Eco Paint Specialist's is proud to annouce it's newest web site Painting Denver, a keyword phrase for a geo-targeted area. Within the site, services include interior painting, exterior painting, drywall textures, siding repairs and replacements, and lead abatements. A one stop shop for all your painting needs.
An older site of Eco Paint Specialist's with a 7 year history is Eco Paint's first web site, which has much to offer using Enviornmentally Friendly Green Eco Paints, now available. Ths originator of the term Eco Paint, coining the phrase back in 1993, long before Green Earth Friendly Paints were available for retail purchases.
More specific targeted web sites include Painting Interior & Painting Exterior, providing specific information for each area of house painting expertise
Showing posts with label exterior painting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exterior painting. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Painting Lesson 101
Painting Tip 101
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| Painting Tip 101 |
Cal Phillips here again, owner of Eco Paint, Inc. w/35+ years experience, I want to once in for all, put in written form which product to use covering voids of substrates.
Way too many times I've seen improper use of both Spackle and caulk, and will examine both, for the first painting tip.
A. Spackel-ing, Spackle, is a lightweight compound, in a tub/bucket container, which dries quickly, to a flat finish, either used interior or exterior.
B. Caulk is typically a latex based, silicone embodied caulk in a tube container, which dries within several hours, to a dry paint-able, gloss finish.
Caulking guns can easily dispense large quantities of compound at a quick speed, which makes this way too easy to fill voids that should be filled with Spackle, which takes much more time for a smooth, uniform finish.
Main point is that Caulk should be administered in cracks where two substrates come together at usually a 90 degree angle. Caulk should not be used in nail holes on an exterior or interior wall. Weathered exterior siding, nails will appear to be sunken in, as to the nail-gun had too much air pressure, which is certainly not the case. What is going on is exterior paint has broken down, moisture getting into nail shafts, swelling Masonite siding like a sponge. Nails to not move, as the siding has been seen to swell twice it's thickness. Although the siding is in dire need of replacement at some point in the near future, caulking should never be used filling nail heads. What happens if caulk is used, and 15-25 years later when exterior paint that once had a satin finish, now has a flat sheen, areas that were caulked will still be shiny and polka-dotted, shiny spots on a flat wall. This is true even on interior wall surfaces, Spackle should be used in a open surface area, and not caulk.
Knowing many painting contractors do a great job in the Denver area, with all the new contractors picking up a brush, this is one thing that should not be done at any circumstance, making the surface worse in the long run far more than leaving as is. Both products seal nail holes, but one is made for this, and the other is not.
Good Luck,
Cal Phillips/owner
Eco Paint, Inc.
303.591.4978
Friday, March 13, 2009
Green Jobs Slated to Grow
Considering an environmental career? Start your Green Job search here
Current predictions that the green job sector will continue to grow as other sectors suffer are a great incentive to get skilled in sustainability. The Canada-based Environmental Careers Organization forecasts that employment growth in green sector jobs will have surpassed Canada’s national average by 23 percent by 2011. Plus, two-thirds of existing green employers are slated to boost their hiring in the next two years. In a tough job market, it’s even better news that sectors not traditionally associated with being green—such as marketing or construction—are also poised to hire more staff to support their environmental initiatives.
Not sure where to begin? Read up on emerging green work opportunities in planning and design, business, media and science, and use the links and resources on each slide to get started on your dream eco job search today.
image courtesy istockphoto.com/eyeidea
Current predictions that the green job sector will continue to grow as other sectors suffer are a great incentive to get skilled in sustainability. The Canada-based Environmental Careers Organization forecasts that employment growth in green sector jobs will have surpassed Canada’s national average by 23 percent by 2011. Plus, two-thirds of existing green employers are slated to boost their hiring in the next two years. In a tough job market, it’s even better news that sectors not traditionally associated with being green—such as marketing or construction—are also poised to hire more staff to support their environmental initiatives.
