Painted surfaces have become such a normal part of our environment that we rarely take time to notice them anymore.  Paint provides a colorful, protective layer over many objects and buildings that we come into contact every day.

Just looking around your home you may be able to see paint on the exterior walls, roof, trim, shutters, decks, interior walls, ceilings, cabinetry and furniture. In businesses you may also see paint on the walls, ceilings and floors (wood or cement), metal pipes, fences and signs.

However, paint isn’t limited to buildings alone. Out on the streets we use paint on our cars as well as on the roads themselves to direct us how to drive. Paint is not just for protection and general appearance either. We also use it to enhance our lives with murals on city buildings and on canvases as artwork displayed proudly on walls both in homes and businesses.

It is true that paint is a part of practically every part of our lives. We use it to protect, communicate, beautify, display, express and make our lives simpler, cleaner and more colorful.  Anywhere that we live, work or play we use some form of paint to make our lives better.

If you take a minute to look around your home or office, or even down the street that you’re walking, and think about what it would look like without any paint you begin to get an idea of how important a role paint plays in our everyday lives.  It wouldn’t be too dramatic to say that the world would be a rather dull place without paint.

We would like to take a short break from our usual Interior and Exterior Painting posts for some holiday related fun that is still painting related.

Window painting has always been part of the holiday season in my house, and it is a holiday tradition that your family may also find they enjoy. Window painting is usually part of store front holiday displays, but they can also work in the home. They are best if you have a large window that is visible from the street. My Mom always thought of her widow paintings as part of the holiday display that you didn’t have to wait for dark to enjoy.

Some people paint the outside of the window, but then your art work is exposed to the weather. Painting from the inside presents a couple of challenges, but it is just a matter of planning around them. The design will have to be applied “backwards”; the surface details painted first, with the other elements layered on and ending with the background.

There are a number of ideas for patterns on line, but an even better source is greeting cards and coloring books from the dollar store. Tempera paints or craft acrylics are the traditional window paints. Acrylics are available for about 99 cents a bottle, and come in a great variety of colors so you don’t have to worry about mixing colors if you don’t want to.

Use an artist’s brush for the details you will apply first. A sponge brush is a cheap way to apply the larger colored areas. The acrylic will clean easily with water. After the holidays, the painting is simple to remove. I like to wet the whole area with regular window cleaner, then give it some time to soften. Next use the edge of a credit card to scrape away the softened paint, wiping the card on a piece of wadded newspaper. Finally wash the widow with glass cleaner.

Enjoy all your painting, and Happy Holidays!

But of course you’re not that fortunate. You spilled the paint on the new carpet! The first thing to do is to remember what it said on the cover of The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy: “Don’t Panic”. But don’t ignore it, either.

The best way to deal with a paint spill is to avoid having one. That is way clearing the area of obstructions and tripping hazards, as well as laying drop cloths, is part of preparing to paint. Of course accidents will happen, and it is a corollary of Murphy’s Law that the newer the carpet, the more likely they are to happen. We can still minimize the potential damage by avoiding carrying full open paint cans, and limiting the amount of paint we load into the paint tray.

There is a school of thought that a very small spill, such as a dropped roller or a few errand drips, should be allowed to dry. Keep the area isolated the that the mess isn’t spread by traffic, and when it is breakup the dried paint with a scraper or pliers and vacuum. It may even possible to ‘shave’ the ends of the pile using scissors or a razor blade, just be careful not to leave a bald spot.

If there is a possibility that the paint will get deeper into the fibers, more decisive and thorough actions must be taken. You won’t be ‘defeated’ by a stain until the paint dries, so begin working before the paint has a chance to set, and keep it moist until you have it all removed.

Again, restrict traffic to avoid making the problem worse. Use clean rags or paper towels to blot up as much of the paint as possible. Try not to rub, this will drive the paint further into the carpet fibers. Several professional carpet cleaners recommend making a cleaning solution of one tablespoon of dish washing detergent in a gallon of water. Spray or dab the solution onto the stain until the paint is completely removed. Hydrogen peroxide, acetate, and a mild vinegar solution have also been used as effective cleaning solutions. Prudence dictates that you try your solution in a hidden pot of the carpet to be sure there is no damage, but my thought is that the spill has already damaged the carpet, so get going!.

A wet-dry vacuum can help keep to the area from getting too sodden, but remember to keep the paint moist until it is completely removed. If the staining is severe enough, professional help or a carpet cleaning machine may be necessary. Many outlets rent rug steamers. Cover the moist stain with a wet towel to keep it from drying until you can get a machine.

The modern paint industry has made paints and painting relatively easy. It is simple, if labor intensive, to achieve great results with your project. However this hasn’t always been the case.

The specialized skills of painting led to the formation of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers in London in 1502. Not that painting was difficult for the members, but there were enough trade secrets that the guild felt the need to band together to protect their secrets. They also sought protection from Parliament in order to keep members of other trades (especially plasterers) from painting and taking away their business.

