Don’t Just Stair

Stair with color and flair. Not sure what to do with your wood stairs. You’re not alone, it’s complicated, it’s time to call in the pros at Paint Doctor’s Painting.

Check out this recent project, which included some challenging stair work. Mike can fill you in on the details, but foot traffic adds another aspect to the finish selecting process. In addition to the usual water penetration and UV protection considerations, penetration is a key component for trafficked surfaces.

Details on this project included the posts and rails and working around some cool cable infill. Note the metal stays between posts. Getting the right adhesion for this mixed media stair case is among the important components to the selecting the right coatings.

Don’t just stair, stair with the Paint Doctor. Give Mike a call. 541-497-3804.

Dramatic Contrast

These bedroom walls stand in stark contrast to the white trim and décor pieces to create a sophisticated appeal in this great take on black and white.

When choosing wall paint colors keep in mind the other decorating components to produce the look you want. In this case only small splashes of color in the flowers and one pillow produce the desired effect.

Great Deals on Interior Paint

This is the time of year to get a good deal on your interior paint job. Here at Paint Doctor’s Painting we have an excellent crew and we would like to take care of them and keep them working through these winter months.

Give Mike a call and get that interior looking good – 541-497-3804.

Brush Up On Brushes

One of the reasons we produce quality results is that we understand and use quality tools. Paint brushes, for example, are much more job-specific than you may be aware. It’s why there are so many sizes and styles. According to Sherwin-Williams, you’ll want to consider the following attributes when choosing a paint brush:

Bristle Type

  • Nylon and polyester bristle: These synthetic materials are designed to hold their shape with today’s popular latex paints. A good quality nylon and polyester blended brush is the best choice for all latex paints and coatings. Many painters prefer a synthetic brush for oil coatings as well.
  • Natural China bristle: High-quality natural China bristle brushes have qualities that control oil-based coatings for better flow and leveling for the smoothest finish. A natural China bristle brush is the best choice for oil-based paints, stains and varnishes.

Brush Styles

  • Angle sash: Bristles are precisely trimmed at an angle that allows painters to hold the brush more comfortably while painting trim and corners. Brush ends are rounded for a smooth, gradual paint stroke.
  • Trim: Trim brushes have a straight cut-line and are also used for painting trim and corners. They can also be used for larger areas. Some painters prefer a straight edge versus an angled cut. Trim brushes also have rounded ends.
  • Wall: A wall brush is a larger brush with a straight cut-line. It is better used for larger areas like walls or side paneling. A wall brush has square ends.

Brush Size

Personal preference is always a factor in choosing a brush width, but a good rule of thumb is:

Brush Quality

Better brushes bring better results. Sherwin-Williams has continually been at the forefront of brush technology. Contractor Series offers several different product lines:

  • High Production Brushes: These brushes are recommended for painters looking for superior paint pick-up and release. High Production brushes deliver great results in less time. They pick-up and release more than 25 percent more paint than any other brush on the market. High Production brushes are available in a nylon/polyester blend for latex coatings and in a white China/polyester blend for oil-based coatings.
  • Nylon/Polyester and 100% Nylon Brushes: A specific blend of nylon and polyester filaments make this brush a fine finishing tool that is very durable and easy to clean. The white nylon tips are precisely flagged and tapered for a sharp cut-line. These characteristics have made this line the most popular choice for latex paints for the past 15 years. Sherwin-Williams sells 20 different sizes of these Contractor Series brushes.
  • Although nylon is a soft material, it is also the strongest and most expensive material in a paint brush. 100 percent nylon brushes offer extreme durability, even when used on rough or abrasive surfaces. 100 percent nylon brushes are finished using several hand-trimming steps to create a superior cut-in tool.
  • Black and White China Bristle Brushes: By nature, Black China bristle is stronger and thicker coarse hair, which makes it the perfect bristle to use with oil-based paints and epoxies. The highest quality Black China bristles available are used in the Contractor Series line.
  • White China bristle, by contrast, is soft and thin. A white China bristle brush is the perfect tool for stain, varnishes, polyurethanes and all clear coatings. It lays these topcoats on with a glass-smooth finish. White China bristle brushes are also suitable for oil-based paints if a softer flex tool is desired.
  • Black China/Ox Hair Blend Brushes: Ox hair is extremely fine and soft, creating an exceptional tool for fine finish work. Black China/ox hair blend brushes offer a perfect tool for special jobs or to provide a very soft brush feel.
Purdy’s Clearcut Elite Brushes provide the ultimate performance and excellent cut-in ability.
Who knew paint brush handles were so technical? We did!

In the End

According to Sherwin-Williams, “The end of a hall can be the perfect spot to feature an unexpected hue that might otherwise overpower an entire room. Encourage more than a passing glance by displaying interesting artifacts on a narrow console.”

This is a scaled down version of an accent wall, which can add a lot of interest to a living space without taking over. When you schedule us for your interior paint project, be sure to ask about adding an accent wall.

The colors in this featured project include:

Weather Wise

We’re all aware that the layer of marine air that comes off the coast is the thing that keeps the Emerald Valley, you know, emerald. But the fog, mist and rain we experience creates some challenges as well. We construct our roads with crowns and proper ditches for run off. We avoid building houses in the flood zones. We all own some decent rain gear for our outdoor activities.

Our famous rain presents some distinct challenges for painting contractors as well. First of all is the selection of the best products for our particular climate. Paint adhesion for primers and finish coats in a damp environment are important considerations. Mold and mildew resistance and drying dynamics are also factors. Be sure to ask the Paint Doctor about using paints with anti-microbial properties, such as Sherwin-Williams Harmony and Duration Home.

Paint surface preparation is also very climate driven. It doesn’t take long in our valley for microscopic mold and mildew spores to gain a foothold and our world famous agriculture and natural pollens create dust that also settles onto our buildings. Surfaces must be properly cleaned for improved paint adhesion and to kill mold and mildew. Cleaning is a very important step in the painting process. The Paint Doctor knows how to get the job done right for the best protection for your building.

Paint application is also very weather dependent.  Paint must be applied within an optimal range of temperature and humidity. The Paint Doctor knows the best time to apply your paint and the best tools to do the job right the first time.

Our weather makes our state green but it presents some challenges for our painted surfaces that are best left to the pros at Paint Doctor’s Painting who know what products work best and what preparations need to be made. They also know when and how to best apply the product. Call Mike at 541-497-3804