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Repaint,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Mistakes to Avoid when Painting your Home’s Exterior

Summer and fall are two of the most popular times to repaint a home’s exterior. The weather tends to move the job along – sunshine, clear skies and fresh air. But that doesn’t mean that you or the company you hire to paint the outside of your house may not make mistakes. Novice painters can find they overlook important steps that will cause the paint job to fade and crack much sooner than it should. The following suggestions should help you keep your home’s exterior looking fresh and new much longer.

  • Don’t forget to prime the wood! There are several reasons for priming the wood before adding paint. First, if the wood is new and has never been painted, then adding a primer is an essential first step. Also if the wood has weathered or been stripped in advance of this new paint job – prime it! Otherwise you may add several coats and find that it is soaking into the wood the same way that water soaks into a sponge.
  • Don’t paint in the middle of the day! Or when it is going to rain! Or it has just rained! Listen to the weather report for what is expected over the few days that the painting is expected to occur. Try to squeeze in your painting during a time where the skies are clear, and it is neither too hot or too cold (it could cause dew to collect on the home’s exterior). Also, it is better to paint in the early hours of the day. Excessive heat can compromise the paint’s long-term viability.
  • Don’t scrimp on the paint. Sure, painting your home’s exterior can be expensive and most people are looking for opportunities to cut costs. But, one place that should not be open to a budget cut is the purchase of the paint. If the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ is ever more relevant – it’s when a homeowner invests in paint. If you are looking to cut the cost of paint, ask the company if they have online discounts or other cost savings – but buy the paint that will weather the best.

Are you in the market to have your home’s exterior painted? Contact the experts at University Painters, Inc. We don’t make mistakes!

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Repaint,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Is Your Paint Surface Primed?

Many DIYers are not fully prepared to take on a home repair or maintenance job. One example is painting the inside or outside of your home. All too often home or business owners think they can save themselves money by completing a needed paint job themselves. It certainly looks easy enough! However, there are many nuances to the painting process the novice painter does not realize – one of the most common mistakes is failing to use a primer.

Primer is used as a preparatory coat for wood, metal, plaster or canvas that has never been painted. The purpose of a primer is to prevent layers of paint from being absorbed. Primer is deliberately light-colored so that it doesn’t compromise the color you have chosen for your final presentation.

Primer serves multiple purposes. First, it helps the layers that are applied after it to adhere more securely to the surface. If you were to paint directly on an unpainted surface the paint would seep into the plaster, wood or other finish. Each surface that is painted reacts differently to the pigment. By starting with a primer, you are better guaranteed that the paint you apply will be less likely to peel. That is because primer has properties that allow paint to better adhere over long periods of time.

Primer will also be necessary when you want to paint a light color over a darker one. The application of primer – a white color – helps to hide the darker color and allows the authentic tint of the new paint to be seen. In fact, it is essential to add a primer when changing from dark to light colors. Otherwise, the new color will be tainted and not reflect correctly.

Using a primer also ensures your paint will be more durable. For the money it just makes sense to use a primer for a longer lasting fresh look, inside or out. There are some paints that include primer in them that negates the need to add an extra coat on certain materials such as new drywall.

If you would like expert advice on when to apply primer, contact the experts at University Painters, Inc. We know painting inside and out.

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Interior Painters,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Don’t Do This if You’re Going to Paint

This country is blessed with a large helping of ‘good old American know-how’. We are inclined to take on projects and do them ourselves. It is the heart of the DIY movement and it has taken the nation by storm. While that is all well and good, we would like to offer you a list of ‘don’ts’ to ensure you are pleased with the outcome of the time and effort you have put into your paint job.

  1. DON’T start painting before you have done your due diligence and completed all of the preparations that will ensure the paint job goes smoothly, otherwise you will get to the end of the work, step back and say to yourself ‘what happened?’. Prep work includes cleaning the surfaces you intend to paint, inside or out. If you don’t then you will be painting over dirt, grime and other particles that will now be a permanent part of your newly painted home or business. Prep work also includes fixing surface imperfections and covering items you do not want exposed to paint.
  2. DON’T skimp on tools and materials. The old adage – you get what you pay for – could never be truer than when you are painting. Take the time to explore home stores to identify items that will make the job easier, more efficient and more successful. For example, did you know that you can purchase ‘roller liners’ that will make cleaning up after painting an almost effortless job? There are dozens of little knick-knacks that will ensure the painter doesn’t end up frustrated!
  3. DON’T forget to prime. Whether you are painting a new surface such as drywall or one that has been painted before, a primer helps the true color of the paint you have selected to show through while ensuring durability.
  4. DON’T continually dunk your brush or roller in the paint. It actually makes the painting tool too heavy and can lead to uneven painting strokes.
  5. DON’T choose the wrong paint! Don’t buy indoor paint for an outdoor job just because the price is cheaper.
  6. And DON’T forget to call University Painters, Inc. for all your painting needs at home or at your place of business.
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exterior painting,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Commercial Business Painting Advice