The Painters Guild, like any other guild, was controlled by the Master Craftsmen who were full members of the Guild. The Master Craftsmen were also responsible for the training of apprentices and regulating the activities and fees charged by Journeymen. Apprentices were kept as members of the Master Craftsmen’s household, providing cheap labor while learning the painting trade. After seven years they could be released as Journeymen to follow the trade on their own, but were not full members of the guild until they were accepted as Master Craftsmen.

In preindustrial times, you couldn’t just go and buy paints. Part of the Apprentice’s training would be the preparation of paints and primers. Primers are still not well understood by non-painters. The paint that is used for the final coat will not always adhere to the surface being covered, so a primer is applied that will allow the covering paint to stick. The pigments used in paints were often a closely held secret (although it is assumed that the secrets would have been traded amongst Guild members) but would have been made using available natural materials. These would have included various clays and mineral products and other natural dyes.

In those days the painter also had to construct his own tools. There was no place to buy a paintbrush, so they had to be made from available materials; wooden handles, natural bristles, and sometimes wire or cord to attach them to the handles.

In many European countries during the early modern period, the painter’s guild was called the Guild of Saint Luke. Saint Luke, whom legend holds painted a portrait of the Virgin Mary, is the patron saint of artists and painters.

T&E Tutoring (http://www.tandetutoring.com) has been helping students from elementary through college levels to succeed in their studies since 1999 in Noblesville and the surrounding area. Increasing enrollment has led to some tutoring sessions being held at the Carmel Clay Public Library in Carmel, IN. They will be furthering their expansion into the former attorney’s office.

Heartland Painters was called in to give the house an updated look for its new educational role. I think you will agree that the new brown color scheme is both eye catching and fresh looking. T&E Tutoring chose to work with a professional color consultant who was provide by Heartland Painters at no cost to the client.

As we’ve heard and said our selves many times, the best policy for the DIY painter is to buy the best paint brushes you can afford. And experience has shown time and time again that using a quality paint brush not only gives a better finish, but they are actually a pleasure to use.

So why are we even considering foam paint brushes? Well, despite of what might seem like professional snobbery, there are some times that using a cheap foam brush makes more sense.

A quality bristle type paint brush that has been properly cleaned and stored after each use should last years. Without proper care expensive paint brushes are a painful drain on the wallet.

The poly foam brush comes in various sizes, and will be found with the paint brushes in the store. The most popular foam, or sponge brushes will have a dark gray head mounted on a wooden dowel. They come in one to four inch sizes, so grab the one that is most appropriate to the job you intend it for. There will be a supporting plastic insert inside the foam which keeps the wider brushes from flopping around. Some coating products, such as urethane an oil based varnishes may melt the foam, so be sure to check the labels of both the foam brush and the coating product. There should be no problem using the foam brush with latex.

To use the foam brush, dip the end of the brush into the paint can to load it with paint, I like to press the end of the brush against the side of the can, when the foam expands it will soak up the paint. When you apply the paint to the surface, use a slight pressure to help squeeze the paint back out of the sponge.

One common complaint about foam brushes is that they will often leave a noticeable ridge of paint on either side of the brush. Personally, I see this with bristle brushes as well, and fixing it is simply a matter of lightly “tipping” the paint; using the brush to smooth out any imperfections as you go along.

Foam brushes are definitely inferior to bristle brushes on rough and irregular surfaces. It is strictly a matter of personal preference as to which is better for smooth surfaces like doors, cabinets, and window cases. For me, if I am only painting a few smooth items, I prefer the foam brush; but if I am painting every window sill in the house I will probably use a bristle brush. For me, the biggest disadvantage to the foam brush is that it doesn’t last. Yes, it can be washed and reused a few times, but if I am doing a job that will take more than a couple of hours, I find that the foam brush get “gunky” with partially dried paint, and becomes difficult to use.

The best feature of a foam brush is its price. Even the best 4 inch foam brush is rarely more than $1.50, and it is not uncommon to find a bulk pack of foam brushes in various sizes for less than a dollar. This makes them very attractive for small touch-up jobs; they are cheap enough to be considered disposable. Whether the job takes all afternoon or five minutes, the bristle brush requires the same amount of cleaning at the end of the job, and it hurts my feelings to spend 15 to 20 minutes cleaning an expensive brush after a five minute paint job!

RPD is a custom producer and wholesaler of rubber products. With $5-9.0 million in sales annually, RPD has a customer base through out the Pacific Rim and Europe, as well as North America. They keep thousands of items in stock for immediate shipment, specializing in “just in time”supply chain support. Rubber Products Distributors was founded in 1987. Their headquarters is located on the east side of Indianapolis, in what used to be a rather dowdy looking warehouse.

The 14,600 sq. ft. office and warehouse facility recently received a face lift thanks to the services of Heartland Painters. The work involved painting the brick work, and minor repairs and the application of PPG Paint to the steel siding and sliding doors.

