Arkansas Best Painters- Painting Cabinets

We have posted 3 videos about painting cabinets. These cabinets are located in a home office. The videos show the condition before we begin and the sanding process and the primer applied. Videos are located at www.facebook.com/ken.rader.interiors. Give them a look and watch the progress.

You can paint your Kitchen Cabinets

Painting Your Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

By

Ken Rader Interiors-Professional Painting Staff

PAINTING NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL."ONE HOUSE AT A TIME".

PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS

HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE PROJECT

• Screwdriver
• All-purpose cleaner
• Sandpaper
• Primer
• Paintbrush
• Paint

When undertaking a kitchen cabinet remodel, you might want to paint your kitchen cabinets. They will need protection since they’re subject to plenty of wear and tear through daily use. Apart from being handled when they’re opened and closed, they are also in the proximity of heat and humidity from cooking. Any paint used to remodel cabinets needs to be hard wearing and durable.  Several paint companies offer a combination Paint and Primer.  These are excellent products and are the best choice when painting your cabinets.

Step 1 - Clean the Cabinets

Unless your kitchen cabinet remodel includes brand new cabinets, you’ll need to clean your old cabinets before you paint them. This will be much easier if you remove the cabinet doors and clean them separately. Unscrew the doors at the hinges. Use a strong all purpose cleaner on the door and the outside of the cabinets. This can require several applications to get rid of all the accumulated grease and grime. Allow the cabinets and doors to dry completely before moving on.  Use of  TSP or a TSP substitute are the best and most economically suited product for this job.

Step 2 - Sanding

Before you use primer, it’s important to sand all the surfaces. This doesn’t need to be a heavy sanding project; you only want the primer to adhere to the surface properly. Use a fairly fine sandpaper of around 150 grit but make sure you leave each surface lightly roughened.  Please take your time and make sure that all of the surface is sanded.  Of all of the steps taken to paint your cabinets, this is the most IMPORTANT ONE.

Step 3 - Primer

The kind of primer you use in a kitchen cabinet remodel used to depend on the kind of paint you’re going to use.  However, the combination Paint and Primer that we mentioned earlier is the only way to go.  Oil and Lacquer paints will yellow, gray or crack very quickly.  The new acrylic paints will stay true to the color and are warranted for at least 25 years. But in all cases, the kitchen needs to be well-ventilated while you work and while the primer dries. You will only need one coat of primer.  The primers that we suggest are "Glidden-Gripper", Zinsser- Bulls Eye 123, or Kilz-Total.
Even with the use of the paint and primer combination you will still need the undercoat of primer.

Step 4 - Painting

If you have a proper paint sprayer, you can use it to apply the paint. If not, a brush will do a fine job although it shouldn’t be more than 3 inches wide. You must apply paint in very thin coats for your kitchen cabinet remodel as nothing is gained by using a thick coat. Several thin coats, with proper sanding in between them, will give a much stronger finish to your kitchen cabinets. With the paint and primer combination you will be able to do the job in only 2 coats.

Step 5 - Additional Coats

Once the first coat of paint on your kitchen cabinet remodel has dried, sand it very lightly with 400 grit sandpaper. The purpose behind this is to create a smooth surface for the next coat to adhere to. Make sure your sanding is very light.
Clean off the surfaces so that no sawdust remains and then add a second light coat of paint. In most instances, two coats will be all you need but if you choose to add a third coat, give another light sanding before you apply it. Again, let the paint on the cabinets dry completely before sanding and also after the final coat of paint.

Step 6 - Finishing

To complete your kitchen cabinet remodel, hang the doors again and check that they open and close smoothly. Your new paint should look good and be ready for the demands of your kitchen. You’ll be able to keep them clean with regular use of soap and water.
   
   
   

AS ALWAYS,”HAPPY PAINTING AND DECORATING”

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. --  Painting Northwest Arkansas Beautiful, “ One house at a time”.

Serving Northwest Arkansas and the greater Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bella Vista area.
 Professional Painters since 1987.

Check us out at www.kenraderinteriors.com
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Ken Rader

BEIGE, WHAT IS IT AND IS IT FOR YOU- PART 2

BEIGE, WHAT IS IT AND IS IT FOR YOU?

PART 2

Neutral and Safe

What is Old is New!

Beige is a pretty safe collection, so there are lots of places in the home that it can go.  The Benjamin Moore, company has a number of colors that use the word beige in their names.  Let’s see how they work.

 To begin with Benjamin Moore has a very robust off-white collection that offers 140 colors to choose from.  The undertones can run the spectrum of color so, yes, it

Can certainly tug at our emotions and bring forth color associations each of us subscribes to.  In other words, it’s not just background music—it can change and impact the personality of a room.