Not sure where to begin? Read up on emerging green work opportunities in planning and design, business, media and science, and use the links and resources on each slide to get started on your dream eco job search today.
image courtesy istockphoto.com/eyeidea
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Siding Repair and Replacements
This topic deals with the deterioration and major causes to exterior siding which has been seen countless times throughout Colorado. What appears to be nails sunk further into wood siding, maybe because nailgun pressures were set too high, is not the case at all. Also appears siding has "Thickened" towards the bottom of each board, or another word to describe, is swelled out.
First, if left unanswered, you will be finding yourself replacing entire siding, when a little bit of precaution could have prevented. What is going on here is the exterior needed to be painted a few years after it was built. New home contractors only require a "Fog coat" paint job, that will typically last 3 years max. After that, the exterior surfaces are running on borrowed time.
After the "Fog coat" has broken down, the nail heads are left exposed. Rain and snow finds it's way around the nail shafts (least resistance) into the inner pressed wood man-made siding, typically Masonite™. Masonite is a great material when protected, but not worth it's weight if not cared for. Moisture seeps into shafts, causing the siding to swell. Nails that hold siding in place do not move, siding does! Siding is continually swelling, nails appear to sink deeper and deeper, but siding is swelling outwards.
There is a way to stop this, and I've seen many homes who had an attempt to repair, used the wrong material all together. Yes, the moisture was stopped, but guess what? As the paint aged, what was left was a POKE A DOTTED house. Using a latex caulk filling in nail holes is the worst thing you can do even if you plan on staying or moving. Someone is eventually see these small dots, as caulking does not break down to a flat finish as paint does. This can be seen standing to the side, looking down the exterior on an aged paint job.
What we use, that protects from moisture, and becomes the same sheen over time is Exterior Spackling. It goes on and dries to a flat finish. This is important, because when a Semi-gloss or Satin finish (most widely used) becomes aged, it flatens out, and spackling will not flash out, being all the same sheen. Satin finishes cover caulking nicely at first, matching with caulking sheen, but over the years, the two are entirely different.
We hope you call us here at Eco Paint Specialist's, but if you don't, insist on Exterior Spackling filling in those unsightly nail-head holes, because eventually you'll wished you had.
Cal Phillips/Eco Paint Specialist's/303.591.4978 http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com/ or~ Painting Denver
First, if left unanswered, you will be finding yourself replacing entire siding, when a little bit of precaution could have prevented. What is going on here is the exterior needed to be painted a few years after it was built. New home contractors only require a "Fog coat" paint job, that will typically last 3 years max. After that, the exterior surfaces are running on borrowed time.
After the "Fog coat" has broken down, the nail heads are left exposed. Rain and snow finds it's way around the nail shafts (least resistance) into the inner pressed wood man-made siding, typically Masonite™. Masonite is a great material when protected, but not worth it's weight if not cared for. Moisture seeps into shafts, causing the siding to swell. Nails that hold siding in place do not move, siding does! Siding is continually swelling, nails appear to sink deeper and deeper, but siding is swelling outwards.
There is a way to stop this, and I've seen many homes who had an attempt to repair, used the wrong material all together. Yes, the moisture was stopped, but guess what? As the paint aged, what was left was a POKE A DOTTED house. Using a latex caulk filling in nail holes is the worst thing you can do even if you plan on staying or moving. Someone is eventually see these small dots, as caulking does not break down to a flat finish as paint does. This can be seen standing to the side, looking down the exterior on an aged paint job.
What we use, that protects from moisture, and becomes the same sheen over time is Exterior Spackling. It goes on and dries to a flat finish. This is important, because when a Semi-gloss or Satin finish (most widely used) becomes aged, it flatens out, and spackling will not flash out, being all the same sheen. Satin finishes cover caulking nicely at first, matching with caulking sheen, but over the years, the two are entirely different.
We hope you call us here at Eco Paint Specialist's, but if you don't, insist on Exterior Spackling filling in those unsightly nail-head holes, because eventually you'll wished you had.
Cal Phillips/Eco Paint Specialist's/303.591.4978 http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com/ or~ Painting Denver
Exterior Painting Denver Metro Area
Bring your house back to life with a new fresh exterior paint job, protecting your home from the harsh elements and climates Colorado has from time to time. Waiting or putting off can result in more costly repairs not originally seen. Eco Paint Specialists takes pride in helping our local community protecting exterior surfaces of many's largest investments, the home.
