Selecting Materials
The number 1 reason why most homeowners have painting
problems lies right here, selection of materials. There is
no such thing as a Good inexpensive can of paint! You get
exactly what you pay for.
Better quality coatings will give you better hiding power
meaning more square footage per gallon, easy touch up and
longer life. When I was contracting I would tell my
customers, "it costs you 5 cents a sq ft for me to drag the
brush across a surface, what I put on the end of the brush
is up to you, .03 cents per foot and I'll be back next year,
.08 cents per ft and I'll see you in 6-8 years" Get the
idea? Invest in a quality product and get off on the right
track. After all, you don't want to be doing this again in 6
months do you.
What Paint to Buy
Quality is determined by the grade and type of pigments,
resins, and how much water is in the can.
Don't just buy a big name brand and think you are getting a
good product. Every manufacturer makes an inexpensive paint.
A well known manufacturers name on the label does not
necessarily mean that it is a good product. They have to
provide for all markets. An $8 a gallon of contractors flat
offers dry hiding, a matte finish, and covers everything.
Don't try to wash it or touch it up. A $30 gallon of the
same manufacturers top line finish has premium pigments more
resin, and less water. This paint will give you more sq ft
on the wall per gallon, washes and touches up well, and
therefore lasts longer. Stick with the medium and top of the
line grades
Interior Paints
Enamels are less likely to be damaged by cleaning than are
most flat latex paints. They come in a wide range of
finishes including, high-gloss, semi-gloss, satin or
eggshell which is a hand rubbed look with a very slight
sheen finish, not a color. In high traffic areas and where
the coating will be washed often such as kitchens, baths,
and woodwork, an enamel will be your best choice. Flat wall
finishes are more desirable in other parts of the house like
bedrooms, living and dining areas. 100% acrylic formulations
touch up very well and are very durable.
Exterior Coatings
The same rules to selecting quality apply here, avoid the
low end materials.
Due to the tremendous efforts of paint manufacturing
companies having to comply with government regulations
pertaining to new anti-pollution laws, we now have fantastic
water based paints available for exterior use.
Having been trained in the old school of "oil is better", I
must now admit they are a thing of the past with a few minor
exceptions. Modern chemistry now offers paint formulators a
wide range of acrylic, waterbase resins that have the same,
and in some cases, superior performance than the oil base
paints with the convenience of easy water cleanup, low odor
and much more earth friendly.
The selection of coatings available for exterior
applications is quite extensive and your paint supplier can
best advise you on which product is best for a specific
application. Ask about the newest introduction to the
industry, "Elastomeric" coatings if you are painting any
stucco or other cement based areas. Elastomeric coatings
look like paint but apply much thicker forming a rubber-like
membrane that will expand and contract with the buildings
movement eliminating cracks. These formulations are very
high in resin, apply very thick (equal to 4-5 coats of
regular paint) and reduce repainting frequency, average life
cycle is 8-10 years. You will see these coatings advertised
as "liquid siding", "lifetime ceramic paint" etc.
Figure on paying between
$30 - $40 per gallon for a top quality elastomeric paint and
don't fall for those "never paint again" complete repaint
advertisements. Elastomeric coatings do last longer but
nothing "lasts forever", read the fine print in the
warranty! Most of the warranties state that "If the product
flakes, chips or peels, we will provide you with sufficient
material to correct the problem area". Consider This:
1.) These paint jobs cost you 2 - 3 times what the job is
worth using top quality paint and a complete three coat
paint job which in itself guarantees that it will not "flake
chip or peel".
2.) If the product does fails they will give you enough
paint to touch up the area only, no labor, just material.
3.) Nationwide, the average homeowner keeps his/her house 5
years only.
Why pay all that extra money for a "lifetime warranty"? You
are far better off using top quality materials from a
reliable supplier and either doing it yourself or hiring a
qualified local contractor and supply him with the material
you have chosen. In 8-10 years if you still reside in the
same home you can repaint it still be ahead of the game. |
Do-It-Yourself:
Painting