Monthly Archives: June 2018

What is the Best Way to Remove Old Wallpaper?

By Mack.Painters | Aberdeen , Myrtle Beach , Pinehurst , Southern Pines

Whether you just bought a house covered in wallpaper from top to bottom, you want to update your dining room or you’re ready to sell and need to start with a clean slate, you need to know the best way to remove old wallpaper – and there’s good news. You can hire a painting professional in Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst, Aberdeen or Southern Pines, or you can do it yourself.

What is the Best Way to Remove Old Wallpaper?

Before you try to remove old wallpaper, figure out what type of wall lies beneath it. Typically, you’ll be dealing with plaster or drywall.

Plaster is mostly in older homes, while drywall is only found in homes built within the last several decades. Knocking on the wall might give you some clues – plaster sounds solid and dull, while drywall sounds hollow (unless you’re knocking on a stud, so move your hand around while you’re knocking to be sure). You should also check to see if you have strippable wallpaper, which you can remove without water or chemicals. Do this by using a putty knife to pry at an edge at a corner or seam. If it pulls away easily, you have strippable wallpaper and you can just pull it all away using evenly applied pressure.

First things first: Take down all the décor and move out all the furniture. Cover the furniture you can’t remove to protect it. Put old towels and rags along the baseboards, and then put drop cloths over the towels; tape them down to protect your floors. Give yourself a full day to do an average-sized room, roll up your sleeves, and follow these steps.

Removing Wallpaper Using Water

If you want to strip wallpaper with water, you need a liquid stripper concentrate. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mix, then apply the mixture to your walls with a broad brush. You can also use a sprayer if you have one.

Work from top to bottom, and only do one section at a time – you need the paper to stay wet while you work, but doing sections that are too large will allow the paper to dry.

Let the liquid soak for a few minutes, then scrape it away with a scraping tool.

Pro tip: If the paper won’t absorb water, scour its surface with coarse sandpaper. Soak it thoroughly with more liquid and let it soak for at least a half-hour.

Removing Wallpaper Using Steam

If you rent a steamer, which uses boiling water to heat up and soften the glue that holds the wallpaper to the wall, you’ll probably need to work in a team. Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the steamer, and wear eye protection and hand protection – steam burns can be serious.

Pro tip: If the wallpaper is coated in vinyl, you need to punch holes in the paper so the steam can get through.

Do You Need to Talk to a Painting Pro in Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst, Aberdeen or Southern Pines?

We can help keep the outside of your home looking its best, from Myrtle Beach to Southern Pines – call us at 910-725-3227 to find out how. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!

 

The 3 Most Popular Dining Room Colors for 2018-2019

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Mack Painters , Myrtle Beach , Pinehurst , Southern Pines

 

Whether you’re a frequent entertainer or you prefer cozy family meals in your dining room, there are a few colors that go particularly well in that space – so here’s a quick list to give you some inspiration before you call a professional painter in Myrtle Beach.

The 3 Most Popular Dining Room Colors for 2018-2019

Repainting your dining room can transform the entire space, but if you’re like most homeowners, you’re afraid to try anything too bold. That’s normal – and the good news is that you don’t have to go crazy to really make an impact on your family and friends.

The three most popular dining room colors for 2018 and 2019 are, in no particular order:

• Inferno by BEHR®
• Spanish Brown by Benjamin Moore®
• Lupine by Sherwin-Williams®

Inferno by BEHR

Inferno is a super-warm coral color that falls between red and orange on the light end of the spectrum. The accents and décor that go with this shade are more neutral, although you can use teal and light green to create an amazing contrast. It looks spectacular with white molding, particularly around large windows, and silver or white fixtures can give you a smooth, seamless look.

Spanish Brown by Benjamin Moore

Spanish Brown is part of Benjamin Moore’s Classic Color Collection. It looks great as an accent wall, but you can do the whole room to create a warm, welcoming environment with a cozy ambiance. Spanish Brown pairs really well with cream and white, as well as modern silver fixtures – but it’s versatile enough to go with gold and bronze, too, if you’re going for an antiqued look.

Lupine by Sherwin-Williams

Lupine is a beautifully rich blue that goes exceptionally well with Sherwin-Williams’ Cool Avocado, Alabaster and Rarified Air. You can also pair it with white. This tranquil and calming color looks great with bronze fixtures to create a perfectly polished look.

Do You Need to Talk to a Paint Expert in Myrtle Beach?

We can repaint your dining room to create a whole new look, from Myrtle Beach to Pinehurst – call us at 910-725-3227 to find out how. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!

 

 

How Often Should You Paint Your Home’s Exterior?

By Mack.Painters | Painter

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re wondering how often you should paint the outside of your house. While it’s common sense to repaint it when it starts to look shoddy, should you repaint before then?

Here’s what you need to know.

How Often Should You Paint Your Home’s Exterior?

Fresh paint can transform the look of your home, so it could be exactly what you need to do if you’re selling your house – but you can do it before then, too. Generally speaking, you should:

• Re-stain wood siding about every 4 years
• Repaint aluminum siding about every 5 years
• Repaint cement fiberboard siding about every 10 years
• Repaint brick about every 15 years

Some paint doesn’t stick around as well as other types do, and several factors can affect that. Sometimes it has to do with the previous paint job, the climate and how well you’ve maintained the outside of your house.

