House selling has become a very competitive market, and though people are desperate in some areas to buy a house, its important you take care to ensure that the you’ve done all you can to make your house as attractive, safe and saleable as possible.

It is said that the average house buyer has no vision but not with payday loans – which means you need to make their ‘envisioning’ themselves within the house as easy as possible.
Dark paintwork is a definite turn off – as are stained, worn or smelly carpets – both of which need to be taken care of.

On the latter, you could offer an ‘allowance’ or remove a fraction of the house costs for carpets – or, if you can, invest yourself and replace them, to allow a possibly higher sale price.  Walls should be painted off white, or antique white – or possibly very pale and pastel shades if you’re planning on redecorating – you may have no option if your walls are stained, marked or damaged.

Its also a good time to ensure that everything that you’ve been meaning to repair is taken care of is actually done – a faulty stair tread, banister or fence in the garden may only be a minor annoyance to you, but can be a danger to anyone looking at the house.

Its hard to sell your house without help, but one of the biggest tips you can take to ensure your house sells is to make sure you’ve removed your ‘imprint’.   Looking at the house impartially, remove anything that screams ‘my personality’ and ‘my personal space’.

Things like photos, pieces of unique artwork, and ornaments and more can be removed before people come to view the house.   Remember – they want to buy the house, not feel how you lived there, so if you haven’t finished boxing up your non essentials by the time you start showing them the house, its time to consider whether you really need the clutter still unpacked – or whether its time to put it in the bin.

Mildew is a big trouble in many areas and needs to be handled before employing any paint. If there’s already mildew present or to prevent this from bumping it’s just a matter of applying a bleach and water solution to wash the surface. The solvent should be a 3 to 1 ratio of three parts water to one part bleach. Later on applying the solution to the surface to be painted, let it rest for a good fifteen minutes and then rinse it exhaustively. Apply a paint that’s mildew-proof and apply fans to keep the air circulating. The fresh lower VOC paint products are particularly good for the environment and for preventing mildew. Ascertain the labels earlier you buy your paint.

Occasionally old paint will start to blister or form little bubbles and these will ask to be altercated and sanded to flowing the edges before applying new paint. If the blistering has gone all the way to the dry wall or bare wood it means there is a problem with moisture and this needs to be addressed before repainting. To avoid this problem in the future just use a higher grade of paint and primer. Paint that is too thin or if applied too sparingly or if no primer was used on wood, the paint will tend to flake and crack.

Lapping of the painted surface is when a denser and darker color emerges any place two strokes overlap each other. A surface that is really porous must be primed before painting. Problems will arise if the primer coat is not given a chance to dry completely before the topcoat of paint is applied. Try working in one section at a time so that you are not painting over dried paint. Keeping a wet edge while you are painting will eliminate the problem of lapping.

Dull and shiny spots that form on the surface of the painted area can be prevented by using a quality primer before applying the topcoat of paint. These spots happen because there are places on the surface that are more porous than other places or denser affecting the appearance of the painted surface. The primer coat of paint will make the surface to be painted uniform and eliminate this problem.

Finally, one of the most common problems that can happen with the painted surface is the appearance of marks from the paint roller. The paint roller you use for your project should be of a higher quality to avoid this problem and the roller should be dampened slightly before you dip it into the roller pan for the first time. Try painting in the shape of a W and only working on square sections that are about 3′ by 3′ at a time. Paint your W and then fill in the area using light strokes that are parallel. This should eliminate the problem with roller strokes appearing on your finished surface.

Faux finishes can be used to create the illusion of anything from plaster or brick to leather and a few amazing things in between. Those who are skilled at applying faux finishes are in great demand for their artistic talents though most home owners can do a passable job if they are willing to take the time required to properly learn the technique. Even wood grains can be imitated through the use of a talented faux finisher and paint.

Using textured paints and faux finishes can be done in almost any room in the house though they seem to be most common in living rooms and kitchens as a major design feature. There are some ambitious homeowners who have decided to take this style of painting into every room of the home. While it may seem a good idea in theory there are some drawbacks to this as well.

