Waterproof Paint Is A Great Idea

Waterproof paint is great way to prepare a basement for refinishing or just protect interior walls from any potential water leakage or seepage. The type of waterproof paint needed will mostly be dependent on the type of walls to be painted and any existing problems with the walls. Like any type of painting, there will be certain preparation activities that will make the process smoother and easier. Finally, it is important to properly care for walls that have been covered with waterproof paint in order to make them stay like new.

The base of the paint can be made from oil or latex. Oil-based paint is the best option for walls that are paneled, bare wood or have other imperfections. This type of paint will help cover up problems in the wall and will not allow wood grain to show through. Latex-based paints are usually less expensive and easier to wash off; however, this type of paint will make any wood grain in the walls become raised and be very obvious. For new construction or smooth sheetrock walls, latex is usually the best choice. The finish of the paint is also an important choice. Flat paint is best for disguising rough walls, but it is not wipe able. An eggshell or semi-gloss finish will help hide wall imperfections but are still washable. Gloss and high gloss finishes are the easiest to clean because almost anything can be wiped off of them. However, these very glossy or shiny finishes will reflect a great deal of light and will make even tiny imperfections very noticeable. When painting outdoor surfaces, one should consider specialty waterproof paint that usually contains a form of epoxy to truly seal the surface. This type of paint can be fairly expensive and will require special brushes or applicators.

Before beginning to paint the walls, one should start by repairing any major blemishes. This includes filling nail holes with spackling and sanding smooth. After fixing any marks, the walls should be dusted with a dry cloth. For walls that are very dirty, a quick wipe down with a damp rag may be helpful. When painting cement walls, which is common when waterproofing a basement, it is important to properly treat the cement walls first. The high levels of alkaline found in cement blocks can damage paint, but can easily be neutralized with special solutions available at any paint or hardware store. Like with other painting projects, one should tape off edges with special painter's tape that will not damage walls. Any furniture or flooring that cannot be completely removed from the room should be protected with a tarp or drop cloth.

Waterproof paint will help seal the walls, but should not be exposed to an excess of water when not necessary. To clean, use a clean sponge or rag with warm, soapy water to wipe the walls from the top down. For tough scuff marks, a product like the Magic Eraser can do wonders to remove the marks without damaging the paint underneath.

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Preparing Surfaces for Paint Spraying

There are a variety of reasons why you would want to paint a surface. It could be to beautify your project with color or can be to protect the underlying surface. No matter you're your reason, preparation is an important step when taking on a paint spraying project. Preparing the surface to be painted ensures that the paint will adhere to the surface. This adherence will make a difference in whether you get a perfect finish or not. There are different preparation methods depending on the type of material that is to be painted.

Preparing wood products for paint spraying can take time but the end result will make it well worth the time. Wood is porous so paint will generally adhere to it fairly easily but you want to be sure that the surface is smooth. To accomplish a smooth wood surface you will need to sand the wood. Depending on the size of your surface, it can take quite a bit of sandpaper to complete your project. Sanding can be done by hand or can be done with an electric or battery powered sander.

Start sanding your wood with coarse grit sandpaper. To determine the grit size of your sandpaper just remember that coarser grit sandpaper will have a lower number than finer grit sandpaper. You want to sand the surface area in a back and forth motion or a side to side motion. Next you want to move to medium grit sandpaper and sand the entire surface in the same manner you did previously. Lastly, use fine grit sandpaper to finish up your preparation. By the time you are finished you should have a smooth surface free of imperfections.

Preparing metal for paint spraying is quite the opposite of preparing wood. Unlike with wood, metals are non-porous. This means that the paint will need something to grab onto when its applied. You can give your metal surface something to grab on to by sanding the surface with medium grit sandpaper. This roughens the surface of the metal to allow paint to adhere better and give you a smooth finish. Do not worry about it not looking smooth before painting it because the paint will fill in the areas where you sanded.

Another preparation method used for some materials before paint spraying is the use of a primer. Primer works in two ways. Primer can cover up a darker color paint to allow for a lighter coat to be applied without having to strip or clean the old color. It also serves to give something for the paint to adhere to. This is important as mentioned above for metal and also some non-porous plastics. Primer can be applied with paint spraying equipment or can be applied in the traditional method with a brush or roller.

