Monthly Archives: March 2018

How to Clean Your Walls

By Mack.Painters | Mack Painters

Before you clean your walls, it’s a good idea to figure out what kind of paint you’re dealing with – not all paint finishes are created equal, and you can do some pretty serious damage to some types if you’re not careful.

How to Clean Your Walls

Don’t dive in with a sponge and hot water just yet. If you’re looking at major soiled spots, you may be better off calling a professional painter who can prepare and, if necessary, repaint your walls. If it’s not a huge deal, you need to know whether you have latex paint or oil-based paint. (If you’re not sure, check your garage; sometimes painters leave behind extra paint you can check. Pro tip, though: Don’t try to repaint chips and cracks with the paint that previous painters have left in your garage… your walls have been exposed to sunlight and air, which mean the paint color has changed a bit.)

Cleaning Walls With Latex Paint

With most latex paints, you can clean spots and smudges using warm water and a non-abrasive, all-purpose cleaner on a rag or sponge. However, you’ll want to spot-test in an area that nobody can see (think behind the refrigerator) first to make sure it’s okay.

Pay special attention to areas that get a lot of hand traffic, like around doorknobs and light switches. If you’re facing a stubborn spot, make a paste of baking soda and water and rub the area gently (again, do a spot test first).

Cleaning Walls With Oil-Based Paint

If you have oil-based paint on your walls, use warm, soapy water (use a very mild dish detergent) on a sponge and wash gently with circular motions. Don’t use an abrasive cleaner! You can substitute white vinegar for dish soap, as long as you – you guessed it – test a small spot in a non-visible area first.

If your walls are textured, you can add an ounce of borax to every pint of water you use to clean.

Recipe for Wall Cleanser

What you need:

• 1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent
• 1 quart warm water
• ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar

Mix all your ingredients and dip a washcloth or sponge into the solution, then use it on your wall. If you’re facing a tough stain, let the solution sit on the stain for about 10 minutes before you blot it away.

The main takeaway, though, is to spot-test an area that nobody can see before you start scrubbing all your walls. Worst-case scenario: You’ll scrub off paint in patches and have to call out a professional painter to repair the damage. (We don’t mind, but you will.)

Do You Need to Hire a Professional Painter in Pinehurst?

When you need to talk about professional painting services in any room (or all of them), we’re here to help. Call us at 910-725-3227 or get in touch with us online. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you a free painting estimate for any of our services.

 

What is Primer for Interior Painting (and Why Do You Need It)?

By Mack.Painters | Painting

Any professional painter can tell you that the walls in your home have to be primed before they’re painted, but what is primer, and why do you need it?

What is Primer for Interior Painting?

Primer is a layer of coating that belongs on the walls, beneath fresh paint, to help ensure that the paint job comes out looking great. It prevents stains from peeking through the surface paint, and it helps paint stick to your walls so it looks its best.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Some stains are impossible to paint over without priming.
• In some cases, odors – like smoke from cigarettes or house fires – can come right through paint, no matter how many coats you apply.
• “Self-priming” paint doesn’t always get the job done.
• Primers can make a huge difference in imperfect drywall by improving the surface appearance.
• High-moisture areas are more prone to paint flaking, peeling or gathering mildew, which means you need a vapor-barrier primer to help seal the surface and help prevent moisture from seeping through the walls.
• Most people have better luck hiring an expert to repaint their home’s interior than by attempting to do it themselves.

Why Do You Need Primer?

In most cases, professional painters use one or more coats of primer before using visible wall color. It’s especially important when:

• The surface that you need to paint is bare wood or new drywall. Both are porous, which means it’ll be tough to get paint to stick to them properly.
• The drywall surface is skim-coated. A “skim coat” is drywall compound wiped over bare drywall – and it’s also very porous.
• The previous paint was glossy. If your walls had a gloss finish (learn more about paint finishes), a new coat isn’t going to stick. Your painter will sand it down and put on one or more coats of primer to make sure your new color looks great.
• The previous paint was dark. If you’re switching from a dark color to a light color, your painter will most likely put down a couple of coats of white primer to make it look better.

Should You Use Primer if You’re Doing Your Own Painting?

You should almost always use primer if you’re taking a DIY approach to interior painting – but it can be difficult to sand and prime properly. In most cases, you’ll actually save money on paint and supplies (as well as on repainting jobs and touch-ups) by hiring a professional painter.

Need a Painter in Pinehurst or the Surrounding Communities?

We can come out to your home and give you a free painting estimate. Call us at 910-725-3227 or get in touch with us online. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and get you pointed in the right direction.

 

How to Hire a Commercial Painter

By Mack.Painters | Commercial Painting , Painting

If you’re like most people who need to hire a commercial painter, you’re not quite sure where to start – but don’t worry, we have you covered like an apartment building wall.

How to Hire a Commercial Painter

Before you hire a commercial painter, it’s a good idea to check out reviews for local businesses. Even better, ask around to see if anyone you know has had a great experience with painters they can vouch for – word-of-mouth reviews from people you actually know can be priceless.

Once you’ve narrowed your search down to a few painting contractors, it’s time to start interviewing them to find out whether they’re a good fit for your needs. Ideally, you’ll be able to compare three or more companies to find one that’s right for you.

Interviewing Commercial Painters: What to Ask

Your goal should be to find out as much as you can about the company’s business. How long have they been painting, and do they specialize in commercial jobs? Where do their workers come from, and are they also contractors or are they employees of the company?

You can also ask:

• Are you insured? If someone’s hurt on the job, you need to know who’s paying for expenses. Likewise, you need to know what will happen if they cause a fire on your property or have another mishap that causes damage to your home or belongings.
• Do you have references? A good painter will point you toward favorable Google or Yelp reviews, and will be able to provide references if you’re interested in checking up on the quality of the company’s work. If you’re asking for references, ask for recent jobs – like the last job they completed and the few before that.

From there, you should be able to narrow down your search to one or two commercial painting companies. Now it’s time to verify insurance and licensing to make sure you’re dealing with professionals who have you covered.

Once you have chosen the commercial painting company you want to work with, bring in a contractor. Tell the contractor everything you need done, and start asking questions about the timeframe and cost. The painting company should provide you with an estimate so you know how much you’ll spend and how long it’ll take.

Are You Looking for a Commercial Painter in Southern Pines?

Whether you’re repainting a commercial building because it’s time for a change or you’re ready to put it on the market and sell it, Mack Painters can help. Call us at 910-725-3227 or get in touch with us online. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you a free painting estimate for any of our services.