Category: Paint Doctor’s News

Loaded Brush, Pro Move

Pro painters know how to properly load a brush for cutting in, for outside corners, open wall space and trim details. Not enough paint means you’ll over work it trying to get the coverage. Too much paint means you’ll lack control on your edges and eventually have a dripping mess on your hands.

Pro painters know how to load the brush and how to get consistent coverage and leveling by applying paint with the right speed and pressure. It’s a pro move. Your best pro move might be to call the Paint Doctor to avoid those unsightly brush marks.

Painting PPE

The Paint Doctor knows personal protective equipment (PPE) for jobsite safety. This knowledge starts with the chemical characteristics of the product being applied. We take all of the precautionary steps to mitigate against harmful vapors and the products which can be invasive through the skin.

It’s another good reason to call the pros!

Brushing Up on Paint Brushes

Professional painters use professional equipment. It may seem to some that a paint brush is just a stick with bristles. There is a lot more to these essential tools than first meets the eye. You will get your best results matching the brush to the paint and to the job at hand. Sherwin-Williams offers some great help with it comes to choosing the right brush for your project:

Sherwin-Williams paint brushes come in a variety of sizes, end types and bristles. A high-quality brush can mean a better-looking job with less effort. Why? Because a good-quality brush holds more paint and applies it more evenly, which can save you time and help you get the results you want.

Types of Brushes

  • Natural-bristle brushes made with animal hairs are used for applying oil base paints, varnishes, shellac, polyurethane and other oil base finishes. The natural “flagging” (splitting or fuzzy tips) of these brushes creates split ends in the bristles that hold more paint and help assure a smooth paint release and finish.
  • Blended nylon/polyester brushes are easy to clean and work well with all types of latex paints. The combination of nylon’s durability and polyester’s shape retention is the mark of a high-quality brush – one that also produces a high-quality paint finish. What’s more, these durable brushes are built to handle numerous projects. So, with proper care, nylon / polyester brushes should last for years.
  • Polyester brushes are best for latex paints. These brushes hold their shape and stiffness in any paint and apply paint smoothly and evenly.

Brush Sizes

Sherwin-Williams paintbrushes are available in widths from 1 to 4 inches. The size you select is up to you, but a good rule of thumb is:

  • 1″ to 2″ – window and other small trim
  • 3″ – glossy paints for doors and cabinets
  • 4″ – large, flat areas

Brush End Types

  • Chisel Trim Brush – slanted bristles produce a good, straight line for trimming in corners and edges.
  • Square Trim Brush – the ends of the bristles are cut square and used primarily for applying paint over flat areas.
  • Angled Brush – bristles are cut to make it easier to apply paint to window trim.

Brush Styles

  • Thin Angle Sash – slanted bristles and a thin profile produce a good, straight line for trimming in corners and edges.
  • Angle Sash – features slanted bristles and holds more paint than its thin counterpart. Excellent for cutting in at the ceiling or painting trim.
  • Flat Sash – bristles are straight across and used primarily for applying paint over flat areas.
  • Trim – a flat brush excellent for painting large flat surfaces, especially exterior siding.
  • Wall – a thick flat brush that holds a larger amount of paint. Excellent for painting larger surface areas.

from https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/how-to/painting/exterior-painting-how-tos/exterior-planning/sw-article-dir-extchoosebrush

Surface Preparation

Proper paint preparation takes time, tools, materials and skills. The most efficient way to get it done right the first time is to call the doctor (541-497-3804) and have the crew do it for you.

According to Sherwin-Williams: Preparation. It’s the key to good-looking, long-lasting results. A properly prepared surface is clean, solid and dry, without cracks and imperfections.

Warning! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call (in the U.S.) the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD or contact your local health authority.

Bare Wood

  • Easy-to-clean latex semi-gloss or gloss would be the best choice for the finished coat.
  • Fill nail holes, joints and cracks with patching paste.
  • Sand smooth and remove sanding dust with a tack cloth.
  • Prime all bare wood and patched areas with a primer.

New Plaster Walls

  • Latex is an excellent topcoat choice because it’s easy to work with.
  • These must be clean and completely cured.
  • Textured or swirl types and soft, porous or powdery plaster must be:

    – Treated with a solution of one pint household vinegar in one gallon of water.
    – Repeat the treatment until the surface is hard.
    – Rinse with plain water.
    – Let dry and apply primer.

New Drywall

  • Latex is your best choice here.
  • Panels must be securely nailed or glued in place.
  • All panel joints must be taped and filled before painting.
  • When joint cement and/or patching materials are thoroughly dry, sand smooth, wipe away dust, then prime.

