a top notch paint job that will last for years. Keep in mind rolling the paint on, for the inexperienced, causes what we call ropes or lines from the roller on the wall. When you are finished applying the paint on an area you need to back roll/blend what you just painted to achieve a perfect complexion. Be careful of runs-sags-drips-splatter as you go. Depending on your color choice you may have to cut in more than once. Although it may seem daunting to paint your kitchen following these procedures and buying right will cut out half of the headache that goes with new territory or a revisited past time of doing it yourself.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
315-313-3254
For those of you who find painting your kitchen a daunting task here are some helpful tips to minimize common problems for the diy'er. Picking the color and buying supplies is the easier part of the many steps to get it done right so it looks amazing and will last for years adding to your most valuable assets roi.
First, do not buy cheap materials. Sure you can go to the discount depot and buy brushes, a nap, roller frame, painting pan, tape etc but ultimately it will cost you time because the cheaper stuff, although easier on your budget, does not provide good coverage-often breaks. The old saying you get what you pay for applies here. If you want to get the best coverage for your buck go at least middle of the road on your supplies and buy them from a reputable store whether it's a big box or a paint store you will get a higher quality product that will save you a huge headache and a lot of time running back and forth to get what you need to now fix mistakes from cheap equipment-materials. Buy a good angle sash 2.5 brush, a cut can, roller frame, 3/8 nap, roller pan/inserts, blue tape, a drop cloth, plastic to cover furniture, a five, wall spackle for nail holes, sand paper, painters caulk, caulk gun, rags, an extension pole, a step ladder, flat head screwdriver.
Typically when painting a kitchen people prefer a paint with a bit of a shine-luster. Keep this in mind when you are choosing paint. Sheens range from flat-matte-eggshell-velvet-satin-semigloss-gloss. Depending on how shiny you'd like it and the degree to which you want to be able to clean it these will factor into your choice. Next how much paint will you need for your room? A gallon of paint covers about 300 square feet. Once you know your rooms dimensions to be painted you will arrive at your square foot number. Next will it be a light color or dark color? Depending on what you choose your kitchen repaint may need 2-4 coats of paint to cover correctly. This means you may need to apply a primer coat or two to achieve the desired finish and buy more than just finish paint. Beyond the walls will you be painting the ceiling, molding, doors? If so plan on buying more paint to suit your taste. In a kitchen some customers like flat bright white on their ceilings and others like a semi-gloss. That's up to you. With molding and doors due to their constant use-traffic you want a highly durable paint other than what you are putting on your walls. For these it's recommended you use an enamel. Enamels setup harder than your latex wall paint and provide a surface coat that will take a beating and clean right up.
So now you have everything you need. Let's start with the process:
1. Remove all switch-outlet plates, curtains, hardware, screws, nails
2. Remove all your keep sakes and kitchen counter clutter
3. Center your furniture in the room so you can move around easily
4. Cover your furniture with plastic
5. Tape out and cover counter tops, cabinets, lights, door knobs, appliances
6. Fill nail holes and caulk cracks in molding
7. Repair any dings-dents-scratches
8. Sand all surfaces to be painted so the paint adheres correctly
9. Wipe down and thoroughly clean the sanded surfaces
10. Cut in your ceiling and apply two coats of finish paint
11. Cut in your walls and apply two-four coats of finish paint depending on color choice
12. Allow 24 hours for paint to properly dry and setup
13. Tape out walls along molding
14. Apply two coats of enamel to molding-doors allowing for 3 hours dry time between applications
15. Remove tape and plastic
16. Replace furniture
17. Reinstall hardware, covers
18. Clean area
These are some basic steps for a top notch paint job that will last for years. Keep in mind rolling the paint on, for the inexperienced, causes what we call ropes or lines from the roller on the wall. When you are finished applying the paint on an area you need to back roll/blend what you just painted to achieve a perfect complexion. Be careful of runs-sags-drips-splatter as you go. Depending on your color choice you may have to cut in more than once. Although it may seem daunting to paint your kitchen following these procedures and buying right will cut out half of the headache that goes with new territory or a revisited past time of doing it yourself.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Painting Contractor Choices
Donigan Painting: 315-313-3254
Choices, choices, choices. When you’re decorating a home, you’re faced with tons of choices. And finding the right paint colors for room interiors or the outside of your home is the easy part! Who should you choose to actually do the painting job? Getting professional local home painting done is more than just a matter of avoiding paint in your hair and a massive task. It’s the only way to be sure of a fantastic finish with the minimum of mess.
