Friday, November 30, 2007

Selecting the Right Type of Paint

Many factors determine the type of paint that you should use on any given paint job, including the nature of the surface you want to paint and its condition, the age of the surface, and the type of the paint previously used on the surface, if any.
Virtually all the paints that you might use around the home fall into two categories: water-based latex paints; and solvent-based paints, which are commonly referred to as oil-based paints or "alkyds." These names refer to one of the major differences between the two types of coatings- most of the liquid portion of the latex paints is water, while the liquid in oil-based paints consists of the petroleum distillates and other organic solvents.
About 75% of all paint that is sold today is of latex variety. Do-it-yourself use an even higher percentage of this type of paint for both exterior and interior projects. But you should take for nothing for granted when painting your home. You must consider the nature of your particular job to decide which type of paint is the best for your application.

For more information go to DiscountPaint.net

Resource from A Step-by-Step Guide How to Paint. Paint & Decorating Retailers Association.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Analyzing the Project

Painting a House, or even a single room can be an enormously gratifying experience. However, to do the job right, it is important to understand everything about the project before you begin.
Start by critically looking over areas that you want to paint. If you are painting the exterior of your home, walk around it slowly and really analyze what needs to be done. Carry a pen a paper and take notes.
What type of materials make up your home's exterior? Wood? Stucco? Aluminum sinding? Vinyl siding? Metal? Brick? You will probably be surprised at the number of different surfaces on your home. Take a note of their condition. Are they peeling? Chalking? Rusting? Is the caulk intact, or are there gaps where different surfaces meet? Is mildew present? Again, take notes. Are there any special problems- for example, is any siding rotted or damaged? Keep in mind that most any surface material can be painted- including surfaces like aluminum or vinyl siding.
Likewise, if you are planning to do interior painting, take a hard look at the rooms you want to paint. What is the condition of the walls? Will repairs be necessary? Is the woodwork in good condition? If there are stains on the walls, nail holes, etc., pinpoint their specific location on your "report card".
These note will be very helpful throughout the course of your work. They will help you plan your job properly, tell you whether or not you will need to purchase any special tools or coatings, and help you go about your job in an orderly fashion.
The big payoff will come later. By approaching your job in a methodical, professional manner, you are sure to save time and get the best possible results with your painting.
For more information go to DiscountPaint.net
Resource from A Step-by-Step Guide How to Paint. Paint & Decorating Retailers Association.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Why Use Color Samples Before You Paint?

Why Use Color Samples Before You Paint? Benjamin Moore Color Samples allow you to test a color before you commit to the time and expense of painting an entire room.Interior designers and professional painters do a "brush out" when deciding on color. They apply paint to a small section of the wall or several walls to see how the color looks in the actual environment.By sampling a color at home, you will get the most accurate sense of how the color will actually look in the room. Sampling paint colors is a great idea to help you:

Experiment with several different colors before deciding on a color scheme for a room.

Decide between several shades and tints of a particular color.

Compare how different undertones of a color (vibrant yellow, gray-yellow, green-yellow, etc.) affect the feel of the room.

Determine how a particular color in a room will flow with the colors in adjoining rooms.

Determine how a particular color works with other colors in the room (such as a deeply hued rug).

Experience how a particular color is enhanced by lighting conditions.Each 2-ounce Benjamin Moore Color Sample covers approximately a 2-foot by 2-foot area with two coats of paint. You can test a number of different colors at one time.


How to Use Color Samples

Each 2-ounce Benjamin Moore Color Sample covers approximately a 2-foot by 2-foot area with two coats of paint. You can test a number of different colors at one time.
You can also paint smaller test swatches on several walls to see how a particular color will look throughout the room.

Preparation, Application, and Evaluation

For best paint sampling color results, a little preparation can go a long way.

Make sure the test surface is clean, dry, and in good repair. We recommend priming the surface with Benjamin Moore Fresh Start® Primer. Note: You will get the truest color rendition when the color sample is painted on a white background. For deep paint colors, we recommend purchasing a deep-based primer. Otherwise, you may need three to four coats of the sample paint to achieve the true finished color.



Use a drop cloth as you normally would when painting a wall.

Read the manufacturer's directions and warnings on the label before opening.

Use different areas of the wall to test different colors. For example, test one color on one side of a window, the other on the opposite side.

Using a bristle or sponge brush, apply two coats of your sample color on your wall. Note: Sponge brushes can be used for testing color, but are not recommended for completing an entire painting project.

To keep track of your tested colors, affix the peel-off color name on the bottom of the Color Sample package to the tested sample area.

Allow the test patches to dry for two hours for a true representation of the color.

Live with your color samples for a few days before you make a decision. You'll have a better sense of how the color looks during the day and evening.