 The beauty of beige is that it can have the influence of a red, a yellow, even hints of blue.  The tonality of different beiges allows them to work into many rooms and environments.  It feels familiar and livable, often offering change without drama.

  Finally you have your cake and eat it, too!  If you want beige to ‘pop’, it’s simply a matter of color in context.  Create a dramatic contrast of color saturation to bring attention to each color individually.  For example, Benjamin Moore Soft Beige (2156-60), partnered with a color that is brighter and whiter like White Heron (OC-57) or deeper and cooler like (Green Tint 2139-60)or warmer and toned like (Seaside Sand 2110-40).  All these potions create a distinct contrast in combination, bringing out the actual color of the soft beige.

  A benefit of it being a neutral is that it can resolve an argument between two other colors that don’t seem to go together.  If they both go with beige, no one has to have issues with them.  Beige is a neutral that can either blend colors together or really make a statement.  It can be used to blend colors that are conflicting in the room on the drapes, the curtains and perhaps pillows.  It can make a statement in being the cool background color to display art or it can be a bold contrast with intense colors everywhere else.

It can also make an appearance as a supporting role to other colors to help them pop out.  Some people recommend using contrast.  If you want to create a more soothing space, try using neighboring colors on the color wheel.  Use blues, greens, and a beige with hints of these cooler colors for a calm and interesting look.  Try this, Benjamin Moore (Gossamer Blue 2123-40), (Feather Green 625) with (Moonshine OC-56)

  If you want to spice it up try partnering the blues and greens with a warm beige with undertones of red, yellow, or orange.  Combine (Gossamer Blue and Feather Green with Hillsborough Beige (1033

  Another good thing about beige is that it will work with something old and something new.  You can use it to tie together the 1950’s and the 21^st century.  Beige can take a room that feels chopped up in color choice or different design and blend it all together.  Yes, from traditional to contemporary beige is a popular color choice.

  Beige can be a calming addition for the bedroom, bathroom, spa or can create a larger room visually by painting the walls this light shade.  If you are not careful though, the beige can wash a room out and make it feel empty or cold.  (We don’t want that).

  Next, choose a great color for the walls and then pull in beige for the ceiling. But once again, watch out, using beige on the ceiling and the floors will give you a tunnel effect. (we don’t want that either).

  Well, is this enough for you to chew on for a while?  Much more can and probably will be said about beige.  It has been around a long, long time.  Though the name will continue to be used I am sure that the color that it is attached to will change.  So you will have to re-paint from time to time. Today’s beige will be yesterday’s beige is a short time.

Please check out our web page at www.kenraderinteriors.com

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You can also email your comments and questions to kennethrader@att.net

As Always “Happy Painting and Decorating”

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Ken Rader---serving Fayetteville, Arkansas and the Northwest Arkansas area since 1987.

Color, What is Hot and What is Not, Part 2

COLOR, COLOR, COLOR

PART 2

WHAT ARE THE DESIGNERS’ SAYING?

WHAT DO THE EXPERTS THINK?

THEY DON’T ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE REST OF US.

According to some designers’ a kitchen should always be white!  Others say that a kitchen is usually a mess so be careful and make sure that white does not accent the mess.  However, the overwhelming color for kitchens is WHITE.

The Dining Room gets the most striking color, RED.  It creates warmth and drama- it’s great at night.  Red is passionate- a delicious ambiance. People look great in red rooms!

The Living Room is the next room that we spend most of our time after the Kitchen.  So it is important to choose the right color.  The color that the Designers’ picked was “Drum roll , WHITE!

Closely following White is Gray.  White and Gray won’t compete with art and rugs.  Warm white is like being bathed in sunlight.  Some gray’s can go tan, yellow and even green.  Which gray you pick will need to be tried with the furnishings in the room to make sure it works for you.

The Bedroom deserves the most attention according to designers.  These experts agree with the majority of people polled and said the color BLUE should be used in the bedroom.  Why?  It is like water- refreshing and restful at the same time.  Dreamlike, cloudlike, heavenlike.  There is a blue for everyone- it’s a safe color.

These are the color’s that the designers say will work in certain rooms, “at the present”.  But what does the future hold according to these color guru’s.

Well here it comes!

29% say green will start making a big statement.

27% pick purple as a sure winner.

24% still like pink

21% will use gold

20% stay with light blue (seems to never go out of style)

18% choose the passion, warmth and ambiance of Red

14% will suggest Orange

13% Will still favor White

12% Like gray because it is Fresh, Modern Neutral and works with everything.

