All Posts by Mack.Painters

How to Remove Wallpaper Without Damaging Walls

By Mack.Painters | Painter , Painting

If you’re like many people who buy a home, you have more than a few ideas on what to do with the paint colors inside – and the smart choice is usually to work with a professional painter in Pinehurst who can tackle the job for you.

But if the house has wallpaper and you’re doing a DIY job, where do you start?

(Find out how to choose the right color for an accent wall here.)

How to Remove Wallpaper Without Damaging Walls

The method you choose to take down wallpaper will depend on the type of product. You can strip some wallpapers dry, but for others, you’ll have to use a special solution. You can use a steamer, but it takes a long time; it’s also fairly dangerous, so it’s best to leave to the professionals if that’s the route you want to take.

To figure out whether you need a solution or you can strip it dry, test a small area of the wall (3 feet by 3 feet should suffice). If the wallpaper comes off easily without causing damage to the wall, you’re good to go – just be careful as you move forward. If not, you’ll have to spray a removal solution on the area and let it soak in. You might have to apply it several times before it begins to work, and if it’s not soaking through the wallpaper, use a scoring tool to punch small holes in it that let the solution get through to the backing.

Pro tip: Only use a scoring tool as a last resort, otherwise you run the risk of gouging the drywall beneath.

When the solution soaks through the wallpaper, you can peel it away. If you find another layer of wallpaper beneath it, ignore it for now – you should only take off one layer at a time. As you peel away the wallpaper, some of the sticky backing will stay behind. Scrape it off with a broad knife, but be careful that the edge of the knife doesn’t puncture the drywall.

Once you’ve removed all the wallpaper, spray the wall again with the removal solution. Wipe it clean and scrape off any remaining backing, then let the wall dry for a few days before you do anything else to it.

Your best bet? Saving this job for the pros. When you work with a professional painting company, you get guaranteed work – and you don’t have to spend your time and energy peeling away old, outdated wallpaper. Besides, the pros you hire can come right back when the walls are dry to freshen things up with a new coat of paint.

Do You Need to Talk to a Painting Pro in Pinehurst or Aberdeen?

We can help you create the perfect space by removing old wallpaper and putting up a fresh coat of paint – just 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.

 

How to Pick the Right Paint Color for Your Meditation or Yoga Room

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Painting

When you’re creating a meditation room in your home, you want to get it all right… down to the smallest detail. But one of the big details is the paint color you use on your wall – and here’s what you need to know to make the best possible decision.

How to Pick the Right Paint Color for Your Meditation or Yoga Room

When you’re painting a meditation room in your home, you need to know:

• The colors you choose will have an effect on you (check out the color psychology behind bedroom paint shades for even more information)
• The lighting you use will impact the color you see on the walls

Color Psychology for Meditation Rooms

Make sure the room you choose is away from traffic (including the bathroom) and that it gets the right amount of natural light. Once that’s done, you can pick the perfect paint color.

Here’s a breakdown when it comes to choosing colors:

• Mauve is graceful and subtle, and it symbolizes imagination and spirituality.
• Tan and beige are cozy and comforting, and they symbolize simplicity and health.
• Deep blue is calming and serene, and it symbolizes wisdom, faith and truth.
• Light gray is cool and balanced, and it symbolizes maturity and safety.
• Coral is warm and healthy, and it symbolizes harmony.
• Light green is natural and calming, and it symbolizes growth, freshness and safety.

Should You Put an Accent Wall in a Meditation Room?

Whether or not to put an accent wall in your meditation room is purely a personal choice – but if you do, know that if you choose the right colors, you’ll be able to make the room appear larger. The colors that pull the eye away from the wall include:

• Greens
• Blues
• Purples

Some colors will make the wall appear closer than it really is, including:

• Oranges
• Yellows
• Reds

When you’re choosing which wall to use as an accent, it’s best if you have a good sense of where you’ll meditate (and in which direction you’ll typically face) or practice yoga. In many cases, the best accent wall is one without a window, door or other built-in feature. You can also use your ceiling as an accent – and the professional painter you hire can help you choose the perfect shades.

What’s the 60:30:10 Rule?

The 60:30:10 rule is a suggested ratio for colors in any room. If you’re following that as a guide, 60 percent of the room should be painted or decorated in your dominant color; 30 percent should be in a secondary color on the same palette; and the remaining 10 percent should be your accent color.

Do You Need to Talk to a Painting Pro in Pinehurst or Aberdeen About a Meditation Room?

We can help you create the perfect meditation room by painting it to provide you with a serene, tranquil color (or two!) – just 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.

 

 

How to Find the Right Color for Your Accent Wall (and How to Choose the Right Wall)

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Painter , Painting

 

You don’t have to invest in several expensive paintings, lots of costly sculptures and other big-ticket decorative items to pull off a perfectly polished look in your home – an accent wall just might do the trick.

