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Is It Important to Clean Walls Before Painting?

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your home. It can beautify your space while increasing the value of your home and make it more inviting. Read on to learn some of the circumstances in which home painters in Santa Rosa suggest cleaning your walls.

Why Clean Walls Before Painting Them?

Before painting your walls, clean them. Like surfaces, floors, and furniture, walls can get dirty over time. However, they aren’t cleaned as frequently as the other circumstances in your home. Cleaning walls before painting them is a great way to get rid of cobwebs, grime, dust and stains.

It may be tempting to skip this step and start painting walls straightaway. Painting over dirty walls is a waste of time, resources and effort. Paint may not adhere properly to dirty surfaces. Even if you are able to paint a dirty surface, mold and mildew can grow over it or the paint may crack, blister, chip or peel prematurely. If this happens, you may have to paint your walls again.

The walls in some rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom need more attention than the walls in other rooms such as the bedroom and living room as they get dirty quickly. This is why you should expect to spend more time cleaning your kitchen and bathroom walls prior to painting.

The Right Way to Clean Walls Before Painting

➢ Remove dust from your walls: Clean baseboards and the upper corners with a duster. Remove any dust or cobwebs with a broom. Using the dust brush attachment and vacuum your walls.

➢ Wash the walls: Prepare a mixture of water and a grease-cutting detergent. Soak a sponge in the mixture and scrub your walls with it. Once you get rid of dirt, stains, and dust on your walls, rinse them with clean water. Wipe clean with a damp towel and allow your walls to dry.

➢ Get rid of mold and mildew: If there is residual mold or mildew-usually the case when repainting the basement, bathroom or any other area that is more humid than other areas in the house, use a cleaning solution of three-parts water to one-part bleach. Be careful when handling mold and mildew. Use protective equipment to avoid breathing in mold spores and prevent cross-contamination.

When To Use Trisodium Phosphate for Cleaning

For stubborn stains, consider using Trisodium Phosphate (or TSP). To make an alkaline cleaning solution, mix TSP with water. The cleaning solution dissolves greases and oils and can be used to clean kitchen walls and bathrooms walls. The solution also removes crayon stains from walls.

Soak a sponge in the solution and clean your walls with it. Work in sections of three feet square. Allow the solution to dry, then scrub again. Immediately scrub each section with another sponge.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a leading painting contractor serving the Santa Rosa and Sonoma County. Our team consists of seasoned home painters. We have extensive experience giving tired and dull areas a chic makeover with a fresh coat of paint. To learn more, call (707) 291-2615.

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4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Painting Contractor

Adding a fresh coat of paint is a great way to liven up your spaces and protect surfaces from premature deterioration.  Whether you are painting a new building for the first time or repainting an old building, hire a painter in Sonoma County for the job.

There is no shortage of painters in our county. With so many options, it’s easy for a business owner to get overwhelmed and choose the wrong painter for their project. This could prove to be a costly mistake. An amateur is highly likely to make a mistake that can negatively affect paint performance and cut short its service life.

To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of things to consider when hiring a painter.

Experience

Look for a professional who has experience managing projects similar to yours. Check if the contractor you are considering has specialized tools and equipment for the job.

Insurance and Licensing

Hiring a licensed contractor is not a guarantee that your project will be delivered on-time and on-budget. However, you can expect a licensed professional to provide standardized services.

Before hiring a painter, check their license to see if it is valid. If something’s amiss, do not hesitate to check the business with the local licensing authority.

Make sure the provider you are considering carries liability insurance. If you hire a painter that does not have liability insurance and someone on their team gets injured while working on your property, you may be held liable for damages.

Communication Skills

Every year so many painting projects get derailed or fail because the project owner and the painter were not on the same page or the painter did not understand the business owner’s vision properly and results fell short of expectations.

Look for an expert communicator with good listening skills. Someone who can ensure seamless communication. You will want to hire a professional who can effectively understand your needs, preferences, expectations and concerns and deliver an end product that ticks all the right boxes for you.

Reputation

Before hiring a professional for your painting project, do your homework. Research them online to see what people are talking about them. Visit reputable review sites such as BBB reviews and Yelp to check online reviews. Visit their social media profiles and check comments on their posts.

If a friend or family member had hired them in the past, ask them about their experience working with the contractor and if they’d hire the professional for future projects.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a reputable painting contractor serving the North Bay. We have a culture of delivering results that exceed customer expectations. To learn more, call (707) 291-2615.

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What Are the Best Painting Tools for Your Home?

Painting your home can be both an exciting and stressful time. We don’t paint our homes frequently, but when we do, it’s important to be well-organized and prepared.