When Previous Paint Jobs Go Bad

The quality (and even the color) of the paint the last owners – or you – used last time the house was repainted has a major impact on how long your exterior paint job will last. The number of coats your painters used and whether they painted on a cloudy day has an effect, too.

Climate and Weather

Strong sun can cause paint to bubble and fade, and the effects are more prevalent with dark colors. Harsh winters, frequent storms and rain, and even extreme humidity can cause your paint to age more quickly – and so can ocean breezes.

How Well You Maintain Your Home’s Exterior

The better you care for your home’s exterior, the more likely your paint is to stay in good condition. If you treat issues (like dampness, chalkiness or pest infestation) quickly, you can extend your paint’s lifespan.

Do You Need to Talk to an Exterior Paint Expert in Myrtle Beach?

We can help keep the outside of your home looking its best, from Myrtle Beach to Pinehurst – call us at 910-725-3227 to find out how. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!

 

What Colors Make a Room Look Bigger?

By Mack.Painters | Mack Painters

If you’re like many people, you know that the right paint colors can make a room appear larger than it really is – but what colors make a room look bigger, and how do you use them appropriately?

What Colors Make a Room Look Bigger?

Saturated colors can make a room look bigger, provided that the accents, accessories and furnishings you use are neutral (or at least varying shades of the wall color). Too much of one color can be pretty overwhelming.

Some of the best colors to use to make a room look larger are light and cool. Shades of blue, green and purple can trick the eye; they look like they’re farther away. (On the other hand, steer clear of darker, warmer colors. Those make a room seem smaller.)

Lighter and pale shades of these colors can make a room look bigger:

• Yellow
• Cool blue
• Green
• Gray
• Amethyst
• Eggshell or other almost-whites

Why Light Colors Make a Room Feel Larger

Generally, light and bright colors bounce light back around the room. That gives the room a more open, airy feel.

Tips for Painting to Make a Room Look Bigger

Even with the right colors, there’s only so much you can do – unless you:

• Paint the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls. Visually, the ceiling will appear higher and give the room a little extra perceived space.
• Using the same color on all the walls can make a room look bigger. What that means is that if you’re trying to make a small room appear larger, it’s probably best to save the accent wall you always wanted for a different room. When you have an accent wall, the eye naturally pauses at the change in color – and it creates a definite boundary.
• Paint adjoining rooms in the same color. This tricks the eye into envisioning the next room as a continuation of the first room so the space feels larger.
• Keep most of the colors in the room within the same color family, but paint trim and other details in a different shade than the walls.
• Use horizontal or vertical stripes to elongate or heighten a room’s appearance. Contrasting colors create the illusion of depth.

Do You Need to Talk to an Interior Paint Expert?

We may be able to help you make your rooms appear larger with the right paint colors and techniques – call us at 910-725-3227 to find out how. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!

7 Questions to Ask a Painting Contractor Before You Make a Hiring Decision

By Mack.Painters | Painting

If you’re thinking about having the interior of your home repainted, it’s best to work with a professional painter in Pinehurst and the surrounding communities – but how do you find the right painting contractor for your needs?

Through an interview, of course.

Here’s what to ask.

7 Questions to Ask a Painting Contractor Before You Make a Hiring Decision

It’s okay to call several painting contractors before you make a hiring decision. A good contractor won’t mind answering all your questions – and by asking these, you’ll get a good idea of what you’re getting into.

1. Are you insured?

You don’t want to work with a painting contractor that doesn’t have insurance. You can ask to see an insurance certificate, too, if you’d like. A good contractor will have no problem showing it to you.

2. Who will be working in my home?

Ask your contractor if he or she is the one who will be working in your home. You should also ask if the contractor has run background checks on employees, as well as whether the workers are employees or subcontractors.

3. What paint brands will you use?

Contractors that use quality materials know that there are big differences between the paints and other materials they can use – and you should ask for details about the products the contractor plans to use on your project.

4. How will my project be managed?

Ask the contractor how he or she will manage the project; will the person who gives you the estimate be on the job, too, or is there a central management office that handles everything?

5. What organizations does your company belong to?

Membership to professional organizations can indicate that the company is a stable one, so don’t be afraid to ask if the business you’re calling is part of anything bigger than itself.

6. Do you have references?

It’s okay if a painting company doesn’t want to give you past clients’ personal information (would you want your personal information given out?) – but you should check the company’s reviews online. If they’ve had a tough time with a customer (or a several customers), there’s a pretty good chance they’ll have negative reviews. Just remember: One or two negative reviews that are mixed in with dozens of good ones could just be sour grapes.

7. What if we go over budget?

A good contractor will give you a pretty accurate estimate, and he or she will let you know as soon as possible if it looks like you’re going to go over. You want a contractor who’s going to give you a heads-up before it happens!

Need to Talk to a Painting Pro?

We may be able to help you refresh your home’s interior – call us at 910-725-3227 to ask us any of these questions or anything else. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services, too, so call today!