But how do you find just the right color and figure out which wall to use?

How to Find the Right Color for Your Accent Wall

Your accent wall will work in tandem with the rest of your décor to create a finished look. Based on your theme and your existing décor, you’ll be able to choose the perfect shades… as long as you have a good grip on the ways colors impact the overall “feel” of a room.

Remember:

• Warm colors can make a space appear smaller than it is. Oranges, yellows and reds will create the illusion that the wall is closer.
• Cool colors, such as green, blue and purple, pull the wall away from the eye. That makes a room look larger than it is.

It’s also important to know which direction your room faces. If it’s facing north or east, it will tend to feel cooler and get less natural light; that means a warm-colored accent wall may be a dramatic improvement. If the room faces west or south, it’s likely to feel warmer and typically receives more natural light, so a cool-colored accent wall might be the perfect touch to balance things out.

Here are a few ideas:

• Blue is a “productive” color, so it works well in an office
• Green is synonymous with tranquility and health, so it goes nicely in a bedroom
• Pink is calming and warm, so it’s good for bedrooms
• Yellow brightens a room and brings on energy, so the kitchen might be its best space
• Lavender is calming and allows relaxation, so it’s good for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms
• Red is the color of passion and excitement, so it’s good in kitchens and dining rooms (some people even say it encourages appetite)

Which Wall Should You Turn Into an Accent Wall?

The first wall you see in a room isn’t necessarily the one you want to turn into an accent wall, but it can be. Typically, the best choice is a wall without an architectural feature (like a window, fireplace or door). However, if you have a window framing a gorgeous view or a door that would look great surrounded by a splash of color, there’s nothing wrong with choosing that wall.

For an even fresher twist, think about using your ceiling as an accent wall. It counts!

The rule of thumb is 60-30-10. That means 60 percent of the room should be in your dominant color (that includes the walls and your décor). Then, 30 percent can be in a secondary color that’s in the same color family as your dominant color. Finally, 10 percent of the room is for the accent color.

Do You Need to Talk to an Expert About Adding Accent Walls in Your Home?

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.

 

 

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.

Color Psychology: Choosing the Right Paint Color for the Master Bedroom

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Painting

If you’re like most people, you want your home to be a relaxing haven where you can unwind at the end of each day – and your bedroom is front-and-center in that role. But what if your bedroom isn’t the most relaxing place in the house because of its paint color?

That’s where the Pinehurst painting experts come in.

Color Psychology: Choosing the Right Paint Color for the Master Bedroom

Picking the right paint color for your bedroom isn’t terribly difficult, but it does require a little detective work in color psychology.

If you’re painting your bedroom to sell, none of this applies to you. Your Realtor® will probably advise you to paint your bedroom a neutral color, not something personalized, so that it’ll appeal to the widest possible range of buyers. If you are selling your home, choose a beige, light gray or another very pale pastel – and talk to your agent about what’s selling in your area before you decide.

5 Colors for a Relaxing, Calming Bedroom

Even if you have no trouble sleeping, picking the right colors for your bedroom is important. You want to create a relaxing ambiance, and some of the most soothing colors include dark gray-blue, soft gray, neutral green, lavender and ice blue.

Dark Gray-Blue

Blending neutral gray and sky blue, this shade inspires serenity and helps people relax. Blue is also associated with safety and tranquility, which means it’s a great way to lull yourself to sleep.

Soft Gray

Because soft gray is so neutral and pairs well with nearly any décor, it’s the ideal shade for the bedroom. It’s not exciting or vibrant, which means you’ll be able to relax your mind and drift off peacefully beside gray walls.

Neutral Green

Green is lively, but if it’s a neutral shade, it’s not going to keep you up at night. It’s commonly associated with balance, calm and harmony (just like in nature), as well as renewal and growth – and that makes it ideal for the place where you need all those things.

Lavender

Lavender isn’t just another shade of purple. In fact, it’s a perfect blend of exotic and elegant – and it’s soothing. Light purple inspires daydreams and calm, and it’s associated with luxury and royalty.

Ice Blue

While light blue is most often used in creative spaces, it’s ice blue that creates a cool, calming effect. Think of the sky on a clear, crisp day; that’s ice blue. Its association with water lends it to tranquility, and because it’s not too vibrant, it’s great for a bedroom with neutral décor.

Do You Need to Repaint Your Bedroom?

Whether you’re repainting your home 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.

Selling Your Home: What You Need to Do About the Paint

By Mack.Painters | Painting

If you’re selling your home, it’s often a good idea to give the interior a fresh coat of paint so it’s as appealing as possible to potential buyers. But should you repaint every room, or just small patches on the walls to repair dents, dings and holes?

