Jefferson & Dodge Counties, Wisconsin Painting and Painters

Painting the interior or exterior of your home can be a very rewarding experience. The following are some procedures to help you through this process.

Choosing the right color

A good rule of thumb is to take your time when picking a color. Do not make your final Choosing the right color in the store; instead, take color paint cards home so you can look at them right in the room or area that needs painting.

Evaluate the colors in different lighting (daylight, artificial light, etc) Colors can vary quite dramatically in varied lighting conditions.

Bear in mind that colors will deepen when applied to a larger area. To offset this, you may want to select a lighter color, instead of a darker one.

Selecting the right sheen

Paints come in a range of sheen or gloss levels ranging from "high gloss" (this has a strong reflective appearance) to "flat" (effectively without reflection). Glossy sheens are sometimes referred to as enamels, both oil-based and latex varieties. Semi-gloss paint has a slightly less reflective appearance and has a very good stain resistance and is easy to clean. Surfaces like the ones found in Jefferson & Dodge Counties kitchens, bathrooms, window frames and doors work best with semi-gloss paint. Eggshell, satin and low luster paints have even a lower level of sheen and typically used on walls. Flat Paint is the best sheen to mask surface imperfections. This works best in areas where there's less traffic and a non-reflective surface is needed such as ceilings.

Paint Quality

If you want your paint job to look great for a longer period of time, buy top quality paints. These paints provide greater adhesion, offer superior stain resistance, and resist yellowing over time.

Choose the proper tools

High quality brushes and rollers apply the paint more smoothly and evenly than economy-grade painting tools. In addition, top grade tools apply a heavier coat of paint that will help hide the color below, be more resilient, and hold up better to scrubbing and cleaning.

Preparing the surface

While you might be tempted to start painting right away when you bring your painting supplies home, remember that most walls and woodwork need to be cleaned first to help the paint adhere better. Remove dust, dirt and grime with a simple detergent and water solution, after which you should rinse the surface clean and allow it to dry. Remove any marks that could bleed through. If nail holes or other blemishes are present, they should be plugged with filling compound. Allow the compound to dry and sand the area. Small cracks can be filled with a quality acrylic latex caulk. It is at this time that tape off any trim surfaces that you do not want painted.

Painting

Applying paint to interior walls is as simple as "framing" them by painting the outside edges with a brush, then filling in the center with your roller. When painting the trim, dip the brush into the paint about halfway up the length of the bristles and paint around the trim in even strokes, keeping the paint wet. Prior to loading a roller with paint, dip the roller in water and squeeze until damp. The water coating will let the paint to spread easily over the wall surface. Start at the top of the wall and work downward with the roller. Carefully blend the edges of the rolled paint with the trim paint.

Storage and cleaning of paints and tools

When you complete your paint job, protect your investment in the brushes and rollers by cleaning and properly storing them. If you've used popular water-based latex paint, brushes and rollers can be cleaned with plain soap or detergent and water; cleanup of oil-based paints will require the use of turpentine or paint thinner. Also, to prevent white paint from yellowing with age, add 3 drops of black paint per quart.

Safety Precautions

Always remember to take safety precautions while painting. You should not climbing a ladder any higher than the third rung from the top, making sure all stepstools are well-built and locked into position before use, and wearing the proper eye and skin protection while preparing the surface and painting.