… This Halloween, Your Decorations Can Have A Fresh Coat Of LOVE
Here at Imhoff Fine Residential Painting Company, we’ve been keeping a list. And you might be on that list.
(No, we’re not referring to that kind of list. If we were keeping that kind of list, and if you were possibly on it, we certainly wouldn’t refer to it.)
We’re keeping a list of all the very interesting things we’ve been privileged to paint (or stain) for our cherished customers.
We’ve painted or stained all kinds of walls and trim, every type of cabinet and stairway banister, and just about every surface you can think of, inside or outside our customers’ homes.
We’ve done lots of commercial jobs, too. Through our Paint It Forward program, we’ve put a fresh coat of LOVE on schools, community centers, and several other buildings which house worthy programs for needy folks whose causes wouldn’t usually be able to afford our services.
We even painted an historic train (as in, choo-choo) which was being restored up in the mountains! (You should see it… it’s a beaut!).
But, until recently, we’d never painted a monster. “We have a twelve-foot-tall monster in our front yard,” a caller recently told us, “and it’s looking pretty faded. We need some scary-looking green paint.” (If you have a twelve-foot-tall monster in your yard, we thought to ourselves, paint is probably the least of your needs.)
Turns out the monster was not a live, child-and-pet-consuming menace, but a cool Halloween decoration which had faded in the sun after several years of tricking and treating the neighborhood.
“Does it come apart into pieces that will fit into the back of a pickup truck?” we asked, once we figured out what the customer was looking for.
“It does!” they said.
“Then YES! We can pick it up, bring it to our state-of-the-art spray booth, and apply a fresh coat of scary- looking LOVE to your cherished, uh, monster.”
“What about our fifteen-foot skeleton?” the caller asked. “We’ve had it out there for a few years, too, and it’s not as fresh and scary looking as it once was. If we break it down into its smaller components, can you whiten it in your spray booth?”
“Yes, of course, it would be our pleasure to bleach your bones!” we replied.
“We also have some other little decorations that could probably use some freshening-up, like our tombstones, and this one witch we have which we usually stick to our privacy fence so it looks like she crashed into it. You can spray those in your booth too, can’t you?”
We can. And that’s how we ended up driving down the road with a truck full of scary stuff, from a red- eyed faded green monster head to a skeleton’s leg bone, which dangled humorously off the back of the truck.
Talk about interesting painting projects!
This is definitely going to make the list.
Thanks to our spray booth, we can paint just about anything you can think of… and, as it turns out, we can paint many things you would never think would need a fresh coat of LOVE. So even if it’s just your boring old patio furniture, or some blinds in the house that need painting, one call to Imhoff Fine Residential Painting paints it all!
Which Roller is Right for Your Paint Job in Denver Metro, CO.
Have you ever stood in front of the display of rollers in your local paint store as the associate was mixing your colors and blanked on which to buy — the varying sizes and materials not making sense?
For first time painters, choosing the tool for the job can be a daunting task and, while you do get things done, another choice might have given you either a quicker or smoother finish.
Avoiding mistakes is a great way to lengthen the life of the paint and save you money in the long run by needing less maintenance or less fixing before the next time you decide to change colors.
Read on to find out which roller is right for your paint job in Denver Metro, CO.
Start With the Size
The basic beginning when choosing a good roller is to get the right size for the job you are doing — too much roller can actually be a bad thing when used in the wrong space.
For anything with an open area such as walls and ceilings, the standard 9-inch roller is your perfect pal and these can be used on a variety of handle lengths to keep you from breaking your back during the painting process.
While those rollers can paint things such as trim, corners, or furnishings, it’s best to spend the extra couple bucks on the 4-inch rollers to ensure a more even coat with less saturation or dripping in those spaces.
This is the simplest choice to make — big roller for big jobs and a small roller for small jobs.
Choose an Appropriate Material
Once you have your roller handles in hand it’s time to grab the cover that will give you stunning results.
If you’re in a pinch or don’t need rollers and covers for any length of time, picking up foam covers can be doable for a one-off job but you want to check out other options if you’d like to have these tools on hand for the future.
