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3 Things You Need to Know About Interior Painting

By Mack.Painters | Painting

If you’re like most people, you haven’t thought much about interior painting until you realize your home needs to be freshened up – and that also means you’re not quite sure what you need to know about painting before you hire a professional painter.

Fortunately, we have you covered. These are three things you need to know about painting the interior of your home before you dive in with both feet.

3 Things You Need to Know About Interior Painting

When you’re ready to update your home by hiring a professional painter, knowing these three things can make the whole process easier.

#1: Sheen Matters

The finish of your paint – called its sheen – is very important when it comes to how it looks. Generally, high-traffic areas of your home will do better with gloss or satin finishes that stand up to touching and are easier to clean. However, these finishes can really make imperfections jump out. Matte finishes tend to look better, but they aren’t as tough as glosses and satins, so it’s best to weigh your options when we come out for your free painting estimate.

(Check out our guide to paint finishes to learn even more.)

#2: Check Out Lots of Samples Before Settling on a Color

Test out several samples in various light conditions before you pick a paint color. You can get samples easily, and you can wait for natural light to change over the course of a day – and check out how the colors look under your home lighting scheme – before you settle on a color. You might be surprised at how different times of day and your interior lights affect the colors you love.

#3: Work With Professionals You Trust

The painters you hire make all the difference in the world. You want to work with a company that’s experienced in prep work, which is vital to a good paint job, and whose painters pay close attention to detail. You also need painters that can protect your belongings from paint splatters, avoid streaks and lines, and save you money while getting the job done quickly.

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.

 

How to Estimate How Much Paint You Need

By Mack.Painters | Painting , Tips and Tricks

 

If you’re painting your home’s interior on your own, especially if it’s your first time through this, you need a solid way to figure out how much paint you’ll need.

Here’s what you need to know.

How to Estimate How Much Paint You Need

There’s a mathematical formula you can use to figure out how much paint you need – and it’ll work whether you’re painting a small bathroom, a big kitchen, or the entire house.

As a general rule, you can get about 400 square feet of painted surface from one gallon of paint. However, some paints provide more – and some provide less. It’s better to have more than you need than less than you need, so round up!

Pro Tip: Even if a can of paint says you only need one coat to completely cover another color, be leery – that’s a bold claim to make, and we haven’t found any that can actually live up to that promise.

The way to figure out how much paint you need is to add up the square feet you need painted, then divide it by 400. The resulting number is the number of gallons you need to buy… but don’t forget to round up.

If you have to paint 2,500 square feet, this is what your math will look like:

Pro Tip: If you know you’ll need 5 gallons, buy a 5-gallon bucket of paint – don’t buy five 1-gallon cans.

Other Things to Know Before You Paint

• Semi-gloss paints usually require more coats than flat paints do.
• If you buy 3 gallons of paint, mix them all together before you start painting – that way you can be sure the color is perfectly matched.
• Standard doors are 21 square feet.

Do You Need Painting Help?

We can handle all your interior painting for you – just call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services. Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach painting pros are right here waiting to help.

 

5 Creative Kitchen Painting Ideas

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Painting , Tips and Tricks

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, or if you just want to freshen up its appearance, a new paint job is in order – but what if you don’t want run-of-the-mill, plain walls? Check out these five creative kitchen painting ideas.

5 Creative Kitchen Painting Ideas

How can you turn your kitchen into a dream space with paint? Check out these five creative kitchen painting ideas.

Ceiling Paint

When you choose a new color for your kitchen, it can be pretty overwhelming – but if you limit yourself to just the ceiling (or even an accent wall), you can create a fresh, amazing look.

 

Chalkboard Wall

Paint a whole section of a wall – maybe the one that juts out on the side of your refrigerator – as a chalkboard. You can also add a colored border for added effect.

Color Blocking

Choose colors that sit beside each other on the color wheel and remember that warm colors look great with cool colors, and create a blocked look by painting upper cabinets one color and lower cabinets the other.

Paint Inside Cabinets

Painting the inside of your cabinets – particularly if your cabinet doors have windows – can create a wonderful look. It can also give you time to adjust to a new color.

Pro Tip: Glossy paint reflects light, and it can brighten and open up your kitchen.

Pantry Paint

Paint your pantry to try out a new shade or design. It’s also a great way to add color that’s too bold to use elsewhere.

Want to Spruce Up Your Kitchen With Paint?