Giving you a compete schedule for your exterior painting project, with estimated time of completion, and estimated number of workers we plan putting on the job.
Not cutting any corners, we power wash first, leaving to dry for 24-48 hours. Then upon second arrival we get to work. Scraping, Caulking, and Priming, we insure our paint job will last for many years to come. Providing a 3 year Workmanship warranty, and paint typically has it's warranty 15-20 years. After our prep. is completed, we spray the body 2 coats, and brush and roll the trim 2, putting on 13 mills wet. This is the most paint that can be applied before it will sag, run, or drip.
Each day, we police the grounds, picking up debris, cleaning up before we leave, doing the same at the end. Call us today for your free estimate. Cal Phillips 303.591.4978 or see us at http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com/ / http://www.paintingexterior.net / http://www.paintinginterior.net/ http://www.paintingdenver.net
Giving you a compete schedule for your exterior painting project, with estimated time of completion, and estimated number of workers we plan putting on the job.
Not cutting any corners, we power wash first, leaving to dry for 24-48 hours. Then upon second arrival we get to work. Scraping, Caulking, and Priming, we insure our paint job will last for many years to come. Providing a 3 year Workmanship warranty, and paint typically has it's warranty 15-20 years. After our prep. is completed, we spray the body 2 coats, and brush and roll the trim 2, putting on 13 mills wet. This is the most paint that can be applied before it will sag, run, or drip.
Each day, we police the grounds, picking up debris, cleaning up before we leave, doing the same at the end. Call us today for your free estimate. Cal Phillips 303.591.4978 or see us at http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com/ / http://www.paintingexterior.net / http://www.paintinginterior.net/ http://www.paintingdenver.net
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Most Technical Residential Exterior Paint Job to Date
Painting over 32 years, having used 4-wheel drive booms for commercial applications several times, and swing staging off the top of high rise buildings, similar to window washers, I had never encountered needing a boom for a local residential home in our area, until this one. Knowing the attached greenhouse would not support a man walking around on top, we needed to paint just above greenhouse, to complete the job. This was left to the last portion, however we had already planned for the booms arrival on the last day. Rented from Wagner Rents, they were very prompt delivering equipment. Once unloaded, it took all of 3-4 hours to complete, as we used the 80' boom to paint all the way up. You may say, "Why an eighty foot?" which is a good question. I questioned that myself, and is the reason I requested Wagner Rents salesman to examine the job before we started. The biggest hurdle was the back yard of say 25' deep and 6' fence. When extending that far out, there's a lot of weight on the arm, and shorter boom could easily tip into the fence, and cause great damage to the greenhouse.
additional info.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Cedar Siding Replacement
This past year my neighbor requested 3 sides of their home replaced with the same 1 X 6 beveled lap siding originally used when our homes were built. However, the thinnest portion at the top was only 1/16" thick, and had newer material specially milled with that same end 1/4" thick. This may sound picky, but giving that extra amount at the top, and underneath lap, material would be less likely to crack/split and curl.
Once old cedar siding was removed, we called out utility company alerting them we were pulling back breakerbox from siding. This did not cost any additional expense, and seemed to be happy we included them in our construction operations. Once removed from siding (home still had power) we installed vapor barrier Tyvek before new cedar went up. This product is great, sealing out wind, moisture, still allowing to only breathe outward. This helps the R factor, especaially in our weather conditions and climate changes.
Once Tyvek was installed horizontally, overlapping from top to bottom, cedar was ready to go up. We fastened with very few galvanized 8 penny nails, say 1%, using primarily 1 1/2" galvanized screws from a squarehead Senco screw gun. This way as the wind may kick up on occassions, and temperture changes occur, and any movements to siding will be very less likely, fastening down with screws instead of nails. I know ring shank nails work ok, but nothing like screws!
Another good idea, is after new cedar is insalled, allow it to dry out from the mill a couple weeks before any stain is applied. Most painting companies will not want to do this, as it holds up completion, but lumberyards will tell you different. Treating each job as if were our very own, you cannot go wrong choosing Eco Paint Specialist's for your painting and siding needs.
additional info.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Another painting season is upon us.