Research shows that three-fourths of businesses in this country are small proprietorships or partnership-owned. These are companies that have become successful through the sweat, hard-work and dedication of the owners who often started out with only an idea. Indeed, small and medium-sized businesses have a lot to be proud of and part of this pride should show through in their building’s presentation. You want the outside of your company to be inviting and offer a professional appearance.

As a result, you may include building and grounds maintenance and upkeep as part of your annual budget. This may encompass regular painting to ensure the business always gives a fresh and inviting presentation. If so, there are certain steps that should be taken to keep that exterior pristine. While you may have heard some of this advice before it is valuable to revisit certain issues to ensure you are addressing them in a timely manner.

One way to avoid having to redo the paint job on the exterior of your building is to address maintenance on a regular basis. Begin by keeping the building’s exterior clean. Have your business pressure washed on a regular basis. This will remove grime, dirt and the dozens of other types of pollutants from the surface that tend to cause paint to crack and fade over time.

Regularly walk the grounds of your building all the way around. Look closely for maintenance issues that can cause problems with your paint job. For example, there may be small areas in which the paint is stripping or fading. Sooner rather than later is the best time to address these issues. Call in a professional painter to refresh these small places.
Keep the surfaces caulked and sealed. If you allow caulk and sealant to crack, it opens the door for a variety of problems with the paint job. First, it looks unsightly to see cracked caulking and sealant. Second, unaddressed issues can allow water to leak in and air conditioning or heat to leak out of the building and increase the cost of your utilities and maintenance down the road.

Your business’s exterior look is a reflection on you! Keep it maintained and you could be saving yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars in the end. Contact the experts in building exterior maintenance at University Painters, Inc. It is our pleasure to partner with companies in their quest to look good.

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Painter,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Maintaining Your Commercial Exterior Paint Job

Are you the proud owner of a small or medium-sized business? Do you have a building where you go about the business of your business – providing a service or product? Well, then you must certainly know that your company is judged by the way it presents to the public. In other words, a building that looks fresh and inviting from the outside is the first step towards landing that customer or contract. Therefore, it is important to invest in maintaining the exterior – which includes the paint job and more. What follows are some suggestions that will help you stay on top of outdoor building maintenance.

• Incorporate regular exterior cleaning into your schedule. Most businesses keep an interior cleaning schedule which may include hiring a company to come in on a regular basis to wash floors and windows, empty trash and dust. Business owners should also maintain an exterior maintenance schedule. There are many paint companies that offer this type of service. It could include:
*Walking the building’s grounds regularly to identify issues where elements such as water or even air pollution have damaged the paint or actual surface (wood, brick or other material). Areas that show fading or other seemingly small issues should not be dismissed. The aim is to keep the entire exterior looking fresh and ensuring it is not damaged.
*Identify and tend to problem areas that may be overlooked on a cursory walk around. Many buildings have one or more tricky places that might not be immediately seen – until a problem becomes noticeably large and then more expensive to repair.
*Ensuring that the caulking and sealant around the building’s exterior is fresh – no cracks or missing pieces. Caulking and sealant are subject to weathering and may need to be replaced regularly.
*Check around equipment that abuts the building such as air conditioners, transformers or similar items. These need to be free from rust and weathering so they do not bleed onto the building’s exterior and leave ugly marks and stains.

Of course, reputable paint companies will also provide superior paint services that are timely and unobtrusive. If you are in the market for just such a paint company contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc.

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Repaint,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Keep that Paint Job Looking New

If you have just invested in an exterior residential painting job, you want to enjoy it for as long as possible before it needs repair. But that can be tricky because your home’s exterior is subject to the natural elements as well as other pesky problems that can quickly cause the pristine look to disappear. Here are some great ideas for keeping that paint job looking new for as long as possible!