Wallpaper

  • Always remove wallpaper before painting. Use a chemical wallpaper remover or rent a steamer, if necessary.
  • Once the paper is removed, wash off old adhesive. Rinse with water and allow the wall to dry before priming.

Previously Painted Surfaces

  • Wash off dirt, grease, soap and oil buildup with the appropriate cleaner. Rinse thoroughly.
  • Remove loose paint and powdery substances.
  • Patch holes and cracks with spackling or patching compound. Allow to dry, then sand smooth.
  • For glossy or nonporous surfaces, lightly sand to a dull finish or use an abrasive cleanser.
  • Remove sanding dust or cleanser residue.
  • Make sure to prime all bare areas prior to applying topcoat. (Avoid “spot priming,” which can result in a non-uniform appearance between primed and non-primed areas.)

Masonry, Concrete, Cement, Block

  • All new surfaces must be cured according to the supplier’s recommendations- usually about 30 days.
  • Remove all form release and curing agents.
  • Rough surfaces can be filled to provide a smooth surface.
  • If painting cannot wait 30 days, allow the surface to cure 7 days and prime the surface with masonry primer.

A note from the Paint Doctor:

As you can see, proper paint preparation takes time, tools, materials and skills. The most efficient way to get it done right the first time is to call the doctor (541-497-3804) and have the crew do it for you.

Too Many Details

This is how the expression, “The devil is in the detail” got started. You think it’s a simple task until you get into it…

For many home owners, do-it-yourself interior paint projects can be a lot more work than they bargained for. A simple thought about painting a room may overlook a lot of details.

There are holes to spackle, spackle to sand, joints to caulk, caulk to cove, edges to mask, drop cloths to spread, ladders to set up, areas to prime, clothes to wear and many more items before you get to see your new color go on. And all of the above? Yep, every hole, every joint, every edge. The details go on and on.

This is how the expression, “The devil is in the detail” got started. You think it’s a simple task until you get into it, until you experience just how many details need attention. And, by the way, each of these details involve a skill set that affect the outcome of the job.

Give the Paint Doctor a call to avoid the devil that is in the details. 541-497-3804

Tis the Season for Interiors

You can expect to get your best deal of the year on interior paint jobs when painting contractors are looking to keep their crews busy.


The Paint Dr says it’s a great time to schedule some interior paint work.

The Paint Dr crew works hard throughout the warmer months to achieve the best possible exterior paint jobs on customer homes and buildings. However, now it’s time for an inside job or two to keep things rolling through the winter months.

You can expect to get your best deal of the year on interior paint jobs when painting contractors are looking to keep their crews busy and the business running strong during the winter months.

So give the Paint Dr, aka Mike Nading, a call today and get that interior paint project on the calendar. 541-497-3804 [email protected]

What’s Your Time Worth?

Some of us are old enough to remember Jim Croce’s song Time in a Bottle.

” But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them.”

Sometimes bringing in a pro to do a job makes economic sense because you can generate more during that time doing your area of expertise. However, another consideration is what you could do with that time to improve the quality of your life. Ever get to the end of the summer and realise you never used your RV or your boat one time? Ever wonder if your kids or grandkids will say their folks never had time to camp or fish or golf with them, they were always too busy?

Before you tackle that big painting project on your own, consider what your time is worth. Better call Mike and get a bid. It’s time.

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

Touch-up Paint

Feathering is the final key to a good touch up job.

I doesn’t take long before feet, furniture, fur babies and family members get some scuffs going on your painted walls. Not everything washes off which is why touch-up is an important way to keep your walls in the best possible condition.

The Right Paint

The most important aspect of touchup is to use the same type, color and sheen of paint. Paint Doctor’s Painting leaves building owners with extra of each paint color. Be sure to thoroughly stir the paint before using.

Tools and Techniques

Whenever possible, “use the same tool to apply the touch-up paint as was used to apply the original coat,” according to Sherwin-Williams. With practice, you can use a good quality paint brush to do most touch-ups by loading the brush and making as few passes over the target area as possible – just enough to smooth it reasonably well. Quality paint will self-level if you don’t overwork it.

Feathering

Feathering is the final key to a good touch up job. As the brush gets dryer, lightly move it away from the repair area out over the larger surrounding area. The further away you get from the center, less paint is being applied. This eliminates a hard edge where the new paint stops abruptly. The area surrounding the repair will have a mix of the existing paint and the touch-up paint which creates a blend.

Cleanup

Remember to carefully reseal your touch-up paint container and thoroughly clean your paint brush. Try to keep kids and pets away from the touch-up area until the paint is dry to touch.

Contact Paint Doctors Painting for you next painting project at 541-497-3804.