Glazing Kitchen Cabinets

We at Ken Rader Interiors LLC have refinished several sets of Kitchen Cabinets using General Finishes Glaze effects.

These Cabinets were first painted with General Finishes Milk Paint.  The Glaze effect can then be applied over the paint,  Once the glaze effect is dry, you can put 2 coats of clear coat to protect the finish.
This is a very economical way to update your tired and dated Kitchen Cabinets.
There are several video's on the General Finishes web site.  Check them out.
As Always
Happy Painting
Ken Rader Interiors LLC

5 Mistakes you could make when painting furniture

By: Ken Rader the Furniture Rescuer There's no shortage of tutorials about painting furniture online. And I've used a lot of them to paint dressers, console tables, chairs, mirrors, and more. But I have found problems/issues with a lot of the tutorials—paint chips, finishes aren't smooth, and paint peels. I have had to redo several furnishings, so I decided to compile all the mistakes I've made to help you give your furnishings a makeover that will last. Here's how to paint a piece of furniture—without making a major mistake: 1. Sand it. There are lots of tutorials out there that claim you don't need to sand. There are also lots of primers and paints promising no sanding necessary. From what I have learned, sanding is a must. Sand all surfaces with 150-grit sandpaper. (I use this orbital sander with variable speeds.) Be careful not to gouge the surface. You're just looking to rough it up a little so the primer has something to adhere to; you're not trying to strip the surface. Use 80-grit if you are sanding a furnishing with an existing varnish. 2. Remove residue. Wipe down the surface with a tack cloth to remove any residue. Do not use a paper towel. Don't speculate on whether something is a lint-free cloth. Just use the tack cloth. We prefer to use TSP to clean all residue off. It works great and is a product made to make your surface paint ready.. 3. Prime it. If you're priming laminate furniture, use Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-based primer. Otherwise, use Zinsser Bulls-Eye 1-2-3 primer. Prime using a mini foam roller. We use products from General Finishes. Their Milk Paint, and Gel Stain can be applied on any surface WITHOUT PRIMING! Use a good quality brush. 4. Paint it. Use a good quality brush. Chalk Paint Supply companies offer some of the best brushes for painting furniture. General Finishes Milk Paint usually requires 2 coats. DO NOT SAND BETWEEN COATS ! Use a NEW tack cloth. The new tack cloth is very important here. You need to remove every speck of lint and dust before applying the Polycrylic in the next step. It's clear so everything shows. I've blamed everything from the dog to the paint for the tiny pieces of fuzz I've found when applying the Polycrylic, but it's because I didn't remove everything with the tack cloth.

Patena Green with Black on the top. 5. Protect it. Finally, apply a thin coat of Polycrylic water-based protectant in your choice of sheen. General Finishes makes Polycrylic topcoat in Gloss, Semi-gloss and Flat. You want to make sure you apply thin coats. 3 coats are recommended. General Finishes also makes a wonderful wipe on polyurethane gel. It is fantastic and so easy to use. No brush marks and produces a glass like finish. Once you use it you won't use any other product. We will be posting many more blogs about furniture refinishing. Don't be afraid. As Always "Happy Painting" Ken Rader Ken Rader Interiors- The Furniture Rescuers

Ken Rader Interiors- Faux Paint Kitchen Cabinets.

