Hazmat – No Joke

I recently had a friend get very sick with pneumonitis caused by spraying penetrating oil on a neighbors deck without using the proper safety equipment.

In previous blog posts we have mentioned the dangers of falling from ladders and roof tops when attempting to paint your own structures. Exposure to painting products can pose just as serious a risk. Here at Paint Doctor’s Painting, our combined training and experience makes us experts at safely handling a large variety of painting products.

Many of the products we use are atomized and airborne during application (that is, sprayed). Once applied, they form very resilient protective coatings, which are perfectly safe for our customers and their pets. However, when in spray form, they can penetrate respiratory tissues, eyes and skin and do some serious damage if not handled with proper safety equipment.

Safety first. Leave it to the experts at Paint Doctor’s Painting, 541-497-3804.

top painters in Corvallis

September 2024 Color of the Month

Sherwin-Williams says, “Palm Leaf harnesses the retro charm of earthy avocado green tones from a bygone era. Nestled in the middle of a throwback collection of fun colors, this free-spirited shade channels a fresh take on classic ‘70s style.”

Call it olive green or avocado green, this is Palm Leaf by Sherwin-Williams and it's a retro delight.
Modern dining room with green walls.
Claw foot tub with two tone walls in green and yellow.

Palm Leaf effortlessly bridges the gap between old and new, infusing a modern feel into a vintage look. This shade shines as the center of attention or easily makes an impact in a backup role. With Oat Milk’s light, neutral hue providing a clean backdrop for retro styling, our Color of the Month adds depth, definition and contrast.

If we can get some Palm Leaf into your life (or whatever color you choose) give us a call. 541-497-3804

Living Room Ideas

With interior painting season just around the corner, it’s time to think about some colors for your living room paint project. Call Mike 541-497-3804 to let him know you would like to be put on the schedule for interior paint this winter. Check out these living room color ideas.


Dover White SW 6385

Pure White SW 7005 and Sequin SW 6394
Silver Strand SW 7057
Shiitake SW 9173

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.

Natural wood deck cover.

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