Hi everyone and Happy New Year.

Winter is now firmly set in place. Here are a couple of tips for the winter months.

Do not plug or cover those foundation vents that are around your home. Only do that in case of a freeze and then remove them when the threat of frost is gone, so your home can breathe. Leaving the covers in place can result in peeling paint around the siding. Believe it or not your house has to breathe, expand and contract. Restricting that process can be damaging to your home.

Keep all vegetation trimmed away from and do not let it touch the siding. Vegetation transfers moisture and over time that will cause the paint on your siding to peel. Vegetation touching the siding can result in mildew (that black and green looking stuff) growing on your siding. Mildew grows more in some years, than in others. If mildew is on your home, give me a call and I will treat and wash your home to get rid of it.

Remember, it is raining a lot now and now is the time to think about contacting me for interior painting.

If you are thinking about painting your house exterior, call us soon. Our schedule for summer painting begins to fill up now.

Look for our February Newsletter on the subject of Painting Basics

The Basics of Interior Painting and Decorating

Success in house decoration depends on something more than the use of good paint and a certain amount of skill in its application, essential though these two factors undoubtedly are. At least as important is a thorough knowledge and understanding not only of the properties and possibilities of the materials employed, but also those of the different surfaces over which they are used.

For the successful completion to your painting job, do the following:

1. Move contents of room into the center.
2. Cover room contents with new plastic sheeting.
3. Cover floor.
4. Remove all switch and plug-in plates and put them in a bucket with a cleaning solution.
5. Remove any nails and wall hangings.
6. Patch all holes.
7. Texture patched areas to match surrounding areas.
8. Prime textured and patched areas.
9. Paint ceiling.
10. Prepare woodwork at this time including sanding, cleaning, caulking cracks & filling holes.
11. Paint woodwork.
12. Paint walls. Note: Some individuals will switch 11 and 12.
13. Clean up.
14. Wash switch plates and allow to dry before putting them back on the wall.
15. Put furniture back.
16. Hang pictures.
17. Job is complete.

Purchasing good equipment and paint will help you have a wonderful successful paint job. Purchase good quality paintbrushes and rollers.

Always purchase the best paint with more titanium, which is the main solids in the paint and will give you better coverage.

Look for our March Newsletter on the subject of Bleaching Wood

February is gone and we have had some very interesting weather. March probably will still be raining but this is typical for this northwest weather and this time of year.

Bleaching Wood and the different Types of Bleaches

There are three bleaches used on wood: peroxide or "two-part" bleaches, chlorine bleach and oxalic acid.

Peroxide Bleaches

These bleaches come in a two-part package with type A (sodium hydroxide) and type B (hydrogen peroxide). This process is the most common of them all and can be purchased at any paint store. You might have to repeat the process more then once to achieve your goals. Some darker stains chat you are trying to lighten up and bleach out take several treatments. Please always wear protective clothing, gloves, eyes protection and facial protection. This stuff really burns and hurts your skin when you get it on you. Do not let, type “A” set on too long before you apply, type “B”. After you are finished, do not forget to neutralize your piece of wood with a solution of white vinegar (1 part) and water (2 parts). You can also wash your surfaces with lacquer thinner to neutralize your piece of wood. Always wear gloves and protective clothing when using either and/or all these products.

Chlorine Bleaches

Chlorine is not an effective why to bleach out wood. However, it does work sometimes. You can purchase chlorine at any grocery store such as Clorox Bleach. It is cheap and inexpensive for a starter. What it really works well on is removing mildew and mold in bathrooms and exterior mildew on the side of your home. A special note about mildew and mold on the interior of your home: it grows well in non -heated areas and where moisture is present, so to eliminate these issues you can treat the areas affected and vent the moisture producing areas and then turn up the heat.

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid works great on woods like mahogany and oak wood both have a very porous and deep wood texture. Oxalic acid also removes the darker stains better and faster.

Again I stress that you always wear protective clothing, eye protection and gloves.

Look for our April Newsletter on the subject of Exterior Painting

Spring has sprung and it is time to get your painting done.

This month I am writing on how to proceed in painting the exterior of your home.

• Always have Lead safe work practices. Only be concerned on any per 1978 homes.
• Treat all surfaces killing any organisms such as mildew and mold.
• Power wash all surfaces removing dirt, mildew, mold and any flaking paint.
• Sand the abrupt edges of the remaining paint, feathering the surfaces, making it near smooth.
  Remember that it is in the preparation of any project that makes it successful.
• Pick up and bag removing all paint chip debris away from premises.
• Re-wash all surfaces cleaning the dust off.
• Mask and protect all areas not being painted prior to painting.
• Prime all bare wood and metal down to the substrate with the appropriate primer.
• Fasten any siding, corner boards, trim, etc. before any caulking to be done.
• Caulk all cracks
• Fill all holes.
• Re-glaze wood sash window if you have them.
• Add mildewcide to all paint.
• Apply TWO (2) coats of a 25 year warranty paint of your choice. Sherwin Williams, Rodda or Miller.
• After completion of the painting, all masking and tape debris will be remove and disposed, off property.

Look for our May Newsletter on the subject of Interior Painting Techniques

Interior Painting Techniques

Sometimes interior painting can be difficult and time consuming to do and you may have a need for a professional painter.