Painting on your own can get messy at times. Therefore, it is best to get in touch with professional home painters near you for a hassle-free painting experience. However, if you are still willing to do it on your own, you’ll need to be prepared to avoid unnecessary complications.

Does Your Home Require Painting?

Professionals recommend painting your home every three to five years. However, since interior paint has the potential to last for longer, one could wait for ten years or more before repainting. If you see that your walls are showing signs of dryness, flaking, or shedding, you’ll know it’s time for a paint job.

What To Do Before Getting Started?

Before you get started with your painting, we want you to consider these things to avoid any complications.

Prep First!

Don’t quickly jump into your painting project. Taping off or covering any areas that do not require painting can prevent those areas from any accidental paint spillage. You must give considerable time to planning and preparing your project to make sure you get the desired results.

Use a Drop Cloth

It is important to cover the floor with drop cloths to prevent any accidental unwanted painting. You don’t want a damaged floor that burns a hole in your pocket later. Canvas drop cloths work best, but are more expensive than plastic ones.

What Are the Best Painting Tools for Your Home?

It is important that the tools you use are of reasonable quality. It will make your job easier and give you great results. Here are the most essential tools you will need through the process:

Paint Tray

Getting a metal paint tray can be the best and most affordable option. However, you will need to clean it between different colors of paint. You could also consider disposable plastic trays or inserts if you want to minimize the amount of cleaning required.

Rollers

A standard 9-inch roller and 3/8-inch nap are good to roll over wide spaces of the walls. For tight spaces, you can use mini roller that will help you be sure to cover each nook and cranny.

Extension Pole and Ladder

You may want to apply paint using the traditional wooden chair method to reach high spaces or ceilings as it saves your expenses, but we suggest you buy an adjustable extension pole with a rubber grip to avoid any risks or hazards. Also, a six-foot fiberglass or aluminum ladder would be valuable when trying to paint areas that are hard to reach.

Bottom Line

If you are still aren’t sure about painting yourself, reach out to the experts at Pelligrini’s Platinum Painting Services. We are proud to provide Sonoma County with high-quality services. Call us at (707) 291-2615 to discuss your project.

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The Best Paint Colors for Guest Rooms

Walls are the foundation for creating a quiet, tranquil guest room. Your choice of paint will help create a mood in the room and serve as a blank canvas for the rest of your decor. When considering guest bedroom paint ideas, choose a color that is both universal and comforting. Even if a guest room isn’t used very often, the proper color palette won’t bother your guests and is simple to decorate around.

Consider the accessories after you’ve decided on a color. Your guests will feel more at ease in a guest room that is be decorated and purposefully styled rather than cobbled together. Spend time creating the ideal, relaxing space with little things that make your property feel like home to make your guests feel at ease.

Read on to learn some of the best paint colors and combinations for guest rooms according to renowned Sonoma County house painters, Platinum Painting.

Some Ideas to Get You Started

Here are some quick ideas to spark creativity in your mind. You may want to start experimenting with the color ranges that we discuss below:

  • Light and dark neutrals
  • Soft pinks and greens
  • Enduring navy and brown

These colors are great for creating a tranquil, cheery, and comforting environment.

What’s the Ideal Color Palette for a Guest Room?

Now is the time to consider how to update the look of your room to make it warm and attractive for when you welcome guests back into your house.

When it comes to common guest rooms, neutral hues are ideal. They establish the ideal tone when you’re working or being creative, as well as when your guests are ready to unwind after a hard day on the road.

Walls painted in a creamy white or light beige can serve as the perfect backdrop for any color scheme. Brighter colors can be added with highlights such as fabrics, artwork, furniture, and decorative items.

Some Experimental Suggestions

If you’d like to keep things neutral but don’t want to go with white walls, there are plenty of other options. Greige, a combination of grey and beige, is a color we’ve seen a lot of lately as it provides a warmer vibe than conventional grey.

A very delicate yellow—think white with a dash of sunshine—is another unexpected take on a neutral.

This is a terrific technique to add warmth to the room without going overboard with the paint. A barely blush pink can be used to get a similar effect.

These color recommendations can help you create a lovely area that everyone will like spending time in, whether you have a dedicated guest room or a multipurpose room. You’ll be shocked at how much a fresh coat of paint can change the look of a room!

If you are not sure how to determine the right color combination for your guest room, let’s talk! We are some of the best house painters in Sonoma County. Reach out to us at (707) 291-2615.

