Thursday, April 26, 2012

How to Store Paint Properly

So you’ve finally finished your painting project and you are left with the inevitable cans of leftover paint. While you could easily dispose of the paint, this clearly isn’t the best return on your investment and when your exterior paint or interior paint needs touch ups in the future you will wish you had held onto the paint. So how do you go about storing your paint to make sure it lasts for future applications? Below, we will discuss a few easy steps to make your paint last for years.

Environment

The first and most important step is to make sure you store your paint in a proper environment. You are looking for an area in your home that stays relatively cool, dark, and dry year round. If you have a temperature controlled basement or garage this is a great location to consider. A storage closet or a large laundry room are also rooms to consider. You need a dry area so moisture doesn’t rust the paint cans and you need controlled temperature and lighting to maintain the quality of the paint.

Seal

You can’t use paint if it dries up, so high importance needs to be placed on sealing the can properly. Many people will simply hammer a lid back on the can when they are done with their house painting, but this can actually lead to a poor seal. A hammer can potentially dent the edges of that can which results in small openings around the lid. Over time this can result in the paint drying out. Opt for a rubber mallet instead of a traditional hammer. The rubber absorbs the shock and lessens the chance of denting the lid. One last thing to suggest it to place plastic wrap over the open paint can before hammering the lid down. The plastic wrap adds a second seal of protection to help your paint last longer.

Label

Finally, we want to make sure we can easily distinguish between our paints and the best way to do so is by labeling each can with some critical information.  On each can you should write down when the paint was opened, the rooms you painted with it, and the brand of your paint. Furthermore, paint a small swatch on the can so you have something you can show the painters at your local paint shop for any color matching or reordering you may need to do in the future.

If you have further questions about proper paint storage, or you are looking for assistance with a painting project, don’t hesitate to contact Dennis Moffitt Painting. You can speak with one of our paint contractors online, or by phone at (401) 789-2181 for a free estimate and consultation.

Posted on 04/26 at 04:46 PM
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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

How To Remove Stains From Walls

No matter how well you’ve gone about completing an exterior painting or interior painting job, nothing stays pristine forever. Things get dirty. The process can be slow, such as dust and dirt settling on surfaces over time, or it can be quick and messy such as Junior making their next crayon masterpiece on your wall. Below we will go over a few common stains and how to properly remove them from your painted walls.

Dust/Dirt

If you are dealing with dust, light dirt, cobwebs, etc. this is pretty easy to take care of. The first step for any stain removal is to place some sort of towel or drop cloth around the cleaning area where the interior paint had been affected by the stain. This will protect your floor from any cleaning solution that may run down the wall as you clean. After we have placed our cloth, use a vacuum attachment or a dust mop to remove excess dust and debris from the wall working from the top of the wall down.  Take a container (a mop bucket) and fill it two thirds with some warm water and as a small amount of dish soap. Using a sponge dampened in the solution, lightly wipe the wall down from top to bottom rinsing and repeating with the sponge as needed. Dry the wall with a non-abrasive cloth or towel such as terrycloth.

Crayon

If you have little ones, you know they can be creative and messy. Having a creative child is wonderful, but sometimes that creativity can end up in undesired areas, like the walls of your home.  If you come home to some unwanted crayon art, there is a pretty easy way to tackle those stains and you probably already have it in your house. If you apply a small amount of baking soda to a damp cloth and gently scrub the painted areas it will usually lift the markings from the wall without much effort. Since baking soda can be slightly abrasive, test it on a part of your wall that isn’t highly visible to make sure it doesn’t damage the interior paint you have chosen. After you have scrubbed the area wipe off any excess water or baking soda and dry off the wall.

Marker

This is another common stain that can be really easy or difficult to remove depending on the type of marker used. If it’s washable, a light mixture of water and dish soap can most likely handle the job. If it is permanent the process can be tricky. Many people have luck with stain remover sponges (Mr. Clean Magic Erasers), or harsh chemicals such as alcohol with varying levels of success. It is highly recommended that you test these approaches in an inconspicuous area to see how they will affect the paint on your walls.

If you are looking at removing numerous stains, or if you are dealing with tougher stains such as grease or smoke, you may want to consider repainting those areas of your home. Whether it’s advice for cleaning your current walls, or embarking on a project to repaint your walls, we would love to hear from you. The paint contractors at DMP have the experience to give your walls the perfect finish. Contact us online or by telephone at (401) 789-2181 for a free consultation.

