FAQ

Can you paint pressure treated wood?

You can certainly paint pressure treated wood! The key is to let the wood dry out completely after it’s installed, which might take a few weeks to months. Go for a good outdoor latex or oil-based paint and give the wood a proper cleaning and, if necessary, a light sanding before starting. Using an exterior wood primer is a smart move—it helps the paint stick better. Pick a nice day with mild weather to paint, avoiding direct sunlight or extreme heat.

Consider staining your exterior pressure treated surfaces. Paint vs stain is an important consideration. Often, I recommend a solid stain for wood decks and fences. Paint is a product which will sit on top of the deck surface which will create a barrier between the elements and your deck, but this is likely to be penetrated by traffic. Whereas stain will be absorbed by your deck surface AND provide a protective layer to your deck. Paint vs stain, stain is generally the best option for deck and fence finishing.

How to paint a garage door?

Painting your garage door is a manageable DIY paint task in a few steps (assuming you are painting a vinyl/plastic/metal door). First, thoroughly clean the surface. If applicable, remove hardware or use painter’s tape to protect it. Applying a quality exterior primer is an important step, providing a uniform base. Choose a high-quality exterior paint (I typically recommend Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams) suitable for your garage door material, and protect the surrounding areas with tape and plastic sheeting (if using a sprayer). Apply the paint evenly using a brush, roller, or sprayer, allowing the paint to dry completely before adding another coat (you will likely need two coats for even coverage unless you are spraying properly). Be patient with drying times. Remove protective covers and enjoy your freshly painted garage door.

Does paint dry darker or lighter?

It’s important to keep in mind that water-based paints will tend to dry lighter than when you first see them applied, while oil-based paints will dry darker. Most of what you will be working with is water-based, so just remember, the color you initially see is not the final color. Don’t panic!

How long does it take to paint a room?

The duration to paint a room varies based on the project’s scope. Painting tasks such as base molding, walls, ceiling, and doors in a standard room might require a full day or more, depending on its size. However, when tackling multiple rooms, the rate of completion can be less than one room per day. This is because the time it takes to paint a single room includes drying time, allowing for efficient progress across multiple spaces.

What is the ideal temperature for painting outside?

Think of painting outside like choosing the right day for a picnic—it’s all about the weather. For water-based paints, like the ones you use inside, the sweet spot is between 50°F and 85°F. You don’t want it too chilly because that slows down drying, and too hot is not great either.

You’ll also want to consider when you are next expecting rain and the recency of rain. It’s best to paint or stain dry wood and you don’t want rain on your new exterior paint job for, at the very least, a full day, but best is several days.

Always check the paint can for the manufacturer’s advice, they’re the experts on their product after all. If it’s a bit humid, that’s okay, but not too much. And here’s a pro tip: if you can, paint in the shade when it’s not scorching hot. Just keep an eye out for wind and rain, they might crash your painting party.

Can you paint gutters?

You surely can give your gutters a fresh paint job! First, clean them up—get rid of the dirt and any old paint. If your gutters are metal and have a few rust spots or peeling paint, give them a gentle sanding to smooth things out. Fill in any holes or dents with a good outdoor filler, and throw on a coat of metal primer to help the paint stick.

Now, the fun part: pick a color that you love and works with your home’s style. Protect the roof and siding with painter’s tape and drop cloths, then grab a brush or roller and start painting. Take your time, each coat dry properly before painting the next. Once you’re done, your gutters will be both protected and looking great!

Do I need to move my furniture out of the room before you start painting?

We recommend moving furniture to the center of the room and covering it with plastic sheets. If you’re unable to do so, we can discuss alternative arrangements. Our licensed painters take care of the necessary precautions to protect your belongings during the process.

What type of paint do you use for interior projects?

We primarily use from Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore, they provide quality, consistent products. As a professional painting contractor, we ensure that the products we use meet high standards for our customers.

We purchase Sherwin Williams paints from their corporate owned stores. Our typical Benjamin Moore provider is Ricciardi Brothers, a local Benjamin Moore distributor with quite a few conveniently located local stores.

How do you handle wall repairs or patching before painting?

We assess the walls and perform any necessary repairs, including patching holes or cracks, before applying paint and perhaps primer. Our team of NJ house painters is skilled in preparing surfaces for a flawless finish.

What steps do you take to protect my floors and belongings during the painting process?

We use drop cloths, plastic sheets, and masking tape to cover floors and protect furniture, ensuring a clean and professional finish. As a reputable painting company, we prioritize the care of your home throughout our services.

What is the best time of year for interior painting projects?

Interior painting can be done year-round! Our experienced painting contractors are equipped to handle projects in any season, providing flexibility to fit your schedule. A benefit of painting in the winter is it tends to be a slower season and enables greater flexibility in scheduling.

Can you provide a detailed cost estimate for my interior painting project?

Absolutely, we will assess the scope of the project and provide you with a detailed and transparent cost estimate. As one of the best painting companies in [Your Location], we take pride in offering competitive pricing for our painting services.

What is your process for cleaning up after the interior painting is complete?

We thoroughly clean up our work area, remove any debris, and return your furniture to its original position, leaving your space clean and ready for use. Our residential house painters take pride in ensuring a tidy and professional finish for every project.