Tag Archives: University Painters

Whether you are the owner of a commercial property or the manager of the facility – there are certain considerations that should be taken under advisement as you set out to find a commercial paint company for your structure.

Let us start by agreeing that in most instances the presentation of the building and property are an important asset. They are a silent confirmation that the owner takes pride in their business and that bodes well for potential customers. Of course, there are exceptions when a customer does not decide if they would engage the company based solely on the façade (for example, many people still expect auto garages to exude a greasy atmosphere with workers in coveralls and dirty parts all around).

What the building or commercial property looks like on the outside is often an important component to bringing the customer to the threshold. A worn-down look will definitely be a deterrent to potential consumers. That makes the responsibility of the facility manager all the more important. Here are some tips to make the job of hiring a commercial paint company a positive experience.

• Map out the extent of the work that will be required in advance. That will require attention to detail and reflection. Perform a thorough walk-around of the building. Get up close and look for spots that need repair. Ensure that you know and can iterate the exact expectations so there will be no confusion when a contract is awarded.

• Inquire with your business neighbors about any commercial painting they have had done and ask for recommendations. Start by contacting these companies and inviting them in to give an estimate. Make sure the estimate is in writing and pay attention to the details. Perhaps the company does not do its own cleanup. Or maybe they are only available certain hours. Find out in advance so there are no surprises. Also ask about warranties and guarantees.

• Determine if they have licenses to handle industrial materials. What is their experience with substrates? What types of commercial painting have they done in the past?

• Consider expanding your search outside the recommendations of your neighbors. There are a variety of online resources that will provide references for commercial painters.

Need commercial painting done? Contact the seasoned professionals at University Painters, Inc.

The exteriors of homes receive some of the greatest punishment. No matter what the weather, it can adversely affect the paint of the exterior siding and the trim. The rains of spring, the hot sunshine of summer and the winter snow and sleet that occurs around a good part of the country all combine to cause wear and tear on the home. Today’s paints are made to stand up to the constant assault of the weather but even so, eventually you will need to update your home’s exterior. What follows are some issues that you will encounter if you stay in your home long enough!

• Paint blistering. A blister is a tiny raised bubble. If you have ever stayed out in the sunshine too long and gotten a sunburn it will often turn to little blisters before the skin peels away. The same can be said for the paint on your home. Blisters may appear in the paint if it was originally applied when the sun was too hot, or there was dew or humidity in the air at the time of painting. Your home may also be in need of better ventilation.

• Chalking. Chalk is powdery and leaves a residue on surfaces including the exterior of the home. Most experts agree that a little bit of chalking is not uncommon nor is it something to worry about. However, it can be an indication that the paint used was of a lesser quality or had been thinned. When severe, there may be runoff from the side of the home which stains other surfaces. Chalking can also be a sign that porous areas of the home that were painted were likely not sealed correctly. To correct this condition, power wash the side of the home to assess the extent of the chalking then consider repainting.

• Alligatoring. This is the formation of cracks and grooves in a paint job that causes it to resemble the skin of an alligator. There are multiple causes of this including the use of excessively thick paint or the second coat of paint was applied before the first coat was fully dry. Of course, the home’s exterior may develop these cracks as a part of the natural aging process as well. The only option is to sand off the old paint and apply a high-quality new coating.

University Painters, Inc. knows all about the common issues that homeowners experience. We are professionals who can help you solve these problems!

There are a number of items that are considered ‘tools of the trade’ in residential and business painting. Whether you are going to paint the home or business on your own or hire a professional painting company – or even if you are starting your own paint company – it’s helpful to know what is needed.

• Tarps – covers that prevent your indoor and outdoor items from getting errant drips of paint on them. No one wants floors, furniture or outdoor shrubbery to end up with paint stains.

• Brushes – there are dozens of brush sizes that are identified by the width of the brush head marked in inches or millimeters. Brush types include bristles made of various materials including nylon and synthetics. They also come in various types such as ‘angled sash’ or ‘foam’. It is advisable to have several of the most common sizes and types available before you start painting.

Also, make sure you have the materials you need to wash the brushes after each paint session. If you don’t thoroughly clean your brushes at the end of every paint session they will quickly become ruined.

