Saturday, March 30, 2013

Tolbert Painting: How to avoid the

pesky paint bubble (DIY)

The mysterious paint bubble: I have seen it on many occasions. This phenomena generally occurs on the outside of a building on decks, wood siding, or even stucco. You may finish painting an area and think everything looks fantastic, but you return in a few hours to dry paint and bubbles. This bubble is a pocket of air between what you are trying to paint and the dried top coat itself. Bubbles can occur for a number of reasons:

1) Surface tension. Surface tension occurs when the new paint dries and shrinks, creating tension on the top coat. If what you are painting underneath has not been prepped properly by cleaning, sanding or priming, the new top coat will pull away, causing a bubble.

2) Multiple layers of paint. Bubbles may also occur when you paint over a surface that has already been painted multiple times before. You may have prepped the surface you plan to paint, but one of the layers under that may be failing and the shrinkage from the new paint could cause a bubble.

3) Moisture and weather conditions. This is the most common problem. Because we live in a coastal region, we are subject to heavy fog and dense moister from time to time. It’s common for folks to apply coatings in these conditions and not think twice. Why not – it’s only fog, it’s not rain.

However, things like temperature and humidity can negatively affect your paint. When paint is applied in high humidity the moisture from the air gets trapped between the paint and the sub straight. When the area is dry and then heats up, the trapped moisture will begin to evaporate under the dry paint and cause a bubble.

The label on the pain can usually will tell you the conditions the manufacturer recommends for applied coatings. Pay attention to this.

If your thinking about painting your deck or siding this summer, make sure you have good prep and you have read your product label before applying your coatings. If you get in to trouble it never hurts to contact a professional for advise.

Happy Home Improvements,

Joel Tolbert

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Updating your Cabinets

Tolbert Painting: How to change

the color of your wood cabinets

by Joel Tolbert

Lately, I have been hearing this: “We just bought this house and the cabinets are a light natural wood color and we want them to be dark, is that possible?”

The answer is yes, but with a caveat. Make sure the person saying “yes” is a skilled painter who can prove that he or she can accomplish this feat, otherwise there is a good possibility more damage will occur.

When houses were first being built in this area (San Luis Obispo County), light color cabinets were popular and good wood (such as Oak, Mahogany, and Maple) was prevalent to build those cabinets. Today, wood like Oak, Mahogany, and Maple has become more scarce, making the price of good wood outside of the normal budget. That’s why I’m seeing more Alder, Ash, and Poplar. So if you have good cabinets made of great wood and they are functional for you, it may be best to keep them and simply have them re-done – a common misconception is that brand new cabinets are always an upgrade.

The problem with changing the color of pre-finished cabinets is that they already have a finish on them. The color process was done before the finish or lacquer coat went on during the stain process. For instance, first a stain is applied and then wiped off, leaving the wood grain stained, and then a clear coat is put on top.

Here are a few ways to get around this problem:

Strip and Refinish

The first and most common solution to have done is a “Strip and Refinish.” This is the process of having the cabinets chemically stripped, sanded, and stained the color of your choice, and then finished with several coats of clear.

Cons: This would likely be the most expensive and invasive way to have this done. It would create lots of fumes and debris.

Pros: A constant more durable finish and guaranteed new look to the cabinets.

Glazing

Another Process is “Tinted Clears” or “Glazing.” This is when a topcoat or clear finish is tinted or colored to match the desired color of the cabinets. After the cabinets have been prepped, cleaned, and sanded smooth, the colored topcoat is applied to the already finished cabinets (changing the color) and then a clear coat is applied after that for durability.

Cons: This is subject to chipping because the color coat is between the wood and the topcoat. This needs a professional touch. It is a very tricky procedure and can have disastrous results if done incorrectly.

Pros: Looks great when done right. It is cost and time effective and is less invasive than a Strip and Refinish.

Dry Brushing

The final way to change the color of clear finished cabinets is by “Dry Brushing” or “Gel Staining.” This method is closer to the modern interpretation of “Glazing” in the way that a product is hand manipulated to create a desired effect; in this case color change can happen through gel stains. Gel stain is a thicker stain product intended for consistent results and can be used as a glaze. When the cabinets are prepped, cleaned and sanded a gel stain is applied lightly with a very soft bristle brush, hence the term, “dry brush”. The product is whisked lightly on the surface to evenly distribute the product creating the desired color. Lastly, the clear coats are applied.

Cons: Chipping and possible uneven color, again very difficult process requires a professional who is skilled in this specific style

Pros: Cost and labor effective. It looks great when done right.