Proper preparation of your surfaces before paint spraying them will ensure that the paint adheres properly. Proper adhesion will help you achieve that smooth, beautiful painted finish that you want for your project.

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Painting Tips for Your Home

The mortgage of your new house is set, you have the keys, and now you are ready to decorate your new home and make it your own in every way, up to and including the color of the walls. Before you go riding into the sunset armed with a bucket of Sunset paint and brushes, be sure you have taken steps to ensure you are fully prepared to paint a room.

First things first, before you start picking out colors and buying supplies, you should be aware of the issues that could arise from painting your walls too soon after your house is built. Your builder should have told you that you should wait about a year before painting the walls, but if they did not, take this advice into account anyway. You want to wait a year before painting because the plaster in the walls needs time to dry and settle properly. The walls will start to show some small hairline cracks during this time, which is normal. You will be able to fill the cracks before painting. However, if you do not wait the recommended amount of time, your walls will crack under the new paint and you will have to fill the cracks and repaint over the filler. By waiting a year, you avoid extra work.

Once you are ready to get started with putting some color on your walls, you should make sure you are stocked with the appropriate supplies. Be sure you have measured your walls first so you do not buy too much or too little paint. One gallon of paint can usually cover about 400 square feet. When you do buy paint, look for one that includes a primer in the formula. If you prefer not to buy paint with primer included, then you will have to buy primer separately. Make sure you buy a primer that includes a stain blocker. On your list of supplies, you should have a pouring spout, stirrer, roller brush and replacements, roller tray and tray liner, roller cover, blue painter's tape, hole filler, drop cloths, screwdriver, and a sponge. You should also make sure to buy a 2-inch angled sash paintbrush, as this type of brush will give you more control when painting trim.

A little-known secret to avoiding paint fumes is to add a few drops of vanilla extract into your paint. Make sure you do not ever do this with any white paint, as the vanilla extract will ruin its color. Keep in mind a few other tips. When you put your paintbrush into the paint can, do not put the entire brush into the paint. Use only a third of the brush in order to avoid clogging the base of the bristles. Extra paint will not make the process faster, and in fact, may slow you down. If you have excess paint on the rim of the paint can, use a screwdriver wrapped in a rag to wipe it off. Also be sure to label your paint lid with a dab of its color and the actual name and number. If you do not have time to clean your paint rollers, put them into an airtight bag and place it in the fridge or any other cool spot overnight. Be sure to remove excess air from the bag.

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Methods to Learn How to Use Paint Spraying Equipment

Paint spraying equipment is used by amateurs and professionals alike to accomplish a variety of painting tasks. Paint spraying equipment is fairly easy to use and give the benefits of saving time and money spent on materials. Using paint sprayers usually only require that you apply a single coat of paint which is where the savings in time and money comes from. If you have never used a paint sprayer before and are looking for ways to learn how to use one, there are a variety of ways that you can get the help you need.

Consulting your owner's manual is likely the first resource to turn to that will help you learn how to use your paint spraying equipment properly and efficiently. The owner's manual will give you step by step instructions that are specific to your paint spraying equipment. This will ensure that you are not missing anything that you may have missed when consulting other resources. Always keep your owner's manual stored in a safe place so that you can easily refer to it again and again if you need to.

Another great resource to help you learn how to use your paint spraying equipment is through live demonstrations. Many home improvement retailers and other similar retailers will sometimes host workshops. These workshops are designed to help the do-it-yourselfer take on a variety of tasks on their own. You can find a retailer that is holding a workshop specific to paint methods or even more specific to using paint spraying equipment. During or after the workshop you can ask the presenter questions if you had trouble understanding anything.

The Internet is used by many people as a resource for a variety of things. You can easily find information or tutorials on how to use paint spraying equipment on the Internet. The great thing about the Internet is not only can you find written instructions or tutorials, you can also find videos. Videos can sometimes help you to understand the given instructions better because you can actually see what is going on. In some cases, you can find forums that you can post questions to should you have any after finding what you need.

There are a variety of television shows that are focused on teaching people how to take on do-it-yourself projects making them a great resource to use as well. Many of the television programs focused on these types of projects are hosted by some of the best professionals in the business. Learning how to use your paint spraying equipment from a pro will not only give you the best instruction that you can get but will also give you confidence to take on your project on your own.