Posted on 04/17 at 09:31 AM
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Friday, March 23, 2012

How to Paint Furniture

A common “Do It Yourself” project is painting old furniture. Painting furniture is something you can do with fantastic results, but there are a few things you must be mindful of in order to get the result you want. 

Surface.

Pieces of furniture often have distinctive surfaces, which can result in a number of painting challenges. Different paints and primers change the appearance of furniture depending on which you choose. Consider sanding with sandpaper if you want the surface to be on the smoother side. If you are looking for a rougher look you can sand lightly or forego it altogether.

Choose Primer Wisely.

Specific kinds of paint need specific primers. Coordinate your choice of primer with the type of paint you choose to use. After applying primer, let it dry completely before painting over it, but be sure to never leave primer unpainted. 

Top to Bottom.

Begin painting at the top of the piece of furniture and work downwards. Use a paintbrush or small foam roller when applying paint. Pay close attention to painting with even strokes. Even strokes will ensure there are no drip marks or blotches. Latex paint can be used over an oil-based primer, but latex paint should never be used over a coat of oil-based paint. The result: bubbles in the paint.  Everywhere. Again, be mindful of your paints and primers!

If you have never painted a piece of furniture before, consider painting a small and less important piece of furniture first. This will give you great practice to perfect your paint stroke and technique.

You may find yourself needing help with a larger painting project, such as a whole room or home. Your friends at Dennis Moffitt Painting are here to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today!

Posted on 03/23 at 09:00 AM
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Tips for Cleaning Your Paintbrushes

Paintbrushes can be expensive; by properly cleaning them you will get a better return on your initial investment by being able to use the same brushes for multiple painting projects in your home. Below are a few tips we recommend to keeping your brushes clean.

Oil or Latex?

Are you utilizing oil-based or latex-based paints? Your answer will determine what solutions you’ll need to clean your brushes. Brushes used with latex paint will only require a mixture of warm water and a little soap or detergent whereas a brush using oil paint will require the use of paint thinner. Keep this in mind when reading the steps below.

Preparing Your Solution

For you latex based paints, get a small bucket or container (a cleaned out paint can works nicely) and fill it with warm water and a couple of spoonfuls of dish soap or detergent.  Place your brush into the solution and briskly swish the brush back and forth for about thirty seconds. The will remove the majority of the paint. If any paint remains, repeating the process with just warm water or even running the brush under warm water should remove the little paint that is left. For oil paints, fill your container with a few inches of paint thinner and gently swirl your brush in the remover for around thirty seconds.  Press the brush against the side of the container to remove excess thinner then wipe it off with a towel. Be sure to properly dispose of your paint thinner as it is flammable and often somewhat toxic.

NOTE: Wear protective gloves when handling paint thinner.

Dry and Store.

Once you have cleaned your brushes you need to let them dry. If you aren’t in a hurry, hang them up and allow them to dry. If you need to dry them quickly, you can utilize and paintbrush spinner, which spins the excess liquid off the brush so it dries more quickly. These can be found at most home improvement stores. Whatever method you choose, one they are dry place them back in the protective covers they came in.

When it comes to interior painting services, or exterior painting services, we at DMP would love to assist you in your projects. If you would like to speak with a paint contractor, or set up a free consultation, contact us and speak with a professional today.

Posted on 03/13 at 03:30 PM
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Tips for Creating an Accent Wall

When it comes to painting the house, a great way to make a big impact with minimal effort is painting an accent wall. An accent wall will be painted a different color than the other three walls within the room. Below are some suggestions to consider when choosing an accent wall.

Choose Your Room

Depending on the room, you may be limited on where you place an accent wall. Typically, you want your accent wall to be solid (with the exception of highlighting something like a fireplace) with no openings like those caused by entrance or exit doorways. Also, if you are dealing with an oddly shaped room it is best to place your accent wall where it will best balance the room. For example, if you a working with a long narrow room you would want to paint one of the shorter walls as opposed to one of the longer ones. Contrasting the shorter wall will give the appearance of a room with a more uniform and even shape.

Choose Your Focal Point

The focal point is where you want people to focus when they enter a room. Accent walls are great for establishing a focal point because our eyes will naturally gravitate to what stands out, in this case, a different colored wall. If you have something of interest such as a fireplace, artwork, or a piece of furniture that you want to draw people’s attention to using an accent wall is a great way to do so.

