When I start to create a decorative piece of hand painted furniture, the first question I ask myself is am I going to stain it or paint it? If I’m starting with a piece of new unfinished furniture that has a beautiful wood grain, staining is an excellent option. Staining wood allows the grain to show through and provides additional color and protection for the wood. In order to create a very decorative, colorful, unique piece of hand painted furniture, I may choose to paint the furniture instead of staining it.

In either case, the first and probably most important step is to prepare the wood to take the finish. Whether you are painting or staining the wood, you will want to sand the furniture until the surface is smooth and ready to accept the paint or stain. Always sand in the direction of the grain. I like to use a 220-grit sanding sponge on unfinished wood and follow that up with 320 and finally, a micro sanding grit that really makes the wood satiny smooth to the touch. Once the sanding is finished, you need to vacuum up the sanding dust with a clean brush attachment and then wipe with a lint free soft cloth or brush the surface with a soft brush to eliminate any debris without damaging the wood pores. I don’t recommend using a tack rag because even though it may collect all of the sanding dust, it can interfere with some water based stains or finishes. As long as you’re using an oil based stain, you can use a tack rag if you do it gently so that you don’t damage the wood pores. Now you are ready to either paint or stain.

When you paint a piece of furniture, you will first apply a good wood primer. Valspar makes an excellent wood primer for furniture (Valspar Enamel Undercoater). It dries quickly and sands easily. Did you think you were finished sanding? Not if you want a good finish. After the primer dries, you will notice some rough spots in the wood that the primer has raised. You will want to use a very fine grit to sand these spots smooth. I prefer micro sanding sponges for this step. When all the rough spots have been sanded away, you are now ready to paint. I suggest a good latex paint that takes about 2-4 hours to dry. Most colors require at least two coats of paint on top of the primer to achieve the color you are expecting.

If you are staining the furniture, select a stain that will enhance the grain of the wood. I like to use an oil-based gel stain. It goes on easily with a chip brush or lint free rag, and then you wipe it off gently with a soft lint free cloth so that the wood doesn’t appear wet but only colored. Unlike paint, oil based stain takes much longer to dry, and if you want a darker stain, you need to wait about 24 hours before applying another coat. For many stains, one coat is sufficient.

The last step to achieving beautiful results is to finish the piece with a satin, a semi-gloss or gloss polyurethane. If you used oil-based stain, you should use an oil-based polyurethane. I use a gel poly over the oil-based gel stain and I usually apply three coats. If you have painted the piece of furniture, you still need to finish it with a poly for lasting protection and years of use. The difference is, you must wait about three weeks to let the paint cure before applying the poly. My favorite topcoat for paint is called Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish. Polycrylic is a waterbased topcoat that results in a beautiful finish that will not yellow or change the color you have painted the wood.

Finally, the secret to a really beautiful finish, whether you choose satin, semi-gloss or gloss is to gently sand away any rough spots with a micro sanding sponge between each coat of poly. The results will be beautiful!

As a small business owner and crafter, Marilyn Mocker is accomplished in the art of wood finishing and has developed a distinctive style in both staining and painting furniture. She has produced colorful designs, utilizing faux painting as well as traditional staining on the pieces she creates. She considers each piece of furniture a blank canvas and when finished, it is one of a kind, a colorful, functional piece of art. Marilyn creates small colorful and often whimsical stools, table and chair sets and hand painted rocking chairs for children. The pieces she creates are shown and sold at craft shows in Pennsylvania and online at http://www.anglerandsillysalmon.com/index.php?p=page&page_id=Hand-Painted-Furniture.

There are many options to use when painting a floor. Understanding them lets you pick the best one for your needs. The process for floor painting is very simple and anyone can do it with the correct steps. Finding the best products to seal the floor will allow it to be in great shape for years to come.

Painting floors is really very simple. It takes some time but the end result is worth the effort. Some of the options available are; epoxy floor paints usually used on floors that have a lot of heavy use. There are many different kinds of decorative painting, some detailed and some simple. You can use faux finishes like marble, brick, tile you can even do stenciling. At this point you need to ask yourself which option fits your needs and what is the look you want for the room.