Kitchen Cabinets up to Faux process. Kitchen Cabinets up to Faux process. IMG_1916 IMG_1917 IMG_1920 IMG_1923 IMG_1925 IMG_1931 IMG_1932 IMG_1933 IMG_1934 IMG_1935 IMG_1936 IMG_1937 IMG_1939How to update Kitchen Cabinets with a Faux Finish By Ken Rader- Painting Expert with Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. A lot of work but the results are worth it! WHAT IS INVOLVED? This project will call for the updating of Kitchen Cabinets. Here are the steps that will be involved to transform them. 1. Masking off all of the counter tops, walls, floors, insides of some of the cabinets, ceilings and doorways. The homeowners wanted to save the paint job on the walls and ceilings, so extensive masking was called for. They had recently put in new wood floors in the Kitchen and extra care was taken to mask off the floor and use tape that would not harm the new finish, There are 4 doorways into the kitchen and these had to be masked off to prevent spray dust to filter into the rest of the house. 2. Clean the cabinets. This is a necessary step before you start to sand on them. We removed all of the doors, hinges, and drawers. These will be cleaned, sanded and finished at our shop. There was just no room either in the home or on the property to work on these items. 24 doors, 12 drawers. 3. Sand the cabinets. This is a 3 step process, First, sand with 120 grit paper, Second, sand with 220 grit, and third, wash the cabinets down with de-glosser also known as sanding liquid. 4. Prime the cabinets. The primer that we are using is "Glidden Gripper". This primer will stick to almost any surface. And since we are using Latex/Acrylic paint, this is an ideal primer. Dries quick, provides a stain blocker and gives a wonderful smooth hard finish. 5. Paint the cabinets. Color- Swiss Coffee We are using 'Behr Ultra Premium Plus" which is a primer and paint combination. This is a fairly heavy bodied paint and holds to the surface very well. It sets up pretty quick so it does not sag or run like some paints will. I like to put a lot of product on the surface and this is the paint to do it with. I am using my Graco ProShot II to do the spraying with. Wonderful tool and not as much overspray as there is with a conventional airless sprayer. There is a learning curve with this machine but once you master it you will always choose it for inside spraying. Also, most painters refuse to use Latex/Acrylic paint on cabinets. I think this is throwback to the time when Acrylic paint was not very good. Most use Lacquer because it is so forgiving, dries fast and the impression is that it is more durable and lasting. Lacquer begins to deteriorate from the moment it is applied. It is a 'Hot' topcoat so it will burn the product (Primer,Paint) It will grey or yellow unevenly as time goes by. Whites are no longer white. And as it ages the finish gets very hard and will chip and crack very easily. The Premium Latex/Acrylic paints on the market today usually carry a lifetime warranty against changing color or becoming so brittle that it will chip off. Remember though, all paint will chip if you hit it hard enough or use abrasive materials on it. 6. Glaze the cabinets. We are using our own glaze mixture with the color ' Melted Chocolate' mixed in the glaze. Get it in the grooves an corners heavy but then just light glazing and buffing on the flat surfaces. 7. Clear Coat the Cabinets. We will be using 'General Finishes- Polycrylic. This is a water base top coat that is extremely durable and will not yellow or change the color of the paint or glaze. Dries super fast, so you can put on 3 to 4 coats within a couple of hours. Super smooth, super hard and this product flows out like a factory finish. There are some pictures that show the process up to the point of glazing the cabinets Posted at (www.kenraderinteriors.wordpress.com). Same article but with pictures. The doors and drawers are at the shop and I will post some pictures of them as we progress with them. I will also post some pictures of the glazing and top coating of the cabinets. We will start glazing the cabinets Monday September 23,2013. Then we will start on the doors and drawers in our shop. I will post our progress. There are several ways that cabinets can be updated. They can be painted, faux finished or we can freshen them up with a stain toner. The application of stain toner produces a very good look and is very cost effective. The application of the stain toner will give the cabinets a new look. The color will be darker and very rich. For instance, if your cabinets are stained oak and are looking dated and tired. You can apply a toner in a rich mahogany, cherry,pecan, well any of a hundred stain colors. Then a protective clear coat is applied and the cabinets are ready to last another 20 years. This is a new process that we have just started. We are very pleased with the results and we are sure that you would love the new life it can give your cabinets. Thank you for viewing our blog. Please check out our web site at www.KenRaderInteriors.com, follow us on FACEBOOK, or have a look at our list of blogs all about painting, decorating, wallpapering, etc. we are sure you will find an article you will like. Lots and Lots of free advice and help for the do it yourself project. As always 'Happy Painting and Decorating'. Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. Serving all of Northwest Arkansas Give us a call at 479-443-3686 or email us at ken@kenraderinteriors.com

Popular Faux Finishes you can do!