Choose Your Paint

Often times, an accent wall is a few shades darker than the other walls in the room but you don’t necessarily have to play it safe. You can also make a statement by choosing colors that really contrast one another. Using a color wheel can help you find colors that really play off one another.  You can also tie an accent wall to another color in the room. An example would be making your wall match the color of a rug, curtains, or other piece of décor in the room. 

If this is your first time utilizing an accent wall play around with different colors. Get some samples and paint some small swatches of your accent wall to see what you like best.

Whether this is the only step in your home project or one of many, we would love to offer our expertise. At DMP, we are dedicated to doing only the finest work. If you would like to speak with a paint contractor, or set up a free consultation, contact us today.

Posted on 02/29 at 09:54 AM
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Friday, February 10, 2012

How to Remove Wallpaper

No one enjoys removing wallpaper. There are many techniques of varying difficulty, but if you follow the steps below, removing wallpaper is actually a fairly simple process.

Prepare the Room

Since removing wallpaper involves the use of various liquids, you really want to invest in drop cloths to place at the base of the walls needing paper removal. You won’t have to worry about doing any sort of liquid damage to your floors and it allows for easy cleanup when the job is complete.

Score the Wall

A wallpaper scorer is a handheld tool that leaves small holes on the paper it is rolled across. This tool is vital for removing wallpaper because it will allow your solution to break down the adhesive attaching the paper to the wall. Gently roll the scorer over the wall to make sure you have plenty of holes in the paper. The more solution you can get to the adhesive, the easier it will be to remove the paper.

Prepare Your Solution

While you can buy many different prepackaged solutions, it is often just as easy to make your own.   A simple mixture of hot water and vinegar or hot water and fabric softener can be poured in a spray bottle and applied to the wall. Let the solution sit for around 30 minutes and then move to the final step.

Paper Removal

Start from a corner of the wall and gently pull the paper from the wall. The solution should allow the removal of large strips at one time. Any small strips that are leftover can be pried up and removed with a straight razor or a dull edge tool such as a putty knife. After the paper has been removed, gently wipe the wall down with warm water to remove any leftover adhesive.

If this is your first time removing wallpaper, practice on a small portion of the wall that is typically covered by furniture. Once you get a feel for the process, move on to tackling the entire wall. Keep in mind that the scorer can sometimes go through the paper and leave some small imprints on the actual wall. This typically only happens if you apply too much pressure when using the scorer. In the event this happens, a thin layer of wall putty can cover those spots easily.

If you are taking on a project that requires a significant amount of wallpaper removal, you can always contact a paint contractor. Here at DMP, we are happy to give advice or set up a consultation if needed.  Give us a call at (401) 789-2181.

Posted on 02/10 at 09:28 PM
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Friday, February 03, 2012

How to Paint and Leave NO Marks Behind!

Painting can be a very rewarding, though time consuming, activity.  One way to make the experience even better is to avoid errant paint marks and paint drips.  As common as this problem is, there are a few ways to ensure your paint only goes where it’s meant to be.

First, move or cover furniture and floor space.  Move furniture away from areas you would like to paint.  If moving furniture is not an option, consider covering your furniture with a paint cloth or tarp.  Also cover any exposed floor space. 

Second, Tape!  Painter’s tape is your friend, so use it early and often.  Cover any areas where the wall you’re painting meets trim or ceiling.

Third, patience with the edges.  Take your time when painting around the edges of trim or joints where a wall meets the ceiling.  Being patient when painting these specific areas will lead to less mistakes and a more professional look.

Finally, use rollers for large spaces.  Use rollers to paint a large wall.  Make sure you don’t overload your roller, as this will lead to a splotchy, uneven paint job.  Technique is also important.  Be sure to zig zag when painting a large wall with a roller.  Painting vertically up and down can lead to unwanted paint marks on your wall.

If you have never painted a wall with a roller before, first try painting a room in your home with less foot traffic.  Do your best to perfect these steps before painting a living room or dining room.

If you have a painting project involving multiple rooms with trim and wall space, it may be best to contact a paint contractor.  Here at Dennis Moffitt Painting, we’re happy to offer you advice and schedule an appointment if needed.

Posted on 02/03 at 03:30 PM
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Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Can You Paint Azek Product?

Paint or not to paint, Azek? That is the question.

We have had this question raised over and over, season after season. We are painters, so of course we recommend painting it! Just kidding, but we do recommend it and here are our reasons why as well as some F.A.Q. ‘s about the Azek product.