Exterior paint job in Ken Caryl Colorado. 
We also stained this home's new deck in the back with Sikken's Dark Mohagany translucent deck stain, brushing 2 coats using a wet on dry application.
Painting Denver
Painting Interior
Painting Exterior
Eco Paint Specialists
additional info.
http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/MerchantCircle.Marketing.Advisor.Cal.Phillips.Aurora.CO..303-591-4978
http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com/
We also stained this home's new deck in the back with Sikken's Dark Mohagany translucent deck stain, brushing 2 coats using a wet on dry application.Painting Denver
Painting Interior
Painting Exterior
Eco Paint Specialists
additional info.
http://www.merchantcircle.com/blogs/MerchantCircle.Marketing.Advisor.Cal.Phillips.Aurora.CO..303-591-4978
http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com/
Sikken's Deck Stain Project
A few people in this world know the qualities of Sikken's products, as the Sikken's Company spends the least amount in marketing, knowing they have the best products hands down, while others spend millions each year, having the worst, not even lasting 6 months, such as Thompson's Water Seal Deck products.
Most deck stain products are of an average quality, and a medium price, say around $25.00 a gallon, depending on what part of the country you live. Not wishing to disscredit Thompson's, I'm just giving an example of what I've seen as the worse, also working wtih the best as Sikken's. Sikken's products typically cost anywhere from $50-75.00 a gallon depending on exact product choice, and location.
Price in one of the major items that drives up the cost of deck stain job, but not the only one. On the back of the can, detailed instructions are given, explictely stating all material must be hand brushed. Not rolled, not sprayed, and not ragged. A fine oil finish brush should be used, and can clean up with Mineral Spirits or Laquer Thinner. Large sufaces such as floors, I would strongly recogmend a 4" wide brush, cutting down the stroke time. Speaking of strokes, the amount of brush strokes will make you go crazy if very large. Each sq. inch should be brushed 3-4 times, working product in to a smooth consistant level. Better to go thin, and apply several wet on dry coats, than to overload one, risking a default in adheasion. Just plan on getting use of that elbow, like you've never done before. My trick on brush storage is using a new empy plastic Maxwell House coffee container with built in handle, cutting an X in the middle of the lid. Pouring solovent a few inches into container, and when brush is finished for the day, place the brush in the can, running handle through X, snapping lid shut. Still store container safely away from animals, and small children, as this can be quite harmfull, if not fatal is induced. Great thing is brush will not harden up, and be ready when you are. This technique also saves and conserves solovents to properly dispose. (Talk to your local waste management site for exaxt instructions)
Sikken's products are made in Sweden, developed for extreme climates as in the Alps. Sikken's have coined the word unlike any otther deck stain out there, either being "Solid body" or "Semi-transparent" Sikken's word is "TRANSLUCENT". Which I describe as a deep varnished finish, the more coats that is applied over the years. Mine looks like a baby grand piano attached to our home. Protection is second to none, providing a hard finish, that makes all wood surfaces slick and bullet proof. A cryesoak without the smell. Noticed I said slick, and can be dangerous with ice or snow on it. In Denver, and getting a few feet sometimes, I like the slick surface for removal purposes. I can take a shop broom out and sweep 1 foot at a time, with the upmost ease. However, with a lot of foot traffic from either animals or man during ice and snow, this would not be recogmended.
Sikken's comes in 15-20 color choices that cannot be tinted, which is a good thing in a sence. Remembering which shade used, you can always get more later on in a select few places in town. Typically Ben Moore Paint locations carry, but you may need to check with your local paint companies.
Having used a solid body, semi-trans, and now Sikken's for the last 6-7 years, I can honestly say I would not put nothing else on my persoanal deck than Sikken's. When I re-coat, which I did this past summer 08', I was shocked how little I used coating twice, two different days. Looked like a millon dollars without having to powerwash. Just a light rinse is needed if you maintain it, catching before it degrades beyond repair. On a deck that takes 3 -4 gallons first coat, second application may only take 2-3. Third application only takes 1-2. I was on my 4th. and used a 1/2 gallon!!! You can see it pays for itself in the long run, not having to use near as much, but labor is the same, whether you do it, or hire it out, on any product your choosing. Hiring out, labor is typically 4-5 times as more than spray method, brushing till the cows come home, but is well worth the added expense for duration, and enjoyment. When we have friends over, out on our deck, everyone notices what a fine looking finish it is, but has no idea what was used.
