May 13th, 2010
This article explores different types of paint brushes, and their suitable purpose when it comes to your home painting and renovation questions.
So, you are ready to start your paint project. You’ve got your paint, your drop sheets, tape but what about the vehicle to get that paint on the wall? Firstly, paint brushes are made of soft hairs and they can either be natural or synthetic materials. A soft brush is great for thin paint and fine work because they will come to a point that will help with precise paint jobs. Harder brushes are great for thicker paint.
When you are walking down the paint brush aisle you may see signs for natural or synthetic? Synthetic brushes are great and are usually cheaper then natural hair brushes. The most well known brushes are Purdy and Corona, they both have a wide variety of brushes for different applications. Really, a synthetic brush will do just as good a job as natural hair and end up costing you less. Some people wonder what kind of natural hairs are used in the brushes. Are they horse hairs, human? These are some questions one might ask as there really isn’t a lot general information out there about it. One type of hair used in natural brushes is sable marten. These will taper naturally so that when they are inserted into the brush they will form a point. Sable brushes are usually expensive but are known for their softness and fine point. The sable from Siberia is said to be the best hair for a water coloured brush.
Other brushes are squirrel, hog, camel and ox hair. Squirrel is a cheaper option than sable and is still quite soft. Using a large squirrel brush is good too because they create a lot of support with such a volume of hairs. Hog brushes are great when you need a brush that is durable. They are made from the hairs on the back of a pig. These hairs are strong but also very rigid. They have natural split-ends and that increases the volume of paint that they can hold. The best paint for these brushes is oils and acrylics. Other brushes to consider are Ox, which is long and sturdy, Goat which forms is great for a fine touch and pony hair that is usually one of the cheapest in price. Whatever brush you choose, remember that they each have their own unique characteristics and will be good for different jobs and paints.
I prefer using synthetic brushes when painting, you end up with a much cleaner cut line. My brush of choice for latex would have to be Purdy’s Pro Extra Glide, this is an upgraded version of their regular brush. It holds more paint and the hairs are a bit stiffer ensuring that your work is even more precise. An other brush I often use for oils is Corona’s Tynex, this is also a synthetic brush. I find that it spreads the oil paint better than the Purdy.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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May 11th, 2010
This article looks into the topic of how to stain a deck, these tips will also apply to other wooden surfaces.
A lot of us see painting a deck outside as a summer activity that we look forward to when the weather is nice. As we experience distinctive seasons here, our deck often takes the brunt of the changing weather. If you put a good coat of stain on your deck it will help protect it and improve the value of your home and not to mention, act as a great spot for summer barbeques.
Try and find out which stain will work best for the job. Go to your local paint or hardware store and ask their staff which paint they think will work best. Some popular ones are any water based stains, clears or semi-transparent. Make sure to strip off as much of the old stain from the deck as possible so that your next coats won’t lift or peel. Another good idea is to use a power wash to get a lot of the old residue off the deck. If you don’t have access to that, then you can find tools or a scraper to do it manually. Also, make sure that the tools you are buying for the job are good. Look for a set of good brushes and or rollers so that you can be confident in your application of the stain. You will most likely need different sizes and types of brushes as there may be railings, smaller spaces to trim, large surfaces to use rollers on etc. Remember when you apply stain with a roller you must brush it out immediately.
What you also need to consider is how many coats you want to put down. Remember that a deck is an area with a lot of traffic and most likely it’s going to see a lot of wear and tear from shoes and boots and any other action that may occur. Don’t forget too that if you have a deck that is adjacent to a pool that it will come into contact with a lot of water from the pool, not to mention any rain that falls. So, a good sealant for a nice strong finish will help you keep that summer party deck open for business for a long time.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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May 4th, 2010
This article focuses on some good techniques when painting over brick surfaces.
We all know that we can paint our walls and ceilings but can I paint over my brick? It is starting to look a little dated but I am concerned that I may not be able to do anything about that old brick. Well, firstly the answer is that you can paint on brick and not damage the surface. There are however some things that you should be aware of before you head out to the paint store to purchase a can for that new brick facelift.
The first thing to do is to ask yourself why you should paint brick. Most people decide to paint brick houses if the brick has been damaged or is of a poor quality. Things like white stains and areas of discoloured brick can be quite unattractive that begs to be fixed up. So, choosing a good brick paint is the most important thing to do first. Brick is much different in texture than drywall so it only makes sense that the paint should be different. Elastomeric paint is a great paint to help the look of faded or damaged brick because it offers a thick coat and elasticity.