10% Want us to use brown somewhere in the house.

9% bring Black in as the least to be used.

Now let’s get a little more detailed.  What colors were the top picks of the designers.

Ralph Lauren Paint- Light Sky RLIB221

Valspar- Prussian Cadet 4008-6C

Sydney Harbour Paints- Apple Crunch (Granny Smith apple green)

Benjamin Moore- Dusty Miller CSP-755 (Not quite gray and quite green, this is a putty color

Pratt & Lambert- Flint 32-20 (Smoky gray)

Pittsburg Paints- Applesauce Cake 316-5

Glidden- Hazy Sage GLN27

Valspar- Tropical Breeze 2002-2A

Glidden- Cherries Jubilee GLR03

Farrow & Ball- Borrowed Light 235 (Combination of serene blue and sedate gray)

Sherwin-Williams- Demure SW6295 (Pink with a touch of burgundy)

Stark Paint- Plum Brandy

All are very nice and lovely colors.  Without a doubt, our mood is affected by color.  Give it due attention and time. 

There is a lot of advice out there.  In the end it is what you personally like that will serve you the best.  Don’t be unduly influenced by polls.

They just give you a base to start from.  The polls and choices that I have written about can be found in the latest edition of HouseBeautiful, Sept. 2012.  I take no credit for the excellent advice and help that the polls and the insights of the designers provide for you.  I have picked and shared just some of the good information you can find in the magazine.

Check out our web site www.kenraderinteriors.com

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Email us at kennethrader@att.net with any comments or questions you have.

Please like and comment on our Blogs.  We have posted over 100 articles.  Some is our original information and others are based on other sources.

As always “ Happy Painting and Decorating”

Ken Rader

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Choose the Professional Painter and save yourself the stress

House Painters – Choosing the right Professional Painter is easier that you think.

 

Your Home is your Castle, when you're looking to make a alteration or improvement to it, you have to consider not only the final finished product, but likewise the experience, and of course professional behavior and all around worth that goes into the project. When you think about house painters, you can measure their service from the bottom up to see if they perform up to a professional level.
When you hire a painting contractor, the expense of materials consumes a significant portion of the currency you pay. Quality House Painters simply use only the highest quality materials to guarantee that your painting investment endures and looks attractive for many years.  If they use cheap paint, DO NOT HIRE THEM!
Of course, the labor itself is the other major cost, and if a house painting company employs the right people, that can go a long way towards ensuring you receive quality for your money.  The best companies are usually owned and operated by one person or perhaps a husband and wife team.  They usually do all the work thus keeping control of quality and time spent on the job. That means that the company has to invest in itself and its employees, with the proper compensation, benefits and treatment, to ensure that the benefits of high quality employment is passed along to you.
The work of completing a chore also has to come with safe procedures and efficiency. Is the company insured?  It is a valid and good question.  Accidents must be prevented, or repairs may have to follow.  Is the company properly licensed?  It is very rare these days to find that licenses are not needed.  Rather, with each passing year more licenses are required, both state and usually city. Projects ought to be completed within the budget or estimate, and on schedule with what has been projected. Meeting these challenges is the distinguishing factor of a true high quality company.
When you employ skilled and qualified House Painters, you will be getting much more than coats of paint on your walls. They are experts in their field, bringing all of their experience along to your project to insure superior results. Skilled house painters will do surface preparation to guarantee a flawless finish, and will spot potential troubles before the work starts.  A skilled professional is proud of his work and it is the best advertising he can have.  So he will do the best job possible.
This kind of skill and professionalism can only come with experience. House painters of this level of skill and knowledge can accurately judge the amount of paint and other materials are needed, and will have all of the tools or gear required to complete a job of any type, or deal with any and all issues which may arise.
So if you are getting ready for a painting and fixing up project this year make your selections wisely. Purchasing experience and professionalism will make a big difference. Scan their reviews, ask for references, and check to see if they are A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau. Do they maintain a five star evaluation in reviews and have been in service for many years. The qualified painting company always puts the customers first. This is the reason great painting companies have so many repeat customers. They know they can count on them to deliver the service they require.
Ken Rader is owner and operator of Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Ken shares his knowledge on house painters. House painting. (Interior and Exterior) and other home improvement topics. Check out all of our blogs.  We are sure you will find some information that will assist you in your Home improvement projects.
As always “Happy Painting and Decorating”
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You may also leave comments and they are always welcome.  We are always striving to improve our articles and have a share in a wonderful experience for you on your next home improvement project.
Ken Rader

Painting Tips you can use

Top House Painting Tips For Beginners

By Kenneth D. Rader-  Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

After watching some home makeovers, you would definitely notice that redefining the interior color of any residence gives it a fresh and comfortable look. Consequently, homeowners get the itch to do the same. Those who cannot hire professionals for the task, search for house painting tips which can get them carry on with the task by themselves. Do you want to give this a try as well? Learn from the following insights.

