Larry – Page 2 – Paint Doctor's Painting

Cleaning Painted Walls

According to Sherwin-Williams, “You can’t stop walls from attracting dirt, but you can preserve their newly-painted beauty and extend the life of your paint with a few good cleaning habits. Check out our suggested resources and tips below for the best ways to clean painted walls.”

Supplies for This Project

Vacuum cleaner with dust brush attachment
Tack cloth/cheesecloth
Wash bucket
Mild household cleaner
Grease-cutting dishwashing soap
Baking soda
Cloth rags
Touch-up paint
Plastic mixing container
Mini paint roller and roller cover
2″ or 2½” angled bristle brush

Dusting

Regardless of paint type or sheen, regular dusting is in order. So before you do any washing, run the dust brush attachment of your vacuum over ceilings and walls, and wipe your walls down with a tack cloth or cheesecloth.

General Washing

Wait at least two weeks after painting before using any water or cleaner on your walls.

Typically it’s best to use a soft cloth or sponge with mild, soapy water.

Wipe by applying gentle pressure in a circular motion.

Rinse with a clean, damp cloth afterward to remove any leftover cleaner. Too much water can ruin your paint finish, so remember to thoroughly wring out your cloth.

Spot Cleaning

For spot cleaning a scuff mark or stain, try mixing a paste of baking soda and water instead of cleaner for walls.

Gently rub your solution over the problem area. Then rinse with a sponge. And dry with a soft cloth.

For hard-to-remove stains like grease splatters on kitchen walls, try a grease-cutting dishwashing soap mixed in warm water.

Follow the label instructions to make sure the cleaner won’t harm your paint finish.

Tip:It’s always a good idea to test your cleaning solution and technique to make sure it doesn’t damage your paint finish. Pick an inconspicuous spot on your wall to perform your test. If the paint still looks bright and there are no water marks left after drying, you’re good to go.

Touch-Up

Follow these guidelines for nicks or scrapes in your walls that require touch-up painting.

If possible, use paint from the original can. If you need to buy more, make sure it’s the same color and the same sheen.

If you’re touching up walls where the paint was originally applied with a roller, use a small trim roller. If the paint was originally brushed on, use a brush.

Apply a small amount of your touch-up paint and gently roll or feather-brush the area.

Sheen

You’ve finally narrowed down your paint colors, and now you must make another decision – it’s time to choose a sheen.

A non-reflective sheen that helps hide surface imperfections, making walls appear smooth. Visually this finish smooths walls that are dented or rough. However, it can be harder to clean. Best for:

Adult bedrooms
Formal Living Rooms
Ceilings
Uneven or textured walls

This flat finish is great for hiding surface imperfections, while its angular shine helps make walls smooth and washable. Use this sheen for:

Living rooms
Dining rooms
Exterior siding

With a slight shine, Satin and Eg-Shel finishes offer a richer look. Washability makes these sheens ideal for high-traffic areas most likely to attract nicks and scuff marks such as:

Hallways
Woodwork
Children’s bedrooms
Family rooms
Exterior surfaces

This moderately reflective, durable finish is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently, such as:

Kitchens
Bathrooms
Utility area
Closet doors
Trim

Gloss sheens have higher light-reflective characteristics. This shiny, durable finish works great for any element of a room you would like to highlight such as:
Wood trim
Cabinets
Doors
Furniture

If you have questions about choosing the sheen of paint to use for interior or exterior finishes, give us a call at 541-497-3804.

August 2024 Color of the Month

The color of the month is Smoky Azurite which lives somewhere between casual and formal, subtle but vibrant, his classical and her rock and roll – all rolled into one uplifting blend. Let’s get started transforming your space by calling Mike at 541-497-3804

The pro designers at Sherwin-Williams describe it: “Brimming with thoughtful details, this look seamlessly blends easy comfort with a sophisticated flair to create a cozy countryside atmosphere. A backdrop of Smoky Azurite’s relaxed vibrance infuses the room with freshness, lending a subtle contemporary vibe to the otherwise quiet and simple space. Adding rich contrast and a rustic note, dark brown wood tones make a beautiful pairing with the natural shades of this palette.”

Paint Doctor's Painting can get you started with the right blue interior wall, Smoky Azurite

Craft an inviting atmosphere of laid-back sophistication in the heart of the home with a buttoned-up blue that knows how to unwind. Smoky Azurite’s captivating shade stands out against Black Fox’s rich, grounded hue to make a refined statement. Arrowroote provides the perfect neutral backdrop, creating a bright, clean canvas for the bolder shades to shine.

Paint Doctor entry cubby idea. — “The humble hues of the Modern Brit palette instantly impart the warm and familiar charm of home to any space. Smoky Azurite’s welcoming shade casts its soft, soothing energy even in a supporting role, as Earthy Ochre balances the carefree, airiness of the space with its down to earth, rooted hue. A collection of shades as uncomplicated and approachable as these brings timeless, comfortable style easily within reach,” according to Sherwin-Williams.

