4 Things You Should Know Before You Open That Paint Can

Stop! Here are 4 Things You Should Know Before You Open That Paint Can!

1. How durable is your paint?

Painting is time-consuming and not exactly cheap. To avoid having to paint multiple times, think about paint durability when choosing your paint. For interior painting, the best quality paints are those with a high-gloss, semi-gloss, or satin finish. When it comes to exteriors, use low-sheen paints for siding as it is easy to touch it up. As for other areas such as doors, windows, gutters, and trim go with a high sheen because of its resistance to moisture, stains, and scuffs in addition to being easy to wash.

2. Quantity

Next, think about how much paint you will need. For the interior it is quite simple: calculate the surface area you are planning on painting and then divide by the estimated coverage rate of the paint you have chosen. In this situation, you might want to buy one to two quarts of extra paint to use for future touchups. You may also want to consider how many coats your surface will need. If you are painting over a dark color with a much lighter color, you will likely need two coats. The calculation for how much paint you need for the exterior of your property is a bit more complicated. For a professional estimate, fill out the re:fab free estimate form!

3. Remove all dirt and mildew

Before painting, you MUST clean your painting surfaces. When removing mildew indoors, put a couple of drops of household bleach on the discolored surface. For exterior mildew, use one-part household bleach to three parts water. When finished, use warm water to wipe down, then dry completely before painting. If there is a lot of dirt or mildew on exterior surfaces consider power washing it away.

4. Check the weather

Unfortunately, weather can be unpredictable, especially in New England. However, the best weather for painting the exterior of a property is always when it is clear and dry outside with no wind. The ideal temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees. When it comes to painting your interior, try to keep the temperature at 45 to 50 degrees to ensure the quickest drying time. However, keep in mind that paint dries at different speeds depending on the type (ex. solvent-based, latex, etc).

Whether you are painting your property’s interior or exterior, get it done quickly and efficiently by using re:fab. For more information contact us here!

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