If you have never used paint spraying equipment before, then finding a good resource for instruction will benefit you. You can use the resources above to find the information you need and that is most convenient for you and your project.

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Gain Exquisite Finish Results Using a Paint Sprayer

Many people enjoy sprucing up their homes on their own opposed to paying someone to do the job for them. While it takes more time and effort to do the job on your own, home remodeling tasks and painting jobs can be done more affordably and the extra money can be put into more supplies, furniture, and parts to maintain and upgrade things around the home. Regular maintenance, upkeep, remodeling, and painting to a home on a fairly consistent basis will help to prevent mold from growing, and will also help the homeowner to keep his or her house at a good market value if the decision is ever made to sell the home.

Painting cabinets, walls, exteriors, lawn furniture, or interior furniture with a brush is time consuming and also leaves room for brush strokes to stand out. This method of painting can take days or many hours to complete, depending upon how big the painting job is. In addition to being time-consuming, the end result is not always what the person had in mind due to the method of painting used. Electric paint sprayers are available in a wide range of sizes and price categories and can be used to complete small jobs and large jobs alike. These types of painting devices generally take just a fraction of the time to complete the task that painting with a brush or roller would take.

As well as saving on time, electric paint sprayers also provide premium results because the paint is sprayed on in one, solid, even coat. Trim can be taped off if only the walls are to be painted and this can make for an opportunity of completing a painting job in a very short amount of time. Paint sprayers, when properly used; provide a smooth, exquisite finish that the painter can be proud of for a long time to come. Because the paint is distributed through a handheld nozzle or handgun with an airless feature, the paint goes on evenly to the entire surface that is being painted. The result is a very desirable paint finish that looks and feels even and is the same color tone throughout the surface.

No matter what you are painting, you very well find that investing in an electric or battery-operated paint sprayer will help you to complete many different painting jobs in just minutes opposed to hours spent painting. Using a paint sprayer will also help you to achieve the smooth, polished, beautiful look that you want for your cabinet, furniture, or walls. These sprayers can be portable and easily stored in a garage until the next time they are used. This prevents you from dealing with brushes and rollers; and you can also avoid unsightly painting mistakes through heavy brush strokes or rolling swipes used that are common when paint brushes and rollers are used for painting jobs. Online authorized dealers have multiple selections of paint sprayers to choose from to help you get any painting job successfully completed.

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A Clean Fresh Spring - A Painting Service Can Help

The winter months can leave someone feeling very drab and unmotivated. When you look around, you are missing the bright, vibrant colors that come with spring. When you see trees and flowers blooming, you begin to feel a little more refreshed. You can start this refreshing feeling by contacting a painting service to discuss adding a new touch to the outside of your home. A painting service will touch up your home and any metal that you have, like swings or arches in the yard.

When you have your home painted, you will find that you want to spend more time outdoors, just looking at how great it looks. You may have the house painter use the same color paint that is already there or you could make a drastic change that will really alter the appearance of your home. When you use the same color, you will be covering up the faded look of the old paint and your home will look fabulous and new. When you change the color all together, it will feel like you have gotten a new home. You may even miss it and drive on past a few times before you get used to the new look.

House painting is a wonderful way to spruce up your property. You can have that new build look from the outside just by paying for painting services. This is a much more cost effective way to find a way to fall in love with your home once again. You do not need to move to another home. When you add some updates to your current home, you will see just what drew you to the home in the first place. It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint does for both the appearance of the home and the happiness of the homeowner.

When you reach out to the house painter that you have in mind, be sure to consider all of the work that you want to have done. If you have a banister outdoors that is metal and needs new paint, be sure to ask the painting service if they do this type of work. If their painting services do not include this type of house painting, it is time to look around for another option. The person that you hire to do the work should be able to provide all of the painting services that you need and should be able to do them at a reasonable price.

Once you have seen the results of adding some new paint to your home, you will surely see how much better it looks and how much better you feel about your home. You may want to host a gathering at your house soon just so your friends and family can see how well it turned out. They will surely be surprised and will likely ask for the name and phone number of the painting service that completed the work for you.

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Why Should You Trust Professional Painters?