Edge/End Grain

The edge and end grain in Azek is more porous than the faces of the Azek. This edge and end grain will tend to hold water longer after moisture (rain, morning dew, etc.) This is why you will see the edges turn black and often green with mold and mildew when left unpainted. If you were to paint the Azek is helps seal up the Azek to prevent mildew from forming on the edge and end grain cuts.

Durability/Washability

When painted, Azek becomes much more washable than untreated Azek. Dirt, smudges etc will wash off much easier. Again, by painting the Azek, it helps seal up the porosity of the material. This is especially helpful around high traffic areas like entry ways and garage door trim.

Nail Holes/Caulking

After the Azek is installed, nail holes have to be filled and joints need to be caulked in. The fastening systems have gotten much better. The more qualified contractors are using the plug system. The essentially bore out a hole of the Azek and the material is saved. The trim in installed and then the Azek plug is used to cover the fasteners head. This blends very nicely and is not noticeable to the naked eye. The problem is that very few contractors are using this system. Joints where Azek trim boards will still need to be caulked in and over time the caulk ages a different color than the Azek color itself. This is one of the main reasons that our customers have made the decision to have Azek painted.

Custom Colors/Sheen

No way to get around this one, Azek only comes in white, and it is flat. So if you are looking for a different color or sheen, you have no choice but to paint.

Azek maintains that it does not require painting for a maintenance free product and we agree. I believe, however, that it does make their product appear much by painting it. There are some things to pay attention to when painting it that most people overlook:

• Make sure to wipe down the Azek with denatured alcohol to clean and properly prepare the surface before painting. 

• Your Paint needs to be 100% acrylic. Do not prime the Azek, simply do top coats of 100% acrylic from a quality manufacturer. 

• When selecting colors, lighter is better. If selecting a darker color with a Light Reflective Value (LRV) lower than 55, you will need to select a vinyl safe color. The deeper the color, the more heat it wil attract. The heat can lead to the Azek warping. (It is plastic!) Sherwin Williams carries a vinyl safe color chart. 

If you have any other questions, contact Dennis Moffitt Painting at 401-789-2181.

Posted on 01/04 at 03:01 PM
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Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween from DMP

This year we're celebrating Halloween in RI old school video game style! Have a fun Halloween as you do whatever you typically do this day of the year. [And check out this funny video for some laughs :]. We will soon be taking a poll for our next mural, so stay tuned via our facebook page. 

Posted on 10/31 at 03:46 PM
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Monday, August 29, 2011

Welcome Back To School

We wish everyone in Rhode Island a warm return to school. Hopefully this mural will help students remember to have fun while getting back to school, even if saying good-bye to summer is bittersweet. Also, we have the holiday season to look forward to, which will be rolling around before we know it. Do you have a suggestion for our next mural? Visit our facebook page to let us know. 

Posted on 08/29 at 03:32 PM
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Friday, July 01, 2011

Paintball Mural Project in RI | Dennis Moffitt Painting

Oops, forgot to cover the mailbox..

Looks like the layers of paint have finally caught up with us

4th of July Paintball Mural

Wow! This mural was a whole lot of WOW! (and that is in all caps..) We have done funnier, brighter, more cheery or more patriotic murals, but this one was definitely the most exciting. When the team started firing, you can hear my uncontrollable screaming…I just had no idea what it was going to be like and it was AWESOME. The neighbors came running out and at that point I knew I forgot to tell someone about it. I felt kinda bad, they must’ve dove under their coffee table at first, but they loved it and stuck around to watch the end.

I was trying to think of another fun way to have fun with paint and I had to look no further than across the street. A good friend of mine Lenny Cuoco owns Extreme Paintball and Airsoft across the street in the Peacedale Mill Complex. It is an indoor battle center. I thought of this idea and his teams were more than fired up to help out. In total, 16,000 paintballs hit the building in less than 4 minutes. The guys were awesome and I can tell just how much fun they have with this sport.

Yeah, We're Painters But...

What I really learned is how different local companies can cross brand their business. Sure we are painters, but we had something in common with paint ballers..Go figure. They had a blast doing this and I am sure will get braggers rights in the paint ball world and I got to find something new to do with paint. As the paint balls don’t last that long, the best way to see the mural is through the video. Hope you enjoy and have an Extreme 4th of July, it is my favorite holiday.

To see more of our office murals, check out the mural page.

Posted on 07/01 at 09:28 AM
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Painting on Block Island

What a treat it is to work on Block Island. The homes and setting are truly amazing. Most of the work to be done on the island is completed in the “shoulder seasons” due to the homeowners having such a short window to enjoy their summer houses. We find ourselves out there this Spring working for a repeat customer being the second time we have painted her home. The funny thing is we have never met. When talking with her about the arrangements this time, I insisted that we will have to meet at “The Oar” this year for a famous mudslide.