It is important that your floor is in good condition, no peeling or broken surface. It must be smooth and stripped of old wax build up. One cleaning option is to apply white distilled vinegar, full strength on the entire floor and wipe off with clear water. You can get other cleaning products at your paint store. After you have thoroughly cleaned the floor, you need to apply a sealer coat. I recommend using something like Kilz on the entire floor; it is easiest to use a roller. This will give something for the paint to adhere to. When dry simply apply the option you decided, applying the first coat of paint. I recommend a couple coats of the base color, let it dry between coats, again a roller works well. Now you are ready for any of the faux finishes, or simply leave it with the base color.

Start the sealing process after your final coat of paint. Walk on the painted surface as little as possible before you get the sealer coat on. Using 3 thin coats of clear urethane will seal your floor; you can choose to have a matte finish or a glossy one, the option is yours. Let it dry between coats, following the directions on the can. I suggest that once a year you go over the floor with a couple coats of the clear urethane just to keep that great look. I had a floor in my kitchen that was never re-sealed in the 3 years we had it. Do as I say, not as I do.

Painting your floor will add new life to any room. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. It really is easy and will be a great addition to your home.

Please follow me for more options when looking for ways to improve the look and feel of your home. The design world is full of possibilities and we can explore them together. http://GlendaMillette.com

Interior painting is something that many homeowners dread even though it can easily liven up a home and give it a fresh face. If you have any knowledge of what to do and how to do it efficiently, painting you home’s interior of your home won’t be too bad. Here are some basic tips and pieces of advice for your next home project involving interior decorating.

1. One day of prepping and painting an area isn’t enough. Doing this will make you feel rushed, which can lead to you doing a bad paint job. A day to prep the area for painting should be set aside. You can even do this a few days before painting id the room doesn’t see too much use. You day of preparation should include moving furniture, laying down drop clothes, taping the walls and gathering all necessary supplies in the room.

2. Damaged walls shouldn’t be painted over. Make sure to look over the room’s walls and fix any crack or holes there may be before you try to paint the room. Drywall kits and sanding will easily fix cracks and holes. So that there will be time to sand the area down and time for the drywall plaster to dry, make sure that you do it all a day before you paint.

3. Be sure to use the right brush for the right job. Go with natural bristles on your brush if you are using an oil-based paint. If the paint is water based or latex be sure to buy synthetic bristled brushes, as they will work best with this type of paint. Foam rollers will be necessary for larger painting areas. Paint around the trim and windows with smaller brushes.

4. If the professional look is what you are going for on your walls you will definitely need to use a primer before painting. Your paint will go on much smoother and you will avoid tainting the color with a previous wall color by using a primer. If your base coat color and primer color are tinted to match you may be able to avoid a second coat of base color on the walls.

5.Painter’s blue tape is best for making sure that you don’t get paint on areas such as doorway frames, trim and windows. If you don’t want paint to go in a certain area apply this tape to the surface of the area. If you don’t want paint to seep into an area be sure to apply this tape to the surface of the area. When the paint has dried, simply remove the tape from the area and don’t worry at all about any paint coming with it.

6. Mistakes may happen, and because of that make sure to have plenty of old rags around. It is highly likely that you might drop paint on the trip or that your brush may touch something it wasn’t supposed to.

7. If you want an even coat you have to make sure to paint in even strokes. You’ll need plenty of light to see when you are painting and to see spots you may have missed.

8. Future fixes and touch-ups should be done with any leftover paint you have. Left over paint should be kept for future touch-ups or fixes. Pour your left over paint in a tight lidded glass jar if you don’t want to keep a large paint can around for such a small amount of paint. The date, the room the paint was used in and its exact color should all be labeled on the jar.

You don’t have to be scared of painting the interior of your home. You will soon be on your way to changing your room’s décor if you simple follow these easy tips.

