Paint Tip Library
52 practical tips from our crews on prep, products, color, and getting a finish that lasts in Atlanta’s climate.
Exterior Painting
How Often Should You Repaint the Exterior of Your Home?
There's no single number of years that applies to every house. How often you need to repaint depends on what your home is made of, which way it faces, the…
Read the tip →Why Is the Paint on My House Peeling?
Peeling paint is more than a cosmetic problem. When paint lifts away from siding or trim, it means the bond between the paint and the surface has failed. It…
Read the tip →Should You Pressure Wash Your House Before Painting?
Yes, the exterior of a house should be cleaned before it's painted. But how it's cleaned matters. Done correctly, washing removes the dirt, mildew, chalk, and…
Read the tip →How Long Does Exterior Paint Take to Dry and Cure?
When a painter says paint is "dry," it can mean several different things. Exterior paint goes through stages, and each one affects when you can recoat, when it…
Read the tip →Why Does Exterior Paint Fade?
Every exterior paint fades eventually, but some homes look tired after a few years while others hold their color much longer. Understanding why fading happens…
Read the tip →How Weather Affects an Exterior Paint Job
Exterior paint is applied in the open air, so the weather on the day it goes on and the days after has a direct effect on how it looks and how long it lasts.…
Read the tip →Can You Paint a House in Hot Weather?
Yes, you can paint a house in hot weather, and in Atlanta summers, plenty of exterior painting happens in the heat. But heat changes how paint behaves.…
Read the tip →Can You Paint When Rain Is in the Forecast?
A chance of rain doesn't automatically cancel an exterior painting day, but it does change what gets painted and when. Fresh paint and rain don't mix, so…
Read the tip →Why Caulking Matters Before Exterior Painting
Caulk is one of the smallest parts of an exterior paint job, but it plays a big role in protecting your home. Paint protects surfaces. Caulk protects the seams…
Read the tip →Should You Paint Brick?
Painted brick has become a popular way to update the look of a home, especially on older ranches and traditional houses around Atlanta. But painting brick is a…
Read the tip →Can Vinyl Siding Be Painted?
Yes, vinyl siding can be painted, and it can be a cost-effective way to refresh faded or outdated siding instead of replacing it. But vinyl behaves differently…
Read the tip →Can Fiber Cement Siding Be Repainted?
Yes, fiber cement siding can be repainted, and it's one of the best surfaces for holding paint. Fiber cement, including popular brands like James Hardie's…
Read the tip →How to Know When Your Exterior Needs Repainting
It's easy to put off exterior painting until the house looks obviously worn, but by then you may be paying for repairs in addition to paint. Catching the early…
Read the tip →Why Exterior Paint Preparation Takes So Long
Homeowners are sometimes surprised that a crew can spend days on their house before any new color goes on the walls. That time is not wasted. Exterior prep is…
Read the tip →What Is Paint Chalking?
If you rub your hand across your siding and it comes away covered in a white or colored powder, your paint is chalking. Chalking is one of the most common…
Read the tip →What Causes Cracks Around Exterior Windows and Doors?
Cracks around exterior windows and doors are one of the most common things painters see, and one of the most important to fix. These joints are where water…
Read the tip →Why Bare Wood Shouldn't Be Left Exposed
When paint peels or trim is replaced, bare wood is often left exposed for a while. It might not seem urgent, but unprotected exterior wood starts deteriorating…
Read the tip →How Moisture Can Ruin a Paint Job
Water is the biggest enemy of paint. Most peeling, blistering, mildew, and wood rot can be traced back to moisture. Even a high-quality paint job will fail…
Read the tip →Painting vs. Staining a Deck: What's the Difference?
Decks take more abuse than any other exterior wood surface. They face direct sun, standing water, foot traffic, furniture, and pets. Choosing between paint and…
Read the tip →Interior Painting
What's the Best Paint for a Busy Family Home?
In a home with kids, pets, and a busy schedule, walls take a beating. Handprints, scuffs from backpacks, pet noses, and the occasional crayon drawing are part…
Read the tip →Should You Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Painting kitchen cabinets is one of the most popular ways to update a kitchen without a full remodel. Done well, it can make a dated kitchen look new for a…
Read the tip →Why Cabinet Painting Is Different From Wall Painting
Many people assume painting cabinets is like painting walls, just smaller. In reality, cabinet painting is closer to furniture finishing. Cabinets are handled…
Read the tip →How Long Does Cabinet Paint Take to Cure?
Freshly painted cabinets can look finished and feel dry within a day, but the paint is still getting harder for weeks. Understanding the stages of drying and…
Read the tip →Color & Finish
Flat, Eggshell, Satin, or Semi-Gloss: Which Paint Sheen Should You Choose?
Choosing a color gets most of the attention, but the sheen you choose changes how that color looks and how well it holds up. Sheen describes how much light a…
Read the tip →Can You Paint Over a Dark Color With a Light Color?
Yes, you can paint a light color over a dark one. Navy, charcoal, deep red, and other bold colors can all be covered. But it takes more planning than…
Read the tip →What's the Best Paint Finish for Interior Walls?