You’re smart enough to know that cheap isn’t always better, but what should you consider? Clearly, a good contractor should be properly licensed, insured and have plenty of experience. Whether you’re decorating a mansion or just looking for apartment painters, it pays to check on the materials and methods that will be employed.
You should probably ask your painter a few questions and have a good discussion with him. How will the surfaces be prepared before wall painting commences? And the type of paint he’s planning to use is also of concern. Good paint is durable and washable and because cheap paints are often way too thin and need several coats, decent paint will also save on labor costs. Do your homework before you approve any quote.
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
It may be tempting to call for quotes and pick one almost at random – perhaps not the very cheapest, but an affordable and reasonable-sounding quote. But although you’re busy, you should make time to meet with the contractor you’re considering appointing. Apart from ensuring that your painters are licensed and have insurance, just how the painter proposes to tackle the task requires a bit of discussion – and it will also give you an idea as to whether your wall painting contractors are going to go the extra mile for you.
You’ll also have discuss issues such as indoor air quality. You can’t shut your home-offices down just because the paint’s drying, and you can’t expect your employees to work in a fume-laden environment. The health and safety committee will be on your back first thing. Professional residential- commercial painters will make time to consider your concerns and come up with workable solutions.
As we’ve already noted, using expensive paint might not be as costly as you think. The paint job last longer, is easy to clean and may need less coats to give good coverage – all elements that will ultimately save you money. This is one of your most important considerations when considering house or apartment painters’ quotes. It’s a time when considering underpricing as a potential problem is way more than looking for suspected overpricing.
Local painters vary from people with little or no experience to truly skilled professionals who take pride in their work. If you’re proud of your house or apartment, that’s what you should be looking for.
If a local painting contractor is passionate about his work, you’ll soon see it by the way he talks about interior and exterior painting. Floor painting may not be your idea of a good time, but a pro who cares about his work will talk excitedly about staining floors and window frames, adding colors as a trim when wall-painting and other residential projects they’ve done and are proud of.
Cost really isn’t everything, but do be sure that you get a full, written quote and ensure there are no hidden costs. The best way to determine pricing is to get quotes, and you should be willing to ask for finer details so that you know exactly what you’ll be paying for. You may find yourself going for the most expensive quote you received simply because it’s affordable and still reasonable for the level of service you’ll be getting
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Choices, choices, choices. When you’re decorating a home, you’re faced with tons of choices. And finding the right paint colors for room interiors or the outside of your home is the easy part! Who should you choose to actually do the painting job? Getting professional local home painting done is more than just a matter of avoiding paint in your hair and a massive task. It’s the only way to be sure of a fantastic finish with the minimum of mess.
You’re smart enough to know that cheap isn’t always better, but what should you consider? Clearly, a good contractor should be properly licensed, insured and have plenty of experience. Whether you’re decorating a mansion or just looking for apartment painters, it pays to check on the materials and methods that will be employed.
You should probably ask your painter a few questions and have a good discussion with him. How will the surfaces be prepared before wall painting commences? And the type of paint he’s planning to use is also of concern. Good paint is durable and washable and because cheap paints are often way too thin and need several coats, decent paint will also save on labor costs. Do your homework before you approve any quote.