 Faux Painting Techniques

By: Ken Rader

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Professional Painters in Northwest Arkansas

Through the last decade faux painting has experienced ups and downs.  Several of the big box home improvement stores have gone through times of pushing faux finishing products and how to do it classes.  Perhaps because it is not as easy as regular painting or maybe we just don’t seem to have the time needed.  For these and other reasons faux painting has never taken off.  However,  you can really create some fantastic effects and looks for your home that are unique and a real pleasure to have in your home.

Perhaps a little explanation of the steps required and some explanations will get you inspired to try one of them.

Faux painting techniques can bring the look of leather, stone or fabric to walls and furniture using certain application methods and a variety of faux painting tools. Most techniques call for layering colors of paint or glaze with everything from sponges and rags to plastic sheets. Learning the different techniques and understanding the results is important in choosing the best faux painting technique for your projects.
Base Coat: All faux painting techniques require a base coat. Then other layers are either added to it (positive) or added and then partially removed (negative). The base coat is the color that will show through with either technique.
Color Washing: The top coat of glaze is applied over the base coat with a rag or sponge in a circular or "washing" motion. The end result is a soft, swirled look.
Dry Brushing: This technique requires a paintbrush dipped in glaze that is applied to the wall in a criss-cross pattern. Most dry brushing faux painting techniques require two different colors of glaze for best results.
Frottage: This is an example of a negative faux painting technique, where glaze is removed using a plastic sheet. Apply the glaze over the base, and then spread a plastic sheet over a section. Press the sheet over the glaze, and then remove. The texture left behind resembles marble.
Ragging: This technique is similar to sponging in that glaze is applied over the base coat with a crinkled dry rag. By moving the rag and rotating your arm, you will create a texture that looks like stucco.
Sponging: This technique is similar to ragging, but gives a much more subtle texture. Use a sea sponge to apply one or two colors of glaze over a base coat, and take advantage of the unique texture of this natural substance.
Verdigris: For the green patina look of copper sulfate, try this technique to mimic weathered copper or bronze. Apply a copper or gold base coat, and then apply dark green paint with a sponge, allowing the base to show through. A light green paint color should be sponged on top of the dark green, giving the item a mottled appearance.
These are just a few of the many faux finished you can do.  Give one of them a try.
As Always "Happy Painting and Decorating"
Ken Rader
Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.
Painting Northwest Arkansas beautiful, "One house at a time"
Check us out at www.kenraderinteriors.com

2012 Paint Color Trends

2012 Interior Paint Color Trends

New Year, New Hues
One thing is for certain, the economy is going “green” and this is no different in the trends for 2012 interior paint colors. Consumers want colors and products that are healthy for the environment. Society is definitely becoming more earth friendly and there is no exception when it comes to paint. The color may be green as well. But what people want to save is their green, that is, the dollars they want to keep in their pocket. We all want a nice looking home but budgets are constrained. Therefore, consumers are looking for the best deals when it comes to the paint. They want it to work the best and cost the least. Paint companies are meeting the challenge of these needs and stepping up to the plate. Often you will hear the buzz words in their advertising.
How to Pick your Interior Paint & Colors? Here are some tips & ideas. It is quite easy and coming from experience of talking folks. Paint that is environmentally friendly and that can make the consumer feel relaxed and soothed as well as all of those who visit their home, are definitely “in” in 2012.
What type of effects that the paint has on the environment, is on the back of the consumer’s mind as they make their purchases. Knowing how to pick interior paint colors that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as just asking the sales associate.
Trendy interior paint colors are leaning towards the more relaxing and soothing shades. We are seeing paint colors from light, pale pink to yellow on one hand and then on the other, we are seeing more earth tones that help to reflect the “green” side that people are feeling. Bringing the outdoors in with browns, tans, greens and so on is very popular in 2012 interior paint colors.
Other shades that are reflecting the souls of the consumers are black, white, and even grays. White adopts that clean and fresh feeling that everyone loves and if accented correctly, can make the room feel alive with color. Black and gray is reflecting other natural elements, as in stone and minerals. Again, the “green” feeling is shown here.
These colors may sound drab and dull but with the correct elements and within the right amounts, your home will seem like a masterpiece to all who visit. Remember, you do not have to paint an entire room with the same color. Interior painting trends are showing that by providing an accent wall with the dramatic hue and accenting the room with various elements can pull everything together and create an environment that anyone would be proud of. Black is a perfect example of a color that could be placed on an accent wall. Or how about various painting techniques that could “spice” things up, like faux techniques?
2012 is the year to definitely try something new as in terms of non-traditional shades. Picking Interior paint & color is about the right fit at the right time. It is also the year to become environmentally conscience and to learn about how paint affects the environment. You want to feel good about your home and relaxed while you are there and what better way to do it than going “green”? Oregon based company of Eco Paint is a prime example of an eco-friendly type of paint. Green Seal has been certifying architectural paints since 1993. Certified paints have fewer chemicals and low or no VOCs so they have less impact on the environment and indoor air quality, and they perform as well as, or better than, other conventional paints. The groundbreaking 2008 revision of the standard reflects technological improvements in paint and provides even more information to consumers. There are more than 1,000 specified chemical compounds found in many paints that are now prohibited by the new GS-11 2008 certification.