I have seen too many of these go terribly wrong in the wake of the return to darker wood colors. It is important to know that the person you are hiring is skilled and knows how to accomplish the task you need done. Always remember to have them do a sample and to show references to this specific type of work.

And lastly, remember: updating the look of your cabinets is a great way to add value to your home.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Tolbert Painting: The Statement Door

by Joel Tolbert

Is the front of your house starting to loose its pop? Why aren’t you getting the compliments you deserve for all your hard work to make your place look great? Is your current paint job in relatively good shape?

Maybe it’s time for a “Statement Door.”

You may have heard the term “statement bag” or “statement necklace” used in fashion for something that draws attention to itself, thus making a “statement” for its wearer. But is it possible to make a tasteful statement with your front door? The answer is yes!

Joel Tolbert of Tolbert Painting blogs about house painting tricks and trade secrets.

First take a look at your door hardware. You see it everyday, but what condition is it in? Before considering a color change on your front door, think about replacing your hardware – most people never replace it and it could be in bad shape. You might find some great inexpensive options at your local hardware store (and remember to get it keyed to match your current set).

The SLO County Locals blog explores the spirit of the Central Coast, seeking out the local businesses, activities, and events that make this place so unique.

The painted exterior of your home usually consists of two or three colors and these colors are dictated by the number of items on your exterior to paint. Examples being:

THE BODY – the main portion of the house (siding or stucco).

FASCIA BOARD and GUTTERS – the board that lines the roofline of the home.

WINDOW TRIM

BODY TRIM – this could be a structural outline usually in wood to accent a gable or separate upper and lower levels of the home.

POP-OUTS – these are stucco structural pop-outs used to accent architecture.

CORNER BATS – the corners of the home on siding homes.

These items are all on the exterior of a home, tied together with a common theme in color. The front door, on the other hand, stands alone as a wild card. I have painted doors red, black, purple and even turquoise.

The color schemes you see on houses in San Luis Obispo are often neutral and for the most part safe, whether by builder choice or HOA regulation, but by picking a bold color for the front door, you can bring some much needed color to the front of your house and really make it pop.

So the next time you pull up into your driveway and think that your house is looking bored, consider a quick and inexpensive change and paint your door a statement color.

[Photo courtesy of Juli Kinrich]

Joel Tolbert is a professional house painting contractor and owner of Tolbert Painting. You can reach him by email at tolbertpainting@gmail.com.

Friday, September 21, 2012

when to use elastomeric paint?

by Joel Tolbert

A common question that potential clients bring up during initial talks about an exterior projects is: “Would you recommend elastomeric paint?” The answer is yes and no.

When if first came out, elastomeric paint was designed to waterproof stucco and it had very specific guidelines for how to achieve a watertight application. Since then, the product has been altered, it can be used for various applications, and each paint company has its own version.

Some elastomeric paints still stand by the waterproof warranty and the requirements for this process are mostly still the same. In this case, the surface should be stucco, free of other paint (meaning never painted before), cleaned of debris and mold, and primed. The elastomeric paint should be applied at 12 to 18 mils thick when wet in two coats to leave a dry mil thickness of 16 to 20, with a minimum number of 10 pock marks per 12” square on the surface.

Joel Tolbert is a professional house painting contractor and owner of Tolbert Painting. You can reach him by email at tolbertpainting@gmail.com.

Unless you have major leaking issues on your home, this process is overkill. What made this process popular when the product was introduced to the residential market in the 1990s was stucco cracks. Foundations settle or an occasional 3.4 earthquake rolls through, leaving no stucco house on the Central Coast exempt from some sort of cracks. So the local paint representatives began to market Elastomeric paint as a solution to this problem. Unfortunately, there is no real solution to prevent a moving void in a wall. The house settles, a void is created, and there just isn’t an application on earth strong enough to glue a house together (and paint was never intended for that purpose anyway).

The purpose of paint is to protect the surfaces of the building materials that make up the design of your home. If cracks or separation occur, it is a result of faulty construction or forces of nature beyond our control. When voids are created they can be filled to prevent further erosion of the paint finish or building surface.

That being said, there are times to use elastomeric paint. If a stucco home has never been painted and has a web of thin cracks, known as Spider cracks, then an Elastomeric paint might be a good choice because the paint is a thick viscose and would be able to fill those small voids. If a stucco house has been previously painted then Elastomeric is not recommended because of “surface tension”, which is created when the top coat begins to expand and contract creating tension on the previous coat of paint, eventually causing it to pull away. Some older houses (made before the 1960s) have plaster on the exterior (often if not made of wood), and elastomeric should never be used on old plaster because of surface tension as well.