Selling Your Home: What You Need to Do About the Paint

Ask your real estate agent, a family member or close friend to give you an honest opinion on the condition of your home’s interior paint. Walk through each room and be on the lookout for:

• Paint that looks dingy or dirty
• Holes (including small nail holes where pictures used to hang)
• Scratches
• Scuffs
• Chips

Sometimes a quick wash can solve your paint issues, especially if the paint isn’t very old – but be careful, because some paints are not washable.

If it’s been quite some time since your home’s interior was painted, it might be time for a fresh coat anyway.

For most people, it makes sense to hire professional painters who can perfectly match colors, prepare the area for painting, and leave your walls looking brand-new. Do-it-yourself painting isn’t as easy as it looks on Pinterest, and it requires a lot of prep work and patience to ensure that it’s done right.

Do You Have to Repaint When You Sell?

A home that looks clean and well-maintained sells faster than one that doesn’t, regardless of the price range, home style or even location. While you don’t have to repaint, most Realtors® will tell you that it’s a good idea, particularly if you have lived in the home for a while without repainting. It’s also a good idea if you’ve had a little damage to the walls, like scratches or gouges, or nail holes from hanging paintings.

If You Choose to Repaint Before You Sell…

If you choose to repaint the interior of your home, rather than just hire experts to patch up spots that need a little TLC, remember that wild colors don’t tend to sell as well as neutral colors do. Buyers may end up repainting the walls to the colors they love, but your home will appeal to a wider variety when the walls are neutral and look like they’ll complement any decorative style.

Do You Need to Talk to Professional Painters?

If you’re thinking about painting your home and would like an estimate from the area’s most trusted experts, call us right away at 910-725-3227. We’ll evaluate your needs and give you a free painting estimate so you can make the best possible decision for your home.

 

 

3 Reasons You Need a Professional Painter in Southern Pines

By Mack.Painters | Painter , Painting , Southern Pines

Sometimes a little bit of paint can change a home’s entire appearance – and that’s true whether you’re adding an accent wall or you’re touching things up because you’re moving out.

But should you tackle painting your house yourself, or leave it to the professionals?

Should You Paint Your House Yourself, or Hire Professionals?

For most people, the time and preparation involved in painting a house – inside or outside – is a little too much. Those people hire professional painters so they don’t have to worry about a thing.

3 Reasons to Hire a Professional Painter

If you know that you don’t have the time, skill or patience to paint your own house, skip these three reasons to hire a professional painter and call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll set up your appointment right away. If you’re not sure, keep reading!

Reason #1 to Hire a Professional Painter: Prep Takes a Long Time

A little less than half of the time it takes to paint a house goes into prep work. Pros clean the walls from top to bottom (and ceilings, too, if those are on the schedule for a new paint job), move furnishings so they don’t get paint on them, set up dropcloths to protect flooring and other items that can’t move, and ensure the perfect color match.

All this takes quite a bit of time. It’s worth it, though, because everything’s just the right color and your furniture (and floors) are paint-free.

Reason #2 to Hire a Professional Painter: Pros Catch Every Detail

When you paint your house yourself – especially if it’s something you don’t do every day – you’re bound to miss a few things. While you can always go back and fix them later, it’s best to get everything the first time (and a pro painter will be knowledgeable and experienced enough to catch everything).

Reason #3 to Hire a Professional Painter: Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

Pro painters make a living painting homes, which means they’ve got it down to a science. They’ll be able to paint your house efficiently, as quickly as is possible, and as cost-effectively as possible. Think about it this way: If you paint your house and screw something up big-time, you’ll end up paying to repair the damage, and it’ll take a lot longer than it would have if you’d hired a professional in the first place.

If You Do Decide to Paint Your Own House…

If you choose to paint your own house, interior or exterior, use these tips to help you do it properly:

• Roll the roller across the full height of the all and keep a wet edge of paint so you can avoid lap marks (those unsightly stripes that show up when you roll over paint that’s partly dry)
• Reload your roller before it becomes nearly dry
• Mix all your cans of paint for each room in a large bucket to ensure a perfectly consistent color
• Don’t just pull painter’s tape off the trim; cut it away after the paint has dried for at least 24 hours
• Prime and texture the walls before you paint to avoid a blotchy, ugly appearance
• Make sure your walls and ceiling are spotlessly cleaned before you start painting
• Use a roller on edges and in corners so you don’t get mixed textures

Do You Need to Talk to a Professional Painter?

If you’re thinking about painting your home and would like an estimate from the Southern Pines painting experts, call us right away at 910-725-3227. We’ll evaluate your needs and give you a free painting estimate so you can make the best possible decision for your home.