Be sure to check tips & guides on new selection and great deals on interior house painting ideas and interior paint colors in 2012 top interior house painting ideas and interior paint colors.
Check the latest magazines for the most up to date colors and color combinations.  The range is wide and you will find something that you love.  Over the past few years the choices in colors has expanded dramatically.  You just need to pick a base color and work around it.  Compliment your favorite strong color.  You will be successful.
As Always “Happy Painting and Decorating”
Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.
Like us at www.facebook.com/ken.rader.interiors
Check out our web site at www. kenraderinteriors.com

What should I paint my house with? Choices in sheen

Exterior Paint-“What should I choose?”

COLOR, TEXTURE AND SHEEN

Exterior paint offers a big array of color, texture and finishes. What to choose is time consuming and it can prove to be very difficult for homeowners to make the right choice.
SATIN PAINT: Satin finish exterior paint is a bit glossy but not too shiny either. If you want to give a subtle yet classy look to your home exteriors you can try using these paints. The best part of this finish is it suits wooden surfaces well, so you need not worry about painting the doors and windows with other paint finish. It is easy to clean and maintain walls painted with satin finished paints. Very durable, washable, fade resistant, will not chaulk. But you must use premium paint, NO CHEAP STUFF!
FLAT PAINT: This is the most popular choice among exterior paints. This paint typically does not have any sheen when applied to the walls and do not reflect light too. If your walls have minute flaws flat finish can conceal them in the best possible manner. Just make a smart color choice. These paints do not have shine so it is advisable not to coat your doors and windows with such finishes. Satin finish paints are a better choice for that purpose.
SEMI-GLOSS: This is about as glossy as you will want to go on the exterior of your home.  It works well on Doors, Shutters and sometimes big columns.  And this is usually the extent of gloss that is offered by most paint companies.  Some people use it on the garage door.  If you use an accent color in semi-gloss it can add life to your house.  But use it sparingly.  It will accent or make whatever you paint with it stand out so it needs to be something that you want to stand out.
All top quality exterior paints are washable and will not fade, so you do not need to worry about adding shine to extend the life of the paint.
Gloss finish paints: As the name suggest, gloss finish exterior paints have too much of shine element to them. This is a major reason why one should avoid using them heavily to paint exterior walls. This finish is ideal for painting door and windows. You can also use them to highlight something that you want visitors to call attention to. Wherever you want the eye to reach you can make use of this finish but do not to overuse this paint finish.
Textured finish paints: More textured paints which are excellent for exterior painting are offered now. You can choose from sprayed effect or the “do it yourself’ method of roller and or  brush effect, these can make a huge difference to the appearance of your home exteriors. If you are using subtle colors then textured paints are just right for you.  But I must warn you,’this is a lot of work’.  Hand rolling and brushing the exterior of a home is not easy. While there are always areas that require some brushing, the use of an airless sprayer is beyond belief.  It makes this project so much easier and the results are wonderful. Our homes are filled with textures and sheens on the inside but you can bring it in your exteriors too and make your home appear equally beautiful and unique on the outside.
I have written several articles and shared many from other authors on this subject.  You may be getting tired of reading on this matter.  However, I feel that choosing the right product for your project is the first and most important step towards a successful paint job.
Of course hiring the professional is in my humble opinion the best first step.  But if you are determined to do this yourself then spend some time to make the right choice at the start.  It does not cost any more to do it right but will usually cost you more if you do it wrong.  You know,’redo’.
I cannot over emphasize the importance of buying quality paint and primer.  A never before the difference between quality paint and the cheapest thing you can find is huge.  You can pay $100.00 for the paint and have to do it every year. Or you can pay $1000.00 for the paint and never ever have to paint again.  It is your choice.  “Im’, Just Say’n”
As always “ Happy Painting”
Ken Rader Interiors
www.kenraderinteriors.com
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We are now listed on Angie’s list.

