Painting kitchen cabinets is a common repaint homeowners diy. Buying new cabinets can be quite expensive so the alternative is to paint them. Here are professional painting tips for someone who wants to tackle this type of project. Typically repainting your cabinets will take about a week when all is said and done with dry times.
Right now we are on a kitchen remodel in Fabius NY where we are refacing the cabinets with paint. Not all paints are created equal so knowing what to buy will save you from applying the wrong product. Some people think slapping latex wall paint with a sheen on there does the job, it doesn't. Cabinet resurfacing paint is made up of urethane-alkyd-acrylic components that provide a superior, hard, scratch free surface when applied correctly to specifications. An example of improper application is using a latex primer and latex paint. What will happen immediately is the primer will be a soft coat that provides poor adhesion and easily scrapes off with your finger nail. This type of coating will wear out within the first year leaving you with dingy cabinets and a waste of time. I will get back to the product side of it later in this blog. So you're ready to begin now what?
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1. Start by removing the cabinet doors and hardware. The best practice is to keep your door hardware with its original door so that everything fits back together. Or you may opt to update the pulls and hardware. If this is the case the best thing to do is bring your old hinge to the store with you and compare it with what you are considering. Pulls or the part you pull on to open it are standard for most cabinets. In some cases you may have to wood putty fill screw holes to accommodate your new hardware. Labeling and separating them will keep things organized and make reinstalling go smoother in the end.
2. Hand clean the cabinets with soap and water to remove grease and grime.
3. Sand the cabinets. Depending on the finish on your cabinets you will need to use anywhere from 120-200 grit to scuff the surfaces and remove the gloss finish. This is a critical step that must be done thoroughly so that when you apply your primer it sticks. If you have ever painted a surface and not sanded you may have already seen this play out, you'll be able to rub the paint off dried.
3. Clean everything you sanded with a shop vac so that all the dust is removed. Next go back over all cabinet surfaces with a wet sponge or rag and remove fine dust. Cleaning all the dust off and out of the cabinets will keep your work area clean and help you avoid dirt and dust in your applications.
4. Priming: Depending on the level of the finish you would like to achieve will determine how you choose to apply your primer. The choice's range from a brush to fine roller to spraying. Brushing on the primer often leaves brush strokes which means more prep work between coats. For your typical oak cabinet with a polyurethane finish you will need three coats of primer. Laying the primer on thick is not recommended. To achieve optimal results you will need to apply many thin coats until you can no longer see the original wood colors. By doing it correctly you will save your self from the paint pooling in areas, sagging or drips. This will also cut down on in between sanding time and mess.
5. Once the wood is covered with primer you will need to sand again to remove orange peel finish, brush strokes, imperfections. This time 180-200 grit will do the trick. The idea is to get the surface as smooth as possible before you apply the finish coats. Once again thoroughly vacuum and wipe down all surfaces same as before.
6. Finish coats: You are now ready to begin applying your finish paint. In most cases using a fine nap cabinet roller will work best. This is a roller designed specifically to apply this paint because once you've rolled it on it leaves little to no application marks once it has leveled out and set up. There is a technique used for the best results when applying the finish coats. Once you've loaded up your roller you want to roll it on till you no longer can here the paint spreading. This may take you a little while to realize what you are listening for but once you get it it will provide that mirror like showroom finish.
7. Install cabinet hardware and pulls and rehang.
These are a few tried and true practices that will ensure you get the high quality finish you are looking for on your kitchen cabinets resurfacing. Keep in mind these are standard practices for the best results in this application. Depending on your level of expertise and patience results will vary. Like they say you can't rush a good thing and in this case it holds very true. Dry times will vary for products so make sure you read carefully what they are and the conditions that must be met to allow the product to work correctly. None of the steps above can be short cut or left out without a consequence. So when you go and spend a few hundred dollars to reface cabinets make sure you follow these steps and the product specifications so that you don't waste your time and money. When you are shopping for primer and paint make sure you buy a alkyd urethane primer and acrylic urethane finish paint. The components in these type of products will outlast an enamel or latex paint for decades. Good luck and happy trails with your project!