Elastomeric paint can be a good choice for a stucco house but might not be the best choice. I recommend you consult with a paint professional you trust to evaluate the surfaces of your home and find the best products that work for your home and environment.

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tolbert Painting: How will I know if I hired a professional to paint my house?

Recently, a new friend of mine said to me, “I wish I knew you a few months ago when I needed my house painted.”

I asked him, “Who painted your house?”

He replied, “some college kids were going door to door asking if I needed paint work done.” Then he asked me, “Do you think they did a good job?” To which I replied, “I don’t know I guess we’ll find out in a couple years.”

A good paint job will stand the test of time, and a true craftsman painter (who has experience and cares about the product) will do a job that will look excellent up front and remain just as excellent down the line. So how do you identify and hire a professional?

Luckily, we live in California (for so many reasons). Unlike some states, California doesn’t let just anybody legally do construction work without a license. This means that any person performing specialty construction work without a license is subject to a hefty fine. A person must have a minimum of 4 years experience and be able to pass a state mandated test both for the specific field they are applying and for contract law.Once they have passed the test they are required by state law to be bonded. No licensed contractor in the state of California will be able to have an active license without an active bond.

These regulations protect the consumer from poor work and exposure to damages. You can know if your potential contractor is licensed by going directly to the Contractors State License Board website HERE.

When vetting a Painting Contractor for some potential work, here are some questions to consider:

How long has he/she been in the area?
Does he/she have good local references?
Can you go and see something he/she has done?
Has he/she done work for anyone you know?
Does he/she have Liability Insurance?
Did he/she work for any Painting Contractors in the area before he/she became licensed? If so who?
Does he/she have employees? If so are they covered under Workman’s Compensation or do they work through a temp agency? (Sometimes a contractor will hire help and have them go through a temp agency so as to lesson the cost of Compensation, which gives them a way to make sure they are covered while providing part-time employment).

House painting is like buying a car: you get what you pay for. Everything in the paint and prep process takes time and materials, both of which translates to money. Also like buying a car, paying the highest price might not guarantee the best value for your dollar. Here are some other qualities of a good Craftsman to consider: likable, easy to talk to, and easy to work with. Use your best judgment.

Joel Tolbert is a professional house painting contractor and owner of Tolbert Painting. You can reach him by email at tolbertpainting@gmail.com.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Tolbert Painting: Tips for choosing a new paint color for your home

by Joel Tolbert

For a home owner, the most difficult part of a paint project is choosing a color- it’s the reason I often end up painting a house the exact color it was. This doesn’t have to be the case, though. Picking the right color is a great way to update the look of your home and bring some refreshing change to your dwelling.

Home owners often ask my opinion for a paint color. This is shaky ground for most painters, because no painter wants to be responsible for a bad color choice that would cause a repaint. Typically, painters shy away from helping in the decision making process, even though the title of the C-33 paint license from the state of California includes both painter and decorator.

Picking a paint color doesn’t have to be this tricky; you just need to have the right tools and know where to start. Here are some tips to make the often overly-stressful process of choosing a paint color a bit easier for homeowners:

If your home is in a Home Owner’s Association (HOA), there is a good possibility that your HOA has set some close parameters on your color choices. It could be as simple as taking a look around and finding the home in your neighborhood that has a color scheme you like, and mixing and matching those color choices given by the HOA to find what works for you and the style of your home. This method is also effective for non-HOA neighborhood, driving around to see what colors work, and how different colors are flowing for your neighborhood is a good way to narrow down a color choice.

Often times architecture can dictate the direction of a color. If you live in a Spanish Colonial style home with a mission tile roof, you’re more likely to go with more Natural colors. If you live in a Victorian style home then Craftsman colors might be more to your liking. I recently had a client whose color choice for her exterior was inspired by eucalyptus bark. She had planned to isolate some of the sienna’s and silvery browns in the tree and make those color choices into a pallet for her home.

Your local paint store is a great resource for color selection. Using a Fan Deck from your local paint store is a great tool for finding and isolating colors. If you find a color in the fan deck you like, the paint store will have the formula on file for that color. Typically, paint stores also have pre made color schemes available to look at and take home with you.

When it comes down to it, color is all about personal preference and color choices very from person to person. Choosing a new paint color for you home becomes very subjective- it’s all about what you like and what you have envisioned for your home. By using some of the above tips, hopefully the process of choosing a new paint color for your house becomes more fun than stressful.