For most interior walls, the best paint finish is **eggshell or a washable matte**. But the right answer depends on the room, how much it gets touched, and how…
Read the tip →What's the Best Paint Finish for Trim and Doors?
Trim and doors take more abuse than any other painted surface in your home. They get bumped by vacuums, kicked by shoes, touched by hands, and wiped down…
Read the tip →How to Choose a White Paint Without Regretting It
White seems like the safest paint color, until you put it on the wall and it looks yellow, gray, blue, or pink. There are hundreds of whites, and the…
Read the tip →Why Paint Colors Look Different in Your Home Than Online
You found the perfect color online, ordered a gallon, and it looks completely different on your wall. This happens to almost everyone. Paint color isn't fixed.…
Read the tip →Why You Should Sample Paint Before Choosing a Color
Choosing paint from a small chip is a gamble. Colors shift once they're on a full wall in your home's lighting. Sampling costs very little compared with…
Read the tip →Warm White vs. Cool White: What's the Difference?
Whites aren't all the same, and the biggest difference between them is temperature. Some whites feel warm and creamy, while others feel crisp and cool. Picking…
Read the tip →Why Your Paint Color Changes Throughout the Day
You might love your new wall color at noon and barely recognize it at night. That's normal. Paint itself doesn't change, but the light hitting it does, and…
Read the tip →Should Your Ceiling Be the Same White as Your Trim?
It's a common question when repainting: should the ceiling and the trim be the same white? There isn't one right answer, but there are a few guidelines that…
Read the tip →Should Interior Doors Match Your Trim?
Most homes have interior doors painted the same color as the trim, and for good reason: it's classic and cohesive. But painted doors in a contrasting color…
Read the tip →How to Choose the Right Front Door Color
Your front door is one of the smallest surfaces on your home's exterior, but it's the one people notice most. A new door color can update curb appeal for a…
Read the tip →How Dark Exterior Colors Affect Your Home
Dark exteriors like black, charcoal, deep navy, and forest green have become popular for modern and modern-farmhouse homes. They can look dramatic and…
Read the tip →Brush, Roll, or Spray: Which Gives the Best Finish?
There's no single best way to apply paint. Brushing, rolling, and spraying each have strengths, and most professional painters use all three on the same job…
Read the tip →Painting Know-How
Why Proper Prep Is the Most Important Part of a Paint Job
Ask any experienced painter what separates a paint job that lasts from one that fails early, and you'll hear the same answer: preparation. Paint is only as…
Read the tip →Do You Need to Prime Before Painting?
Primer isn't required for every paint job, but skipping it in the wrong situation is one of the most common reasons paint looks blotchy or fails early. Primer…
Read the tip →What Causes Paint to Bubble or Blister?
Bubbles and blisters happen when paint loses adhesion in small spots and lifts away from the surface. They can appear within hours of painting or months later.…
Read the tip →Why Cheap Paint Can Cost More in the Long Run
It's tempting to save money by buying less expensive paint, especially when the cost difference between product lines can be significant per gallon. But on…
Read the tip →One Coat vs. Two Coats of Paint: What's the Difference?
"One-coat coverage" is a popular selling point on paint cans, and on the right surface, a single coat can look acceptable. But in most situations, professional…
Read the tip →What Does "Paint and Primer in One" Actually Mean?
"Paint and primer in one" sounds like it should save a step on every project. In reality, it's a useful product in some situations, but it doesn't replace a…
Read the tip →Why Professional Painters Sand Between Coats
Light sanding between coats is one of the small steps that separates a professional finish from an average one, especially on trim, doors, and cabinets. It's…
Read the tip →How Long Should You Wait Between Paint Coats?
Applying the second coat too soon is one of the easiest ways to ruin a paint job. The first coat may feel dry, but if it isn't ready, the next coat can cause…
Read the tip →Why New Construction Homes Often Need Repainting Sooner Than Expected
Many owners of newer homes are surprised to find their walls scuffing easily, touch-ups showing as shiny patches, and trim looking worn within a few years.…
Read the tip →Why Doors Show Paint Imperfections More Than Walls
You can paint a wall and a door with the same care and the same brush, and the door will still show more flaws. Brush marks, drips, lap lines, and dust nibs…
Read the tip →Why Painters Mask Windows, Floors, and Fixtures
On a professional paint job, a surprising amount of time goes into covering things that won't be painted. Masking and protection aren't just about avoiding a…
Read the tip →What Should You Do Before Professional Painters Arrive?
A little preparation before your painting crew arrives helps the project start on time, keeps your belongings safe, and lets the painters focus on painting.…
Read the tip →How to Compare Two Painting Estimates
When you get two or three painting estimates and the prices are very different, it's tempting to choose the lowest one. But painting estimates often describe…
Read the tip →What Should a Professional Painting Warranty Cover?
A painting warranty is a contractor's promise to stand behind the work. But warranties vary widely in what they cover and how long they last. Knowing what to…
Read the tip →What Separates a Professional Paint Job From a Cheap Paint Job?
From across the street or across the room, a cheap paint job and a professional one can look similar on day one. The difference shows up over time, in how long…
Read the tip →Rather leave it to the pros?
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