Wool covers pick up more product and will give you better coverage in one coat, making these excellent choices for oil-based paints.
Synthetic covers provide a smooth coat for latex paints and will last a bit longer but be sure to check your surface after each coat to be sure you have the color saturation you were looking for before assuming that coat is enough.
Microfiber and wool blend covers give you more versatility in terms of the paint you choose as they work well with either base — however, microfiber covers haven’t been on the painting scene long so be sure to practice with it before using it in a permanent spot.
Decide on a Texture
All of the mentioned rollers will do beautifully to add a smooth coat to most surfaces but there are options if you’d like to add some pizzazz to your project.
If you have chosen a paint designed to offer a finish with more character such as plaster or stone, you want to use the roller covers recommended or provided by the manufacturers to avoid the mess that can accompany these fun finish options.
If you want to add texture on your own, there are roller covers designed to do just that and can give you the look of wood grain, brick, or even lay out a pattern on your wall.
Mind the Nap
Finally, after choosing your materials and textures, use those decisions to guide you on which nap (or fiber length) you will need.
Before you head to the store, make note of the textiles included in your project such as drywall, stucco, masonry, etc. as the porous qualities of the surface will determine the length of nap you need for better coverage.
As you go up in porousness, you should go up in the length of the nap on your roller covers to ensure that your strokes are getting into all the nooks and crannies for a beautiful finish.
Don’t settle for just any painter when you can get the attention to detail and professionalism from Imhoff Fine Residential Painting in Denver Metro, CO.
Call us today to speak with one of our professionals.
Colors have a great influence on all of us. They can deliver (subliminally) emotions and feelings out of each individual. It’s not a surprise that most manufacturers and companies spend massive amounts of money to choose the right brand colors for their services and products. When doing this, it helps to ensure customers will stay longer in these shops which may lead to a purchase. Similarly, when choosing the right interior color for your office can welcome, inspire, and stimulate the environment. Which will, in turn, help increase sales and boost productivity.
Massive amounts of research have been conducted on the impact of specific office interior paint colors on routine office careers such as filing, answering the phone, proofreading, typing, et cetera. There have also been experimental tests have been directed to see the effect of select office interior colors on satisfaction, performance, productivity, and employee well-being, especially in the confined offices.
Office Colors You May Like
Think about the business– Neutral color palettes are best used for genuine, serious organizations. In the event that you wish to pass on a feeling of vitality to the style, pick warm and lively hues like orange and yellow while making sure that they are not overpowering. Use shades of green and blue to add a calming effect. Business offices that are used by writers or designers, should go with shades such as red, orange, and yellow. Engineers are urged to use shades of grays, tans, and muted browns that can have a positive impact on the mind and helps with concentration. Cooler colors such as green and blue are ideal for the most stressful workplaces like that of an accountant, consultant, lawyers, et cetera which can stimulate calmness and relaxation.
Accessibility of Space
For the smaller office spaces, you can select interior paint colors such as beige or white which can be particularly used on the ceilings. This can give the illusion of a larger space. Darker colors are great for those extensive office rooms like the meeting room. These colors help create a more comfortable atmosphere in the room.
Color Psychology
Blue fortifies the Mind– using shades of blue for offices used by bookkeepers or different experts who need to do a lot of mind work. Additionally, using blue with hints of orange to balance the mind work and add a touch of style.
Yellow fortifies the Emotions– This idealistic shading makes for perfect office paint hues as it empowers a sense of self, as well as, the soul. It is perfect for creative minds and different occupations where innovativeness is required.
Green is for Balance– Green can be used in your office near areas where cash will be exchanged. Green can bring quietness and consolation.
Red affects the Body– Red shows stimulus and physical strength. It is perfect for recreational centers and workplaces where temporary workers and developers work or meet customers and different spaces where one would need a social or garrulous environment.
Are you looking for commercial painting services in Denver, CO? Imhoff Painting has you covered! Call today to schedule a color consultation for your business. (303) 650-0933
‘Tis the season to be jolly and time to pull out Christmas lights, ornaments, garland, mistletoe, and your inflatable yard Santa. Since the arrival of the holidays, many people are searching for interior decorating ideas that will bring cheer to their home. There are several holiday decorating suggestions available but why not celebrate this season with a new interior paint job?