1. Cover Up - To start off, cover any fixtures attached on the walls or ceilings. Cabinets, wall or hanging lamps, light switches and faucets among others must be properly covered. This will keep them from getting unwanted paint drips.

2. Smooth Your Walls - Scrutinize your walls for imperfections. They could have acquired holes, chips or cracks through time. Patch the holes and cracks. Even out the chips. You will need enough patching paste and putty knife to get this right.

3. Dust Off - This is key in painting a house. Painting over dust-filled walls causes premature cracking and peeling of dry paint. Thus, it is important to clean your walls, baseboards, ceilings and crown moldings. Use damp cloth in doing so. This will keep the dust from fluttering.

4. Choose The Right Paint - When it comes to the color, it is best to consider the suggestions of the people who are living with you. You do not want this home makeover task be the cause of cold war amongst you, right? Once the hues have been decided upon, purchase some test gallons. Coat sections of your wall so that you can get a view of the finished effect. Moreover, decide on the type of paint you opt to purchase - latex-based or oil-based. When it comes to protection against daily wear and tear, oil-based coat is the better option. For that, they are expensive. When it comes to cleaning ease of cleaning, latex-based is the coat to go for as it can be cleansed with soap and water.

5. Pick The Right Brush - This is one of the commonly neglected house painting tips. Brushes are made up of natural materials or synthetic materials like nylon. Keep in mind that natural bristles go with oil-based coats, stains and varnishes. Latex-based coats, on the other hand, require nylon bristles.  For woodwork you will need a softer brush and for the walls you will enjoy using a brush that is stiffer and will hold a line.

6. Apply The Primer - Never apply the paint without priming the surface first.  There are Paint and Primer combinations on the market now and they work great.  The paint companies finally listened to the consumer on this one. This can cover up the patches that you made on the walls. Before proceeding with the priming or paint and primer combination, open your windows for proper ventilation. Roller brushes are the best tools for priming. Remove excess lint on in it with the use of masking tape. Lint would mix with the coat if not removed.

7. Mix The Coats –Most premium paints will stay mixed up for about 30 days and so there really is no need to stir it up.  But  a paint stick with holes would get your mixing right. For consistent color on all of your walls, use a big bucket to mix all your paint. This is advisable especially for large rooms.  Even if you have 2 gal. mix them together.

8, To finish off these house painting tips, eliminate the paint fume by leaving windows open for a few days. Additional natural remedies to this include placing bowls filled with vinegar and baking soda in the room. Onions also absorb paint fumes fast.

A little additional advice.

These tips are relatively simple and easy to follow.  Take the time to follow each one and you will be successful in your painting endeavors.

Of course, hiring a professional painter will eliminate the need for all of these tips.  I know that in this economy it is a difficult decision to spend the money on something that you think you can do yourself.  Always think about what your time is worth and the end result.  You pay a professional for a professional job and 99% of the time that is what you get. 

As Always “Happy Painting and Decorating”

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Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Serving Northwest Arkansas with the finest in painting and decorating. Making our community beautiful one house at a time.

MONEY SAVING TIPS WHEN PAINTING YOUR HOUSE

PAINTING YOUR HOUSE?

MONEY SAVING IDEAS!

