Paint Contractors in Atlanta

FAQs About Painting

Q. What are the different methods of applying paint? Which is the best?

A. The answer to this question depends of several factors. I will explain them in detail.
Painting by hand – This method is good, old fashioned painting. This involves brushes and rollers. Painting by hand is ideal in situations with precise detail work and situations where overspray is unacceptable. A perfect example is an interior repaint. You cannot spray an interior in the presence of people, furniture, and flooring. The potential mess from overspray is too significant. FYI – Many people, and even some paint contractors, believe that painting by hand builds a thicker film. This is false. Painting with brushes and rollers actually produces the thinnest coat of paint per coat.

Spraying the paint – This method involves using spray machines. This doesn’t mean the Wagner sprayers available at Home Depot. We use commercial spray machines that have more power which produces better paint atomization and higher gallons per minute. Spraying paint produces a thicker and smoother finish than other application methods. Because you can build thicker coats by spraying, drastic color changes can be achieved with only one coat in many situations. Another advantage of spraying is the smooth finish. The super smooth lacquer and varnish finishes on cabinetry and furniture is all done using HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayers.

Q. What’s the difference between latex and oil paints? Which is better?
A. Paint consists of four components: Solvents, binders, pigments, and additives. The difference between oil and latex paints lies in the solvents and binders (or resins).
Latex (waterborne) paints – These paints are made using latex or acrylic resins and can be reduced using water. The high performance waterborne products that GreenWave Solutions uses are all acrylic. Acrylic is more durable and has better color and gloss retention than does latex. These products have low-odor and are water clean-up. Due to growing environmental concerns, manufacturers have developed waterborne coatings for nearly every paint application. 90% of the products that GreenWave Solutions uses are waterborne.
Oil (alkyd) paints – These paints are made using alkyd resins. Oil paints dry to a smoother, harder finish than acrylics. They also have better adhesion and sealing properties. For these reasons, alkyd-based products are commonly used for cabinets and as primers for raw wood and ferrous metals. Many states are beginning to restrict the use of these products because of VOC regulations. For more information of eco-friendly paints, visit our sister site www.greenwaveforever.com

Q. How important is prep-work?
A. Prep-work is the most important part of the job. If you put the most expensive paint in the world on an improperly prepared surface, it is going to peel off. This is why GreenWave Solutions places such high importance on preparation. We start by pressure washing and cleaning everything that we are going to paint. We use a mixture of bleach and tri-sodium phosphate. This solution kills mold and mildew and also removes dirt and other surface contaminants. After a clean, dry substrate is achieved, any necessary carpentry work is completed. We replace all rotten wood with either PVC or pre-primed wood. We replace bad siding using genuine Hardie Plank. We caulk any large gaps around doors, windows, and siding. We also will use Bondo or wood filler to fill any insect or bird holes. We scrape and prime all deteriorated areas and re-glaze windows (when applicable). We do not begin painting until we have a sound substrate.

Q. Is it important for my contractor to have liability insurance?
A. Yes! It is a necessity. If you allow uninsured contractors to work on your property, you are putting yourself into a very precarious situation. Should an accident occur, several outcomes are possible, all of which are unfavorable to you. If something is broken, then your homeowners’ policy will cover its repair. This will cost you money in the form of increased premiums or possibly losing coverage all together. If someone is injured, your homeowners policy will cover the damages. However, if the damages exceed your policy’s limits, then you can be held personally liable to cover the remaining costs. Make sure that you ask for proof of insurance for any contractor that you hire to do work. GreenWave Solutions is fully insured.
Q. What are the pros and cons of the different paint sheens?
A. There are basically three different sheens: flat, satin, and semi-gloss

• Flat/matte – This finish has no sheen. This makes for good touch-ups and hiding surface imperfections. The problem is that flat finishes are the least durable and washable. “Washable” flats, such as Duration Home, do exist and work very well. They are not a “dead” flat and do have a slight sheen.

• Satin/egg shell – This finish is shinier than a flat. It will not touch-up as well and can be difficult to work with when using dark colors. Satin finishes do have better adhesion and are more washable than flat finishes.

• Semi-gloss/gloss – These paints have the highest sheen. They have the highest adhesion and durability of all sheens. They usually do not touch-up and will show all substrate imperfections.

Q. How much space does a gallon of paint cover?
A. Most paint covers at a rate of 350-400 sq. ft. per gallon. This figure is affected by the texture and porosity of the substrate. Another factor that affects coverage is how many mils, or thickness, the paint is applied.

Q. Does it make a difference if I use a high quality brush or roller?
A. Yes. A good quality brush has more bristles and softer bristles. This allows the brush to hold more paint and release the paint evenly. The result is smooth finish with fewer brush strokes. A high quality roller has softer, thicker nap and will not shed. This too produces a smoother, more uniform finish without leaving lap marks.