A lot of people strive to give their homes that special holiday feeling and adding a little color to your walls is a perfect way of doing so. A new interior paint job can refresh and rejuvenate a home but if you add colors that are festive and bright, it can help lift spirits of those who enter your home.
Choosing Durable, Festive Colors
When a room that needs to repainted and will eventually be full of guests, higher level sheen paints are ideal. These paints are easier to keep clean and have a higher resistance to stains. Variations of green and red are the obvious go-to choices for walls. These colors work beautifully with interior walls year-round.
Green – Green is associated with vitality and wealth. This color is usually intended to foster productivity and creativity. Studies have proven green to be one the most relaxing and calming colors. It for sure will help with the hectic holidays. Green is ideal to be used in both kitchens and dining rooms.
Red– There is a wide variety of red hues to choose from. Red is a warm color that will give your home a cozy setting. Oddly, it can also act as an appetite enhancer, which makes it a great choice for dining rooms, where the holiday festivities often take place.
These aren’t your only hue options for pre-holiday painting. Interior paints come in various colors and sheens. Be sure to use a color that you will be satisfied with once it’s time to put the decorations back in storage.
Accent Walls
If you feel that you are short on time to have an entire room repainted, we recommended adding one or two holiday color accent walls. Accent walls can add a chic feel and the appearance of the entire room will be completely different. If you later fall in love with the choice of color, other walls can be painted later.
The holidays aren’t only about celebrations but also the décor. With the right interior paint job, your holiday décor will pop and will be rewarding. Not only will the Christmas lights outside impress your guests, but the new interior look will make your gathering even more special. Gift a loved one with a home renovation that will not only renew and rejuvenate a home but it will also create a cheerful, positive energy that radiates through your home.
If you need help sprucing up your interior paint for the holidays, give the professional painters at Imhoff Painting in Denver, CO a call @ (303) 650-0933.
Stripping wall paint is not as simple as it looks. Due to the fact that most kinds of paint contain a significant amount of lead, it’s important that you take some safety measures before you start removing the paint. First of all, let’s look at the harmful effects of lead. Lead poisoning is a serious problem, especially amongst children. Most homes that were built before 1978 were painted with lead-based paint. Afterward, lead was banned from being used in all kinds of residential paints. Lead generally spreads through dust particles. As the paint begins to peel, chalk, or flake, it can cause a severe lead poisoning.
However, if you are thinking about the renovation and your house was painted using lead-based paint, it doesn’t have to cause a major problem. The main thing that you need to keep in mind when removing lead-based paint from the walls is that effective dust control is very necessary. Here are some basic safety steps that you can perform before stripping off paint from the walls.
Cover the Floors
Using a single layer of polyethylene plastic and some duct tape for covering the floors is a great idea. As you strip the paint off the walls, the flakes and particles are going to fall on the floor and disintegrate into dust. However, if you have covered the floor carefully, you will be able to save a great deal of time during the subsequent clean-up. Once you spread the plastic cover over the floor, it’s important that you use duct tape to tie down the plastic along the edges. Otherwise, the dust particles might seep under. If you are working on a section of the wall that’s located close to a door, it’s recommended that you seal the door off first using duct tape as well.
Wet Work
You might have heard specialists talking about “working wet.” Wet hand scraping or wire brushing is a great way to remove lead-based paint with the help of an abrasive compound. You can also purchase HEPA filters and use them with a power sanding machine. Dry hand sanding is strictly not advised and should be avoided at all costs.
Contact a Professional
If you are unsure of how to contain lead-based paint in the house, it may not be a wise move to try cleaning up everything on your own. Instead, you should let a professional handle the job for you. Of course, this doesn’t have to be the last resort. Most specialists can remove the paint for you from different rooms for a nominal fee.
There’s no need to try and strip the walls down unless you know how to properly clean up afterward. Your house will be much more dangerous after the work has been completed if you don’t clean up the debris. Remember that all of the debris should be double bagged and then disposed along with the household waste.