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse NY 13208
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Friday, April 29, 2016
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Pressure Washing Best Practices
Pressure washing has its pros and cons. When it comes to your next project take the time to get it right the first time by reading up on best practices for pressure washing.
Spring is finally here in central NY and neighborhoods are buzzing with work. To the uninitiated pressure washing may seem like an intimidating process. Many times I have been 2nd in line after the damage has been done to a homeowners property. Once you zig or zag with a zero tip you have yourself a whole new can of worms to tackle. Pressure washers name implies exactly what it does. Typically you have around 3,000 psi (pressure a square inch) pushing the water out of the spray gun. Your gas powered psi will vary at your big box store. Rental units are around 3000 psi give or take. For heavier duty washing a gas powered washer that has 2000-3000 psi will get the job done. Electric pressure washers are good for cleaning cars, deck furniture and lighter duty applications. Here is a list of common projects for pressure washing that we come across and something's to keep in mind before firing it up.
1. Decks: If you have the pleasure of someone or maybe you putting paint on your deck you will notice in a short time it is peeling up. Here is a great candidate for a pressure wash. In my experience we've come across some sloppy decks that were painted sometimes multiple coats before the owner realizes that you stain decks. In order to get it right the best thing to do is rip all the paint off. It's a messy time consuming job but when you are done you will have a proper surface to apply your stain or sealant. If your deck has been stained and is uniformly solid with no peeling your best bet is a deck cleaner. There is no need to remove perfectly good stain. An intact surface will cover even if you go from redwood to beige.
2. Cedar Clap Board: Many homes have or are being covered with cedar. It's a softer wood so you have to be gentle pressure washing it. First and foremost do not use a pressure washer as a scraper to take paint off. It will ultimately make a bigger mess than what you start with. If it is a home built before 1978 you may have lead paint buried in there and by going cowboy with your pressure washer you could be spreading lead everywhere causing more of a mess and a new can opening. Using the correct tip size will dramatically reduce the chance of a zig or zag in this situation. To remove dirt or mildew start your spray two feet away from the surface and move it slowly to around a foot for the best removal of grim with a 2-3 spray tip.
3. Stucco-Concrete: If you have solid-sound surfaces using a pressure washer should not be a problem here. Although if you have cracks or pitting you are going to want to be a little more cautious around these areas. Water will get into the smallest crack on stucco and that leads to breakdown. It is best to use a garden hose if you have surfaces that fit the poor condition criteria. Hitting it with a hose is much less pressure and if you grab a stiff bristle brush you'll be in business to get it done. A lot of times the combination of a garden hose, stiff bristle brush and the proper cleaning solution will be all you need. It's better to error on the side of caution with your stucco because unseen damage caused by the pressured water can show up as soon as we have a freeze and you notice a section of concrete on the ground.
Before you start washing familiarize yourself with the three or four spray tips you have. You can do this safely by trying each tip size out and watching the fan pattern being shot out of the orifice. They will range from 0- straight shot capable of putting holes in just about anything to 4-with a 2 foot fan span and more of a mist. Practice a bit first on something you don't care about and then have at it. Practice makes prefect. Good luck and don't shoot your eye out.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Spring is finally here in central NY and neighborhoods are buzzing with work. To the uninitiated pressure washing may seem like an intimidating process. Many times I have been 2nd in line after the damage has been done to a homeowners property. Once you zig or zag with a zero tip you have yourself a whole new can of worms to tackle. Pressure washers name implies exactly what it does. Typically you have around 3,000 psi (pressure a square inch) pushing the water out of the spray gun. Your gas powered psi will vary at your big box store. Rental units are around 3000 psi give or take. For heavier duty washing a gas powered washer that has 2000-3000 psi will get the job done. Electric pressure washers are good for cleaning cars, deck furniture and lighter duty applications. Here is a list of common projects for pressure washing that we come across and something's to keep in mind before firing it up.