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Syracuse Residential and Commercial Painting Contractors
Your commercial property is the ‘face’ of your business. Keeping it in tip top shape helps your clients to have confidence in you. But finding the best /residential-commercial painters in Syracuse NY and ensuring that you renovations don’t interfere with getting things done for your clients is an important step.It may be tempting to call for quotes and pick one almost at random – perhaps not the very cheapest, but an affordable and reasonable-sounding quote. But although you’re busy, you should make time to meet with the contractor you’re considering appointing. Apart from ensuring that your painters are licensed and have insurance, just how the painter proposes to tackle the task requires a bit of discussion – and it will also give you an idea as to whether your wall painting contractors are going to go the extra mile for you.
You’ll also have discuss issues such as indoor air quality. You can’t shut your home-offices down just because the paint’s drying, and you can’t expect your employees to work in a fume-laden environment. The health and safety committee will be on your back first thing. Professional residential- commercial painters will make time to consider your concerns and come up with workable solutions.
Pricing of Exterior and Interior House Painting Services
Pricing of house painting services will always vary. The scope of the job, any specific requirements you may have and the way in which the task is to be performed will all influence price.As we’ve already noted, using expensive paint might not be as costly as you think. The paint job last longer, is easy to clean and may need less coats to give good coverage – all elements that will ultimately save you money. This is one of your most important considerations when considering house or apartment painters’ quotes. It’s a time when considering underpricing as a potential problem is way more than looking for suspected overpricing.
Local painters vary from people with little or no experience to truly skilled professionals who take pride in their work. If you’re proud of your house or apartment, that’s what you should be looking for.
If a local painting contractor is passionate about his work, you’ll soon see it by the way he talks about interior and exterior painting. Floor painting may not be your idea of a good time, but a pro who cares about his work will talk excitedly about staining floors and window frames, adding colors as a trim when wall-painting and other residential projects they’ve done and are proud of.
Cost really isn’t everything, but do be sure that you get a full, written quote and ensure there are no hidden costs. The best way to determine pricing is to get quotes, and you should be willing to ask for finer details so that you know exactly what you’ll be paying for. You may find yourself going for the most expensive quote you received simply because it’s affordable and still reasonable for the level of service you’ll be getting
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Interior Painting Syracuse NY
Prep Like a Pro: Seven Steps to Prepare a Room for Painting
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Interior painting is a great do-it-yourself project that can freshen up a room in no time, but there are risks to going it alone. Amateur paint jobs can be easy to spot because, unlike professional jobs, they leave tell-tale signs of paint spatter, mottled color or missed spots behind. Here are seven steps you should follow before you dip your roller to help you paint like a pro.
1. Remove Furniture
Professionals don’t stumble over coffee tables and stretch to paint behind the sofa, and neither should you. Remove furniture from the room before you paint to make the job easier and avoid ruining wood and upholstery with spilled or spattered paint. To ensure that your furnishings remain in good enough condition to be brought back into your newly painted room at the end of the project, refrain from just shoving everything into the hallway where it could be damaged or cause accidents. Consider renting a temporary storage container or a storage unit while you work. If there’s an item that just won’t fit through the doorway or is too heavy to move, pull it to the center of the room, away from the walls to be painted, and cover it with plastic to protect it.
2. Protect Flooring
Assuming you want to keep your carpet or hardwood floor in place after you paint the room, protect it before you get to work. A few sheets of newsprint under your roller tray just aren’t sufficient. Use professional-style drop cloths throughout the room instead. Plastic sheeting is cheaper, but it’s easily punctured and can shift under your feet while you work, exposing areas of flooring. A heavy canvas drop cloth or a professional grade butyl-backed cloth protect against spills and also help keep paint from being tracked through the rest of your house if it accidentally gets on the soles of your shoes while you work. (Lots of do-it-yourselfers prefer to paint barefoot so they know when they step in paint.) Butyl-backed cloths have the added bonus of keeping spilled paint from soaking through to the flooring below.