Avo Barsoumian has been in the home flooring and interior design industry for over 25 years. He is the owner of Carpet Wagon, a family owned carpet installation company in Southern California. They have a huge selection of elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting. Searching for that perfect carpet estimate for your new home or 

I have a question for you, just how much time have you spent at the home store trying to figure out which, (if any) of the “handy dandy” paint accessories actually will save you time and money? I’ll bet you’ve even tried a couple of them and been discouraged.

You are not alone……

This is number 3 in a series of 3 articles that I’ll explain honestly what has worked for me over the years and why it is well worth the small amount of extra time and money in order to have the finished product you truly want and deserve.

How Much Paint to Buy?

That’s a nagging question….A typical gallon of paint will cover 350 square feet on the average. Always make sure you look at the paint can label, some paint coverage will vary.

Another important factor is what is currently on the wall? How old is that paint, what sheen is (or was) that paint? Here in the dry southwest, paint won’t last as long. Meaning, the paint seems to “suck” into the surface making the new paint project require more coats. More on that in a minute.

So measure the room, length, width, and height. Now measure the doors and windows and subtract from the walls…not a math major? Fortunately you have a good option, search “wall paint calculator” and input the room measurements, doors windows etc. and the calculator will give you the number of gallons of paint you need for ONE coat.

Now let’s talk about the existing surface, primer and number of coats.

If your room hasn’t been painted in quite sometime or if you are painting over a strong color, (think red or dark blue etc) you will need to prime the walls before painting. This step is necessary because if you skip this step, the walls will look streaky, and you possibly will need more than two coats.

Priming the walls first is also required if you are painting a deep color, ie: red or dark blue. If you don’t prime first the selected color will be lighter, think pink……

Here’s a Trick: Have the paint store tint the primer to the color you will be painting the walls.

Here’s a Tip: If your chosen color starts with a “deep tint base” you will need to tint the primer and paint 2 coats.

Most painting projects require 2 coats, so if the wall paint calculator says you need 2 and ½ gallons, add one gallon for the second coat. You’ll be glad you took the time and spent a bit more money, because the finished project will not only look better but will last a lot longer even here in the southwest.

Prepping Made Simple:

Ok you’ve chosen the color, bought the primer and paint, have your tools ready; prepping the room is the 1st step.

If possible, empty the room. If not pull furniture 3 to 4 feet from the walls. If you are painting the ceiling, don’t pile everything in the center of the room till after the ceiling is painted. Cover all furnishings and flooring with drops.

Remove all switch plates and outlet covers. Dust the corners; (vacuum is better than rags) wash the walls with water and a detergent to remove any grease and or dirt. Fix any cracks, patch holes, sand and match texture.

Now a word about tape……..

Ask 10 people whether to tape or not and you get a 50 / 50 divide.

As a general rule, I don’t tape. I will in selected circumstances, but generally speaking it wastes more time than is helps. When I started painting, an older gentleman I was working with encouraged me to learn how to paint cleanly without tape. So, over the years I’ve found it more beneficial to learn how to be very precise and wipe any “wiggles” as I go.

That said, taping is not a bad thing. If you don’t paint everyday, do take the time to tape. Use blue or green painters tape, and tape off baseboards, windows, door frames, any area where you need to cut in before you roll.

After you paint, remove the tape as soon as possible while the paint it still wet or you’ll be taking some of that new paint with the tape!

Here’s a Trick: Here in the southwest many walls have “bullnose” (rounded) edges instead of sharp corners, and often there is an orange peel texture. If you try to paint a straight line on this, you’ll make yourself crazy, with or without tape! A handy trick: tape the edge where you want the straight line. Now caulk the edge of the tape with a tiny bead and with a damp cloth wipe the caulk towards the tape. Paint, then remove the tape. Voila! A straight line on texture!

