http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog Vancouver Painters Painting Vancouver Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:00:08 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I decided to cut and paste an email that I got and replied to since it contains some important questions about painting kitchen cabinetry. Thank you for your thoughtful questions.  Washability, in fact, *scrubability is extremely important so we use products that are very scour proof.  In terms of rolling vs ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2010/02/05/questions-about-kitchen-cabinet-painting-in-vancouver.html How Much to spend on Public Relations?  PR work can start out small and the budget my well involve more time than money.  To start your PR effort, a budget of $1,000 for your firs year will get the publicity wheels in motion.  Along with the budget, you need some ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/11/21/vancouvers-best-painters-marketing-for-paint-contractors-continued.html The best kind of marketing that goes beyond referrals (word-of-mouth) is public relations.  Public relations is essenttialy the work of getting exposure for yo9ur company...whether thats Vancouver's Best Painters, 604-PAINTER or Vancouver Industrial Painting...by means other than paid advertising.  For instance, if you became the painting expert giving seminars to ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/11/20/marketing-for-paint-contractors-vancouvers-best-painters.html Dealing with painting employees who have been filling space while you tried to meet your contractural obligations is easy.  Thank them for their contribution and lay them off (making sure you have obeyed your provincial labour laws in doing so of course.)  If they go to your competition, all the ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/09/19/vancouvers-best-painters-your-short-term-employees.html First, look at your long term employees.  Often, its these employees that become the biggest burden on a company trying to weather an economic storm.  Their painting salaries may have been ratched up and beyond their production value simply because they have been with you for a long time.  Letting ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/09/19/vancouvers-best-painters-long-term-painting-employees.html What should your employees make?  Certainly, they should make what they earn, but finding out exactly what that is can be tough, and getting them to that point even tougher.  The general range for pay for a Vancouver's Best Painter in Canada today can be anywhere between $10 and $35 ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/09/19/vancouvers-best-painters-employees.html There is much that is unpleasant for a Vancouver painter about a slowing economy.  For 'glass-half-full' painters however, a slowing economy affords an opportunity to re-evaluate business practices and make adjustments in anticipation of future growth.  The salary structure within a painting company can be very c0mplex, and, as painting ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/09/18/reviewing-salaries-for-painters-604-painter-vancouvers-best-painters-com.html Section 2.01 deals with approved paints and manufacturers.  While this provision benefits the Co-Op by ensuring that interior surfaces are well protected and assures the new occupant of quality paint, it also benefits the member doing the painting.  Under the Materials section, a number of paint manufactureres are listed.  These ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/07/07/brands-of-paint-vancouvers-best-painters.html Like touch-ups, wallpaper has often been a problem in past move-outs.  Colour and especially quality are highly variable, and most wallpaper, unless it is expensive, cannot be cared for like a painted wall.  Also, wallpaper is often painted over rather than being stripped, making removal even more difficult.  The intent ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/07/07/condos-moving-out-wallpaper.html Hi Deane Further to our earlier conversation today regarding the notion that: "painting is messy", I wanted to share with you what I have observed over the last 25 yrs in regards to this issue. First off, *painting* per se, is not messy; *painters however, can be.  It really just comes down to the attitude of ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/29/604-painter-604-724-6837-takes-note-of-a-messy-painter.html Like touch-ups, wallpaper has often been a problem in past move-outs.  Colour and especially quality are highly variable, and most wallpaper, unless it is expensive, cannot be cared for like a painted wall.  Also, wallpaper is often painted over rather than being stripped, making removal even more difficult.  The intent ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/24/wallpaper-in-vancouver-and-brands-of-paint-604-painter.html Touch ups in Co-Ops in the Vancouver area for painters have always been a problem with move-out inspections and are not now being accepted.  The colour and sheen characteristics of a paint can never be exactly matched, and even paint from the same can saved for this purpose undergoes oxidization, ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/24/touch-ups-vancouvers-best-painters.html Reflectance Coefficient is simply a measure of how much light bounces back from a painted surface -- how bright it is.  