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Common Mistakes When Choosing Paint Colors

Choosing the right paint color is probably one of the difficult decisions to make. As matter of fact, it often becomes too difficult for consumers to imagine the look of the final paint on the walls just by looking and analyzing a paint chip. Moreover, imagining or envisioning the paint color looks in different types of light is even more difficult.

Many homeowners don’t know the right way to pick out paint colors to match their color schemes. This is why it is always recommended to consult professional painting contractors in Sonoma County and seek their expert suggestions and advice.

Here is a list of some common mistakes that you should try to avoid while choosing the perfect paint colors for your home or office.

Picking Colors That Are Too Bright and Saturated

This is one of the most common mistakes that individuals make when choosing a color for their home or office. A bright and trendy cobalt blue shade can look great on a ceramic lamp or a silk pillow. However, when you paint out the same bright blue hue on an entire wall, it actually becomes more oppressive.

When selecting paint colors, make sure you pick out lighter color shades because they work better on your home walls. If you want to add a strong, bright color to your home walls, then you will need to blend it with neutral-tone room furnishings.

Placing Color Samples Next to Each Other

Although you should try a variety of sample colors when choosing the right paint colors, make sure you do not paint the sample colors on the same wall right next to each other. It will not only distract you but also make it a lot harder to make a clear choice.

Losing View of Your Emotional Goal

Some people think that red is their favorite color and hence, it is ok to paint their entire bedroom wall with red color. However, they ultimately want a living space that is calm and relaxing. So, there is a strong disconnect between choosing the right type of paint colors for the right type of space. This is why you should consult with professional painting contractors in Sonoma County to take advantage of their useful tips and expert opinions.

Ignoring Trends

Although bright paint color shades have always been a trend, they are now fading out and are being replaced by softer and more mute-toned paint color hues. So, make sure you research ongoing trends and pick the right paint color to best suit your existing color schemes.

These are several of the most common mistakes that most individuals make while selecting the right shade of paint color for their home or office. If you are looking to beautify your home or office, get in touch with the expert painters at Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting at (707) 291-2615.

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Everything You Need to Know About House Painting

Want to give your home a makeover? Consider painting it! Unlike many home improvements that add to a home’s appeal but do not add any significant value, painting your home will boost its curb appeal and increase home value.

Before you reach out to a home painter near you for help, prepare for the project. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of some things to know about house painting. Take a look!

Exterior Painting

 

Painting Rotten Siding is a Waste of Time and Money

A rotten or rotting siding will continue to deteriorate regardless of how many coats of paint you apply on it. If your siding has just started to rot, ask your contractor to use a wood hardener to prevent further deterioration prior to painting.

Paint Does Not Stick to Unclean Surfaces

If your wall is dirty, your paint will stick to the dirt, not to the surface. It is important that you thoroughly clean your walls before painting.

Using a towel or vacuum cleaner, dust and clean the walls. To prep your walls before painting, first pressure-wash them to remove dirt and dust build-up. Alternatively, wash them with a cleaning solution of three spoons of laundry detergent to one gallon of water.

Carefully scrape cracked or flaking paint and repair damaged surfaces. Fill cracks with epoxy putty to help smooth out the surface. For minor imperfections, such as plaster bumps, use sandpaper to help level the wall.

Painting in Extreme Weather is a Bad Idea

When you paint your walls in chilly weather, the paint dries slowly and unevenly. If you paint your exterior or interior walls on a scorching summer day, the paint will dry too fast. Absolutely check the weather before painting. If you are working with an experienced painter, check the weather report before scheduling your appointment to make sure the weather will be favorable. Work with your contractor to determine the best time to paint your exterior.

Interior Painting

 

It’s Important to Prime the Walls

If your paint comes with a primer mixed into it, you can jump right into painting your walls. However, if you are using ordinary paint, start by priming your walls to hide existing imperfections. This will allow the topcoat of the paint to adhere to the surface evenly.

Prepping a Room Before Painting is an Effective Way to Reduce the Mess

Before painting a room, move any furniture to another room. If this isn’t possible, move furniture away from the walls and cover using plastic sheets, drop clothes, or old newspapers. Fill any holes in your walls with spackling.

Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a top-rated painting contractor in Sonoma County. Whether you have a commercial or residential painting project, we deliver great results. To make an appointment, call (707) 291-2615.

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What Is Stain-Resistant Paint and Why Do You Need It?

There are many reasons why paints stain. Sometimes the wall is painted in a low-sheen paint. In many cases, the paint is on a porous surface or applied without a primer. From food items to paintbrushes and cosmetics, there are a wide variety of things that could cause unsightly stains on your walls.