First of all, textured paints and faux finishes are very time consuming. If you are hiring a professional to do the work their time is a lot of your money and this is something that really needs to be considered. Is the amount of time really worth the reward of the finished project as far as you, as the homeowner, are concerned? Most people find that it isn’t worth all that much money and time but others really appreciate the look and feel that it is vital to their enjoyment of their homes. Whichever category you fall into it is important that you realize that this could become a costly proposition.

Another thing to consider is that many who manage to bring a texture or faux finish of some sort into every room of their homes often decide after a little while to remove some of their hard work. The reason for this is that in small doses faux finishes and textured paints are novel and spectacular. In large doses they can be more than slightly overwhelming and, more importantly, unimpressive. There is something to be said about the fact that sometimes less is more.

This doesn’t mean that some homes do not wear faux finishes beautifully in almost every nook and cranny. Some homes are simply meant to be decorated from one end of home to the other end. These homes are simply lovely no matter how many new finishes are added to the walls, furniture, fireplace mantles, and bathroom cabinets. There never seems to be too much in these homes. There are some homes however that beg for moderation when it comes to designs such as this. Listen to your home when decorating and you should have a much better decorating experience overall without overwhelming either your home or your guests.

If faux finishes and/or textured painting is something you would like to incorporate into your home decorating plans you should be delighted to discover that there are many, many resources both online and offline that can assist you with your goals. The first and best choice is to check with local hardware and home improvement stores in order to see if they are offering any free workshops on faux finishes or textured painting in your area. If they are then you are set. However, if they are not your local library may prove to be a valuable source for videos, magazines, and books that offer step-by-step instructions. The Internet is also an excellent source. Do not forget the value of spaces such as YouTube and Google Video as they may have some actual demonstrations or how to videos to help as well.

If replacing the cabinetry is too expensive for your budget, refacing is a less expensive alternative. Refacing involves replacing only the cabinet doors and exposed wood areas of the cabinets. The insides are left as they are to save money on the job. Painting is the least expensive option and can give the room new life. The job can be easily done over a long weekend with the right preparation.

You will need to decide if you will paint the entire cabinet, inside and out, or just the outside and the doors. To save time, consider leaving the inside of the cabinet alone, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Preparing the Cabinets

Start by removing all hardware from the cabinets and remove the doors. Mark the doors, so you will remember which door goes on which cabinet. This will save you time and prevent aggravation later. Protect the countertops and floor with drop cloths, old bed sheets or plastic sheeting. These can be taped in place, especially on the floors. If you will be replacing the flooring, paint the cabinets first.

Clean the cabinets thoroughly before painting. This is important. Grease and oils from cooking will prevent the paint from adhering properly. You could end up with an uneven color. A wood cleaner with orange oil works well for breaking down grease residue. Be sure to let the surface dry thoroughly before you begin to apply the primer.

Primer is an important step in the process. It provides a smooth, even surface for the paint to adhere properly. Use a roller for larger areas and a brush for small areas. Be sure to coat all areas, including the underside of the cabinets. Consider using sawhorses for priming and painting the doors, for an easier time and a more even coverage.

Allow the primer to dry thoroughly before you begin to paint. Overnight is generally sufficient for the primer to dry. Apply the paint in thin coats. It’s better to apply a few thin coats than to use one thick coat. Allow twentyfour hours between coats for the paint to dry completely. Sand with a fine grit sandpaper between coats.

When the paint has dried completely, you are ready to put the doors back on and replace the hardware. Consider updating the hardware to match your new look. Door handles and hinges are inexpensive and can make a big difference in the look of the room.

Choosing Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Don’t skimp on the paint. Use high quality paint that is right for the surface being covered. This will be different for wood or metal cabinets. If you’re not sure, ask for help at the paint store.

In general, you will want to use enamel paint. You have a few choices in the finish. Gloss, semi gloss or satin finishes are most commonly used. The higher the gloss, the stronger the finish and the easier it will be to clean. If you want less shine, consider the semi gloss finish.