Left Over Paint Disposal:

Your painting project is finished, your room is beautiful, and you’ve saved enough for touch up but have more paint left over. What do you do? If you have used latex paint, the answer is simple. Take off the can lid,and let the paint dry in the can, Once the paint is dry it can be disposed of with household trash. If oil based, the cans must be disposed of as hazardous waste, another reason to use water based paint!

There you have it, some tricks and tips to help with your painting project.

Go ahead and tackle the paint…you can do it!!! Painting is the most effective way to change a room.

Debbie writes a monthly newsletter, Brushstrokes, that includes color and decorating trends, color of the month, tips, hints, and even a bit of astrology, gemology, and feng shui. Painted Walls truly believes in Paint Magic For Your World Visit us at http://paintedwallsnm.com for more information.

Polyurea elastomeric coatings are slowly gaining popularity because of their unique capability to withstand corrosion. In these times of intense public awareness about environmental degradation and the subsequent concern for its safety, polyurea elastomers coatings are some of the most environment-friendly coatings in the market. A fast-curing ability and excellent damage resistance add to the advantages of this coating system.

Why are polyurea elastomers coatings unique and what are the benefits that can be derived from using them? Their advantages are listed below:

1. Urea systems contain zero VOCs in their composition. This is because these coating systems are 100% solid formulations. As such, no toxic emissions are released to the environment during coatings preparation, mixing, application and disposal. Coatings applicators are not threatened with caustic chemicals exposure or harmful fumes inhalation.

2. A fast reaction between urea components of these elastomers coatings inhibits the intrusion of water vapor during the reaction process. Because of this, the polyurea elastomers coatings can be applied to moist surfaces with minimal adverse consequences.

3. Polyurea elastomers are highly-resistant against abrasive impacts and chemical exposure. They are also flexible and tough even when exposed to high temperatures.

Applications of Anti-Corrosive Polyurea Elastomers Coatings

Because of the unique capabilities of polyurea elastomer coatings, they perform well in coating projects that require the installation of effective protective systems. Some of the successful applications of these coatings are outlined below:

1. Storage and open-structure lining. The quick-curing ability of polyurea elastomeric coatings work well in steel tanks, pipes, marine facilities, and bridges, among others.

2. Abrasion protection. Polyurea elastomer coatings exhibit structural elasticity in varying temperatures. They also resist heavy physical impacts and constant wears and tears. This makes them particularly useful in painting industrial vehicles and equipments.

3. Chemical damage tolerance. Polyurea elastomeric coatings provide excellent protection against chemical stings, acidic and mineral corrosion. This harsh environment is often found in waste water treatment facilities.

4. Concrete applications. Polyurea elastomeric coatings can be applied in varying film thickness and consistency. They can be used on concrete walls, decks, roofs or floors.

Limitations of Polyurea Elastomeric Coatings

Some of the beneficial properties offered by polyurea elastomeric coatings also pose certain disadvantages in certain cases. Below are some of these limitations:

1. Since polyurea coatings have a fast reaction and curing time, the target substrate may not achieve proper surface wetness. This can result in poor coatings adhesion.

2. Polyurea elastomeric coatings are reactive to UV radiation. Using them as top coats may lead to surface discoloration and chalking, not suitable for aesthetic applications.

3. Polyurea coatings cannot be applied directly in underwater applications. Despite their good performance in moist environments, direct application in water-logged conditions will result to coatings failure.

4. Specialized skills and equipments are required to apply polyurea elastomeric coatings. Only special sprayers that work in high temperature and pressure can be used during coating application. The use of these special equipments requires the right degree of application skill, which can be gained from training.

Steve Parker, Sr. Estimator. RaiderPainting.com is the leading painting company providing commercial and industrial painting services to over 1,000 Fortune 500 customers and small businesses nationwide. Call 877-724-3371 for a no obligation Estimate. Read our daily Raider Painting Blog.

Odorless paint has been around since the ’70s, but producers and users have never given it much attention until recent years. The smell of fresh paint is recognizable immediately in freshly redecorated homes or buildings and comes mostly from the solvents used as thinning agents for the paint and from ammonia – a substance often used in the industry as a buffer.