Are you sick and tired of removing ugly stains from your walls? Switch to stain-resistant paint. As a company in Sonoma County who specializes in new construction and subdivision painting, we stand behind stain-resistant paint as a must for many homes.

Stain-resistance is a paint’s ability to withstand discoloration. A paint’s stain resistance also denotes how easy it is to clean.

As the name suggests, stain-resistant paint is designed to resist stains that can become unsightly eyesores. It is typically semi-gloss or glossy finish. Stain-resistant paint is easier to clean than matte or flat paint. Its superior resistance to stain makes it ideal for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, entryway, bathroom, and hallway.

Drawings look good on paper, but definitely less so on walls. Children love writing, scribbling, and drawing on walls. Sometimes pets may also be the causes of less-than-stellar walls. Cats and dogs may often urinate or scratch at walls, which can discolor them. A stain-resistant paint can resist unsightly stains caused by kids and pets.

When choosing the right paint, consider your project goals. If you are covering up existing stains, use a high-performance primer to hide previous colors and block stains. Use one coat of primer and two coats of paint.

On the other hand, you simply want to add a fresh coat of paint to your walls, use a paint with a built-in primer or one designed to resist stains.

Not only will your walls look pristine, but you will spend less time removing ugly stains and more time appreciating your walls’ flawless beauty. A quick wipe with a clean, soft cloth is all it takes to maintain the natural shine of stain-resistant paint.

On unprimed surfaces and painted drywalls, removing ugly stains can seem like an uphill struggle. Even if you get rid of stains, they will leave ugly marks. To prevent stains, apply a primer. A primer helps the paint adhere to the surface and creates a less porous finish, which prevents stains from penetrating the paint.

Pellgrini’s Platinum Painting Services is a subdivision painting company in Sonoma County. Whether you live in a 20th-century bungalow or a modern mansion, we will develop a plan to give your property a facelift. To schedule a consultation, call (707) 291-2615. 

 

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Hiring House Painters – 5 Questions to Ask

Planning a painting project? Consider hiring a house painter in Sonoma County. An experienced, skilled house painter will help you choose the right colors for your home and come up with a plan to ensure flawless execution.

Once you have a list of your preferred painters, ask them these questions to determine whether they are a good fit to take on your project.

How Experienced Are You?

Ask the professional whether they have worked on projects similar to yours. Experienced painters have a strong network of suppliers. They often leverage their network to save time and money without compromising on quality. An experienced painter knows everything there is to know about different shades of paint.

An expert and skilled painter will help you choose the right paint for your surfaces and the right color palette for your home. Ask potential contractors to provide references. Call some of these references and ask them about their experience of working with the professional.

Do You Provide Warranties?

Many, but not all painting contractors provide warranties. When interviewing a painting contractor, do not assume anything. Ask potential contractors whether they attest to warranties on particular painting products and are willing to come back for a certain amount of time to fix any problems that may arise after the job is finished.

How Much Will the Project Cost?

Ask every painter you interview to give you a project estimate. This will give you an idea of whether you can afford the professional. Compare quotes from at least three painters to make an informed decision while keeping your budget in mind.

While cost is an important factor, it should not be your only consideration when choosing a painter. Steer clear of painters who quote remarkably lower than the market rate. Remember, you get what you pay for. A painter who quotes unrealistically low prices is likely to provide low-quality service.

When asking for an estimate, discuss your ballpark budget. Make sure all the candidates provide bids on the same project scope.

Do You Recommend Any Products or Colors?

Look for a painter who uses high-quality products and colors. When interviewing a painter, discuss your painting ideas.

An experienced and skilled painter stays on top of industry trends and can offer advice, tips, warnings, and ideas. If a professional recommends a certain brand, ask them the difference between the products by the company and their rivals.

How Do You Clean Up At the End of Each Day?

A painting project can last for days, even weeks. When interviewing potential contractors, ask them to describe the process they use to clean and sanitize the work area after completing work everyday. Get in writing that the area will be cleaned and organized at the end of each workday.

The team at Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services is comprised of expert house painters in Sonoma County. We are a Lead-Safe certified business. Whether you plan to restore an old commercial property to its former glory or want to give your home a facelift, our team has you covered. To discuss your project, call us (707) 291-2615.

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How Often Should You Repaint Your House?

Painting your home is one of the most effective ways to boost its value and increase its aesthetic appeal. You cannot paint your home once and forget it. As paint surfaces age, the capability of paint to withstand stress from expansion and contraction takes a hit.

This often results in loss of adhesion through cracking, flaking, peeling, and blistering paint. To help maintain the value of your home, consider repainting your exterior periodically.

