DIY Center

Choosing the Right Paint Finish for the Job

By Jim Kabel, owner, Case San Jose

Image Courtesy of Case

When painting your home, choosing the perfect color is only half the battle. Picking the right finish will determine the look and durability of your finished project. With so many finishes to choose from, including matte, eggshell, satin, semi gloss, and high gloss, it’s not surprising that many homeowners are unsure what finish is the most appropriate for their home.

Selecting a finish depends on a homeowner’s personal taste, room conditions, and desired amount of shine and durability. Consider the pros and cons of the following finishing options before you tackle your next project.

Matte Finish – This finish is the least shiny option available, giving walls a rich and velvety look. This is a great option for hiding imperfections on walls. This finish is typically used for ceilings and interior walls with little traffic. Because of the flat finish, this does not clean well.

Image Courtesy of Case

Homeowners typically avoid this finish in kitchens, bathrooms, and children’s rooms, as the only way to eliminate markings is with another coat of paint. Scrubbing flat paint wears off the finish and can leave patches of sheen.

Eggshell Finish – Slightly less flat than a matte finish, an eggshell finish is a great option for someone who wants the sophisticated look of a flat wall but with easier cleanup thanks to a hint of sheen. This is also a great option for decorative finishes due to the low luster finish.

Satin Finish – This elegant finish offers a bit more gloss than an eggshell finish, without the harsh shine of a semi gloss. It is often used in a formal room, such as a dining room, where a bit of shimmer is fitting. This finish is also more forgiving when it comes to keeping clean and can be used in higher traffic areas.

Semi Gloss Finish – This finish is a great option for walls that are exposed to spills and splatters, be it water in a bathroom or grease in a kitchen. The glossy finish creates durable protection for your walls, allowing stains to be easily wiped away.

High Gloss Finish – The shiniest of all the options, this finish provides the easiest clean-ups and is stain resistant, extremely wipe able surface. However, the gloss can be very unforgiving. Because it reflects so much light, it tends to highlight all of your wall’s imperfections and is often used for painting cabinets or other furniture instead.

About the Author: Jim Kabel is the owner of Case Design/Remodeling San Jose. His design and remodeling team specialize in helping homeowners envision, plan, and build interior remodeling projects from simple make-overs to complete additions.

www.casesanjose.com

An accent wall is a wall that’s in a single room that stands out and is different and more interesting than the other walls in the room. Painting an accent wall in your home is a fun paint job that you and your family can do together. All you need is paint and a roller and you can start on your new accent wall.

You should make the accent wall the first wall you see when you go into the room.  An accent wall shouldn’t be just any old wall in your home. You should have your accent wall draw attention to the heart of your room. For example, an accent wall should be by your entertainment center or fireplace.

In almost all cases, paint color for an accent wall is a bold color against typically white walls. The main thing is that the accent wall’s color must be exciting and vibrant. The paint color you ultimately decide on should mesh with your furniture but not be the same paint color as any items in the room. If you paint your accent wall the same color as furniture in the room the accent wall will lose its impact.

If you have any questions, Rayco foremen are standing by. Call us today at 1-888-320-7566 or fill out the form on the right to receive a free quote

Rayco Painting specializes in Alameda interior house painting and exterior house painting

Knowing how to paint kitchen cabinets can save you tons of money, because almost always, kitchen cabinets are expensive to replace.Learning how to paint kitchen cabinets is quick, and really worth it! It is a great way to update your kitchen!

Find out now how to paint kitchen cabinets just like Rayco foremen! Just follow the steps below, without skipping any of them. Your job will be successful, and your kitchen will look amazing.

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets: Step-by-Step

1. Preparation: Remove hinges, knobs, etc., before starting sanding and painting, and re- install them as soon as you are done and the paint is completely dry. Another option is to tape over, so that you don’t ‘include’ them by accident in your painting project

2. Clean the cabinets. On the wall or dismounted, with hinges removed or not, make sure that your cabinets are getting really clean before painting. Not just wiped with a damp cloth. Use any type of degreaser. A new coat of paint needs to grip very well onto the surface and any amount of grease will create problems. Allow the cabinet to dry well after washing

3. Cover to protect all the countertops, appliances and the floor. Use drop sheets, masking tape, poly, etc. As soon as you are finishing this part, it is the time to open the windows. Good ventilation is important!

4. Sand kitchen cabinets well. Use fine grit sandpaper and make sure you don’t forget any area. Sanding will ensure a better grip for the primer and paint layers. Just don’t overdo this process – you don’t have to remove all layers of older paint

5. Apply the primer. One coat of primer is enough. As we are mentioning on our page “how to use paint primer”, the primer is important! It will make the paint bond better and will ensure a long, lasting finish. The only situation when you don’t need to prime is when you are using the same paint and the same color

6. Paint. The easiest way is by using a pneumatic sprayer. If you don’t have one, choose a high quality brush for the edges, a roller to fill the rest of the surfaces, or a pad applicator. Apply a few thin coats of paint. Apply the second layer of paint only after the first layer is dry. Usually this is enough, unless you have kitchen cabinets made from heavy grain wood and you can apply three layers. It is a good idea to sand lightly before the second application – it will give you a smoother look & better adhesion between the layers of paint.