3. Remove Wall Hangings
Maybe you think you’ll save time by leaving your paintings on the walls and simply painting around them. That’s great, unless a painting shifts a little bit one day in front of company, exposing your cut corner. Cutting in around paintings and clocks is actually more time consuming than removing them, and it risks damaging your décor as well. Plus, you might want to change your wall art before you paint the room again. So, it’s always better to take everything off the wall and paint the entire surface. Again, protect your things so you have something to bring back into your finished room. Use bubble wrap and storage bins to make sure delicate pieces don’t break, and be sure to store them well out of the way. If there is any chance that you might want to reconfigure your pictures and clocks when you re-hang them, remove nails and picture hangers and fill in the holes with spackle before you paint. Be sure to let the spackle dry before you cover it.
4. Clean the Walls
Why should you clean something you’re just going to paint anyway? Because clean, uniform surfaces will assure you of a smooth, professional-looking result. Dark smudges can show through a coat of paint, and oil or other substances on the wall can change the consistency of the paint being applied. Clean all walls to be painted with a solution of water and mild detergent. For tough stains or smudges, like kitchen grease or soot stains, professionals rely on trisodium phosphate. Mixed with bleach, trisodium phosphate can also remove mildew and mildew stains before you paint. No matter what kind of cleaning solution you use, be sure to rinse the walls thoroughly when you’re finished and leave them plenty of time to dry before you get to work. House painting professionals might even use fans to speed the drying process.
5. Remove Outlet Covers and Switch Plates
The pros don’t try to cut in around tiny little outlet covers, and neither should you. This will inevitably result in visible brush strokes around the outlet or smudged paint on the outlet cover. Remove the outlet covers and switch plates in the room to be painted, and take care not to paint the actual sockets or switches themselves. Again, that looks very unprofessional. Childproof plastic outlet covers can help protect wall sockets from paint while you work. Use caution in a home with young children after protective coverings have been removed, and be sure to replace them promptly as soon as the paint around them is dry. If you’re going to paint the ceiling of the room, don’t forget to remove light fixtures and ceiling medallions whenever possible. Turning off the electricity to the room at the circuit breaker first is always a good precaution to take.
6. Tape
If only you could take all the moldings and trim out of the room as well before you paint. Alas, this is not the case. To avoid the amateur mistake of smearing paint along your baseboards and windowsills, tape off these areas before you start. Don’t rely on household tape to get the job done; invest in professional painter’s tape, available at most hardware stores and paint suppliers. Taping is simple, but time consuming. Doing it right, though, makes for truly professional-looking results. While not protecting trim is a common mistake, so is over-taping. Be sure that none of your tape is on the wall to be painted, or your old wall color will be playing peek-a-boo around the perimeter of your room. You can also use painter’s tape to tape out patterns or color blocks on your wall. If you’re brave enough to try that, tape out the entire design and make sure it’s perfect before you even open a can of paint.
7. Set Up a Staging Area
Think you’ll save time by just carrying a gallon of paint with you from wall to wall? Wrong. Whatever time you save in set-up will probably be doubled in clean-up. Set up a staging area in the center of the room or just outside it for pouring paint, storing open paint cans, and cleaning brushes and rollers. This will cut down on spills and accidents, or at least keep them contained to one designated area. Plus, you and any helpers you’ve enlisted will always know where the painting supplies are and won’t waste time looking for misplaced paint keys or roller trays. Boards placed between two saw horses make a great staging area. So does an old folding table covered with a drop cloth.
By taking the time to prep a room, anyone can achieve professional-looking paint results. Invest the time up-front to get off to a great start, and your project will go smoothly and look beautiful. Once you’ve got the hang of interior painting, you can freshen any room at will and transform your home one space at a time.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, New York 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Interior painting is a great do-it-yourself project that can freshen up a room in no time, but there are risks to going it alone. Amateur paint jobs can be easy to spot because, unlike professional jobs, they leave tell-tale signs of paint spatter, mottled color or missed spots behind. Here are seven steps you should follow before you dip your roller to help you paint like a pro.
