Interior Painting Prep Guide

For interior paint work, please assist by:
- Removing small and fragile objects.
- Taking down paintings, pictures, and wall decorations.
- Removing blinds and window coverings.
- Ensuring painted areas are free from dirt and dust.
- Clearing movable furniture for safety; we’ll handle larger items. A charge of $70 per person per hour may apply for any time exceeding 15 minutes if smaller items are not moved.

For exterior paint work, ensure:
- Access to an outside water connection (if power washing).
- If you have well water please confirm that your well can provide enough water pressure for cleaning.
- Accessibility to all painting surfaces.
- Trimming bushes or trees that could lean against the house.
- Removing decorative items not being painted.
- Clearing furniture from porches or decks.
- Parking cars away from the painting area.

Primer serves as a preparatory coat before applying the final paint, promoting better adhesion, durability, and a uniform finish. It is crucial in the following scenarios:

1) Bare Surfaces: When painting over bare wood, metal, or drywall, primer creates a foundation for paint adherence.
2) Stain Blocking: To prevent stains from bleeding through the paint, especially when dealing with water, smoke, or tannin stains.
3) Uneven Surfaces: Primer helps smooth out irregularities, providing a consistent surface for paint application.
4) Color Changes: When transitioning between dark and light colors or using specialty finishes, primer enhances color accuracy and coverage.
5) Increased Paint Lifespan: Applying primer can extend the life of the paint job by offering a protective barrier against moisture and other environmental factors.

The number of coats needed for your project depends on several factors, including the surface type, color changes, and the condition of the existing finish. Generally, we recommend:

1) Primer: Start with a primer to enhance adhesion and create a uniform base.
2) Base Coats: For most projects, two coats of paint are standard to achieve optimal color richness and durability.
3) Color and Surface Considerations: Dark or vibrant colors may require additional coats for full coverage. Additionally, surfaces with uneven textures may benefit from an extra coat for a smoother finish.

Our team assesses each project individually to determine the ideal number of coats, ensuring a high- quality and long-lasting paint job.

Latex paints typically dry within 30-120 minutes, but it may require up to 30 days for complete curing. It’s advised to regularly open and close freshly painted windows and doors during this period to prevent sticking. Additionally, adjusting sprinkler heads away from the newly coated surfaces is recommended.

VOC stands for “organic compound”; encompassing substances like paint thinner, mineral spirits, alcohol, gasoline, ethylene glycol, acetone, and xylol. These compounds pose risks to both human health and the environment. While many architectural paints include some VOCs, the EPA is regulating their levels to mitigate their impact. As VOCs evaporate during paint drying, they can contribute to the formation of low-level smog, prompting efforts to limit their presence for environmental and health considerations.