When you need house painting either inside or outside, there are a few things that you should consider. Painting may seem like a very easy thing to do, but only when it is done properly. If you do not plan, painting can become a very expensive mess.  However, planning ahead is not complicated.
1. Paint: How much do you need?
One of the first things that you should do is decide how much paint you are going to need for the job. This is very important because you do not want to waste your money on buying more paint than you need. It is also important because if you have a custom color mixed and you run out, it is not always easy to have the same shade mixed twice. Plan on having at least half a gallon left over.  You can use it for touch up.
2. How to Measure for paint
Paint can be expensive, too. Some brands cost more than $60 for a gallon. You will need to take accurate measurements of the space you need to paint. So, measure the length of your walls and the height. If your room is 12 x 12 with 10 foot ceilings, you will need to multiple 12 x 4 x 10, which will be 480 square feet. You will then need to deduct square footage for the windows and door spaces. Example: Most gallons of paint cover between 300 and 350 square feet, so you will need at least three gallons to get two good coats of paint on the walls.  You always need to do two coats. ALWAYS!
3. Materials other than paint: Tape, Drop Cloths, and More
You will need more than just paint to get a room painted properly. You will need brushes, a ladder, and so much more. Painting can be a very messy job, so the first thing you will need is a good set of drop cloths. You do not want to have paint splatter on your flooring, so covering it is a necessity. Another vital piece of equipment is painters tape or a cutter. Painting in corners and around window and door trim takes precision and a very still hand; most people need a little help to get that part of the job done well. If you are painting in an interior room with low ventilation, you should buy a mask, so you do not breathe in pain fumes. The brushes you choose can also make or break your experience; you should talk to the paint store employees about the best materials for the job. It is not unusual to spend around $75.00  for materials other than paint.
4.  Paint Sprayer: To Rent or To Buy. Yes you can rent them.
If you have a large paint job to carry out, you might want to consider renting or buying a paint sprayer. The technology in paint spraying has come a long way; the sprayers are easier to use and to clean. If you use a sprayer, you can get the walls painted faster than if you use a brush or a roller. If you have rooms with unusual spaces, sprayers can get into those areas easier than rollers and brushes can. Some paint sprayers cost around $100.00 for a residential use model, but a professional sprayer for painting really big jobs can be over $400.
When you need house painting, it is important to consider all of your options and necessities. Many people prefer to use professional painters so they do not have to worry about all the things that can go wrong.  This usually is the best route to take.  Why?  Well, what is your time worth?  Also, the job will be done to perfection, really.  And you won’t worry about what to do with the tools when the job is done.  That is another point.  The job will be finished, something that usually takes longer when you try and do it yourself.
Well, there you have it. 
As always, “Happy Painting and Decorating”
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Ken Rader Interiors
Ken Rader

Have a Cool looking House with a New Splash of color

Add A New Splash Of Color To Your House!

By Helen Mc Williams

This is a very fine article.  Ms. McWilliams has done an excellent job.  Please enjoy.

Especially for homeowners that are most interested in the design of their houses, the paint is a very important. The exterior paint is the first thing that attracts the attention of passersby or neighbors. The interior paint is important because it can add to an overall design, making a very spectacular environment. In other words, do not forget about the paint of your house, especially if you plan to renovate in the near future.
If you want to change the color of your house or go just for a repainting, you probably know that you can do it yourself. You need to find out the right color and apply it accordingly. However, if you are not the DIY type of guy and you want to get professional services, you can contact companies that are specialized in those things. That is right, some professional companies have lots of years of experience in painting and repainting and they can do a great job, quicker and better than you.
So, all that you have to do is to rely on their advice and services. The knowledge of an experienced painter can help you greatly. For example, he may be able to provide advice regarding the colors of paint that you want to use. In addition, a professional painter can tell you if the colors match perfectly with the rest of the environment and so on. Make sure that you find a trustworthy master painter and you are on the right track.
Also, keep in mind that a professional painting company can offer solutions for any type of exterior walls. Regardless of the walls materials or texture, there are paints that can match perfectly and they are available on the colors you want. Furthermore, it is a good idea to use paints that are environmentally friendly. One of the greatest benefits of this is that "eco paints" do not pollute the air so much and they are tolerated by people that have asthma or respiratory problems as well. Environmentally friendly paints come at affordable prices and you can find every color you desire.
Letting a master painter take care of your painting needs is the right thing to do and it has many benefits. Think about the fact of painting your house whether if it is interior or exterior can take some time and it can be quite bothering. A professional painter that cares a lot for their customers will make sure that your lifestyle is preserved and you do not have to cancel meetings or move from the house during the painting process. Instead, a master painter will do his job quickly and with minimum disruption for the customer.
Therefore, make sure that you consider this alternative as well because it can be a very helpful one. If you have found a professional painting company, the prices wouldn't be so high either and you are getting quality services that can last for a long period of time. In addition, if you are interested, some companies can do interior painting as well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Mc_Williams
Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. master painters in Northwest Arkansas, if you need a great job by a professional company, Give us a try!
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As always “Happy Painting and Decorating”

Paint your Cabinets-You can do It !

Painting Cabinets-Mine are So Ugly!