HOW TO FAUX FINISH--HOW TO DRAG PAINT

FAUX FINISHING: DRAGGING

What Roller You'll Need

• Dragging Tool
• Paint for Base Color
• Roller
• Glaze for Top Coat
• Paint to Mix with Glaze

Step 1:
In this two-coat technique, first cover the wall in a base color (either satin or semi-gloss) and let dry. Prepare the glaze coat by mixing one part paint (in any color) with four parts glaze.

Step 2:
Working quickly, paint the prepared glaze on the wall in two foot wide strips from top to bottom, being sure to spread it evenly.
Step 3:
Take the dragging tool (a whisk broom, stiff bristled paint brush, or the like) and, with a steady movement, pull it through the glaze from top to bottom, so the bristles leave fine textured lines behind. Keep your hand steady as the look requires consistency down the wall.
Step 4:
Wipe the brush with a clean cloth after every pass to avoid a glaze build up.
Step 5:
Continue around the room, working quickly. (This is a great two-person project!) Before you know it, you'll have a beautiful new room!
*Colors for Dragging:
For a subtle effect, choose colors with similar tonal qualities. For more pronounced stripes, select highly contrasting base and top colors.
This technique and Faux finish will provide what I call a ‘Tuscan’ look.  This is because the dragging will leave behind some texture.  You can drag in patterns and produce a unique and different look.  Don’t expect a sophisticated look, it is more random and appears somewhat ‘Rustic’.  You can imagine that it will be more ‘Rustic’ with Earth tone colors. And a more ‘Futuristic’ look with bright and highly contrasting colors.

You can also use this technique to produce a ‘stripe’.  Just mark off the width of stripe you want and then drag every other width mark.  As you can tell, the possibilities are many.  You will need to decide what you want before you start.  That is sometimes the most difficult decision to make but is the most important.
You can also drag on doors and give them a worn or antique look, once again depending on the colors you choose.
This is a fun Faux technique but I suggest you look at some pictures of it before you attempt it.  It is not for everyone and I am sure you don’t want to spend your time and end up with a look you do not like or want.
This how to project is provided as a guide line. Any do-it-yourself activity involves some risk and the reader remains responsible for the selection and use of tools, materials, and methods.
As Always ‘Happy Painting’
Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.       www.kenraderinteriors.com
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HOW TO DO FAUX FINISHES

YOU CAN DO FAUX FINISHING: HOW TO DO WASHING

In recent years Faux finishing has taken a back seat to conventional painting.  This I feel is because most faux finishes are a bit fussy and require more time and attention to the project.  Most people are not willing to commit the needed time or attention. 

However, for those of you that think that you would enjoy a faux finish in one of your rooms, I will be posting ‘How-to’ articles for your education and enjoyment.