1. Decks: If you have the pleasure of someone or maybe you putting paint on your deck you will notice in a short time it is peeling up. Here is a great candidate for a pressure wash. In my experience we've come across some sloppy decks that were painted sometimes multiple coats before the owner realizes that you stain decks. In order to get it right the best thing to do is rip all the paint off. It's a messy time consuming job but when you are done you will have a proper surface to apply your stain or sealant. If your deck has been stained and is uniformly solid with no peeling your best bet is a deck cleaner. There is no need to remove perfectly good stain. An intact surface will cover even if you go from redwood to beige.
2. Cedar Clap Board: Many homes have or are being covered with cedar. It's a softer wood so you have to be gentle pressure washing it. First and foremost do not use a pressure washer as a scraper to take paint off. It will ultimately make a bigger mess than what you start with. If it is a home built before 1978 you may have lead paint buried in there and by going cowboy with your pressure washer you could be spreading lead everywhere causing more of a mess and a new can opening. Using the correct tip size will dramatically reduce the chance of a zig or zag in this situation. To remove dirt or mildew start your spray two feet away from the surface and move it slowly to around a foot for the best removal of grim with a 2-3 spray tip.
3. Stucco-Concrete: If you have solid-sound surfaces using a pressure washer should not be a problem here. Although if you have cracks or pitting you are going to want to be a little more cautious around these areas. Water will get into the smallest crack on stucco and that leads to breakdown. It is best to use a garden hose if you have surfaces that fit the poor condition criteria. Hitting it with a hose is much less pressure and if you grab a stiff bristle brush you'll be in business to get it done. A lot of times the combination of a garden hose, stiff bristle brush and the proper cleaning solution will be all you need. It's better to error on the side of caution with your stucco because unseen damage caused by the pressured water can show up as soon as we have a freeze and you notice a section of concrete on the ground.
Before you start washing familiarize yourself with the three or four spray tips you have. You can do this safely by trying each tip size out and watching the fan pattern being shot out of the orifice. They will range from 0- straight shot capable of putting holes in just about anything to 4-with a 2 foot fan span and more of a mist. Practice a bit first on something you don't care about and then have at it. Practice makes prefect. Good luck and don't shoot your eye out.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Monday, April 18, 2016
Lead Paint Safe Practices Syracuse NY
If you live in the city or an older home around Syracuse that was built before 1978 there is a chance you have lead based paint somewhere under the surface. There are simple test kits available at your local store that are easy to use inside or out. Depending on the extent of your renovation it may be more practical to hire a pro to test it. Children and your pets are most susceptible to the harmful effects of the dust created when removing lead based paints. It is better to be safe than sorry when removing this type of paint inside your house or out. In this case we will talking about removing exterior paint that contains lead.
Painting contractors performing this type of work must be certified. When it comes to the health and well being of your own it is important to consider the benefits of having it done correctly to minimize any exposure to lead dust. Yes it is going to cost more to have it done correctly but what's more important: quick and questionable or methodical and safe? I choose safe and will performing this type of removal all spring and summer all over Onondaga County. For instance my company will be removing large amounts of paint from my own home this spring and we have a 6 month old baby and dearly loved lab like many families. In order to minimize exposure we follow procedures that contain, collect and knock down any dust during removal. You are probably asking well Bill what is it you do exactly so here it is:
1. We contain the areas we are working in by laying down very thick/mil heavy duty plastic. This plastic cover is extended out 10-15 feet from the house and securely attached with gorilla tape and staples.
2. Windows are closed tightly and covered with plastic on the outside same as above.
3. If the area we are working in is close to a neighbors property or there is abnormal wind we set up a vertical containment to prevent the dust and chips from blowing around.
4. Before hand scraping we hose down the area we will be working on so dust is not an issue. So when we are scraping the paint chips off no dust is created and it drops to the plastic without incident
5. Once the area is done we wipe it down with wet sponges to remove any dust or dirt
6. The paint chips are safely disposed along with plastic and any other materials used for removal.
7. The area is thoroughly vacuumed with a HEPA Vacuum
8. If you choose to have the paint sanded off we use a tool that sands/grinds it off while vacuuming it up into a HEPA Safe Vacuum
9. FYI: HEPA safe vacuums are specifically used because they are equipped to collect dust and debris without redistributing it out the back like your typical shop vac. It's a closed system and they are not cheap.