Simple answer - because you cannot compromise the value of your home. A shoddy painting job can turn off even the most interested buyer and make your home's value plummet significantly. Yes, it is admirable to want to do the whole thing yourself and not have to pay professional painters to do something you've probably done before. But here is why hiring a contractor would inevitably be the better decision on your part.

First of all, painters are specially trained individuals who have experience in a variety of different projects. The average homeowner probably has some basic house painting skills, but very few of them would measure up to somebody who actually paints for a living. And I'm sure you will agree with me that you, as a homeowner, have better things to do than spend the whole day painting your home, regardless of the reason. You'd rather have someone do it for you while you focus on other matters.

Secondly, painters will make sure that your home has the proper finish that would protect it from wear and tear. A sub-par painting job won't do much to defend your home against water damage, mold, rust and other external factors that could decrease its value. You would want your home to last as long as possible, and having the pros do the painting for you is one way to increase the chances of this happening.

The third and fourth primary reasons to hire professional painters would be convenience and safety. Going back to the point we made earlier, it can be tiring to do the painting yourself. And we haven't even mentioned the chances of getting your clothing permanently stained or the possible injuries that may occur should you be working with ladders and painting the second story of your home.

Now that you know why professional painters are the right men for the job, you should also be aware of what to do when looking for prospective contractors. In order to get an accurate ballpark figure for the job to be done, you should thoroughly inform them about what needs to be painted. Let them know about the color or design you have in mind. And before you even start comparing quotes, you should filter out anybody who doesn't have the right amount of experience or credibility. Ask for customer references and ask your family and friends as well if they know anybody reliable. That way you can choose the right painters for your home and be confident that your investment is protected through a painting job well done.

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Make Over Your Child's Bedroom With Paint Spraying Products

Remodeling a child's bedroom can be a major task and many parents wonder how long it will be before they have to do the same project again in a couple years once their child's tastes and interests change. From switching an infant's room to transform it into something fun and appropriate to remodeling a young child's room to suit a teenager, parents can use some helpful creative tips to help them remodel their child's room on a budget and in a short amount of time.

Because a parent may have to remodel the same child's room four or five times or more throughout a period of years, it is worth the investment to purchase some paint spraying equipment to make each job a snap to complete. Paint spraying products can help a person to accomplish any minor or major painting job in just a small percentage of the time that it would take to use the brush and roller system to repaint a child's room and bedroom furniture.

Purchasing new furniture every time you remodel a kid's bedroom can become very costly and this new furniture often will only last the child three to four years before he or she outgrows the furniture and needs something more suitable. From bedrails and headboards to nightstands, dressers, chest of drawers, and benches, these items of furniture commonly found in children's bedrooms can be painted with paint spraying supplies for a quick and easy job.

In the future, each time you remodel and repaint your child's bedroom, or transform one child's bedroom into another type of room, your paint spraying equipment can help you to complete the task in just a short time. Taking the furniture outside or in the basement and laying down drop cloths is all that is needed in order to begin repainting the furniture. Fun and whimsical designs can be stenciled onto the furniture to help suit your child's changing and growing tastes and design preferences. The child who once loved cowboys and Indians may now be interested in astronomy or animal science. Your paint spraying equipment will give you just the edge needed to make this job a breeze.

There are multiple types of paint spraying equipment to choose from if you are considering purchasing a set of paint spraying products to begin your remodeling job on your child's bedroom set. The size and quality of the system you purchase can range greatly in price due to the large amount of paint spraying selections available on the market. It is best to research what size and type of paint sprayer will help you to get your primary jobs completed in the easiest fashion. If you plan on painting a lot of furniture and interior accessory items, you will want a small to moderate size paint sprayer. However, if your primary use for the paint sprayer will be to paint entire rooms, you may want to upgrade to a bigger size to help you get the job done in a professional manner.

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A Residential Painter - 5 Ways to Contract Peace of Mind

Have you ever tackled painting any room in your house only to find you had bitten off more than you could chew? I certainly have, and I quickly discovered I should have hired a residential painter to complete the job.

I learned the hard way it's not enough to just slap a few coats of paint on my walls. A reputable residential painting contractor can help you decide paint color, type, techniques and other necessary materials.

