Prep

Preparation for Painting

Proper preparation is the most important step towards a good job.

Exterior Jobs:

High pressure water is used in many cases to remove grime, mildew, mold, loose peeling paint and dirt. This is an excellent time to have your concrete walks and driveways cleaned thoroughly. We recommend that you have us clean these areas at least every 2 years for appearance and safety (slipping).

Exterior surfaces, such as siding, doors, casings and windows are sanded, dusted and cleaned as necessary to remove dirt. The new paint must adhere and proper preparation will ensure a good job. Excessively dirty surfaces are cleaned as
needed with TSP or other appropriate cleaners.

Any loose paint must be scraped away first before sanding, cleaning and caulking. We use sharp metal scrapers to remove any loose, peeling paint left after pressure washing. These surfaces are thoroughly sanded and dusted off. In extreme cases we also use infra-red heat to remove the old paint. (Blow torches are dangerous and inefficient and are NOT used). Cracks are caulked with latex caulking. Holes are filled with exterior spackle or caulking, depending on finish coat used.
Unusual preparation needs are thoroughly discussed before the job starts.

We use drop cloths to protect your concrete and asphalt. We mask off windows and doors to keep over spray and splatters off the surface. It is much easier and wiser to keep paint off unwanted surfaces than to clean it off after the fact. We use clear plastics to cover most of your windows. We cover and protect your plants with reasonable care. Some minor pruning may be necessary to gain access to the surface being painted to produce a quality job. We also use masking paper to mask certain items.

We use oil based primers in most cases on raw, bare and weathered wood as is needed. The new acrylic primers are quite good and we are using them more. We usually prime as we go to protect the wood from rain before the finish coat or coats are applied. This makes the job ready for painting immediately after the rain stops. We also re-nail loose siding as we prepare surface. Any boards that need replacing are extra unless it is agreed before starting. We always discuss any
wood replacement BEFORE it is completed. You must approve all aspects of the job.

Interior Jobs:

We use drop cloths to protect your floors and carpets. We mask off baseboards or floors (with tape and paper) to guard against splatters. It is much easier and wiser to keep paint off unwanted surfaces than to clean it off after the fact. We use
clean drops or clear plastics to cover your furniture.

Existing enamel surfaces, such as painted walls, doors, casings and windows are lightly sanded, dusted and cleaned as necessary to remove dirt. The new paint must adhere and proper preparation will ensure a good job. Finer sandpaper is used
for interior work for a smoother finish look. Flat walls are cleaned if excessively dirty. We use TSP or other appropriate cleaners.

Cracks are caulked with latex caulking. Holes are filled with spackle or caulking, depending on finish coat used. Any loose paint must be scraped away first before sanding, cleaning and caulking. Very bad cracks may have to be taped with
sheetrock tape and joint compound and retextured. This is more extreme and requires more trips and costs extra. Those such needs are thoroughly discussed before the job starts.