We can repaint your kitchen for you and make it look amazing – just call us at 910-725-3227. We’ll be happy to give you a free painting estimate for any of our services. Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach painting pros are right here waiting to help.

 

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

By Mack.Painters | Tips and Tricks

 

If you’re like many people, you’ve seen how bad a hole in drywall looks – and if you need to paint over one, you know that it’s tough to get it just right.

Here’s how to fix a hole in drywall so you can paint over it. (Remember, if you need help, we can repair the holes in your drywall and give your whole home a fresh coat of paint!)

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

There are basically three categories of holes in drywall: Small, Medium and Large. The size of the hole will dictate how you fix it.

How to Fix Small Holes in Drywall (Under 3 or 4 Inches)

You can use a drywall patch kit for small holes in drywall, like the ones a doorknob would cause. Follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Place a self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole.
2. Use a drywall knife to cover the patch with joint compound. Feather the edges so it blends into the wall.
3. Apply a second coat of compound if necessary, but wait until the first patch dries.
4. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

How to Fix Medium Holes in Drywall (Under About 6 Inches)

For holes that are about 6 inches across (or smaller), you can cut drywall to fit inside. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a piece of drywall into a square that’s about 2 inches larger than the hole.
2. Score the back of the drywall about 1 inch inside its borders. Make the cuts close for a perforated effect.
3. Break off the gypsum without tearing the paper backing.
4. Hold the cut drywall over the hole and trace its outline. Don’t outline the paper – just the drywall.
5. Cut out the traced square with a drywall knife.
6. Spread joint compound on the back of the paper.
7. Put the cut drywall in the hole and smooth the paper edges over the wall.
8. Cover the whole patch with joint compound and feather the edges.
9. Apply a second coat of compound when the first is dry.
10. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

How to Fix Large Holes in Drywall (Over 6 Inches)

You can use drywall to patch a large hole, but it might require a different method. Follow these steps:

1. Cut a piece of drywall into a square that’s larger than the hole.
2. Hold the square over the drywall and trace around its edges.
3. Cut a hole in the drywall that matches your patch using a drywall knife.
4. Add a small, thin piece of wood to each side of the hole from the inside, using screws on the outside. Sink the screws beneath the drywall’s surface so you can patch them later.
5. Put the drywall patch in place and screw it to the wooden strips inside the hole.
6. Affix joint tape all around the patch.
7. Cover the patch and the joint tape with joint compound. Feather the edges.
8. Apply a second coat of compound when the first is dry.
9. Sand the patch down so it’s smooth.

Want to Skip All This Hassle?

We can handle this for you and repaint your wall so it looks like there was never a hole there in the first place. We work in Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Myrtle Beach. Call us at 910-725-3227 to get a free painting estimate for any of our services today!

 

5 Great Ways to Use Ultra Violet – Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year – in Your Home

By Mack.Painters | Colors , Painter , Painting

Pantone’s 2018 color of the year is Ultra Violet, which paint authority says is “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade” that “communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.”

While purple is definitely a great color to use in a meditation room or bedroom, can you use it in the rest of your home and pull it off?

5 Great Ways to Use Ultra Violet – Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year – in Your Home

Here are five great ways to let purple reign in some areas of your house.

#1: Use purple as an accent wall.

Purple generally makes rooms look bigger because it has cool tones, so it makes a wonderful color for an accent wall. It’s known for promoting relaxation and having a calming effect, so purple might be the right choice for your bedroom, dining room or reading nook.

#2: Paint the inside of your cabinets.

You can create a great – and very unique – look by painting the inside of your cabinets like this. It’s not overwhelming or over-done, which means it’s a fantastic way to add a little panache to the kitchen pantry or dining room cupboards.

#3: Add pizzazz to your kitchen island.

By painting only the walls of your kitchen island purple, like this, you can add a splash of color in a white or neutral kitchen. Try plenty of samples, though, to make sure it’s the right one for an accent in the kitchen – it can be tricky to get purple right in this type of space.

#4: Paint your whole bedroom purple.

Lavender generally looks great in bedrooms (and again, it makes them look bigger). You can go for a variety of shades with your door or keep it all pretty close for a monochromatic look, but it’s best to break things up so it doesn’t become overwhelming.

#5: Use small decorative accents in purple.

Small decorative accents can make a big impact, like this. Lamps and lighting, throw pillows or even a chair in your favorite shade of purple can serve as a focal point in a room and add a pop of color where you really need it.

Want to Talk to a Painting Expert About Adding Color to Your Home?

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.

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.