1. Remove Furniture
Professionals don’t stumble over coffee tables and stretch to paint behind the sofa, and neither should you. Remove furniture from the room before you paint to make the job easier and avoid ruining wood and upholstery with spilled or spattered paint. To ensure that your furnishings remain in good enough condition to be brought back into your newly painted room at the end of the project, refrain from just shoving everything into the hallway where it could be damaged or cause accidents. Consider renting a temporary storage container or a storage unit while you work. If there’s an item that just won’t fit through the doorway or is too heavy to move, pull it to the center of the room, away from the walls to be painted, and cover it with plastic to protect it.
2. Protect Flooring
Assuming you want to keep your carpet or hardwood floor in place after you paint the room, protect it before you get to work. A few sheets of newsprint under your roller tray just aren’t sufficient. Use professional-style drop cloths throughout the room instead. Plastic sheeting is cheaper, but it’s easily punctured and can shift under your feet while you work, exposing areas of flooring. A heavy canvas drop cloth or a professional grade butyl-backed cloth protect against spills and also help keep paint from being tracked through the rest of your house if it accidentally gets on the soles of your shoes while you work. (Lots of do-it-yourselfers prefer to paint barefoot so they know when they step in paint.) Butyl-backed cloths have the added bonus of keeping spilled paint from soaking through to the flooring below.
3. Remove Wall Hangings
Maybe you think you’ll save time by leaving your paintings on the walls and simply painting around them. That’s great, unless a painting shifts a little bit one day in front of company, exposing your cut corner. Cutting in around paintings and clocks is actually more time consuming than removing them, and it risks damaging your décor as well. Plus, you might want to change your wall art before you paint the room again. So, it’s always better to take everything off the wall and paint the entire surface. Again, protect your things so you have something to bring back into your finished room. Use bubble wrap and storage bins to make sure delicate pieces don’t break, and be sure to store them well out of the way. If there is any chance that you might want to reconfigure your pictures and clocks when you re-hang them, remove nails and picture hangers and fill in the holes with spackle before you paint. Be sure to let the spackle dry before you cover it.
4. Clean the Walls
Why should you clean something you’re just going to paint anyway? Because clean, uniform surfaces will assure you of a smooth, professional-looking result. Dark smudges can show through a coat of paint, and oil or other substances on the wall can change the consistency of the paint being applied. Clean all walls to be painted with a solution of water and mild detergent. For tough stains or smudges, like kitchen grease or soot stains, professionals rely on trisodium phosphate. Mixed with bleach, trisodium phosphate can also remove mildew and mildew stains before you paint. No matter what kind of cleaning solution you use, be sure to rinse the walls thoroughly when you’re finished and leave them plenty of time to dry before you get to work. House painting professionals might even use fans to speed the drying process.
5. Remove Outlet Covers and Switch Plates
The pros don’t try to cut in around tiny little outlet covers, and neither should you. This will inevitably result in visible brush strokes around the outlet or smudged paint on the outlet cover. Remove the outlet covers and switch plates in the room to be painted, and take care not to paint the actual sockets or switches themselves. Again, that looks very unprofessional. Childproof plastic outlet covers can help protect wall sockets from paint while you work. Use caution in a home with young children after protective coverings have been removed, and be sure to replace them promptly as soon as the paint around them is dry. If you’re going to paint the ceiling of the room, don’t forget to remove light fixtures and ceiling medallions whenever possible. Turning off the electricity to the room at the circuit breaker first is always a good precaution to take.
6. Tape
If only you could take all the moldings and trim out of the room as well before you paint. Alas, this is not the case. To avoid the amateur mistake of smearing paint along your baseboards and windowsills, tape off these areas before you start. Don’t rely on household tape to get the job done; invest in professional painter’s tape, available at most hardware stores and paint suppliers. Taping is simple, but time consuming. Doing it right, though, makes for truly professional-looking results. While not protecting trim is a common mistake, so is over-taping. Be sure that none of your tape is on the wall to be painted, or your old wall color will be playing peek-a-boo around the perimeter of your room. You can also use painter’s tape to tape out patterns or color blocks on your wall. If you’re brave enough to try that, tape out the entire design and make sure it’s perfect before you even open a can of paint.