To begin with you will need to decide which room of the house you want the faux finish in.  As I mentioned, most of these finishes are fussy or busy.  So pick a medium to large size room for this.  And if you have one or two large walls that are not cut up that is even better.  You will see the wisdom of this when you do not have to work around windows, doors, etc.

My personal favorite room for a faux finish is a Home office or study.  I choose these rooms because you want these rooms to be comfortable yet put you in the mood for reading, meditating, working etc.  My Home Office has a rag faux finish on it.  I will present an article on this process later. 

It is a very masculine room with all of the furnishings chosen to look like the office on a popular TV mini series ‘ Nero Wolf ‘.  The colors are very deep and the “rag on” color is very subtle and muted.  My Colors are Deep Royal Blue and Deep French Roast.  I told you ‘very masculine’. 

Well, enough of my personal taste.  Presented in this article are the tools and some of the techniques you will need for ‘Washing’.

What You'll Need

• Latex Satin Paint for Basecoat
• Latex Satin Paint for Topcoat
• Rags (Terry cloth works best)
• Painter's Tape

Step 1:
Start by selecting two colors for the washing technique, the basecoat color usually being the brighter of the two. This is so that it will be able to be seen through the top washing coat. It is recommended that your paint choice be a satin so that the topcoat is easier to apply. If you choose to use a flat paint, the washing effect will be more of a rubbed appearance. For best results, select two colors that are similar, like gold and rust. The gold as the basecoat with the rust swirled over it is a stunning but subtle effect. Both colors need to be about the same lightness or darkness for the technique to be successful. Another beautiful technique is to use a white with a soft color. The color can be either the basecoat or the washing coat, but as you can imagine, the results will be quite different. The white on top softens and produces a "cloud" effect. In reverse, the color stands out against the white.

Step 2:
Paint on your basecoat according to manufacturer's directions. Please do two coats and please use either Satin or Semi-gloss sheen.  Flat will not work very well as a base.
Step 3:
You may begin the washing technique once the basecoat has dried for the paint manufacturer's recommended time. I seem to have gotten ahead of myself.  Before any painting is done tape off all of your baseboards, ceiling, door, and window trim. Now  dampen your towel, bunch it up, and dip it into the topcoat paint color you have chosen. Take the towel directly to your wall, use a swirling motion apply the topcoat as lightly or heavily as you please. Work from top to bottom and left to right moving across the wall. Periodically step back to make sure your paint swirls are similar in size. Leave yourself enough uninterrupted time per wall so you are sure not to stop once you've started a wall!  The top coat paint will need to be mixed with a ‘Glaze’.  This is available at most paint or Home Improvement stores.  Just follow the directions.  This gives the paint a transparent look and gives you more time to work with it before it starts to dry. 
Use of the glaze will make the top coat paint go much further.  So you will not need to buy as much as you purchased for the base coat.  The glaze really makes this process fun and you do not have to hurry as much.  You’ll like that.
Step 4:
Congratulations! You have created a one-of-a-kind, soft effect that is sure to make any room a masterpiece!
This how to project is provided as a guide line. Any do-it-yourself activity involves some risk and the reader remains responsible for the selection and use of tools, materials, and methods.
I am a firm believer that any person that attempts a faux finish must have some natural artist ability.  This is what will become apparent as you progress through the finish.  Also, I believe that “ A- symmetrical” are the only people that can live with faux finishes.  Symmetrical people just can’t take the random, chaotic pattern of a faux finish.  If you have to have matching furniture and square angles, trust me, you will not like a faux finish. “ I’m just saying”.  
Also, only one person needs to do the wash process.  Two people will produce two different looks of effects.  That is the individual artist in each of us coming through.
A well done faux finish will be a part of your home décor for many years.  It is an expression of your personality and you will love it.  I did a ‘Faux Wash’ for a client 10 years ago.  They still love it and it remains their favorite room in the house.
Here’s to your success!
As always “Happy Painting”
Ken Rader
Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.                            (www.kenraderinteriors.com)
You can follow us at (www.facebook.com/ken.rader.interiors)