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Learn
more about our
Thermal Paint








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We bring in
Large Crews to accommodate your specific
needs and schedule |
Our crews work
24/7
nights & weekends including holidays
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Become an Expert
Painter
Step 1
Choose your colors and finish. There are several different types of
finishes to choose from: flat, satin and semi-gloss. Flat paint has no
visible sheen and is a perfect choice for walls with an uneven or rough
texture. Satin paint has a slight sheen and can be washed, which makes
it a great choice for high-traffic areas. Semi-gloss is shiny and very
washable; it's a great choice for moldings, doors, bathrooms and
kitchens. If you chose a darker paint color, consider using a tinted
primer first for better coverage.
Step 2
Remove smaller furniture items, lamps and decorative items from the
room. Then move the rest of the furniture to the center and cover with a
protective cloth or tarp. This way you'll have easy and complete access
to all the walls and won't risk splashing paint on anything.
Step 3
Cover the floor with sturdy craft paper or a plastic drop cloth to
protect it from paint spills and drips. Tape down the paper or cloth
with easily removable masking tape to make sure it doesn't budge. If you
do spill paint, wipe it up with a damp rag as soon as possible.
Step 4
If the walls are dirty or dusty, wipe them down with a damp sponge and
let them dry properly. Use a putty knife with spackling paste to fill
holes and fine cracks. If the surface is uneven after spackling, sand it
smooth with fine-grit sandpaper, then wipe away excess dust. If you have
water damage, use a wall primer with a built-in stain blocker, or else
the stains will bleed through the new paint.
Step 5
Remove anything from the walls that shouldn't be painted, such as light
switch and electrical outlet covers and heating and air-conditioning
vent grates. Unscrew wall-mounted lighting fixtures or cover them with
plastic to protect them. Once the walls are clean and prepped, make sure
that the temperature is at least 50 F. Also make sure that there is
enough light for you to see what you're doing and that the room is
adequately ventilated.
Step 6
Now you're ready to start painting! If you have more than one gallon of
the same color, pour all the paint into a five-gallon bucket and blend,
since batches of paint can vary in color. Disposable paint tray liners
also come in handy. You will need a 2-1/2" angled sash brush, a cut
bucket (any plastic, quart-size container will do), a roller handle and
a 3/8" synthetic roller. Brush out the roller with a wire brush to
remove fuzz, which can cause bubbles in the paint. Some rollers need to
be soaked in water first -- be sure to read the directions on the
package.
Step 7
Surfaces should be painted from top to bottom in the following order:
ceilings, walls, baseboards, doors and window trim. Instead of masking
off adjoining areas to avoid getting paint on them, professionals use a
technique called 'cutting in.' Hold the brush like a pencil for better
flexibility and control, dip it in paint and flick off the excess, then
wedge it into place at an angle and slowly drag it along the edge of the
trim. Paint along all corners and trim before filling in larger areas
with a roller.
Step 8
After cutting in, you're ready to paint the walls. Dip the roller in the
paint tray and roll off excess paint. The roller should be saturated but
not dripping with paint. Paint the walls in three-feet square sections,
following a "W" pattern. Don't overreach -- move along the wall as you
work. The paint will look lighter when it's wet -- paint darkens as it
dries. For lighter colors, two coats should be enough. Darker shades may
require three coats. Let paint dry thoroughly -- ideally overnight --
before replacing light switch covers and re-attaching wall fixtures.
Once you've moved all your furniture back in, you're ready to enjoy your
"new" room!
Eric Stromer, host of HGTV's 'Over Your Head' and
author of 'Do-It-Yourself FAMILY'
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