Rayco Painting is a Daly City house painting contractor

Rayco painting is a Daly City Ca painting contractor

Rayco Painting is a licensed Daly City CA Painting contractor

Primer doesn’t just block tannin, water, grease and smoke stains that can bleed through your topcoat. Primer can also improve adhesion of the topcoat. Your paint will last longer and look better.

Use the following as a reference to what type of primer to use on what type of surface.

New wood – If your wood isn’t seriously stained, use a high-quality latex primer or an oil-based primer. If you have wood that is stained or you are painting redwood or cedar, use a stain-blocking primer.

Painted wood – If your paint is in very good
condition, a primer may not be needed. However, if you have exposed wood, chalking or chipped paint, use an oil-based primer. Before you prime, scrape away as much chipped paint as possible and wash off any chalk. (Just because  you are using a primer doesn’t mean you get to skip surface preparation.)

Weathered wood – Use a high-quality
latex or oil-based primer. Sand and scrape away as much paint as possible. When
you start to see new wood fibers, start priming.

Masonry block – Fill a fresh surface
with block filler before painting. If repainting, scrape off any loose or
peeling paint and cover with latex paint. Use block filler only if the paint
has been completely scraped off.

Aluminum and galvanized steel – If
your surface is rusty remove the rust and apply a latex or oil-based, corrosion-resistant primer. If the surface is new and rust-free, you can apply a high-quality latex paint and no primer.

Drywall – Use a latex primer. Don’t use an oil-based primer unless you are putting up wallpaper or covering a stain. Oil-based primers raise the grain of the drywall and make the finish
look uneven.

Stains – Crayons, water, smoke and
grease can bleed through the topcoat. Prime these areas with a stain-blocking or stain-killing primer. Oil-based stain killers work the best on water stains and for spot priming. Latex stain-blocking primers work better on large areas and hold up better on exterior surfaces. Pigmented shellac primer works well to block smoke and soot damage as well as to block animal urine smells.

Shiny surfaces – Bonding primers will stick to glass, tile, Formica and previously painted surfaces. Use bonding
primers for interior surfaces only because they tend to crack when exposed to
the elements because they aren’t flexible.

If you have any questions regarding primer, Call 888-320-7566 or fill out the easy to use form on our website for a FREE no obligation estimate.

Rayco Painting is a Daly City house painting contractor

Rayco painting is a Daly City Ca painting contractor

Rayco Painting is a licensed Daly City CA Painting contractor

It can be easily said that a living room is one of the most important rooms in your house. After all, it is this room that creates a lasting first impression on everyone who enters your home. This is the room that should reflect your taste and style. The most important ingredient in living room decoration is color. The right living room color schemes can turn the room from drab to fab! If you are tired of looking at the same color in your living room, then it’s time to pick up that paint brush and be creative!

How to Choose a Color Scheme for Living Rooms

Color is the most effective way of creating a mood for any room. While choosing a color scheme for the living room as part of your interior painting, it is important to choose one which is stylish but practical. For example, if you select white for your living room, then you cannot expect it to be easy to maintain (especially if you have children!) To pick out living room color schemes, there are three options:

• Use one color, but varying shades of that color throughout the room
• Use two or more colors that are similar to each other, or complement each other, to give a tranquil and warm feeling to the room.
• Use two contrasting colors. This kind of a look makes the room vibrant and alive.

Once you have selected the kind of color scheme you want, it will be easier to choose the appropriate color combination. Besides just choosing colors that you like, you can also try and understand the psychology of colors for creating a warm and inviting feeling.

Red: One of the most popular colors for living room design ideas is red. It gives a feeling of intimacy and warmth. It is best if you use red for one wall, as using it everywhere can make the room look over the top. For the other walls of the room, go for lighter shades like cream or beige.

Orange: Like red, orange is a very bright color which makes a person feel right at home. Using shades of orange in living room color schemes brightens up the room, making one feel welcomed. If you are going for this color, then your furniture and accessories should be of neutral colors. Another option of living room color designs is using orange color only in accessories, and using black or white for the walls.

Blue: Blue is a tranquil color which brings elegance into your home. Light shades of blue are best for smaller living rooms, as they make them appear larger. You can play around with various shades of blue, like pastel blue, azure, turquoise, navy etc. Turquoise looks great with contemporary living room furniture, though it might not be the best choice for a traditional decor.

Green: Bright green is used very often in color schemes for living room these days. It is easy to play around with, and looks great when paired with neutrals and deep browns. Again, it’s best if you use green only in accents, and not for everything in the room! You can use different shades of green, like mint, olive, and exotic jade for a feel of fresh and airy spring time themes.

Shades of White and Gray: If you want living room color schemes which ooze of class and sophistication, then using white and gray in your home decor is a great choice. But this does not mean that you have to use only these shades throughout. Play around with shades like blue and warm gold tones in the upholstery, table cloths, accessories etc. But remember that white is not the best choice for maintenance!