Here’s a famous line often heard on the site of a wood refinishing or cabinetry project: “Hey, what could go wrong?” Short answer: lots, long answer: more than you can imagine! We’ve been refinishing wood and cabinetry for 20 years, and in that time, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said to myself, or the crew: “Hey, add this to the list of 101 ways to screw up a wood project.”
Because it’s true – there are countless ways to go sideways while finishing or restoring wood surfaces – if you’ve discovered a handful, you’ve only just begun.
There is a magic elixir if you’re willing to swallow it; by fixing it you learn how to NOT do it. It’s the only way; you’ve just learned another way that it won’t work, or another thing to not do, and you can set about correcting it…whatever it may be. The cover charge for getting into this club is the willingness to learn and correct mistakes. It’s not like making a bad paint color choice, there’s much more of a commitment involved. There’s a lot of stuff that I’ve learned from because they didn’t go so well and today I’m sharing the top 5 basic tips to help you avoid trouble on a wood finishing project:
Sample Your Stain Color
It’s highly advised to sample your stain color and get an approval of the stained sample from your spouse, a client, designer, GC, or whoever will be helping to complete the painting project. It just needs to get done!
Even if you (or your client) know 100% for sure, absolutely without a single question; It’s still a good idea to test the stain somewhere, like a piece of scrap or the backside of something. It helps you to be sure that you avoid problems such as:
Crossing a Ben Moore® color over to a Sherwin Williams® stain. Many companies have their own proprietary version of the same color. For example: “Fruitwood” is a color found in many different paint lines and generally the same color with very little differences.
You’re sampling stain on a piece of wood that is equal in every way to your showcase – preferably from the same lot, or equal in species, age, previous coating, surface prep, etc.
Preparation
Yes, this includes sanding. There is absolutely no way around it. Wood surfaces should be sanded to at least 180 grit before stain, 220 is better. If you skip sanding, or you’re inconsistent, you’ll have blotchiness after using the stain.
If you want to remove the blotchiness, you will need to sand again (after stain). Although you will probably have to sand a rough spot you missed, try to stain the spot, and then it looks terrible because you’re staining is beginning to overlap causing more intense colors in certain areas. You can avoid all this hassle by sanding evenly and thoroughly the first time.
Cleaning
Using a vacuum is okay but it isn’t the best way to get the sanding dust of the grain. The best method of cleaning is to use compressed air.
Staining
To condition, or not to condition? That ‘tis the question. Wood conditioner helps stain set evenly, preventing blotchiness and ugly irregularities in the stain color.
The general rule is soft species equals conditioning, hard species equals no conditioning. This isn’t always true. It’s a good idea to practice on a piece of scrap, or the backside of something, before going on the main stage.
Let the stain dry, this means more than dry to the touch. It means overnight, usually. Check the instructions on the can and make sure you’re vented properly. If you don’t let it dry and cure thoroughly, you’ll risk having to strip your clear coat because it isn’t drying, or it dries cloudy, or it’s alligatoring. If the product is designed to be ready for topcoat in 4-6 hours, great! Just follow the guidelines and ask questions when you’re not sure.
Putty and Fillers
In almost any wood project, there are imperfections in the completed work that need to be addressed somewhere in the finishing process. These range from nail/staple holes to little dings, gaps between pieces resulting from wood warp or just ill-fit, reveals, rough spots.
Keep in mind when filling nails holes: not all putties are compatible with all stains and finishes. Pay close attention to this; it can cause problems to appear even after your top coat or clear coats are applied.
Before Sealing and Topcoats
If you don’t like what you’re seeing, STOP! Applying sealer or topcoats will not change or alter some irregularity that you are noticing. Furthermore, applying sealer or topcoat over something you don’t like will not only change it but then more sanding and stripping will need to be done to remove with every coat that was applied.This rule is very simple: as soon as you see something you don’t like, stop and consult, address the issue and start again.
That was my top 5 tips that will save you time, money, and a headache. If you make a mistake, don’t fret. Almost any mistake can be corrected. You just need a bit of patience and a positive attitude!