New Construction Schedule Options

Painting for our long-time general contractor clients requires that our team learns the sequence the builder prefers and bids the jobs accordingly. The interior photos in this blog post are from a recent project where the general contractor wanted a “wall-out” right after the drywall texture was completed and before any cabinets, doors or trim were installed. One advantage to this approach is that wall paint is much tougher than drywall texture so the paint protects the wall from minor scrapes and impacts during the finishing stages. This order works well for contrasting trim colors.

Other contractors may do the sequence differently for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they want to paint all of the trim and doors the same color and sheen as the wall paint. Maybe they want to eliminate an additional time slot for the painters before the finish carpenters begin, which can help a tight construction schedule. We can even put more than one crew (each with their own equipment) on one job to speed up the process.

In addition to the two approaches listed above, hybrids of these approaches can be employed such as primer between drywall prep and texture to help hide drywall joints.

Whatever the approach, we can accommodate your construction schedule and will bid the job according to your system. As a valuable member of your trade team, we can make suggestions and work with your other trade partners to help make up for some lost days on the construction schedule when needed.

Call Mike 541-497-3804 to talk schedule, bids and sequence for your upcoming new construction projects.

Swatches, Chips and Samples, Oh My!

We really want you to be happy with your paint project, which is why we encourage you to use the available resources for choosing your paint color. Here are some you can find at Sherwin-Williams.

Sherwin-Williams says, “Order color chips, peel & stick or Color to Go samples to see how your top color picks look and feel in your space.”

Visualize any color by experimenting directly on the surface. Eliminate the guesswork with Twist-n-Pour Color to Go^® paint samples.

No mess. No dry time. Our 8″ x 8″ peel & stick color samples are available in our most popular colors. Order now for only $3.95 per sample, with free shipping for a limited time.

Have a lot of color ideas for your space? Color chips are the perfect solution. Order up to 10 FREE 2″x3″ color chips online from Sherwin-Williams. Ships free.

Naturally

We often use the term natural wood, which is the look we’re going for but in reality these projects need lots of professional care and product application to keep them looking natural for a long time.

Just like our painted finishes, a natural wood look needs UV protection to maintain the original color and it needs a seal coat to keep water and insect penetration from damaging the looks and the structural integrity. The type of seal coat for outdoor applications is critical. You have a lot invested in your natural wood project. Call the Paint Doctor to make sure it is properly protected, 541-497-3804.

July 2024 Color of the Month-Heron Plume

Sherwin-Williams says, “This inviting shade of warm white seamlessly blends modern simplicity with traditional style. Heron Plume’s laid-back energy is perfect for the refined yet relaxed sophistication of California coastal style. When paired with the nature-inspired coordinating hues of the California Love palette, this airy shade makes crafting casual style a breeze.”

Heron Plume white is combined with Pachyderm SW 9596 wainscot.

Settle into serenity with the subtle, relaxing influence of simple color. A layered approach to the soft, tonal neutrals of this month’s palette builds to evoke a cozy sense of tranquility in a bedroom retreat. Heron Plume’s warming shade of creamy white paired with Pachyderm’s soft greige tone creates a clean backdrop for other elements of coastal style to stand out. Textured natural materials like jute and wicker mix with layered wood tones to add depth and contrast while highlighting the organic, outdoor feel of the space.

paintdrspainting.com suggests this shade of white for modern décor

Whether inside or out, Heron Plume’s warmth radiates an easygoing, welcoming vibe to greet guests. A rich blue-green shade like Mount Etna makes a striking first impression, adding bold contrast that elevates the exterior and sets the tone.

At Paint Doctor’s Painting we often say white is never really just white. Subtle tints make a white warmer or cooler or comfy. Call Mike with help to choose your white and expert help in applying it in your home or business. 541-497-3804

June 2024 Color of the Month: Honeydew

Soft yet energizing, Honeydew’s citrus hue easily fills any space with a fresh and frothy feel. With Fresh Zest as an accent color, you get the perfect combination for infusing a burst of vibrant liveliness without the boldness of more saturated shades. Bring them into a room with lots of natural light to meet the zestier, more expressive side of these hues.

Nook counter top featuring flowers in a vase and floating shelf. Paintdrspainting.com

Bedroom with pinks, baby blues and honeydew green. Paint Doctor's Painting Service

Colors that go with honeydew by the Paint Doctor

Gym Paint, the Acoustic Version

Gymnasiums often function as multi-purpose rooms, which is why this church added acoustic panels to their big room’s décor. The panels also added some unique challenges for our crew but were up to the task.

Yellow House

Michael Murphey’s song Yellow House says it’s the color of old sun beams, which is a good description of this recent project by Paint Doctor’s Painting Service. It’s warm, comfortable and inviting. The new paint really added to the house’s curb appeal. Call Mike at 541-497-3804.