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interior/exterior painting, painters,
Written by Colleen Kalil

Not All Paint Is Created Equal

interior/exterior painting, painters,Paint is paint, right? Not true. There are various types of primers and paints and they can be used to their best effect when you understand the difference.

Basically, there’s oil-based paint versus water-based paint; each has different properties and uses. In some states, the use of oil-based paint has been banned due to the level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), but it hasn’t been removed from use in all areas. Oil-based paint takes longer to dry, has a stronger odor, and requires more harsh cleaners, such as turpentine or mineral spirits to remove. Once it’s on the wall or another surface, there are a few disadvantages. It tends to become brittle and could crack and peel. It’s also susceptible to fading and becoming chalky when exposed to prolonged periods of sunlight. On the positive side, oil-based paint is less sensitive to environmental elements such as water and humidity, takes abuse better, and looks good longer.

Water-based paint, also referred to as latex or acrylic pain, cleans up with soap and water and is gentler on the environment. Water-based paint comes in a larger variety of colors than oil, is chip-resistant, and can achieve a high gloss finish. It has become the industry-standard but it does have a few drawbacks. Water-based paint is more difficult to dry in humid climates, and doesn’t take the punishment of heavy traffic as well as oil-based paint. One option that has the benefits of water-based paint and the lasting power of oil-based paint is acrylic enamel. It’s not a mixture of oil and water-based paint as it uses acrylic as the binding agent.

There are also specialty paints for difficult areas with properties such as being flame retardant, mold and mildew resistant, and resistant to condensation. When hiring a professional, ask what type of paint they use and discuss the pros and cons of each. University Painters always use quality materials and are experts in their field. You can count on them to help you make the best choices for your home inside and out. Visit www.universitypainters.com or call 800-390-4848 for a free consultation.

Interior painting, Home painters,, repairs
Written by Colleen Kalil

Most Common Causes Of Peeling Paint

Paint may start to peel off of interior walls or exterior surfaces of your home regardless of when it was applied. Here are some possible causes and how you can fix the problem:

Poor Adhesion

Paint will start to peel off when it does not adhere properly to the surface underneath it. This happens when the wall was not cleaned and primed correctly.

Mildew, oil, dirt and dust need to be thoroughly removed before painting. If you are painting a wall covered in old paint with a glossy finish, you must use an abrasive cleanser to clean and dull the wall to improve adhesion. If you are painting over a wall with an existing paint type, you need to choose the same type of paint. Oil, latex and water-based paints do not mix well together.

Moisture

The paint will not dry correctly if it is applied to a damp surface. This can lead to premature peeling of paint.

Paint That Has Gone Bad

Peeling can happen if the paint used has already gone bad. Latex paints may no longer be usable when they are left stored in open containers in the garage. They start to develop a strong odor and leave a rough finish on the surfaces that can cause peeling. Cheap paints may also fail and peel sooner compared with higher-end paints.

New Wood

New wood has natural oils that can cause paint to peel off regardless if the wood appears dry when you paint it. Cedar is particularly susceptible to this. Wood that was not properly cured may contain too much moisture.

A wall with peeling paint is an eyesore, as well as a health risk, since areas in your home with flaking paints can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mildew. Ensure you make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Fixing peeling paint requires removal of the chipped paint, use of a patching compound, sanding, then use of an oil-based primer.  An easier option to repairing peeling paint is to entrust the job to an experienced professional.

University Painters can help fix peeling paint in your home. Our expert painters can remove old and peeling paint layers then repaint the surfaces using tried and tested techniques that can prevent peeling from happening again. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you repair peeling paints in your home.

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