Odorless paint is obtained by eliminating chemical solvents and ammonia and replacing them with natural solvents, obtained from plants. Throughout the industry, smell free paint is also known as VOC – free paint, VOC standing for Volatile Organic Compounds.

One reason why odorless paint has been constantly overlooked is price. The addition of advanced organic compounds and raw materials results in a price per gallon which most of the times is higher than that of traditional paint. If it may not raise problems for small scale jobs as home repainting, for industrial size projects the use VOC – free paint used to be a real issue. And there was also the issue of overall quality of color and persistence, where specialists argued that smell free paint simply cannot do the job of traditional painting.

This is not the case anymore. Producers have improved their line of products constantly since the ’70s and nowadays odorless paint is quickly growing into a new industry standard, especially for the home use. Moreover, authorities all over the world have taken a new improved interest in green technology and ecological buildings. State organizations have been set up to evaluate new buildings and bestow tax credits for environmental friendly buildings. With its reduced impact on the environment, odorless paint can be an important component in the construction of ecological structures.

There are several types of odorless paints – the most common three categories are clay-based paint, milk-based and limestone-based paints. The latter category – also known as lime wash – may be used for painting the exterior of home as well. Odorless paint is also more efficient than traditional solutions in protecting the human health. Its low concentration of chemical solvents makes it the best choice for painting nurseries and hospitals, as well as for rooms used by people suffering from respiratory deficiencies.

Don’t get used to the idea that Paint stinks; change your home using Crown’s wide range of colors and ideas.

When it comes to going green with your home, you may think it is impossible to find an eco-friendly way to paint the outside of your home and other buildings. After all, when it comes to exterior paints, you need a paint that is tough enough to withstand the outdoor elements and natural paints usually are not tough enough to use on exterior applications. So, what is the solution for the homeowner who wants to go green on the outside as well as on the inside?

Putting Your Mind at Ease

When it comes to picking the right exterior paint, the first thing you need to do is put your mind at ease regarding the paint you choose. For example, when selecting an interior paint, it is essential to select a low-VOC paint. With exterior paint, this is not as much of an issue, as the air dilutes the harmful effects of VOCs. For this reason, when you purchase an exterior paint, you don’t need to worry quite as much about VOCs as you do with interior paints. In fact, exterior paints can be considered eco-friendly if they simply do not contain toxins or heavy metals.

Keeping Outdoor Air Pollution at a Minimum

While there is less of a concern regarding your personal health when using exterior paints containing VOCs, you might still want to keep air pollution to a minimum. If ftis is the case, there are some natural options that can be used on the exterior of your home and other buildings. For example, lime wash, finish and stain can all be used for exterior applications. There are also several brands of low-VOC exterior paints that are designed for those who want to reduce the amount of air pollution they create. Some of these brands include:

* BioShield Paint
* earthBorn Paints
* Ecos Organic Paints
* Safecoat
* St. Astier Lime Paints
* YOLO Colorhouse

As an added bonus, pints such as the Natural Hydraulic Limes line from St. Astier Lime Paints is resistant to bacteria and salt, non-toxic, inhospitable to mildew and recyclable.

Removing Paint

Of course, when it comes to completing an eco-friendly exterior paint project, the paint removal process must also be addressed. If you need to remove the old paint before applying the new paint, be sure to check on what you are removing because the type of solvent needed will vary depending upon what you are removing. Paint, for example, requires a different solvent than a wood finish, so selecting the right solvent will help reduce the amount of work involved with the project as well as the amount of chemicals you have to use.

Since many paint strippers are petroleum-based and contain harmful dichloromethane or methylene chloride, you might need to put a little extra work into finding one that does not contain methylene. In fact, you may need to turn to the Internet to find a methylene-free remover. Even after finding a methylene-free paint remover, it is still important to use gloves to keep your hands protected and to work in a well-ventilated area in order to avoid breathing in other potentially harmful chemicals.