Rubber Products Distributors is well aware that their building is an important part of their corporate image, and the freshly painted building is featured on their website http://www.rubbergrommets.com/about/index.php

If you are just going to use the pressure washer for Painting Prep, it might make more sense to rent than to buy, or you can even hire a professional power-washing service. There are enough other uses around the home for a pressure washer that it is worth considering purchasing a unit that will suit your needs.

When preparing to paint, it isn’t always necessary to remove the old paint. Especially if the last paint job was done properly. However, it is important to get the surface that you are going to paint as clean as possible. This is where a Home-owner grade pressure washer comes into its own.

Whether you select a gas-powered washer or a less powerful electric, some means of getting detergent into the pressure stream is very important. This will usually be with a siphon tube that you put in the detergent jug or bucket, or an on-board detergent tank. I prefer the tube because I feel it is easier to clean. Always use detergents that are made for pressure washer use, many of then have additives to combat mildew. Never use a bleach mixture which may damage the pump. If you need to use bleach for your job, it is better to apply it using a garden sprayer of brush.

Once you have selected your power washer, it is time to set it up and use it. Find and use the proper safety gear; a pair of goggles or safety glasses, water resistant boots, and loose, long-sleeved work clothes. Some users prefer a rain-suit, and if I were going to be power washing all day for several days, I would too. But I try to restrict my power washing to short sessions on nice days (another big advantage to owning your own machine).

Attach your garden hose to the machine (I usually find it easier to attach the hose to the machine and then attach it to the spigot.) I next lay out the pressure hose, usually before attaching it to the machine. It is important to remove as many of the kinks from the hose as you can; when the hose is pressurized it will try to straighten itself, so taking out the kinks before prevents damage. Attach the spray-gun to the hose and select your nozzle. If you are going to be applying detergent, use the lowest pressure nozzle in your kit. This siphon will work better at low pressure, and at this point you want to get as much detergent on the house as you can.

Start your machine following the manufacturer’s instructions. When washing the house using detergent, start from the bottom up. This seems backwards, but as the dirty water from above runs down the house, it will streak less if it runs over a wet surface. Once the whole section has the detergent applied, allow the chemicals to work for a few minutes, chance to a higher pressure nozzle, and then rinse from the top down.

Most sources recommend that you use a second story nozzle or an extended wand for reaching high places. Because of the force generated by the high pressure nozzle, working with a pressure washer on a ladder is not recommended. At the same time it is important to try to wash your siding with the gun pointed at a down angle. At high pressure, water can force itself under your siding where in time it could result in further damage.

The pressure washer is useful for other cleaning projects than just paint preparation. It is hard to beat for washing barbecue grills and lawn furniture. It can also be used to wash your car, boat, atv, or dirt bikes. Decks and driveways will never look cleaner than when they have been pressure washed. And a good annual or semi-annual pressure washing of the house may extend the time between paint jobs!

They are exceptionally versatile tools, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind if you are thinking about buying a power washer. The first is that just like any power tool, a pressure washer can be dangerous. High pressure water can do some serious damage to you, your kids, your yard, even the surface you are trying to clean!

This may sound counter intuitive, but getting a more powerful pressure washer may actually be less versatile than a lower pressured model, but more on that later.

The pressure washer will increase the pressure of the water coming out of your garden hose many times over, far beyond what a nozzle is capable of. The heart of the system is a high pressure pump that is fed by your garden hose. The pump is driven by an electric or small gasoline motor. The washer will usually be a “High Pressure, Low Volume” system, which means that a relatively small amount of water will be coming out of the washer nozzle, but it will be coming out with a great deal of force!

The other parts of the pressure washer include the frame which supports the motor and the pump. Especially on the larger, gas powered units, the frame may be mounted on wheels to make it more portable. The pump will be attached to a high pressure hose. The longest hose you can get would seem to be an advantage, but there will come a point where the extra length becomes difficult to manage. On the end of the hose will be the pressure gun. Most washers intended for the home-owner will come with several different nozzles for the end of the gun. Most nozzles spray in a fan pattern- the wider the fan the less pressure or force is applied to the surface being cleaned. Another important feature on a pressure washer is a means to mix cleaning chemicals with the high pressure water. On home-owner units the mixing is usually “down-stream”, after the water has left the pump. This means that there is no danger of the chemicals damaging the pump.

The temptation when you go shopping for a pressure washer is to buy the most powerful unit you can afford. There are a couple of disadvantages to this thinking, besides the outlay of your hard earned cash. First of all, the more powerful handy-man units are usually gas powered. Gasoline engines are generally very reliable, but they do need to be maintained. If a small gasoline engine isn’t used on a regular basis, it can actually deteriorate faster than one that is used daily. An electric motor may not seem as portable because you need an extension cord to use it, but the electric motor is practically maintenance free.

I may get drummed out of the Power Tool Lovers club for saying this, but the most powerful pressure washer isn’t always the most versatile. Professional power washing services find that the chemicals they use actually do most of the work. An over-powered unit can do damage to the surface you are trying to wash. It may take longer to do big jobs like washing the house with a smaller unit, but it can be safely used for things like washing your backyard grill and lawn furniture. You can even use it to wash your car!