• Keep the home’s exterior ‘clean’. That means washing it down regularly. Some options for washing can cause the paint job to deteriorate more quickly. For example, although power washing is effective it is also harsher and may harm the fresh paint. Remember, that jet is designed to be powerful and is strong enough to even damage bricks. Choose a garden hose for cleaning and avoid harsh chemicals. Plain old soap and water should do the trick.
• If you have sprinklers in your lawn be sure their nozzles are turned away from the home’s exterior. The constant assault of sprinkler water can leave water patterns on your home and clogged sprinkler heads can have the same concentrated effect as a power washer. In fact, keep your sprinklers and their heads in good working condition for the sake of your plants, yard and home.
• Set some ground rules for children. For instance, they should not bounce balls or other items on the sides of the house. Set up a play area far enough away from the home to prevent marks from play items that could inadvertently hit the house. And, of course, no coloring or marking on the walls either.
• Although everyone loves the look of lush greenery and flowers adorning their homes, they can also damage the paint. The best advice is to keep an eye on your trees, bushes and flowers and cut them back if they begin to touch the home’s exterior. Many plants and bushes can leave marks on a paint job that are more difficult to remove than other dirt. As much as you may enjoy the look of ivy and vines crawling up the side of a home, be prepared to redo the entire exterior of the wall where the vines grew and perhaps the entire house to ensure it presents in one color.

Are you in the market for professional residential and commercial exterior painters? Contact University Painters, Inc. for a paint job you can be proud of!

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Exterior Painters,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Right Cleaning Process for the Job

Commercial painters know that one of the most important parts of the painting process is to ensure that the surface is clean of debris and other materials prior to painting. This has become an easier part of the job because commercial power washing machines are available that better ensure the integrity of the surface prior to painting. However, for very big jobs you have to know what choice is better – sandblasting or power washing. Let’s consider both in this blog.

Sandblasting is just as it sounds. It uses a jet stream of sand driven by steam or compressed air to clean a surface. Power washing uses a high pressure stream of water to blast away dirt and debris.

When it comes to large jobs where a structure may be made of steel, the general public may not realize that these are surfaces that are subject to the environment and can become worn and need repair if they are not tended to regularly. Structural steel is a unique type of surface that is often better suited to sandblasting. There are several reasons for this.

  • First, sandblasting is able to get deeper into the surface and remove imbedded particles that may remain if only power washing is done. Too, power washing does not remove the old paint – only sandblasting can ensure this occurs. In other words, the sand works as sandpaper to erase the old paint while also ridding the surface of debris and dirt. It also removes rust which a power washer will not be able to do.
  • Sandblasting is cheaper than power washing. This may not seem true at first – but sandblasting can extend the life of your surfaces and that equates to money saved. In the end, you also do not have as much to worry about with corrosion over time. Removing rust prior to refurbishing is the better choice most times when it comes to industrial work.

Now, that does not mean that sandblasting should always be the choice. Water blasting or power cleaning/washing is an equally appropriate option in many scenarios. For example, power washing is appropriate for a wide variety of surfaces which is not true of sandblasting. Too, you are able to adjust the strength of the blast which allows you to tailor the job to various parts of a residential or commercial exterior.

Don’t make your decision about prepping a surface without speaking to an expert. The professionals at University Painters, Inc. will be happy to work with you! Call us 800-390-4848.

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Repaint,University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Your House Painter – The Professional Artist

As this month’s blogs are being prepared, it took some reflection to decide on the topics most appropriate for summertime. As usual, this writer took some time to read up on what the latest commentary about commercial and residential painting has to say. It is an interesting industry and really much more complex than the label of ‘painting’ would imply.

In fact, the residential and commercial painting company could be compared to a professional visual artist. A visual artist takes the time to identify a subject of their painting and they often stick with that for the entirety of their career – think of Georgia O’Keefe or Monet. Well, the residential painter has chosen their subject as well – your homes and businesses.

A visual artist is also very fussy about their work. They are often portrayed as ‘lost in thought’ – thinking over where to begin, what strokes to use, what the final product will say to the novice and critic. Nothing could be truer of the residential and commercial painter as well. We begin by stepping back and taking in the project as a whole – whether it be painting your home or business interior or exterior. We spend much time in advance visualizing the final product and deciding the approach long before materials are purchased, and the first stroke of the paintbrush hits the surface.