• Paint rollers – the paint roller is most efficient for painting large flat surfaces. A paint roller is a simple tool that consists of the roller frame and roller cover. The roller cover is nappy and holds the paint. They are typically made of lamb’s wool, synthetic fabrics or foam. Paint rollers also come in different nap sizes. Shorter naps are better for smooth surfaces.

• Airless sprayer – this tool is used to pump paint at a very high pressure. The outcome is a smooth and even application of the paint. Airless sprayers are a quick way to paint large surfaces without leaving behind brush or ‘stipple’ marks that are commonly left behind using ‘hand methods’.

• HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) sprayer – when used to apply paint they will not create the ‘fog’ common to the more powerful airless sprayer. Training in the use of either tool is advised to ensure the user understands the inherent challenges and potential dangers.

Remember – use the right tool for the right job. Better yet, contact the paint professionals at University Painters, Inc.

Making sure your business is ‘presentation-ready’ and appealing to customers may be one of the most important ways to draw customers. This means that the exterior should be bright and clean and pleasant to the eye. The first step is to keep the outside of the business looking freshly painted. This telegraphs the message to the customer that you are open for business and have pride in your product or service. If you have done a recent walk-around the outside of your building and believe it is time for a new paint job, here are a few suggestions that will help you get ready while minimizing the disruption.

• Develop a schedule that lists the steps necessary to get the project underway and complete – from start to finish. Add a timeline and review the list regularly to ensure there are no long delays or issues that are unresolved.

• Create alerts for the customers and employees well in advance. You should put notices up on the front door and other entryways letting people know the dates and times the exterior will be undergoing a paint job and when you expect it to be finished. This will allow customers and employees the ability to avoid the area if they have medical issues that arise from the smell of paint.

• Be sure to have completed any repair work to the exterior prior to the first day of painting unless the contractor has agreed to address these issues as part of the pre-painting process. For example, peeling paint should be scraped away so it is not painted over directly. It may be necessary to power wash the exterior before applying fresh paint as well. There are a number of pre-painting hurdles that must be overcome before the first stroke of the brush hits the side of the building.

• Take the time to choose a color that enhances your building’s exterior and aligns to the product or service you offer. For example, a child’s boutique painted in a bold red would be off-putting to most customers. However, a hardware store might be suitable for some shade in the ‘red family’.

Are you getting ready to update your business’s exterior with a new paint job? Contact the professionals at University Painters, Inc.

With each turn of the calendar page to a new year Americans tend to embrace the idea of making New Year’s resolutions that will result in improvements to their lives. May we suggest you do the same with regard to your home? This year, when the calendar reads January take a good hard look at your residence with the intent of finding places that need to be upgraded or improved. This may include the need for a new coat of paint when spring rolls around, or simply some good old-fashioned organization. Here are some ideas that will brighten your home and your mood!

• Do a complete walk-through of the interior of your home. Use a notepad and pen or a list program on your phone or computer. Take pictures of areas that you would like to have cleaned up or cleaned out, painted or repaired. Repeat this process for the exterior of your home as well. Sometimes a home owner is more likely to be honest about the condition of their residence in the winter weather than on a sunny clear day!

• Now, take your list and organize the issues you have noted in order of importance. Which problem would you like to tackle first? What can wait?

• Beneath each project write out the materials and steps that will need to be taken to complete the job. For example, perhaps your basement is dusty and has been a catch-all for years. What steps would you need to take to make the area usable? What materials would it require?

• Create a realistic calendar for when you will complete each project. Do not set goals that you will fail to reach. All too often, resolutions are abandoned because they are unreasonable from the start. If you are really committed to making authentic changes then ensure that your schedule is obtainable.
• Be sure to stretch the projects out over the course of the year. Also, be prepared to rearrange the schedule in case of weather or other problems. Do not let challenges prevent you from achieving your goals.
• Incorporate celebrations for each achievement…After all – this is your home and your life! You simply can never give yourself too many pats on the back for making things better!

When you are ready for the support of a professional paint company contact the experts at University Painters, Inc.