By following lead safe practices and hiring a certified contractor for its removal you can rest assured your family will be safe during and after the project is completed period. Be wary of the painter who does or says otherwise about these practices.
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse NY 13208
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Painting contractors performing this type of work must be certified. When it comes to the health and well being of your own it is important to consider the benefits of having it done correctly to minimize any exposure to lead dust. Yes it is going to cost more to have it done correctly but what's more important: quick and questionable or methodical and safe? I choose safe and will performing this type of removal all spring and summer all over Onondaga County. For instance my company will be removing large amounts of paint from my own home this spring and we have a 6 month old baby and dearly loved lab like many families. In order to minimize exposure we follow procedures that contain, collect and knock down any dust during removal. You are probably asking well Bill what is it you do exactly so here it is:
1. We contain the areas we are working in by laying down very thick/mil heavy duty plastic. This plastic cover is extended out 10-15 feet from the house and securely attached with gorilla tape and staples.
2. Windows are closed tightly and covered with plastic on the outside same as above.
3. If the area we are working in is close to a neighbors property or there is abnormal wind we set up a vertical containment to prevent the dust and chips from blowing around.
4. Before hand scraping we hose down the area we will be working on so dust is not an issue. So when we are scraping the paint chips off no dust is created and it drops to the plastic without incident
5. Once the area is done we wipe it down with wet sponges to remove any dust or dirt
6. The paint chips are safely disposed along with plastic and any other materials used for removal.
7. The area is thoroughly vacuumed with a HEPA Vacuum
8. If you choose to have the paint sanded off we use a tool that sands/grinds it off while vacuuming it up into a HEPA Safe Vacuum
9. FYI: HEPA safe vacuums are specifically used because they are equipped to collect dust and debris without redistributing it out the back like your typical shop vac. It's a closed system and they are not cheap.
By following lead safe practices and hiring a certified contractor for its removal you can rest assured your family will be safe during and after the project is completed period. Be wary of the painter who does or says otherwise about these practices.
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse NY 13208
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Monday, April 11, 2016
Best Paint to Buy Syracuse NY
You're ready to get moving this spring and get your homes exterior looking great with a paint job. Excellent. Here is a professionals opinion on what you may want to look for when shopping for an exterior repaint.
Believe it or not there are more pro's to choosing the most expensive paint. Paints components and the varying amounts of them determines whether you are buying a high quality or low quality paint. For the sake of argument we will look at exterior latex paint because it's just about spring here in good old Syracuse, NY and homeowners are ready to getter done.
So here is what we are looking at:
High-quality paint have more total solids ,pigments- resins and fewer solvents than lower-quality paint. So while the two may go on similarly , when the solvents evaporate, a high-quality paint leaves a thicker, more durable paint film.
Low-quality paint have fewer solids and more solvents. Once the solvents evaporate, the thinner paint film left behind is less durable and doesn’t cover as well. You will spend more time and money repainting to achieve the performance of a high-quality paint.
In my opinion it is clear with Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Paint that its viscosity is much thicker than their A-100 Exterior Paint. The solids count is much higher in the top grade vs. the low grade. So for what you are paying to have the paint put on by a professional it might be worth spending the extra 20 a gallon to have peace of mind knowing you won't need a repaint in 2-5 years. I can tell you from having used this product and similar it is awesome and holds up better than any other product we've used in 20 years. We used Duration in a dark blue to paint over a light grey home in Manlius in November and that was 7 years ago with no call back for any issue. It's like superglue.
So when you are shopping for that special paint keep in mind that paying a bit more you get a bit more for your buck. Trying to save money can cost you in the long run with low quality paint. So most Pro's will just tell you: Buy paint that’s 100 percent acrylic and buy paint that is expensive on sale. A high-quality exterior latex paint can last 10-15 years vs. 2-5 with the lower quality grade.