The Membership Manual makes reference to "neutral colour" for repainting.  Member and the BMC have always had a hard time defining what is "neutral" even though we think we ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/22/painting-co-ops-and-reflectance-coefficient.html Recently, it has become clear to the Building Mainenance Committe that what is mean by "Co-op Standards" is really now quite well established.  However, inspecting teams were frustrated with their inability to provide something to members moving out that shows them clearly what is to be expected and, in turn, ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/21/co-op-painting-continued-call-604-painter.html When a unit is first inspected, almost without exception the member is asked to paint some or all of their unit.  At final inspection, this painting is evaluated and if it meets what the Membership Manual refers to as "Co-op" Standards", the job is approved.  These Co-op standards, as such, ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/21/painting-co-ops-vancouvers-best-painters.html When a member prepares to leave their unit in the Co-op, either to move to another unit or to leave the Co-op altogether, they must do a variety of thngs to make the unit ready for the next occupant.  This can be a complex process and is described in the ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/04/21/specifications-for-painting-condos-and-coops.html 7:  Cut back on prep You want your Vancouver painting company to go up in flames?  Forget the drop sheets and ignore the spatter on the 18th century armoire.  Leave the light switch covers and door hinges on and cut around them.  Paint over the spider webs and the dirt on ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/03/18/painters-vancouver-painting-painting-in-vancouver.html 10:  Dont return Calls By itself, not returning calls won't put you under, but it's a great start.  Not only will you frustrate the people who pay your bills, supply your paint and do your work for you, you won't have to interrupt your lunch or leanr how to put phone ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/03/17/top-ten-ways-to-kill-your-painting-business-in-the-vancouver-area.html Time to start blogging again about the Best Painters in the Vancouver area, painters painting in Vancouver...604-PAINTER....how easy is THAT to remember? http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/03/09/289.html As if there wasn't enough to worry about as a painting contractor, winter loves to introduce complications...not so much for the Vancouver painter, painters painting in the Vancouver area but more so for the Ontario painter.   I remember a particularly ugly, stormy day just before Christmas in Ontario, nearly twenty ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2009/02/21/vancouvers-best-painters-remembers-ontario.html PICTURE FRAMING ON DRYWALL (HATBANDING)   Picture framing on drywall occurs when the coat applied around the trim using a brush does not match the coat applied to the main area using a roller.   Hatbanding is caused by excessive cutting-in of the walls, corners, trim, and ceiling areas with a brush or by ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/11/07/painting-problem-of-hatbanding-solved-by-vancouvers-best-painters.html PEELNG FROM. CONCRETE FLOORS   Hardeners added to concrete will often prevent good adhesion. Also, concrete contains alkali, which is drawn to the surface by water and deposited there. When the water evaporates the alkali leave a crystallized substance (efflorescence), which pushes against the paint film and causes peeling   An additional problem ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/11/07/peeling-from-concrete-vancouvers-best-painters.html PEELING FROM WOODEN WINDOW SILLS AND  FRAMES   Paint usually peels from window sills and frames because of condensation. Water standing on the sills eventually penetrates the paint film. When it evaporates, the pressure under the film causes peeling.   Solution   Remove all the paint by scraping, sanding, and, if necessary, using a chemical stripper. ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/11/07/peeling-paint-from-wooden-sills-by-vancouvers-best-painters.html   PEELING FROM GLAZED WESTERN RED CEDAR OR REDWOOD SIDING   Mill-glaze is a hard, varnish-like glaze that appears on smooth, flat-grained Western Red Cedar and occasionally on redwood.   There is controversy over the exact cause of mill-glaze, but the general belief is that it is caused by planing and/or drying the lumber. During ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/11/06/peeling-from-mill-glazed-western-red-cedar.html Paint Problem:  Painting Peeling From Brick   The most common cause of peeling from surfaces composed of mortar, brick, building block or concrete is efflorescence. Soluble salts are contained in these materials. When dissolved by water, they will be carried to the surface and will remain there after the water has evaporated. ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/11/06/paint-problem-paint-peeling-off-brick.html Solution for Loose Flaking Paint   Remove all loose, flaking paint from the damaged area until you reach the bare metal. It is a good idea to follow coating removal with an application of a metal conditioner such al. Lithoform®, Galvaprep®, or similar conversion coating. Apply a galvanized metal primer, preferably latex, ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/09/04/peeling-from-hardboarding-vancouvers-best-painters.html Galvanized metal is very alkaline when received from the mill. In most cases, it also has an oil on its surface that prevents atmospheric humidity from coming in contact with the surface. This oil normally disappears naturally during the first six months of weathering; however, it must be removed if ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/09/04/peeling-from-galvanized-metal-by-vancouvers-best-painters.html Paint Failure by Rick Anderson (Vancouver’s Best Painters)   INTERCOAT  PEELING UNDER EAVES AND COVERED PORCHES (SCALING AND CORNFLAMNG)   Intercoat peeling often occurs under eaves, covered porches, and other protected areas. The loose paint scale resembles cornflakes, which is why it is sometimes referred to as cornflaking.   Protected or shaded areas on buildings are ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/09/04/intercoat-peeling-by-vancouvers-best-painters.html EXCESS CHALKING by Rick Anderson Vancouver’s Best Painters   Chalking is the excess formulation of fine powder on the surface of a paint film. Eventually, all paints chalk to some degree. Generally, alkyds chalk more quickly and to a greater degree than acrylic latex coatings. Chalking is a result of the breakdown of ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/09/04/excess-chalking-vancouvers-best-painters.html Painting Article By Vancouver’s Best Painters   CRACKING AND LATE  STAGE FLAKING   Cracking and flaking are advanced stages of checking. The breaks in the coating penetrate the film completely to the substrate.  On surfaces that have received numerous coats of paint, the underlying layers lose their elasticity and are unable to expand and ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/painting-failure-cracking-and-later-stage-flaking.html Solutions For Blistering..cont And Checking   If the blistering was caused by moisture, a number of solutions exist. Repair loose caulking and install vents or exhaust fans, if necessary. If the home has lap siding, siding vents can be installed under the siding in areas where blistering has occurred. This will allow ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/solutions-for-blistering-cont-and-checking-by-vancouvers-best-painters.html Notes From Vancouver’s Best Painters:  Call 604-PAINTER (604-724-6837 or Toll Free: 1-800-PRO-PAINTER    Solution for Alligatoring of Paint   Remove all paint completely by scraping and sanding. Removal of large areas can be don quickly by power washing or with the use of a heat gun. Make sure the substrate is properl cleaned ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/solutions-for-the-alligatoring-of-paint-vancouvers-best-painters.html Vancouver’s Best Painters:  Call: 604-PAINTER   Improper application and thickness control of the paint film can lead to coating failures. These are definitely within the control of the painter. Moisture can also cause coating failures. These failures can occur as a result of: •           Painting over wet or moisture-contaminated surfaces •           Rain falling or moisture ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/paint-failure-alligatoring-notes-from-vancouvers-best-painters.html Vancouver’s Best Painters   When a manufacturer makes a mistake with a coating batch that causes it to fall outside specified tolerance ranges, the coating is either discarded or remanufactured to bring it within tolerance. As one might imagine, it is expensive to throw away a batch of 50 to 1,000 gallons ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/painting-failure-continued-painting-in-vancouver.html Vancouver’s Best Painters   CAUSES OF FAILURES   The following is a brief description of some of the causes of premature failures, which may result from substrate conditions, paint material, surface preparation, application, and underlying moisture.   SUBSTRATE VARIABLES   The substrate, or base material over which the coating is applied, may be suitable for some coatings ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/painting-in-vancouver-causes-of-failure.html  Paint Failure By Vancouver’s Best Painters www.vancouversbestpainters.com   As a member of the painting trade, you will often be called upon to correct finish problems. It is important that you be able to determine what caused a problem so that you can both correct it and prevent it from recurring. This includes ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/30/painting-failure-by-vancouvers-best-painters.html 8. Which of the following methods can be used to get rid of algae?   a. Avoid painting when there is direct sunlight on the surface b. Clean the affected area with a bleach solution c. Use paints that contain a mildewcide d. Use only oil-based paint in areas where algae is likely to form   9. ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/28/vancouvers-best-painters-quizes-mrs-jones.html PAINTING QUESTIONS FROM Vancouver’s Best Painters     1. One way to avoid brush marks when you are working on a porous surface is to     a. use less paint b. brush harder c. apply a primer d. apply the next coat before the first one dries   2. Which of the following is a likely cause of ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/28/vancouvers-best-painters-painting-questions-for-you.html PAINTING OVER[: AREAS WHERE WALLCOVERINGS HAVE BEEN REMOVED Areas previously decorated with wailcoverings may have a residue of paste and/or wailcovering backing if the proper commercial walicovering paste has not been used. Failure to assure proper surface cleanliness can result in staining or discoloration of the paint film. Newly applied paint ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/28/painters-painting-in-vancouver-call-604-painter.html LAP MARKS   Lap marks (Figure 14) sometimes occur where wet and dry layers overlap during the application of paint or stain. This non uniform appearance can be caused by a number of situations such as working too long in one area when painting, too much heat or draft during application, too ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/28/lap-marks-painters-painting-vancouver.html Knots that are visible in siding, either painted or stained, are caused by solvents in the wet paint film dissolving the heavily concentrated resins in the knot itself, making them visible through the dried paint film.  Existing resin buildup on the surface of the know prevents latex paints from covering ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/28/pitch-bleeding-from-knots-call604-painter-for-all-your-painting-needs.html One cause of discoloration seen on painted hardboard siding is wax bleeding.  Used while manufacturing hardboard siding, wax or petroleum make a board more moisture resistant.  But under certain conditions, the wax can migrate to the surface of the painted board.  Once on the surface, the wax can change the ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/24/wax-bleeding-on-hardboard-siding.html Chemical extractives in wood react with metal flashing and produce a stain below the flashing.  Stains can also occur in other areas where the wood surface is in contact with metal;  outdoor faucets, air conditioners, and conduits, for example. Solution For Flashing Stains Chemical extractive stains normally can be removed by washing ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/24/staining-from-flashing-and-surfactant-leaching.html Dark vertical lines at the bottom of siding shingles are caused by rusting nail heads used to attach the siding to the xterior wall.  Good construction practices call for the use of box nails in siding, but common nails with large heads are often used.  The cannot be countersunk, so ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/24/painters-painting-vancouver-paint-problem-rusty-nail-heads.html www.vancouversbestpainters.com www.604painters.com www.vancouverindustrialpainting.com and www.canadasbestpainters.com all state that stains mae with aniline are generally prevalent in older homes and were used primariliy over woodwork and some furniture.  When a light-colored coating is applied to woodwork previously painted with this type of stain, it will produce a pinkish tint. Solutions For Aniline ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/24/painters-painting-vancouver-painting-over-aniline-stains.html Mildew is not cuased by paint.  It is a fungus that grows on almost any organic surface including painted ones.  Mildew discoloration, which resembles dirt, is actually caused by fungi feeding on oil contained in paints or on thickeners in latex coatings.  Fungi also feed on nutrients in the substrate ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/23/painters-painting-vancouver-604-painter-vancouvers-best-painters.html All colour pigments will fade after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, but certain conditions speed up the process. Using a colorant designed for interior use on an exterior surface causes more rapid fading.  The use of a tinting base made with chalking type pigments to make an exterior colour also ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/20/vancouvers-best-painters-talks-about-fading.html www.vancouversbestpainters.com teaches us that stains on cedar and redwood are due mainly to moisture and insufficient or improper priming.  The resins in certain types of cedar, redwood, and mahogany bleed through paint.  Moisture carries water-soluble colour extractives (tannic acid) contained in the wood through the film.  Staining is more visible ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/19/cedar-stain-tannic-acid-bleed-vancouver-painters.html There are a number of conditions that can cause paints or staind to become discolored.  The material I will be discussing will show how to recognize and correct problems that cuase discoloration. Algae Algae is a growth that occurs where water is readily available to the painted surface.  Usually, algae forms on ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/18/painting-problem-discoloration-failures.html A rough, crinkled surface usually occurs when there is interference with the normal drying time of the paint.  If the surface film dries before the bottom layer, the dry film will move and wrinkles will form.  Possible causes of wrinkling include the application of a second coat before the first ... http://www.vancouversbestpainters.com/newsite/blog/2008/08/18/wrinkling-paint-and-the-solution-vancouvers-best-painters.html