Don't hire the cheapest contractor on the market either. Your home is probably your most valuable asset, so you don't want to pay someone to do a cheap job.

So what should you look for when hiring a residential painter?

Cost- Ask them for a free estimate in writing. This will go a long way to help avoid costly over-budget hidden expenditures. Some contractors require a deposit paid in advance. This practice usually indicates the contractor is not able to afford to buy the supplies necessary for the job a head of time. This may be the case for a small time neighborhood handyman, in which case it's fairly safe to advance him the money, but this should never be required with a regular licensed and bonded paint contracting company.

Insurance, licensing and bonding- These are extremely important things to have when hiring a contractor. Especially because accidents happen and if one occurs on your property, you could very possibly be liable for any medical expenses on behalf of the contractor or his helpers. Bonding also is important in case anything is stolen from your property. All of these three items protect both the contractor and you.

Contracts- Before signing a paper contract read it carefully and ask questions if you don't understand something in it. It's important to know up front just exactly what you're getting yourself into and what to expect.

Guarantee- Does this particular residential painter have a guarantee on his work? If not, don't hire him. A painting warranty usually is good for about five years. This is the norm in the contracting industry. Make sure you know what the warranty exactly covers.

Testimonials- Just how long have they been in business and can they provide a list of satisfied customers? It's true everyone has to start somewhere but just make sure you can see or hear a few testimonials from where he has painted previously. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau for an approval rating.

You may think it's an easy thing to hire a residential painting contractor, but you may be wrong. Don't be misled. Gather your courage and ask any and all questions your mind can come up with. You won't want to be sorry later for not having done so. Do your homework beforehand because you certainly don't want to have it redone, or worse, live with it if you are unhappy with the finished product.

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Paint Spraying Equipment Provides Home Decorating Solutions

If you have decided that it is time to decorate and upgrade your home interiors, there are many solutions that can help you to achieve the job by doing many projects on your own. When you invest in some basic tools, supplies, and painting equipment, there will be many opportunities for you to take on numerous jobs around your home that can help to transform the maintenance level and the appearance of your home.

Many people find that beginning on home repair and decorating jobs during the summer is a good time. The warm weather during summer seasons provides for an ideal time to haul equipment in and out of a home, set things outside to be painted, and to drag things to your garage or driveway to begin repairing furniture or adding a new finish or glaze to an item. Tackling these projects during the summer will also give you a few months to have the projects completed. By the time autumn arrives with the holiday seasons, your home will be redecorated and spruced up to look amazing for any family gatherings or holiday dinners you may host over the fall and winter seasons.

More people are turning to use contemporary tools that help them to get more work accomplished in a quicker time frame. This results in having more free time and less time spent painting with rollers and brushes, and using other non-electronic tools. Paint spraying equipment and electric drills have made tasks around the home much easier for homeowners to take on bigger projects and to complete these projects in a timely fashion.

In the past, people would spend countless hours hammering, painting, sawing, and using screwdrivers to repair things around their homes, build new items, give furniture a makeover, and to add a new design theme to home interior rooms. Using traditional tools can be helpful, but there are also many modern products that will help to make the finished product have a more professional look to it, and using these tools will also save the person a significant amount of time.

If you have never used a paint sprayer before and are considering purchasing one to get some jobs completed around your home, you will find many options available to you when it comes to paint sprayer selections available for sale. Paint sprayers can be purchased through reputable online home improvement sites. They begin as low as hundred dollars and go up to over a thousand dollars and higher. The size of paint sprayer you purchase will be majorly dependent on how much money you want to spend on one.

Reviewing sites that sell paint sprayers and price comparing can help you to find a moderate quality paint sprayer for an affordable price. A moderate quality paint sprayer will be an ideal investment to help you to perform home decorating projects around the home in a short time and the result will be an attractive, new appearance for your home.

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Some Tips and Tricks for Painting: How to Keep the Place Clean

If you have ever painted a room before, then you know the kind of hassle that could be staring at you from your next project. And if you haven't, just ask anyone who provides house painting services. There will always be a level of mess involved in any painting project, whether it's on a canvas or a wall; but how do you keep that mess from becoming a permanent stain? Here are a few house painting tips.

