Frequently Asked Questions submitted to Best Choice Painting

How do I pick the colors to use?

Color combinations that appear pleasing are made up of colors that are in harmony or in balance with each other. Colors that do not appear to agree with each other or that clash are not in harmony.

Whether it is the interior or exterior painting, we normally start a client out with a chart of stock colors. Stock color paints tend to perform better due to the process of their manufacture.

On the exterior paints chart, there is also a nice variety of harmonious color combinations to choose from.

Another very good way to get started on exterior color selection is to take a drive around the neighborhood and find similar houses to yours to see what others have done with colors. This way you get a very good idea of what the final look of your home might be.

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Should I choose Oil or Latex?

Latex paints are the more environmentally friendly of the two. With oil based paints there are paint fumes to contend with that can be particularly troublesome on interior painting jobs and can linger for days.

There are other factors as well: Latex primers and finishes have been improving tremendously over the years and are very durable. For instance a latex finish on an exterior painting job will stay elastic for years, where oil based paint dries to form a hard and more brittle film. Surfaces expand and contract with weather. While the latex paint will move with the surface, the oil will tend to crack sooner with this movement.

The advantage of using oil paints is that it will give a smoother look as it tends to layout better on the surface and so not show brush marks as much as latex. Also, as was already mentioned, oil dries hard so it tends to be more washable than latex.

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What are the different paint sheens?

Sheen refers to the light reflectivity of the painted or varnished surface. There are varying degrees of sheen, from no sheen to high gloss. Paint manufacturers may refer to their paint sheens by different names. From lowest to highest, sheens correspond to these reflective degrees:

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What are the advantages/disadvantages of flat and lower sheen paints?

Advantages

They provide even light reflection and give the surface a softer, more uniform look.

They don't highlight surface imperfections like higher sheen paints, so they usually don't require as much surface preparation (like patching, texturing or sanding) prior to painting.

They are much less likely to show "lap marks", so they are generally easier to apply and touch up than higher sheen paints. (When one painted section dries before the next section is painted, the two sections won't flow together into a uniform film, resulting in a "lap mark.")

They don't need to be sanded or de-glossed before repainting, unlike higher sheen paints.

Disadvantages

They are less stain and scuff resistant than higher sheen paints, so they should not be used on surfaces that will be handled, washed or scrubbed frequently.

They are less moisture resistant than higher sheen finishes, so they are not the best choice for areas that are exposed to high humidity levels, like in bathrooms, or on any surfaces that will be washed frequently.

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What are the advantages/disadvantages of higher sheen paints?

Advantages

They have better stain resistance, so they resist dirt pick up and stay cleaner longer.

They have better scuff and wear resistance, so they're good for high traffic areas and on surfaces that are handled, washed or scrubbed frequently.

They have better moisture resistance, which makes them ideal for surfaces and areas that are frequently exposed to high humidity levels.

Disadvantages

They tend to highlight any surface imperfections.

They are harder to touch up than lower sheen paints, because the higher sheen tends to highlight the slightly raised surface of the film where the touch up was done.

They usually need to be sanded, de-glossed or primed prior to repainting, to ensure good adhesion of the new paint.

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How long will it take before the paint is dry?

Latex paint dries much faster than Oil. Usually, for Latex, a couple of hours is plenty of time. Oil paint though should dry overnight. Flat paint may dry faster than semi gloss.

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What is the best way to maintain my interior painting job?

Interior paint typically gets dirty in many situations: hand prints around switches and knobs; splashes in kitchens and bathrooms; marks on hallways and corridors; "soot" accumulating above electric lamps and other heat sources. Removing dirt before it accumulates not only improves appearance, it reduces chances of it getting permanently embedded in the paint film.

Check for dirt periodically and assume it will be present in and near cooking areas (airborne cooking oil) and at all places at hand height. Always initially clean the surface with a mild detergent using a sponge or a soft cloth. Resort to harsher cleaners only when necessary, recognizing that alkaline cleaners can dull the sheen or gloss of oil based paint. Abrasive cleaner will burnish nearly any paint and will dull the gloss of satin, semigloss and gloss products. Washed surfaces should be rinsed thoroughly because residual cleaner can interfere with adhesion of paint applied later.

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Approximately how long will my exterior painting job last?

Generally an exterior painting job will need to be redone every 5-10 years. Stucco tends to last longer, wood on the other hand expands and contracts more with changing temperatures which loosens the paint sooner.

It is best not to put off your exterior painting until the house is badly peeling. When it gets to that condition, it will end up costing you more in preparation time and possibly dry rot repair work.

If however the property is in a bad condition when you get to it, do yourself a favor - go the extra length and ensure that thorough surface preparation is done. The idea is to create a sound surface for the new coats to adhere to. This requires more time but is necessary for the paint job to last.

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What kind of paint do you use?

We use the only professional quality paints from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore unless the customer requests a different brand.

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Do you charge for estimates?

We never charge a fee to provide an estimate for your painting project.

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How do you come up with an estimate for my painting project?

There are many things to consider including: type and size of the painted area; type of windows and other trim work; number and intensity of paint colors; amount of protection needed for plants and furniture; quality of paint used; and the extent of needed paint surface preparation. All of those things will be considered in order to provide you with an accurate cost estimate.

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When I get different estimates from several different paint contractors, they are never the same, some high, some low. Can you explain the difference?

The cost of a job is usually determined by the level of thoroughness, attention to detail, and quality desired. It costs more to properly prepare a surface for painting than to just pressure clean and scrape the surface. The majority of the cost of painting is in the surface preparation and the labor involved in the application of the paint and not the actual cost of the paint itself. As with most other industries, generally you get what you pay for.

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How long will it take to paint my house?

The process can take as little as 4-5 days. However, it can take longer depending on the condition of your surfaces, the type of work required, and weather conditions if the project involves exterior work.

At the time of our consultation with you, we will evaluate your situation and will be better able to determine how long we think it will take to complete your painting project.

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How long has Best Choice Painting been in business?

Best Choice Painting has proudly been in business since 1986.

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How will my personal property be protected from paint?

On interiors, after you have removed your personal items all areas or items, remaining will be covered with clean drop cloths or plastic sheeting. On exteriors: shrubs and surrounding areas are protected so that no evidence of paint or paint peelings remains.

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Is it necessary to move everything from the rooms before you paint?

Just move the small items and breakables. Best Choice Painting will move and protect all of the furniture and fixtures.

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Will you complete my job in a timely manner?

Yes. We schedule each job to be completed in consecutive days, including exterior jobs, if supplies and weather permits.

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Do you have references?

Yes, our references our available upon request.

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Call today for your FREE painting estimate!!!
(330)-296-9188
or
CLICK HERE for our Painting Estimate Request Form

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