The homeowner is from New Jersey and contacted us years ago after receiving one of our direct mail postcards. After getting the details, we visited the home and emailed her a detailed estimate with picture of current conditions and suggestions. The job went sublimely and we emailed her completed pictures as she would not be at the home until several weeks after completion. The finished pictures helped her feel comfortable to release final payment for a job well done.

She contacted us again to repeat the procedure as island weather is certainly harsh. We have sent a crew there to complete the prepping and priming before being interrupted from rain. With the difficulty in logistics, housing and ferry reservations for the truck, we have to have a clear weather window to send people out there. An interrupted day of rain can send our schedule into havoc. The crew worked diligently, often long hours, knowing that we would be rained out this week. They knew that they needed to get the prep work complete and to make sure that all surfaces were sealed up with primer before leaving the island as we knew that we were getting a week’s worth of rain.

We put the crew up at a local B & B, The Bellvue House, as commuting back and forth on the ‘slow’ ferry does not make much of a work day. The crew ends up cooking together and having a mini-vacation away from their normal work week.

DMP has completed several private homes, business’, and most notably the painting/restoration of the North Lighthouse of Block Island. 

Dennis Moffitt Painting is pleased to serve the Rhode Island area, including the communities of Barrington, Rhode Island, Block island, Rhode Island, Charlestown, Rhode Island, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Jamestown, Rhode Island, Middletown, Rhode Island, Mystic, Connecticut, Narragansett, Rhode Island, Newport, Rhode Island, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, South Kingstown/Wakefield, Rhode Island, Stonington, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island.

Posted on 05/17 at 01:27 PM
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Friday, April 22, 2011

Spring 2011 Mural by DMP

We got a little busy this spring and forgot to change up our mural from Christmas. We had a few people politely remind us it was time to change! So we announced on our Facebook page our new spring Mural. Thanks everyone for their suggestions and support. Stay tuned. We have a fun Mural in the works for early Summer. Oh and we promise to be on time for our next mural.

Posted on 04/22 at 03:08 PM
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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Rhode Island Charity Project Almost Done

We are in the final days of finishing up our Thanksgiving Makeover here in Wakefield RI. Please join us on Facebook for ongoing updates and photos. 

View the Lastest Pictures of our Project

Dennis Moffitt Painting is pleased to serve the Rhode Island area, including the communities of Barrington, Rhode Island, Block island, Rhode Island, Charlestown, Rhode Island, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Jamestown, Rhode Island, Middletown, Rhode Island, Mystic, Connecticut, Narragansett, Rhode Island, Newport, Rhode Island, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, South Kingstown/Wakefield, Rhode Island, Stonington, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island.

Posted on 12/21 at 12:12 PM
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Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Thanksgiving Makeover in RI | Early December Update from Mike Moffitt

We are making steady progress at Adam’s house. The garage is starting to take shape as finished living space. Windows are in and the garage doors are out. The floor is raised to the same height as the rest of the house.

Greg Bressler, of Picus Woodwrights; and Pete and Tom Manning of TF Manning Builders have been leading the efforts from the construction end. Special thanks to both of their companies. The rough plumbing has been completed by Glenn Anderson of Coastal Plumbing. The front staircase has been modified to allow for wheel chair access by Bill Bivona of Harwood Designs.

Many designs are in the works as both Kim Peterson, of KEP Designs; and Evelyn Audet of Evelyn Audet Lighting Designs are ahead of the curve with their plans. They are both chomping at the bit to get started.

The exterior of the house has been repainted. We decided to lighten the gray color and add more black accents. I am a huge fan of classic colors. The interior of the existing house has been primed as we are still deciding on the final colors.

We are targeting a Christmas week completion date and are starting to plan around that. We would really like Adam to be able to sleep in his new room for Christmas. Getting to know him and his family has been a real treat. I do not know many 10 years olds, but it is has been a lot of fun to be around Adam.

Fundraising is going well. An fellow employee with Adam’s mom organized a benefit dinner at the Richmond Grange and raised $2000.00 to benefit our makeover. After our article in the Projo on Thanksgiving, we had 3 people call to donate towards covering materials. This is new to us as last year was mostly all labor. We will need a lot more once it is all said and done.

Posted on 12/01 at 11:45 AM
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