Do you have some drab looking cabinets and the thought of buying new ones is just out of the question. One very simple answer is to paint over your old cabinets and breathe some new life into them. Painting over cabinets is really easy and if you follow three simple steps you will have some great looking cabinets that will last a long time.
Some folks just throw some paint on the cabinets and leave it at that. The problem with this is the coat of paint that has been applied just may not last long because there will be some issues with bonding. In order to get good bonding there are some steps that must be taken.
Painting Cabinets - Step 1 Cleaning
Before painting anything the cabinet doors and drawers must be cleaned as well as the face of the cabinets. Using some TSP and a rag will do the trick, any grease or grime must be removed. The cabinets probably have a clear finish on them so for that they should be lightly sanded with some fine sand paper. This will help with the bonding. Also all hardware should be removed, such as door and drawer handles. Be sure and number the doors and drawers so that you will put them back in the same place.  VERY IMPORTANT!
Painting Cabinets - Step 2 Priming
Once the cleaning has been done all of the surfaces need to be primed with high quality primer. This can be accomplished with a brush and small cloth roller. The cloth roller needs to be of the finest nap so that when you roll the primer on it has a very fine smooth texture. Of course some areas need to be brushed on but going over all you can with a roller will produce a finer finish.  Kilz Premium, Zinnser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or Glidden Gripper are my choices.
Painting Cabinets - Step 3 Painting
This will be the last step to having some beautiful new looking cabinets. As with priming the paint can be applied with a brush and a roller that again has a very fine nap for a smooth look. The paint should be a good quality paint.  Use a Combination Paint and Primer.  ‘Behr’ is my choice.  It is the best. The color is obviously your own choice. Just brush on the paint where you cannot reach with the roller and then go over the rest with the roller getting as close as you can to the brushed in areas for a nice smooth look. For an extra touch if you wanted to protect the finish you could put a protective clear coat of poly over top, however, this is not necessary. You should now be able to enjoy the new look of your cabinets at a much reduced cost than if you were to replace them.
Kenneth Rader is an expert painter and has successfully run a painting company, Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C. since 1987.  Please visit our web site at www.kenraderinteriors.com  which provides many tips.
We also have many blogs for your instruction here at Wordpress.  Enjoy
As always, “Happy Painting and Decorating”
Ken Rader
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How to Paint. Tools,prep work, "Blow by Blow"