Safety When Painting

Be sure to paint in a well ventilated room. Do the job when the weather is warm enough and leave the windows open.

Wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt to protect your skin from the paint. Plastic gloves can be worn to protect the skin on your hands.

Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from paint and fumes.

House selling has become a very competitive market, and though people are desperate in some areas to buy a house, its important you take care to ensure that the you’ve done all you can to make your house as attractive, safe and saleable as possible.

It is said that the average house buyer has no vision – which means you need to make their ‘envisioning’ themselves within the house as easy as possible.
Dark paintwork is a definite turn off – as are stained, worn or smelly carpets – both of which need to be taken care of.

On the latter, you could offer an ‘allowance’ or remove a fraction of the house costs for carpets – or, if you can, invest yourself and replace them, to allow a possibly higher sale price.  Walls should be painted off white, or antique white – or possibly very pale and pastel shades if you’re planning on redecorating – you may have no option if your walls are stained, marked or damaged.

Its also a good time to ensure that everything that you’ve been meaning to repair is taken care of is actually done – a faulty stair tread, banister or fence in the garden may only be a minor annoyance to you, but can be a danger to anyone looking at the house.

Its hard to sell your house without help, but one of the biggest tips you can take to ensure your house sells is to make sure you’ve removed your ‘imprint’.   Looking at the house impartially, remove anything that screams ‘my personality’ and ‘my personal space’.

Things like photos, pieces of unique artwork, and ornaments and more can be removed before people come to view the house.   Remember – they want to buy the house, not feel how you lived there, so if you haven’t finished boxing up your non essentials by the time you start showing them the house, its time to consider whether you really need the clutter still unpacked – or whether its time to put it in the bin.

Indoor paint colors can transform your room on a budget. You can totally change the way your space feels and looks with just a little paint. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. You can also make your room feel closed in, claustrophobic or too dark if you choose the wrong paint color. Here are a few tips for picking the right indoor paint colors for your home.

Think about the purpose of the room before you choose a paint color. Warm colors are yellow, orange, red and some shades of browns. Cool colors are purple, blue and green. Warm colors are welcoming and inviting. They work well in kitchens and dining rooms; some paint experts even think that these colors will help make you hungry. Cool colors are calming and relaxing so they are perfect for bedrooms. You can even use cool colors to create a spa like feeling in the master bedroom.

Change the way you think about color. Your room might just feel a little blah or boring. The natural reaction to this is to go in the exact opposite direction with a really daring color. This doesn’t always work out the best. Instead, try layering different colors. You can make a perfectly interesting room that is still relaxing from various tones of white, brown and taupe. This will help you ease your way into the color palette but also ensures that you have a totally livable space. In these cases where you go for a more neutral room try and bring in different patterns and textures. You could apply a grasscloth paper to the walls or paint stripes on one wall to create a focal point.

You might be scared to put together a home interior color palette for the first time. You might think that’s only for decorators. However, this ensures that you have a cohesive design. Sometimes it helps to think about color in terms other than decorating and then translate it back into home decor. Walk around your house and pick out your favorite five items, these don’t have to be items for decorating. You could find a few of your favorite clothing pieces, jewelry or even food items. There will probably be similar colors and lines between all of these things. Then you can just pull a few colors out of your inspiration fabric and have a complete palette pretty easily.

Indoor paint colors can be inviting and welcoming. It’s also a perfect way to give your child or teen that theme room they’ve been wanting. When their tastes change all you have to do is repaint.

Paint of course impacts a room simply through its color, but if you want to add some dimension, texture and depth to the look of your walls you can achieve that by using faux painting techniques such as color washing, rag rolling and sponging. With each of these techniques, a base coat of paint in a solid color is applied and then a glaze or wash it applied over it. Glazes are durable oil-based treatments and washes are made by simply adding water to ordinary latex paint that make the color more transparent; the more water that is added, the more transparent the finish. When working with washes, be aware that they tend to dry quickly; oil based glazes give you more time to work in your effects before they dry.