When you make your final color choice, we recommend priming the walls with Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer to ensure that the test patches do not affect the finished look of the room.



Supply List

Supplies: Drop cloth

Bristle brushes or sponge paint brushes
Paint :
Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Primer

Benjamin Moore Color Samples in the color of your choice.

For more information go to DiscountPaint.net

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

SHOP FOR PAINTS AND PAINTING SUPPLIES FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME OR OFFICE













Mauricio Frusciante
DiscountPaint.net

Founder, President



SHOP FOR PAINTS AND PAINTING SUPPLIES FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME OR OFFICE


Unheard of just a few years ago, many people are turning to websites like DiscountPaint.net to buy paint and painting supplies.
DiscountPaint.net to buy paint and painting supplies.

Featuring a minimum of 10,000 products online, Miami-based
DiscountPaint.net has been serving a growing client base for more than 3 years. Owner Mauricio Frusciante developed the company after working as a paint professional for nearly 20 years. His goal is to save clients both time and money when undertaking major painting projects. Ordering paints and supplies online helps people eliminate unnecessary aggravation, he said. “No more hunting for parking spaces or waiting on long lines for your number to be called. We deliver to your door.”

Prices are competitive. The more the customer buys the more they save. Discounts increase with order size. Plus the site has free shipping for orders over $300, as well as other specials on popular metallic paints. The company works with four warehouses (Florida, Texas, Kentucky and South Carolina) and provides same-day shipping on orders received by 7 a.m EST. Arrival time is usually 5-6 days via UPS ground. Custom tints are available but the lead time is between 48-72 hours more

As with brick and mortar stores, Frusciante said
DiscountPaint.net customers should not underestimate the importance of selecting the right paint, application equipment, or tools and materials for any given paint job Many factors play into painting decisions, such as the nature of the surface to be painted, the age and the condition of the surface, and the type of paint previously used on the surface Frusciante encourages customers to make informed decisions and to consider performance comparisons between oil-based versus latex paints, selecting the right sheen or gloss level and, most importantly, the right color selection and amount of paint that should be purchased. The more knowledge the customer has going into a paint project, the happier they’ll be with the end result and their internet purchase.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Color Selection





COLOR
SELECTION


Step
by Step Color Selection





  • Identify the "fixed" elements of your room that you are
    not planning on changing.
    For example, furniture, rugs, fireplace,
    color of woodwork or tiling, etc. All paint colors must coordinate
    with theses elements.




  • Identify the room's natural attributes, such as room size
    and lighting, and the way in which you want the color of the room
    to affect those attributes.
    Keep in mind cool (blue, violet
    and green), dark colors recede and seem to pull away from you, making
    the room seem larger, while warm (red, orange and yellow), light colors
    expand and seem to come towards you, making the room seem smaller.
    It's important that you make a final selection only after viewing
    a sample of your color choice in the room you are painting so you
    can see how natural and artificial light affects the color.




  • Identify what the room will be use for-rest, play, work or dining.

    Think about what colors make you feel comfortable, energetic or inspired.
    Keep in mind the colors you choose to work with will determine whether
    the environment is dramatic or subtle. Some colors are associated
    with moods. Here are some basic associations:

    red-energy
    & passion, orange-active & inviting, yellow-bright & sunny,
    green-calm & serene, blue-refreshing & inspiring, purple-cleansing
    & smoothing, neutrals-subtle & elegant .

  • Start
    with colors in tones that naturally appeal to you.
    Tip: outline
    a large photocopy of a picture of your room. Duplicate this several
    times to get a few black & whites images. Use colored pencils to
    experiment with different color schemes and you'll be ahead of the game
    before you turn to chips or actual paint samples.


Use
the following basic color palettes as color selection guides:


MONOCHROMATIC
COLOR PALETTE:
Using just one color and varying that color's intensities
from pale to bold, light to dark can create a room décor that is
exciting or serene.


Start
with the walls and select a soft color.

Select
a trim color or accent wall color by identifying the color two shades
darker on the same color chip.


COMPLEMENTARY
COLOR PALETTE:
Complementary
colors- colors that actually oppose each other on the color wheel- can
be used together for stunning results.


Start
with a trim color or fabric color in a rich shade.


Select "complement"
of that color for your walls by finding the color across from it on the
color wheel.


ANALOGOUS
COLOR PALETTE:
By using colors that are next to one another on
the color wheel and similar in tone, you can create a dramatic but elegant
color design for your room.


Start
by selecting three colors that are next to one another on the color wheel
that are similar tone.


Use one of
the colors more dominantly and the other two as accents.


For
more information in Color Selection go to DiscountPaint.net