The first thing you will want to do as you are preparing to paint a room is to take everything off the walls - this includes any furniture that is against them. If you don't have another room to put everything in, then put it all in the center of the room, as close together as possible. You are going to cover this pile with plastic and if you are painting the ceiling, you want to be able to use as few sheets of plastic as possible or overlap them in such a way that paint cannot seep through the seams. You will also want to cover the rest of your floor - at least the base of one wall at a time, if you are not painting your ceiling - because no matter how careful you are about not overloading your paint roller or brush, you will still be likely to drip somewhere. You can find drop cloths and rolls of plastic sheeting at your nearby home improvement store and some will even carry coveralls to wear over your clothes. For those of you who have hired painting contractors in the past, you may notice that not everyone uses coveralls - and if you have a set of clothes you don't care for, you might as well wear those - but booties or socks are always a good idea. If you walk through a drip of paint, you can avoid tracking it through your home by wearing something over your feet that is easily removed. Remember that house paint is not made to be washable and that once it is on your clothing, it is likely to remain there.

So once you have gotten all your furniture and decorations out of the way, the next step is to figure out what else is not getting painted - or at least not in the color you are currently using. Any windows or molding that you don't want painted is going to need to be protected. For the window, you can tape some of that plastic sheeting over it or just be very careful you're your splash zone. You might as well tape some up, however, because you will also be taping the edges of your painting area, including the edges and/or surface of any molding you have installed. You would be able to use duct tape because of the residue it leaves and it is also hard to take off. Regular clear tape will be hard to see and you will end up leaving pieces behind. Instead, use painter's tape - it comes off of your walls and windows easily and usually without leaving any residue, and it is also easy to find under a layer of paint due to its rough surface. Painter's tape won't add much to your painting costs, either, and it's always a good idea to have too much than too little. In fact, if you have children, you will find it is a wonderful tape to use with arts and crafts since it is easy to tear off a piece and comes off just about any surface your child decides to display their art on.

Painter's tape can also be used when you are creating stripes or lines on your wall. Because it does come off so easily, the trick is to tape the line in as few pieces as possible per wall. If you are going horizontally along the wall, I recommend trying your best to use 1-2 strips per wall, depending upon how long the walls are. When taping molding or windowsills, tape as close to the wall as you can; but try not to tape the wall itself so that you get a nice, crisp line on your first try. Also, remember that most paints recommend 2-3 coats before you are finished, not including the primer you may have to apply beforehand; so don't try to take the tape off until you are done - if you don't tape it the same way twice, you will have a line that seems to be a slightly different shade of the color you just painted. The best way to ensure that your unpainted surfaces remain clean, is to get everything covered and/or taped before you begin painting; and don't remove that plastic or the tape until the project is done and dry.

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Advanced Painting Techniques: How To Create And Apply A Farmhouse Finish

There is something nostalgic about the beauty of a farmhouse finish. It's rustic, aged look, harkens back to the days of apple pie at grandma's house, the warmth and coziness that is associated with it, the worn, painted woodwork of a country farmhouse. This is a finish that can be applied to woodwork and cabinets; it is not recommended for ceilings, walls, or wood-veneered furniture or cabinets. The farmhouse finish can be used for unfinished or previously varnished wood, you can use this finish to give your wooden cabinets an authentic country look, or for shelves, peg rails, gallery railings, etc.

Start by mixing equal parts of denatured alcohol and clear shellac in a jar or can that has a re-closable lid. Next, you add Aniline Stain Powder, which you can find and purchase online from any woodworker's supply store. This mix, called Aniline Tinted Shellac, is first brushed onto the wood surface, and then followed by latex based paint. Next, apply the De-natured alcohol after the paint is dry. Then, rub the surface with a lint free cloth and/or sandpaper; this will dissolve the shellac, mixing the paint with the aniline tinted shellac. You can determine the wear of the finish depending on the amount of rubbing or sanding. The amount of aniline shellac you will have to make depends on the size of the project, the recommended amounts are 1 cup for small projects up to 1/2 gallon for large projects ( such as kitchen cabinets.) To obtain a good contrasting color, use a light paint color over the dark tinted shellac, or a dark paint over a light tinted shellac. Remember, always test your technique on scrap lumber first to allow for trial and error, and acquire the color and look you want to achieve.

Materials.