INTERIOR PAINTING I have done no surveys, but painting must be the number one do-it-yourself project. With the right supplies, quality paint, proper preparation and your own effort, you can restore a brand new look to your rooms or paint your brand new rooms like a pro. Read on as we go step by step: Supplies Preparation Priming Painting Cleanup Storage/Disposal SUPPLIES Brushes drop cloth spackling compound roller tray roller painter's tape Paint Brushes: Stick with quality brushes. They cost a bit more, but they are worth it in the long run. Clean them after each use and they will last a long long time. You will need a 2 or 2 ½ inch angular sash brush and the same size trim brush. Choose a premium brush with long dense flagged bristles. (Flagged bristles are not square cut but are split on the ends). These brushes will hold more paint and drip less. Use a synthetic brush when painting with latex paints. Although synthetic brushes can be used with Alkyd paints, I prefer a natural bristle brush. Make sure the brush holds the bristles tightly. (nothing is worse than a shedding brush) You will want brushes for cutting in and painting in areas that your roller can't reach. Foam brushes may have their uses, but interior wall painting is not one. Rollers: On large flat surfaces rollers work best. You can even buy rollers that are fed from the can via a small pump, however I prefer a simple tray. Rollers should be chosen based on the the texture of the surface and the type of paint you are applying. Eggshells..............3/8" nap (longer) Alkyds..................3/16" nap (shorter) Higher glosses use a shorter nap For surfaces: smooth...................1/8 – 3/8 semi-smooth..........3/8 – ½ semi- rough............½ - ¾ rough......................¾ - 1 ¼ Painter tape. When masking off areas around trim etc. Use quality painters tape. This tape is wider than most masking tape, it doesn't absorb the paint and is easy to apply and remove. It usually comes with an adhesive strip along one edge which covers about a 1/3 of the width of the tape. Don't use plain old masking tape. Paint To determine how much paint you will need, determine the number of square feet of wall (and ceiling) surface you will be covering. Don't subtract for doors and windows unless they are a major part of the wall area. Simply multiply the wall height by the length, for each wall. Now divide the surface area by the spreading rate (or coverage rate) indicated on the can of paint. Figure the primer and top coats separately as they may have different spreading rates. With a tinted primer and quality paints you should not need more than one topcoat of paint. PREPARATIONS Empty the room. Remove everything you can, furniture, pictures, lights, switch and outlet covers, you name it. Then cover the rest with drop cloths. I even take all the nails out of the walls (unless they are firmly in there and I am sure I will use them again after.) It is a pain to paint around them.. they get too much paint on them and then they drip. Clean the walls. Use something like Spic and Span. Paint will adhere much better to a clean surface. ( be sure to rinse/wipe off and remaining detergent then allow the walls to dry) For stains.. especially water stains, seal them with shellac. There are also some good spot primers like BIM but these are typically just shellac mixed with paint. The shellac will dry quickly. Cover any stains like magic markers etc, the same way. For mildew, if there is any, clean the walls with bleach mixed into some TSP. You shouldn't just paint over the mildew.. or it will come through. Repair the drywall/plaster. Fill any nail holes. For nail pops, if they are nails, pick off the old compound, reseat the nail with a good shot from the hammer and respackle them. For screws, pick off the old compound and tighten the screw, then respackle. You may need to cover those holes with one or more coat, sanding in between to get a nice smooth surface again. If you are painting your wood trim, fill any cracks or nail holes with wood putty, sanding it smooth. If there is any loose paint, sand and/or scrape it off. If you are repainting a wall with a gloss or semigloss finish, you will need to degloss it before painting to ensure adhesion. This can be done one of two ways. Either lightly sand the paint with fine sandpaper or wipe the wall down with a liquid deglosser. The liquid deglosser has quite an odor, and the surface needs to be painted within an hour, so it has its limitations. It is a bit quicker and less messy though. Thoroughly clean the room by vacuuming.. and if you deglossed with sandpaper, wipe the walls down with tack cloth to remove all the dust. Using your painter tape, mask off all areas that you need to be careful cutting in around. Stained trim, etc. Usually you won't need to mask off around the ceiling (and with some of the textured ceilings this is difficult to do anyway) you can cut in that angle by hand. Don't remove the tape for about 24 hrs so the paint can dry, to keep from pulling up any paint along its edge. PRIMING Priming is typically a good idea even on already painted surfaces. Latex paint can often be quite absorbent and should still be primed. Priming seals the surface which in turn prolongs the wet edge of finish coats which will help minimize lapmarks. Priming helps ensure uniformity of color and texture on the wall. Primers can be tinted toward the color of your top coat. Ask for this when you buy your primer. This will definitely help when repainting the wall a significantly different color. Prepainted surfaces coated with enamel or gloss finishes do not need to be primed. For new drywall, latex primers are recommended. For new wood often a alkyd based primer is recommended. (Latex can be used over either) PAINTING Are you ready to paint finally? I think the prep work is the hardest most tedious and most important part of the job. The painting is actually the fun part. Cutting in. Use your trim brush to paint a 3 inch wide strip along the perimeter of the wall/ceiling line. Start in a corner, where the ceiling meets the wall. Cut in only one section at a time. Then you will roll the paint on that wall's surface. This maintains a wet edge to blend the line between roller and brush. If you are painting the ceiling.. paint it first. Always work your way down. Paint the whole ceiling at one time. Use an extension in the roller handle. A broom handle will usually screw right into the end. Paint across the room's width, rather than its length. This helps maintain the wet edge too. Do not stop until the whole ceiling is painted. When using the extension pole, roll the paint on in a motion across rather than along your body to keep from leaning backwards straining your neck and back. Cut in around the ceiling, the corner, the baseboard and the windows or doors etc, and then paint that wall. If you have a partner, one should cut in, the other follow with a roller. Doing one wall at a time. The wetter the paint in the cut in strip when the roller comes along, the less likely there will be of any noticable line between the two. Painting Trim Using your sash brush first coat the edge close to the wall, then the flat face of the trim. Use the painter's tape on the wall only if the wall's paint is completely dry. (Wait at least 24 hours, 48 hours is better) For baseboard molding, again make sure the wall and or floor are protected. Keep a rag dampened with paint thinner or water (for alkyd or latex) handy to clean any drips off the floor or carpet. Painting Doors Remove all the hardware. Use a wedge underneath to hold it open part way. Paint the edge first. If the door has panels, paint the panels first, then the horizontal sections and then finally the vertical sections always painting with the grain. If the door is a flush flat surfaced door, begin at the top and work your way down painting a third of the door at a time. (Top third, middle third and bottom third) Paint as quickly as possible to try to keep a wet edge, blushing into the wet areas. Keep a rag handy to clean the reverse side of the door if paint runs on to that side. Painting Windows Remove any hardware. Lower the upper window and raise the bottom window. Paint the sash then the rails. DON'T paint the sash tracks. Return the upper window to near closed and the lower to near closed position. Don't shut the window completely until the paint is thoroughly dry. Paint the remaining parts of the window. Use a razor blade to clean the paint off the glass. It is best to remove the paint soon after the paint has dried. Waiting a long time will make this task significantly harder. CLEANUP For Alkyd paints use solvent (paint thinner) first then soapy water. For Latex paints, just soapy water. Clean the brushes by working the solvent into the bristles. Squeeze out paint and solvent and repeat until the paint disappears. Using two cans of solvent helps for this. A dirty can.. to clean most of the paint out with, then another clean can to clean out the last bit. Then use soap and water to clean the solvent out of the brush. Work the soap into the bristles again and again. Finally rinse and rerinse until the soap is all rinsed out. Hang them up to dry. I wrap them in newspaper, making a nice tight, square cover to hold the bristles nice and flat and square, taping the paper shut with some masking tape. For rollers, clean and rinse them the same as brushes. Clean all the paint from the tray and roller hardware with a solvent (or water) soaked rag. STORAGE/DISPOSAL Left over paint can last for years. Cover the opening with plastic wrap and replace the lid tightly. Store the can upside down. Use a black marker to label the can with the date, the room and the color. This paint can be used for touchups or future projects for years to come. If you finish a can, leave the top off to allow the remaining paint to dry completely in the can. Check with your local landfill, sanitation service or recycle center for directions on disposal of the cans. For cans with paint in them, you may need to wait for a hazardous waste pickup day or special hazardous waste centers for disposal. (Be good to your environment and dispose of paint and cans properly) If you have any questions or comments about this article, please send us an email (kennethrader@att.net)  You can also check out our web page (www.kenraderinteriors.com) As always “Happy Painting and Decorating”