Ryan Lynch runs the marketing department for a company specializing in Austin luxury homes and fine real estate. They also help buyers and sellers with Lake Austin waterfront property including lakeside homes, condos, and lots.

Service is intangible equivalent of goods the customer receive while making a purchase. In the painting services company related to residential or commercial functioning, the services associated are power washing, wall paper removal, deck restoration and staining, dry wall repair, carpentry repairs etc. When a specific organization or painting services group is hired for painting, certain jobs are associated with it along with the basic painting services to be done. Such jobs which are not listed along with the main billing but are understood and appreciated for being done along as essential parts are regarded as painting services. Many a times the works included along are simple and can be done by self but such practices are often not foolproof. To attain perfection and long lasting for the job being done, it is essentially be done by a professional.

Pressure washing which is often a painting service is a task that looks simple but contains many intricacies in details. The task not only removes the dirt and debris on the surface, but also prevents algae growths and stains on a long run. The knowledge about of the machine, the ratio of soap to be used, the water pressure etc are wisely encountered by professionals. Such use of professional help not only reduces the physical extortion and mental pressure but also reduces the monetary wastage in form of errors and miscellaneous expenses.

In case of complicated paintings like historical building renovation, the wise use of blending and mixing need be done tactfully with expertise. Painting service providers are often a group of licensed professionals who are trained for excellence. Any mistake will be regarded unwise and due measures will be adapted to correct those mistakes without putting the customers on unnecessary pressure. When a painting service organization is contacted by a customer, the customers do get a clear idea on the credentials of the workgroup, which gives not only guarantee but also a clear idea on the work force and the works to be executed. Any service organization presents the customer in advance, the work break up and the costs associate with each. They also clearly define the nature, the work break up and the costs associate with each. They also clearly define the nature and environment of the works to be conducted and the acts expected from customer sides.

Corrections to be done prior to the execution of work are done as service, if the complexity and associated cost is low and in other cases the necessary steps are clearly defined to the customer easing the customer’s tension and chances of damage to the buildings. The best factor with service organizations is their willingness to help and their associations with other organizations that help to finish the job faster and perfect. Any complicated equipments or machinery required will be provided in time is the basic intentions to keep in track with the technically invading challenged workfront.

MSJ is proud to serve Albertans, we have been providing quality services for all our commercial customers, as well as having an extensive homeowner clientele. We provide a complete range of painting and coatings solutions for home builders, general contractors, property managers, the city of Edmonton and the government of Alberta.

Painting Services by MSJ PAINTING & COATINGS SOLUTIONS INC.

Bedroom wall paint colors are becoming very popular these days. There are huge varieties in which such tints are presented. One can achieve amazing and heart-throbbing results by making proper use of superior quality paints. Proper emphasis should be given to the bedroom while decorating them with colors. The reason for which due importance should be given is simply because bedroom is the most ideal place where one can necessarily relax.

Colors shades meant for bedroom should be chosen in such a way that they can provide a soothing and self assuring effect on an individual. There are some available tips that have to be followed when choosing any definite kind of paint. In the case that one desires to impart a spacious effect to a room then it is always recommended to choose a color that is of light shade. It is always suggested to choose different shades of identical color for each and every type of wall in the room. Choosing variety of shades of the same color helps to impart an effective contrast to the entire space. In the case that one wants to impart an altogether different dimension to any existing room then flux painting is the most ideal choice.

An extra appeal to the room can be given by making use of contrasting colors. Contrasting colors such as blue and brown or green and pink are most perfectly suited to bringing an altogether different level of elegance to any associated room. Warm bedroom wall paint colors are a perfect choice if one desires to impart an energetic feel to the surrounding environment of the room. Colors such as white, brown, cream and beige are the near perfect ones for imparting a simplistic view to a preoccupied space. The amount of light and the size of the bedroom should be considered before making purchase of bedroom wall paint colors.

The author holds a fascination for the different home improvement techniques. He holds immense knowledge about the various brad of available colors. For more related information one can visit the links http://paintcolorsforkitchens.com and top paint colors.