1. cleanliness on the job site is one of the most important parts of the job. Using clean drop clothes is essential and having a organized and clean work site is very important to being efficient. By our making the project run smoothly not only enhances the job but makes my customers very proud for choosing me.
2. setting up the project in whatever room that we are painting means to put all furniture in the center of the room, take off all the wall hangings and putting them in the center also. Remove all the wall electrical plates and put them all in a cleaning solution bucket. Cover up the furniture etc. with plastic and make sure it is protected.
3. remove all the nail and wall hanging hooks, repair the holes by filling and textured if necessary to match the surrounding area. After the texture has dried, we prime those areas. We take another look at the walls that were patched and textured, to make sure it looks ok before we apply the paint.
4. prepare the woodwork by sanding, cleaning, and caulking.
5. we paint the ceiling.
6. we paint any woodwork.
7. we paint the walls.
8. we start to remove and depose of the plastic and take all the drop clothes outside (folding them and putting them back in the truck). At this point we start vacuuming the carpet or cleaning the hard wood floors before putting the furniture back in its original spot or if the owner of the house wishes to the furniture to be placed.
9. we clean the wall plates and put those back on the wall.
10. project is complete and a happy customer is the result.

Look for our June Newsletter on the subject of The Basics of Painting and Decorating

The Basics of Painting and Decorating

Success in house decoration depends on something more than the use of good paint and a certain amount of skill in its application, essential though these two factors undoubtedly are. At least as important is a thorough knowledge and understanding not only of the properties and possibilities of the materials employed, but also those of the different surfaces over which they are used.

Another factor which may exert a substantial influence on the life and behavior of paintwork is the weather and atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time of application.

Golden Rules:

• Buying the best paint brushes and rollers.
Buying the cheapest paint doesn't’t really work because you’ll just spend more time with the labor just trying to making that paint work. Buy a good quality paint is the best way.
• Complete all your preparation before you start to decorate.
• Try to ensure that you have bought enough materials to complete the job. This is essential when buying wallpaper.
• Don't rush the job. Give paints time to dry between coats.
• Keep the area where you are decorating as dust free as possible.
• Wear cotton white clothing to just stay cool
• And if you are not up to doing the project just call a professional painter.

Look for our July Newsletter on the subject of Exterior Painting

Exterior Painting

We are in full swing with exterior painting for the summer. Having your home prepared the correct way is probably the most important part of the job. So choosing the right painting contractor is really what you should be focusing upon. The price is a issue and a concern but should’t really be your number one point on those going to get the job. In today market you will see some big swings even 1000 to 2000 dollars difference. But are you getting the job that desire or is the painting contractor you are choosing going to do the right preparation on your home. Maybe he will but if you have any doubt then ask him for some referrals before making up your mind on the painting contractor.

Look for our August Newsletter on the subject of Graining

Graining

Graining Graining is imitating wood grain on any surface. In the 1970’s we called it antiquing. To accomplish this craft, find an old worn brush of sorts which will imitate the wood grain you desire. You can manipulate colors with different pigments, paint and glazing. Putting glazing along with paints and pigments give you a longer time to get the look you desire.

Look for our September Newsletter on the subject of Decorating

Decorating

Decorating with paint colors has been very exciting since they have opened the color spectrum in the 1970’s. Before that date we only had the basic colors and mostly greens which were very prevalent. These are exciting times using computers to manipulate colors even further. I find it a challenging even today to get my color tint caddie and tint about 50 gallons of paint from my paint barrel. I still do this almost monthly on various projects.

decorating interiors in the winter time for various customers has always been a thrill for me besides applying the finish. Staying with natural colors and pastels but accenting one or two walls with a loud dark color works great in some homes.

Look for our October Newsletter on the subject of Faux Finishing

Faux Finishing

Faux finishes are fun to do and you can be very inventive with various designs and ideas. For instance you can use this technique to decorate a wall and/or walls in a room.

First apply a base coat of paint and let it completely dry (see manufacture's drying time specifications on the can).

Use either a sponge or rags to apply the next coat of paint.

Sponging will give you a different look then ragging.

Take another paint color and dilute it with water.

Dip the sponge or rag in the diluted mix and apply it to your wall.

Depending on what look you are trying to achieve will determine how much product you wish to apply.

I suggest experimenting with the two methods and decide which one you wish to use.

The colors that are used is another decision you’ll have to make. Depending on your creativity you’ll have a pleasant experience.

Enjoy

Look for our November Newsletter on the subject of Latex or Oil Glazes

Latex or Oil Glazes

Glazes are fun and easy to work with. You can purchase glazing for both oil and latex paints. Lets say that had a piece of furniture and it is somewhat districted, you can paint the background color first and let it dry. With a can of glazing and following the directions on the can, you apply the prepared paint and glazing mix to the surface. You then can rag the surfaces removing the applied mixture which you will leave a little or leave a lot depending on your desired look.

Allow The coat to dry and then apply a coat or two of varnish over the top of all your surfaces protecting your glazing look.

Give yourself a pat on the back, you're done.

Look for our December Newsletter on the subject of Painting and Decorating Basics

The Basics of Painting and Decorating

Success in house decoration depends on something more than the use of good paint and a certain amount of skill in its application, essential though these two factors undoubtedly are. At least as important is a thorough knowledge and understanding not only of the properties and possibilities of the materials employed, but also those of the different surfaces over which they are used.

Another factor which may exert a substantial influence on the life and behavior of paintwork is the weather and atmospheric conditions prevailing at the time of application.

Golden Rules:

1. Purchase good tools and equipment, especially paint brushes and rollers.
2. Purchase good quality paint. All paint stores have the good, the bad and the ugly.
3. Remember that your preparation to your project is the key to your success of that project.
4. Give your paint time to dry before applying the second coat.
5. Always keep a clean work area.
6. If you can’t do the project yourself, you can always call a professional painter.

Look for our January Newsletter on the subject of Winter Maintenance