If your brick is not damaged and looks pretty good then you may want to consider keeping it. When you decide to paint over brick, you now have to remember that you have committed yourself to a lot of maintenance. If you prep the area well first by cleaning the surface and making sure there is no dust or debris then you maximize the life of your job.
So, when you are getting ready to prepare for the job, here are some tips. Scrape and Caulk. Make sure to use a scraper to widen cracks that are there. Get rid of the dust in the brick with a brush or vacuum. Seal up the cracks with acrylic caulk. You may need to do a few coats as well. This is usually done a few hours after each coat. Then it’s time to get down to making your old brick look new.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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May 2nd, 2010
This article deals with the best way of painting a ceiling, with helpful tips on the best way to get this job done.
The first rule of thumb is to always paint the ceiling first. It should be painted before doing walls or any woodwork. In most instances, people are intimidated when painting a ceiling but they don’t need to be. It is actually quite simple. So long as you have prepared the room before you start. What that means is that any furniture or objects have been cleared off to the side or removed from the room so that there is no danger of tripping. After all, you are looking up so you want to make sure that you are in the clear.
The first step is to cover the room with plastic or any sort of sheet or multiple of sheets to protect your floor. As much as some paints can be removed from surfaces, the last thing you want is a permanent paint stain on your floor. Many local hardware stores will sell the proper materials or drop sheets that you need to start your job. It doesn’t matter how careful or skillful a painter you are, splashes are bound to occur. Using a stepladder is a great way to paint a ceiling. Especially if it has a shelf where you can rest the paint can on so you don’t have to continuously go up and down the ladder. Another method is to have an extendable pole that you can use to reach the ceiling.
One common mistake that people make when painting ceilings is that they over stretch their arms or bodies. It is tempting to try and stretch to reach a spot as opposed to stopping and resetting and often time’s people injure themselves, tip over the ladder or paint when trying to cut corners. If you are right handed, work from right to left and vice versa. The best advice is to select an area that you want to focus on. For example, sticking to an area without over reaching is a good way to have control of your painting space without the need to over extend. Once you are done, just set up the same size area in another section.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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April 27th, 2010
This article shows you the proper procedures and necessary steps involved in preparation before applying any paint. Follow the tips closely to ensure you have a clean finish.
“So, I usually pay someone to paint my place. With all of these do it yourself shows on TV, I thought I’d give it a shot myself this time. So, I decided to get the supplies and was all set to go when I finally realized, I have not prepared myself for the job.” This may sound comical to some people but for a lot of those out there, they are clueless when it comes to what is needed to paint something as simple as door trim, let alone a room or more.
The first thing to do is to plan out the job in your mind first. Make sure that you have any furniture or items that are in the way moved out of the area in which you are painting so that your job can run a lot smoother and you don’t run the risk of tripping over anything or splashing paint on anything valuable. Before you start, make sure you have the appropriate and essential tools for your job. Make sure you have Plastic Drop cloths. Always buy more than you need as there is nothing worse than having an area uncovered and having to go out again to get more cloths. Get yourself some good painters tape. This is important so that you can cover areas that you don’t want painted. Also it wouldn’t hurt to get some garbage bags and have them handy for anything you want to throw away.
Next thing to remember is to try and make your walls smooth. If there are some spots that are uneven or had paint blotches from a previous job, you can use sandpaper to smooth things out. Also vacuum or sweep up the room so that there is not any dust around. If there is dust, it may fly around and get stuck to the paint or behind a coat of paint. Very unattractive! Remove any hardware in the room. This includes door handles, electrical covers, smoke detectors, doorbells, etc. Mix your paint thoroughly before you start to apply any coats. Also, the best bet is to start with ceilings first, followed by trims/doors and then attack the walls. The only thing left after that is to clean up your mess!
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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April 27th, 2010
Let’s look at some of the commonly asked questions when it comes to hiring a painting professional when it comes to your next home renovation.
Just like any other business, you should always ask how long has your painter been in the business. Professional painting industry has a high turnover rate. The length of the time your painter has been in business shows the quality of his work, professionalism and your persistence in this business. A painter with a longer career usually means he takes his business to heart, and he most likely takes great pride in his work. Another good question for your next potential hire is to ask if they has insurance coverage. It is important for your painter to have the necessary coverage, because it will cover any damages that may occur to your home and its contents. Imagine your antique furniture is paint damaged and your contract has no recourse for you. The little savings you may have gained in hire a cheaper painter can turn out to be a very expensive job.