Many homeowners know the benefits of repainting their homes but cannot figure out the best time to schedule the activity. The following guide will help you determine the best time to repaint your home.

How Long Does Paint Last on the Exterior of a Home?

How long your exterior paint will last will primarily depend on two factors – exterior building materials and the location of your home.

External Surface Building Materials

When determining the right time to repaint your exterior, consider the materials that comprise it. Here is a list of common exterior building materials.

  • Wood: Wood sidings should be repainted every 3-7 years. Consider staining them every 4-5 years.
  • Aluminum Siding: House painters in Sonoma Countyrecommend painting aluminum sidings every five years.
  • Brick: A quality paint job will last for years. Brick surfaces typically need to be painted every 15-20 years.
  • Stucco: If you have a stucco exterior, have it painted by a house painter in Sonoma County every 5-7 years.
  • Fiberboard Siding: A cement fiberboard siding can go 10-15 years before repainting.

The Location of Your Home

The location of a home has a significant impact on how long an exterior paint job will last. Homeowners in areas that experience frequent thunderstorms must have the exteriors of their homes frequently repainted (every 4 years or sooner).

Homeowners in coastal areas with hot, sticky weather must also consider having their exteriors repainted frequently to keep their homes looking fresh.

Sonoma County has a great degree of climatic variations and different microclimates. The county experiences occasional temperature extremes and hard rains. When determining the frequency of repainting, your house painter in Sonoma County will consider the local climate and every other factor at play to help make recommendations based on their expertise.

Some Other Factors That Affect the Durability of an External Paint Job

  • The Quality of the Previous Paint Job: Everything from the type and quality of paint used to the number of coats applied will impact longevity. Temperature and weather conditions (overcast vs. sunny) on the day the home was repainted will affect the time taken by the paint to dry.
  • Exterior Maintenance: If you watch for and address signs of wear and tear such as chalkiness and dampness in a timely manner, your paint job will last longer.

Still cannot figure out the right time to repaint your home? Let experts at Pellegrini’s Platinum Painting Services help. We use high-quality exterior and interior paints and coatings. We are committed to helping our customers keep their homes looking fresh for years. To discuss your project, call us at (707) 291-2615.

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Steps to Prepare Walls for Interior House Painting

Painting interior walls is one of the most effective ways to give your home a new lease on life. Newly painted walls do not just improve the aesthetic appeal of the different areas of a home, but also make them look brighter and more prominent.

When it comes to interior house painting, prepping walls before painting is critical to achieving the desired results. Follow this five-step guide to accomplish this objective as recommended by interior painters in Santa Rosa.

Clean Your Walls

Vacuum your walls that are to be painted. Alternatively, use a clean towel to remove accumulated dirt and grime. Walls in high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must be cleaned with a solution of laundry detergent and water to remove sticky residue and stubborn stains.

If there is wallpaper on your walls, remember to remove it before starting to clean your walls. After thoroughly washing your walls, give them a rinse. Allow them to dry for a few hours. If you notice any signs of mold growth, apply an anti-mold solution to the affected area.

Remove Old Paint

Remove peeling and flaking paint, and smoothen the surface with sandpaper and a paint scraper. Use an electric sander for large areas.

Check For and Repair Damages

Repairing damaged surfaces is critical for the success of any painting project. Check for common signs of damage, such as loose patches of old plaster and cracks around frames. Replace old plaster with new plaster and fill gaps and holes with a sealant. Keep an eye out for barely noticeable damages. After performing repairs, sand the damaged areas lightly with sandpaper.

Cover Your Walls With Lining Paper

While interior painters in Santa Rosa, CA usually do not use lining paper, you must seriously consider covering your walls with lining paper, if they have several fine cracks and other imperfections. This will help create a smooth base for paint.

Apply a Primer Coat

While you can apply a fresh coat of paint over old water-based paint, remember to prime your walls if they have semi-gloss, gloss, or oil-based color. A regular primer cannot mask certain imperfections such as marks left by water and permanent markers.

Try to remove these marks manually. If you are unsuccessful, use a stain-blocking primer designed to hide almost all stains and prevent bleeding through newly applied paint layers. Stain-blocking primers also provide better adhesion over problematic areas, helping enhance the durability of the paint.

Pelligrini’s Platinum Painting Services is one of the most trusted interior painters in Santa Rosa. We have an enviable track record of success. We live to transform dull areas into inspiring spaces. Whether you are an entrepreneur who wants to create a workplace people love coming to or a homeowner who wants to give their home a luxurious makeover, we’ve got you covered. To discuss your project, call us at (707) 291-2615.