COLOR THE WORLD YOUR WAY!

COLOR YOUR WORLD THE WAY YOU WANT IT

I love Color. Most people do. I get a kick out of changing the paint colors in a room, often. Or even my outfit colors get changed often, too. It’s just me! In realizing early on how color can set or change a mood, I have made it one of my life's goals to help as many people with color choices as is possible.

One thing I have learned is that color can be very personal. One person's favorite is another's person's dislike. And that can mean two people in a household not agreeing on a single color and can lead to a battle! I see this quite often when I'm doing a color consulting job. Does this sound familiar? It can be remedied, truly!

So, where does one start when deciding what color to use in a space? It’s not as difficult as you might think. You can use a color in a piece of artwork you love, or your cultural influences. Or there just may be a color that seems to speak to you saying, "Put me on the walls of a room in this house"! Did you know that a mood can be set with colors…like do you want the room to be romantic and cozy, sunny and bright, breezy and fun? Considering the activity in a room, if you want to create a space with loads of energy like a kitchen or family room or a more relaxing atmosphere like a bedroom, those moods can be set with color.

Visualizing the color on a wall can be very challenging. Actually as I am told by many customers, that simply selecting a paint color is one of the scariest things to try to do. It is unfortunate because adding paint color to a room is still the cheapest and quickest way to hide a multitude of mistakes or challenges. Here are a few things that the right paint color in a room can do:

**If you don't have a budget to furnish a room, color on the walls can help the room not to look so empty. It can add warmth and a sense of coziness.

**If your budget does not allow you to replace an old worn piece of furniture such as a sofa, a paint color that is similar to it can help blend it into the wall and not make it so noticeable.

**If you are thinking about remodeling a bathroom and your budget does not allow for replacing the tile, a paint color that coordinates with the tile color will treat it as less important in the room.

So, now that you have the basic idea, go out and get some good size swatches of the colors of paint you select and put it on the walls you want to paint. Live with that color(s) for a few days. Let the light of the morning change into the afternoon light and into evening. This is a very important step because natural and non natural light can change your perspective on that color. If you paint an area on the wall in that color, once it is actually painted it will still look somewhat different because you haven't used the proper primer yet. All of these steps can be taken in consideration.

Here are some colors I have used.

For those do-it-yourselfers out there, you can save both time and money by asking at the paint store what the right primer to use would be. This is especially important when you are using deep, dark or bright colors. A good professional painter will know how these colors will apply to the wall. They have worked with them time and time again. Using higher quality paints takes fewer coats and cover to hide flaws better then less expensive paints. Did you know that? Most aren't aware of it.   Bull Eye 1-2-3 , glidden Gripper, Kilz Premium will all serve you well.

Some of the paints I use during my consultations are Behr paints, Glidden paint and primer combination and Valspar. These paints are high quality, have wonderful color offerings and are easily available to any consumer.

Well, I hope I have helped a little. Take your time, this is a big decision. For more information, check out the www.kenraderinteriors.com  website for helpful hints. Or you can always check us out at www.facebook.com/ken.rader.interiors  for color consulting! We're happy to assist in your project! We have also written several blogs for your enjoyment in a wide variety of decorating and painting subjects.

As Always ‘Happy Painting

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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