The visual artist will often pause while painting to reflect on the progress of the work long before finishing. This is a self-assessment to ensure that the work is on target. The professional industrial and residential painter can be seen doing the same thing. At regular intervals we take the time to step back and view the work from a holistic perspective – ensuring that it is headed in the direction the customer requested and we promised. It is easier to make changes along the way if a problem has been identified than wait until the process has been completed and then decide someone is not satisfied.

Finally, the visual artist will bask in the glow of a completed piece and – if you must know – the residential and commercial artist does the same! The painter of artworks that hang in museums or those that refresh the look of a home or business takes a certain pride and sense of satisfaction in their completed work. After all, we are professional artists! If you would like your home or business to shine like a masterpiece, contact the professional ‘artists’ at University Painters, Inc. We look forward to servicing you.

Blog, Design, Paint Colors
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Painting,Universtiy Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

Touch Ups to an Exterior Paint Job

If you have recently painted your home or business exterior or had a professional paint company perform the job, it should not be surprising that the occasional touch up may be required. Unfortunately, exterior surfaces of any structure are under constant assault by the weather and even the best paint jobs will need the occasional touch-up to keep them looking great. Let’s talk about touch-ups in this blog.

First, let’s agree that ‘touch up’ means to perform a quick restorative job or improvement to the appearance of something. In this case we are talking specifically about the outside of a structure. The first thing to determine is when the original paint job was completed. If your home or business was painted several years ago, then a touch up might be obvious because the color of the exterior may have faded from the weather. As a result even the tiniest addition of new paint can be obvious, creating a sheen that reflects the light differently than the paint around it.

One way to minimize this is to do a thorough annual inspection of your home or business exterior in search of areas that show signs of wear that would benefit from a touch up. Of course, this is best done in the spring or early summer in most climates but fall and winter are optimum for homes in the extreme southern climates.

Take into consideration whether the paint job or home itself is still under warranty and determine how this information can be useful in the touching up process. If the paint itself has a warranty you may contact the company for proper remuneration and satisfaction. If the company that did the painting offers a warranty, then they would be the next choice for contacting and addressing your concerns.

If you decide to undertake the touch up process yourself keep a few things in mind. First, lightly scrape any areas that you intend to touch up and make sure the surfaces are free from any debris. You may want to wash down the areas you are repairing and let them dry. Also do not overcoat the areas with the fresh paint – this will make the touch up more obvious. Finally, make sure your colors match as closely as possible.

Looking for a paint company to touch up the exterior or interior of your home or business? The professionals at University Painters, Inc. are at your service!

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Repaint, University Painters
Regular Post
Written by Colleen Kalil

The Clean Up

If you are in the market for a residential or commercial paint company, you will probably want to interview a few before making the final decision. The customer is usually very attentive to price and what the company provides as far as surface preparation and final presentation but they often overlook who is responsible for the final clean up and what that actually entails. That is often one of the most common complaints of customers who bemoan the fact by saying, “Hire a commercial paint company? Why should I when I have to clean up after them once the painting is done!” Let’s consider clean up after a paint job in this blog.

If you are getting quotes for a residential or commercial paint job you should always include a request for how the property will be left at the end. In other words – what do the painters consider to be their responsibility when it comes to leaving the property in pristine condition and where do they draw the line? Maybe they clean up after the painting is done but only do so for a price. And what is clean up anyway?

• Start with the materials required to complete the job. Who purchased the drop cloths, brushes, paint and ladders or other materials? If you supplied the materials, ask in advance if it is their practice to close them, fold them or otherwise ready them for neat storage as part of the finishing process. Frankly, a painter who will leave materials lying around after a job requiring the customer to do a final clean sweep is probably not going to get a referral. Smart paint companies include this in their estimates or as part of their service.

• The best paint companies will be attentive to their tools all through the painting process. In other words, they clean their brushes and rollers on a daily basis as part of their end-of-the-day requirements. Paint cans do not have drips all around them because they have been kept up throughout the job. Drop cloths are always neatly folded and evidence that a painter is on site is generally not visible at day’s end.

If you are in the market for a residential or commercial paint company that includes clean up as part of their normal services, contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc.

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