Look for the preparation work by your painter, a cheaper painter may skip many necessary steps just to save money and time. This corner cutting can cost you expensive repairs later. A good painter will always prepare his project before painting. Patching, taping, priming is not something you can skip out on. After all, the craftsmanship of a professional painter will be measured by the quality of their work.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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April 24th, 2010
This article looks at some of the common mistake and shortcut people take to save time when it comes to painting or re-painting a surface.
Many of us make this common mistake of not priming your drywall before painting. Primer is not only a must have for re-paint a surface, it is also a must have for applying paint for the first time. Before applying your primer you should first give it a good stir, make sure the primer is properly mixed especially if it has been sitting for some time. Remember to protect your furniture and floor before applying the primer or paint. Always have some drop cloth handy for this purpose.
Primer will usually dry within one hour, and the primary purpose of primer is to create a layer between your drywall and your new paint. Primer is designed to adhere to surfaces and to form a binding layer that is better prepared to receive the paint. Because primers do not need to be engineered to have durable, finished surfaces, they can instead be engineered to have more aggressive filling and binding properties with the material underneath. Remember applying primer before paint is not unnecessary work, as matter of fact primer will not only make your paint more durable, stick to your wall better, and it even helps to bring out the true color of your paint.
If the current colour is darker than the new colour chosen it is necessary to prime before you paint. If you don’t prime the dark walls you will need to apply more coats of paint. Remember to prime all new plaster before painting over it. If you skip this step the plaster will eat through the paint and become an eye sore.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, you’re affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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April 24th, 2010
This article explores few reasons why you should always consider hiring a professional painter when it comes to your interior painting needs.
On the surface painting or repainting a surface in your home seems like an easy task. But it is deeper than your think, there is a certain level of experience and expertise that comes into play. There are ways you can create a smooth, sharp edged colored surface with precision and experience, only a hired professional would know. So hire an affordable interior painter can save you valuable time, and resources, not to mention your health and safety. Imagine if you fall from a ladder, or inhale toxic fumes from the paint and thinner products. Professional painters are “safety conscious” and well trained to handle these harmful chemicals.
The quality of the finished project will also be a huge consideration when you are doing your home renovation project. Only a qualified professional is able to produce a flawless painted surface, with proper understanding of preparation, primers, rollers, and painting techniques. A quality paint job can be a make or break the deal when it comes to selling your home. Not to mention a poorly painted wall can cause potential health risks if you didn’t clean up any mildew or mold before applying your new paint. It makes sense to hire a professional, and keep in mind the next time you are doing a renovation in your home.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, your affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
Tags: affordable painters toronto, interior painting services Toronto, painters for hire toronto, toronto painters, toronto painting services
April 24th, 2010
This article looks at the importance of cleaning off mold and mildew before apply interior paint. This should help you recognize and prevent any potential problems down the road.
Typical reasons for re-painting a surface are to refresh, beautify, or clean up of an existing living space. Mildew is defined as the process to become mold, or more specifically a fungus that produces a superficial growth on organic matter. Mildew often appears as black, light green or even brown patches in your wall. Since mold is a fungus it is able to eat through painted surfaces in your wall. Mold usually develops behind the drywall and if you can see the mildew through your paint, you should definitely check for mold behind the surface. Mold can be dangerous to your health, can cause a wide array of adverse responses in humans depending on the type and quantity that is present. Mold causes various respiratory diseases in a wide range of people, it is especially dangerous to infants, young children, immune-compromised individuals. Removing mold and mildew from the painting surface is crucial before re-applying new paint.
There are various ways to detect mildew in your walls, usually mildew produces a very distinctive smell. If you smell something that is damp or unusual you should definitely check it out. If your basement had a flooding recently, you most likely have a mildew problem in your basement. Mildew grows in moisture enriched environment, if you suspect you may have mildew problem you can easily purchase an in home mold test kit, these devices can easily and accurately detect any mold in your house. You can easily remove mold or mildew with common house hold bleach, with 50% water and 50% bleach put into a spray bottle. You will be well on your way for mildew removal. Remember to wear eye protection as well as rubber gloves to protect your skin. Give it a good scrub and rinse with clean water. Remember you don’t just cover up mildew or mold with a fresh coat of paint, not only it can be a potential health risk, but you will most likely to repaint again very soon.
This article is brought to you by Kara Painting, your affordable and professional painters for hire in Toronto, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca for your project quote today.
Kara Painting is a Toronto based painting company that specializes in interior painting services. We offer professional services at affordable prices, visit us online at http://www.karapainting.ca
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