Preparing the Walls
Before you start painting, prepare your walls by washing them with soap or a small amount of bleach in water. If there are any nail holes or cracks in the wall, patch and sand them and wipe away any dust residue after the patching compound has dried and been sanded. Once the walls are ready, apply latex primer and let it dry thoroughly.

If you are inexperienced in the technique you wish to use, it’s wise to practice first on a scrap wall board or poster board until you perfect your method for achieving the look and color you desire.

Color Washing
Color washing creates a beautifully subtle, soft cloud-like effect on walls that works with many decorating styles; it has the added benefit helping to hide any imperfections on the wall’s surface. Start by painting the walls with your base color and let it dry. Depending on the effect you desire, your glaze may be in a contrasting or a complementary color. Apply the glaze in a swirling or criss-cross fashion and then use a damp rag to dab the wet glaze and soften the paint lines and edges.

Rag Rolling
Rag rolling is used to create a very crinkled or textured pattern that resembles parchment, velvet or silk; the dark and light layers created with this technique add the illusion of depth to the walls. Again, your first step is to apply the base coat of paint and let it dry. To create a rag rolling effect, there are one of two methods used: Ragging on and ragging off. To rag on, gather a damp rag in your hand and then dip it into the glaze or wash and lightly blot it onto the wall. To rag off, use a roller to apply the glaze coat and immediately dab it off with a damp rag to remove some the glaze so that the base coat will show through.

Sponge Painting
A natural sea sponge is used in this technique to create a porous, mottled look on the walls that can be varied depending on the type and size of sponge that is used. Use two or more colors making sure that one layer is completely dry before sponging on the next layer. Apply the base coat with a roller, let dry and use the sponge to pat the glaze or wash onto the wall. Don’t overload the sponge with paint or you’ll end up with a blotchy blemished effect. Another method for sponge painting is similar to ragging off: Apply the glaze with a roller or brush and remove some before it dries by dabbing with the sponge.

One of the things you need to know is that every painter starts off as a guy trying to make a buck, we all started out there. Almost all painters start out with the best intentions, it just boils down to their level of experience. As a professional painter, I can tell you some stories. In my early years I made some pretty big messes. I, like most guys thought I could paint. I took on some jobs and found out that there was a lot I didn’t know. Luckily before I got into too much trouble I got a job working for a painting company on the North Side of Chicago. I was very fortunate to learn the painting business from a real professional, Steve Walsh. Steve taught me the ins and outs and helped me develop my craft. What I’m trying to say is yes anyone can paint but very few can or want to paint professionally. If you’re going to pay someone to paint your home you want a professional.

Having over 15 years in the painting industry I can tell you how to spot the contractors that are no good. The first type of guy to look out for is the side business guy- once he gets a signed contract he is nowhere to be found. This is the guy who may or may not have a full time job, aside from his side job painting business. Over the years painters move around and get to know each other, so I’ve worked with all types. This type generally has a gambling or drinking problem that forces him to get out and make extra money. These guys will pick up day labors, college kids and the town drunk, stick them in your house and call them painters. After you sign the contract and most importantly hand over that check for 50% of the job, he does not care about you anymore. By the way never give 50% down if its a big job give only enough to cover material or insist to pay upon completion this may just send this type away.

The next type of guy is the handy man painter. This guy is usually not much handier than the average home owner. He may or may not have a little professional experience. The handyman painter will try to get you to pay him by the hour, this is a big mistake for you! Almost every time you will end up paying more, if you pay by the hour. The only time it’s acceptable in the painting industry to charge by the hour is for wall paper removal and maybe for extras the customer ads on during a painting project. Don’t get me wrong a lot of these painters are honest and will do the best they can for you but remember most of the time they are not much cheaper than a real painter, and a lot of the time you will pay more in the long run.