7. Set Up a Staging Area
Think you’ll save time by just carrying a gallon of paint with you from wall to wall? Wrong. Whatever time you save in set-up will probably be doubled in clean-up. Set up a staging area in the center of the room or just outside it for pouring paint, storing open paint cans, and cleaning brushes and rollers. This will cut down on spills and accidents, or at least keep them contained to one designated area. Plus, you and any helpers you’ve enlisted will always know where the painting supplies are and won’t waste time looking for misplaced paint keys or roller trays. Boards placed between two saw horses make a great staging area. So does an old folding table covered with a drop cloth.
By taking the time to prep a room, anyone can achieve professional-looking paint results. Invest the time up-front to get off to a great start, and your project will go smoothly and look beautiful. Once you’ve got the hang of interior painting, you can freshen any room at will and transform your home one space at a time.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, New York 13208
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Exterior Painting Syracuse NY
When the paint on your home’s exterior begins to fade, chip, and crack, it brings down the entire look of your house. The property value of your home can drop, if a worn-out paint job isn’t properly addressed. It can be daunting to tackle an exterior house painting job, but it needs to be done every five to ten years, depending both on where you live and the quality of the previous exterior paint job.
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Maintain the Exterior
If you deal with one area in which the wood has begun to rot, that may be all that’s needed at that point. Retouching at some point may involve re-caulking.
Signs that Exterior House Painting is Needed
Even the best paint jobs that are well maintained eventually expire. As mentioned above, a dingy paint job that is chipping, fading, and cracking needs to be re-done. Exposed wood and wood rot are also signs that it is time for exterior home painting.
Tips for Exterior Painting that Will Last
The approach to getting an exterior paint job on your home will make all the difference in how long it will last and how long it will look good. If you gather quotes from professional painters, keep in mind that paying less almost always costs more in the end. A paint job that is done haphazardly and without attention to important details could force you to do another repaint within as little as one or two years. From preparing the wood to choosing the kind of paint to use, every step of the process can be what lengthens or shortens the life of your home’s exterior paint job.
The following are some tips with regard to exterior house painting:
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, New York
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Maintain the Exterior
If you deal with one area in which the wood has begun to rot, that may be all that’s needed at that point. Retouching at some point may involve re-caulking.
Signs that Exterior House Painting is Needed
Even the best paint jobs that are well maintained eventually expire. As mentioned above, a dingy paint job that is chipping, fading, and cracking needs to be re-done. Exposed wood and wood rot are also signs that it is time for exterior home painting.
Tips for Exterior Painting that Will Last
The approach to getting an exterior paint job on your home will make all the difference in how long it will last and how long it will look good. If you gather quotes from professional painters, keep in mind that paying less almost always costs more in the end. A paint job that is done haphazardly and without attention to important details could force you to do another repaint within as little as one or two years. From preparing the wood to choosing the kind of paint to use, every step of the process can be what lengthens or shortens the life of your home’s exterior paint job.
The following are some tips with regard to exterior house painting:
- Don’t wait too long because the amount of wood that needs to be replaced could greatly increase the cost of your new exterior paint job. Exposed wood is more vulnerable to the elements.
- Address all damaged surfaces before beginning a paint job. Sealing and caulking should be part of the preparation process.
- Start with a clean surface, prior to application of new primer and paint.
- Using paint primer is recommended by all paint professionals because it makes the surface ready in a way that extends the life and improves the appearance of the exterior paint job.
- The type of exterior paint that you use is a critical factor, as far as determining the durability of your new paint job. Always choose high-quality paint for an exterior paint job.
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, New York
315-313-3254
doniganpaintingco@gmail.com
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
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