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Believe it or not there are more pro's to choosing the most expensive paint. Paints components and the varying amounts of them determines whether you are buying a high quality or low quality paint. For the sake of argument we will look at exterior latex paint because it's just about spring here in good old Syracuse, NY and homeowners are ready to getter done.
So here is what we are looking at:
High-quality paint have more total solids ,pigments- resins and fewer solvents than lower-quality paint. So while the two may go on similarly , when the solvents evaporate, a high-quality paint leaves a thicker, more durable paint film.
Low-quality paint have fewer solids and more solvents. Once the solvents evaporate, the thinner paint film left behind is less durable and doesn’t cover as well. You will spend more time and money repainting to achieve the performance of a high-quality paint.
In my opinion it is clear with Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior Paint that its viscosity is much thicker than their A-100 Exterior Paint. The solids count is much higher in the top grade vs. the low grade. So for what you are paying to have the paint put on by a professional it might be worth spending the extra 20 a gallon to have peace of mind knowing you won't need a repaint in 2-5 years. I can tell you from having used this product and similar it is awesome and holds up better than any other product we've used in 20 years. We used Duration in a dark blue to paint over a light grey home in Manlius in November and that was 7 years ago with no call back for any issue. It's like superglue.
So when you are shopping for that special paint keep in mind that paying a bit more you get a bit more for your buck. Trying to save money can cost you in the long run with low quality paint. So most Pro's will just tell you: Buy paint that’s 100 percent acrylic and buy paint that is expensive on sale. A high-quality exterior latex paint can last 10-15 years vs. 2-5 with the lower quality grade.
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, NY 13208
315-313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Stripping Entry Door to Paint or Stain Syracuse NY
Stripping your entry doors paint off takes some time and repetition to remove old paint. This diy weekend project will take your old door from drab to fab with these simple steps and tips to make life easier.
1. Materials you will need are gel stripper(orange scented is easy to work with because it smells citrusey), heavy duty latex gloves, cheap plastic 2-4" paint brush, a few different sized putty knives, steel wool, mineral spirits, rags, table or work horses, safety goggles, drop cloth.
2. Remove the door and doors hardware
3. Place the door on work horses or table
4. Put on your gloves and open the gel stripper. Pour gel into a plastic can or pal(just enough to work with). When working with gel stripper, imo, it's wise to put it on thick in order to get it saturated. You are going to make a mess, but it's part of the process. It may take a couple to dozen applications to get all your doors paint off completely.
5. Once the gel wrinkles the paint up you are ready to use your putty knife to start scraping the paint off. Remove the loose paint and reapply more gel. Repeat and so on
6. Once you've reached the wood clean it thoroughly with the steel wool and mineral spirits. Repeat this until you reach your desired level of satisfaction with the doors cleanliness.
7. Excellent. You are now ready to prime/paint or stain your door.
Bill Donigan
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, New York 13208
315-313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
1. Materials you will need are gel stripper(orange scented is easy to work with because it smells citrusey), heavy duty latex gloves, cheap plastic 2-4" paint brush, a few different sized putty knives, steel wool, mineral spirits, rags, table or work horses, safety goggles, drop cloth.
2. Remove the door and doors hardware
3. Place the door on work horses or table
4. Put on your gloves and open the gel stripper. Pour gel into a plastic can or pal(just enough to work with). When working with gel stripper, imo, it's wise to put it on thick in order to get it saturated. You are going to make a mess, but it's part of the process. It may take a couple to dozen applications to get all your doors paint off completely.
5. Once the gel wrinkles the paint up you are ready to use your putty knife to start scraping the paint off. Remove the loose paint and reapply more gel. Repeat and so on
6. Once you've reached the wood clean it thoroughly with the steel wool and mineral spirits. Repeat this until you reach your desired level of satisfaction with the doors cleanliness.
7. Excellent. You are now ready to prime/paint or stain your door.
Donigan Painting
224 Ross Park
Syracuse, New York 13208
315-313-3254
http://doniganpainting.webstarts.com/
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