Most deck stain products are of an average quality, and a medium price, say around $25.00 a gallon, depending on what part of the country you live. Not wishing to disscredit Thompson's, I'm just giving an example of what I've seen as the worse, also working wtih the best as Sikken's. Sikken's products typically cost anywhere from $50-75.00 a gallon depending on exact product choice, and location.
Price in one of the major items that drives up the cost of deck stain job, but not the only one. On the back of the can, detailed instructions are given, explictely stating all material must be hand brushed. Not rolled, not sprayed, and not ragged. A fine oil finish brush should be used, and can clean up with Mineral Spirits or Laquer Thinner. Large sufaces such as floors, I would strongly recogmend a 4" wide brush, cutting down the stroke time. Speaking of strokes, the amount of brush strokes will make you go crazy if very large. Each sq. inch should be brushed 3-4 times, working product in to a smooth consistant level. Better to go thin, and apply several wet on dry coats, than to overload one, risking a default in adheasion. Just plan on getting use of that elbow, like you've never done before. My trick on brush storage is using a new empy plastic Maxwell House coffee container with built in handle, cutting an X in the middle of the lid. Pouring solovent a few inches into container, and when brush is finished for the day, place the brush in the can, running handle through X, snapping lid shut. Still store container safely away from animals, and small children, as this can be quite harmfull, if not fatal is induced. Great thing is brush will not harden up, and be ready when you are. This technique also saves and conserves solovents to properly dispose. (Talk to your local waste management site for exaxt instructions)
Sikken's products are made in Sweden, developed for extreme climates as in the Alps. Sikken's have coined the word unlike any otther deck stain out there, either being "Solid body" or "Semi-transparent" Sikken's word is "TRANSLUCENT". Which I describe as a deep varnished finish, the more coats that is applied over the years. Mine looks like a baby grand piano attached to our home. Protection is second to none, providing a hard finish, that makes all wood surfaces slick and bullet proof. A cryesoak without the smell. Noticed I said slick, and can be dangerous with ice or snow on it. In Denver, and getting a few feet sometimes, I like the slick surface for removal purposes. I can take a shop broom out and sweep 1 foot at a time, with the upmost ease. However, with a lot of foot traffic from either animals or man during ice and snow, this would not be recogmended.
Sikken's comes in 15-20 color choices that cannot be tinted, which is a good thing in a sence. Remembering which shade used, you can always get more later on in a select few places in town. Typically Ben Moore Paint locations carry, but you may need to check with your local paint companies.
Having used a solid body, semi-trans, and now Sikken's for the last 6-7 years, I can honestly say I would not put nothing else on my persoanal deck than Sikken's. When I re-coat, which I did this past summer 08', I was shocked how little I used coating twice, two different days. Looked like a millon dollars without having to powerwash. Just a light rinse is needed if you maintain it, catching before it degrades beyond repair. On a deck that takes 3 -4 gallons first coat, second application may only take 2-3. Third application only takes 1-2. I was on my 4th. and used a 1/2 gallon!!! You can see it pays for itself in the long run, not having to use near as much, but labor is the same, whether you do it, or hire it out, on any product your choosing. Hiring out, labor is typically 4-5 times as more than spray method, brushing till the cows come home, but is well worth the added expense for duration, and enjoyment. When we have friends over, out on our deck, everyone notices what a fine looking finish it is, but has no idea what was used.
addtional info.
Eco Paint Specialist's Inc.
Just had 5" of snow today here in Denver. Not all that bad, as we need the moisture, not getting that much in December. Hopefully everyone had a joyous Christmas holiday season, with family and friends. This was a time for us to construct a new audio file on our website http://www.ecopaintspecialists.com , that we may also use on radio this year. May change it up to fit the season, as Spring is quickly approching. The current audio feed is generic in nature. Hope you enjoy sight and now SOUND!
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