Ask The Painter

Repaint, Convert-to-Paint, Re-Face, or Replace A kitchen remodeling project is, perhaps, one of the most high impact projects for updating a home. Stained & varnished cabinets that are a dated color or finish are prime candidates for upgrading. The options for upgrading cabinets in increasing order of cost are Repainting, Stain-to-Paint Conversion, Re-Facing, and Replacing. Repainting existing cabinets that have

(“To prime or not to prime?”)  There are some newer products on the market that are making a big deal out of the fact that they have the primer “built-in” and can therefore cover better.  But is “primer” built in to the paint really necessary?  And how effective at “priming” are the so-call self-priming paints?  How do you know when

Foot Traffic and Weather are Key Considerations In another Ask the Painter article we discussed using epoxy to coat garage floors.  But because it does not hold up to sunlight, epoxy is not well suited for exterior use, so what are some options for concrete patios and walkways? Let’s be very clear that epoxy coatings are not suitable for exterior

Possibly — But it may not be worth the risk One of the more common things we run across during remodeling, updating, or preparing a home for sale is outdated wallpaper.  Let’s face it, styles and tastes change, and what was “in” or looked good 20 years ago may be a detractor from your home’s beauty or value now.  While

How is the Painting Industry “Going Green”? The guidelines governing “green” materials (among other things) are documented in the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ a voluntary set of guidelines and practices set by the U.S. Green Building Council*. Current LEED® guidelines for an interior latex paint to be designated as “green” set the limits

Getting a quote from someone who has never seen your home is like buying a car without a test drive. You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, would you? A test drive is the only way to know if the vehicle meets your needs — do you have adequate leg and head room, are

All paints are not created equal Two of the most common misconceptions I hear are that “Paint is Paint” or “It doesn’t matter what kind of paint I use”. The exact opposite is true. To use a car analogy, just as Toyota Motors has the Scion, Toyota, and Lexus lines to meet different market needs, so too do paint manufacturers

With a few exceptions, the answer is “Anytime!” One of the questions we are frequently asked is this: When is the best time of year to paint? With a very few exceptions, the answer is “Anytime!”. Each time of year has different factors to consider, and professional painters who are well-versed in the specifications of the products that they use

Stain is the Traditional Choice, but Which Stain? Exterior stain is the traditional product choice for protecting and beautifying wood decks and fences, but even a few minutes spent investigating stain products can lead to a bewildering number of choices. The two main considerations when choosing a stain are whether it is oil-based or waterborne, and whether to use a

What are the trade-offs between the two enamels? Traditionally, oil-based (technically known as “Alkyd”) enamels have been the coating of choice for painting interior trim and doors. There are several reasons for this. Among them are glossier appearance, increased durability (compared to acrylic enamels), and a longer drying time that allows brush marks to “flow out”. One disadvantage of oil-based