There are a couple more important warning signs to look out for when choosing a paint contractor. Number one is any contractor that comes to your home and does not pull out a tape measure and take measurements. These guys are just pulling a price out of the air. As painting contractors all we have to sell is our time and the only way to get an accurate count of man hours is by using a mathematical formula. One must get the exact square footage measurement of all areas that are to be coated in order to come up with a fair and profitable quote. Another thing to look out for is anyone pushing Home Depot or Lowe’s paint (Beher or Valspar brands) these paints are garbage, they don’t hold up any professional knows that. Any painter who is in the business can open an account at a quality paint store like Benjamin Moore. Benjamin Moore’s mid grade paint is actually better than Beher or Valspar and with a contractor’s discount it’s cheaper.

If you have any questions regarding picking the right contractor email me at richssuperiorpainting@gmail.com or check out my website http://www.richssuperiorpainting.com So good luck and I hope I’ve been able to help you in finding a professional painter for your next paint job.

Tackling an exterior paint job needs a great deal of planning and close study of weather conditions for an end result that will be both attractive and long lasting. The worst conditions are extreme heat and cold. The weather could be the deciding factor that can make or break the outcome of your exterior paint job. It goes without saying that it is vital to check the local weather forecast as part of your pre-painting preparation for an exterior paint session. The ideal conditions for such a venture are a day with mild temperatures, low humidity and little or no wind.

Elements such as the sun, rain, snow and wind all take a toll on the exterior facade of a house leading to considerable wear and tear. Exposure to UV rays cause exterior paint to fade, chalk and lose its original glow. Also, temperature variation results in expansion and contraction of the surface resulting in cracking of paint.

Surface preparation

For professional results, it is essential to prepare the exterior surface beforehand by thoroughly cleaning the surfaces preferably with a bleach solution or a pressure washer to remove dirt, mold and mildew. Proper preparation also includes scraping as much old paint as possible and repairing chips, cracks, splinters, etc. Let the surface dry out completely. Using an appropriate primer is equally important.

After painting, the surface should have enough time to dry out before the evening dew sets in. If the surface paint has not thoroughly dried out, the paint tends to fade fast, resulting in loss of gloss and appearance. Hence painting should ideally begin early in the day to be concluded early enough. The general practice is to paint the exteriors in the shade since exposure to the sun and wind can cause paint to dry rapidly leading to an uneven texture with marks and blisters.

Better formulated weather-resistant paints

Till recently, painting in cold weather was a very uncertain proposition, with painters postponing their exterior painting jobs until spring. The north side of the home is especially vulnerable since it gets the least sunshine. Now with specially formulated paints and primers and with cold-weather coating systems made especially to withstand temperatures as low as 35°F readily available, painting contractors can have an extended painting season. Thus it becomes easier to meet deadlines, without having to experience any fall in revenues.

Modern paints are formulated to withstand extreme weather conditions. Most exterior latex paints are fast drying and more resilient although they require some time to settle in before getting rained on or exposed to a high degree of sunlight. Acrylic-based paints are more resistant to sunlight and fading. Oil paints need longer time to cure than acrylics but spread more smoothly, allowing paint contractors a greater degree of work flexibility.

Exterior house paint must be strong enough to withstand the most extreme conditions that nature bestows. The best possible exterior house painting results are dependent not just on good surface preparation, the best quality paints and equipment but also on ideal weather conditions.

A full service painting company in the Greater Bay Area, Custom Painting Inc is experienced in all facets of house painting from exteriors to interiors as well as maintenance jobs. Our high quality service for demanding circumstances in colder temperatures guarantees that the paint will not peel, chip, or chalk for at least one year. While we work on the exteriors, you can live in your home without any interruptions to your daily schedule. All of our work is covered with a 5 year guarantee on the workmanship and product. We use the highest quality Kelly-Moore Paints™. A free computer generated color consultation is included with every paint job.

Talk to a color professional at Custom Painting today at 800-944-0646 for all your exterior home painting needs.

Custom Painting Inc. is a full service painting company that also installs custom moldings, doors, and window casings.We are also providing services for house painting, commertial painting and residential painting in Bay Area. For more details please visit us at http://www.custompaintinginc.com.