1) Latex Paint. 2) Denatured alcohol. 3) Clear Shellac. 4) Aniline Stain Powder In Your Desired Wood Color. 5) Natural-Bristle Paintbrush. 6) Synthetic Paintbrush. 7) Re-closable Jar Or Can. 8) Rubber Gloves/Painter's Mask. 9) 100 Grit, 220 Grit Sandpaper. 10) Tack Cloth.

Instructions.

Step 1. Mix equal parts of denatured alcohol and clear shellac in a re-closable jar or can. Then add a small amount of aniline powder to tint the mixture, and test the stain on a piece of scrap lumber to determine the color you want. Add a small amount to the mixture until you achieve your desired color.

Step 2. Begin applying one or more layers of the aniline mixture to your project using a natural bristle brush. Remember, the more layers you apply the darker the stain will be. Allow drying time; aniline shellac dries fast.

Step 3. Apply a moderate to heavy coat of your latex paint over the shellac using the synthetic paintbrush. Give the paint time to dry thoroughly after application.

Step 4. Wet the tack cloth with denatured alcohol, and rub the painted surface wearing rubber gloves and a mask. To obtain a more rustic, aged look, rub the surface with the 100-grit sandpaper and then lightly sand with the 220-grit paper.

Step 5. Sand and rub the edges and prominent details of your project more than the rest of the surface to give the appearance of natural wear. Wipe the surface clean using a tack cloth.

If you enjoy the sentimental look of an old country house, then the farmhouse finish is for you. The warm and inviting appearance it has makes people feel right at home, so don't be surprised when you come home and find Grandma cooking in your kitchen!

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Spring Inspired Paint Colour Combinations for Your Home

Spring season is all about colours and there isn't any other season that can influence wall colour combinations as brilliantly as this season does. You can experiment with every possible colour within your home and match it to the appeal of spring season. Don't believe us? Below we have talked about some classic wall colour combinations that will never fade away keeping the charm of your abode alive and intact forever.

Lavender and white: Orchids, tulips or stocks, the colour lavender woos every person and dominates spring season. It looks best with white when it comes to walls, so can bring out a combination of the purple delicate flowers with exotic lilies and we are sure you will not go wrong with them. Also lavender is a light colour so you can play around safely with it. Any room will get an airy and free-flowing feeling with such a colour combination. To match up the wall paints you will not have problems finding the perfect furniture and furnishings as you can practically team any basic wooden furniture piece to match up this wall paint combination.

Green and yellow: The colour yellow is for sunshine and many beautiful flowers bloom in this hue right from sunflower, roses and even daffodils; you cannot escape their mesmerizing charm. This colour when combined with green, the colour of nature gives an illuminating effect. Imagine having breakfast in a sunny room having the feeling of soaking the sunlight with greenery around; that's what exactly such colour combinations can make you feel like right within your own home. Whether you want a Matt effect or want to give your walls a glam finish by using gloss effect paint, your choice will be well taken care off. With paint companies coming up with numerous options for people to choose in endless hue choices it has now become possible to create walls that are no less than masterpieces.

Beige and pink: Creams and pinks always go well together and can be the perfect colour combination for a girl's room. But this does not mean you cannot paint any other room with the colour pink. It brings in the effect of arbutus, the innocence of a daisy and the delicateness of flowering almond. This combination elegantly conveys simplicity and yet looks truly stylish. A hind of beige with the rosy pink effect will just be a perfect spring for you.

Seasons keep changing as change is the nature's rule. We can hold the seasons and their charm within our homes for a bit longer by making use of colours. Any home is lifeless without colours, so why not use them and let the seasons make way in our home completely. Not a bad idea we say and if you have tried this before you surely know how it feels.

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2012 Paint Color Trends: Paint Hues Drawn From the American Landscape

Curious about what paint colors will be in fashion this year? Stop wondering: color experts at the Paint Quality Institute, say that in 2012, inspiration for paint colors will come from the natural colors of the American landscape.

This year, color trends lean towards paint colors that are drawn from the hues found in native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes, and rocks and minerals.

If you're considering repainting your building's interior, you need look no further than the great American outdoors for inspiration. Following are some things to consider:

Blue -- In 2011 the Jewel of the Sea Blues grew in popularity and will continue to be much in demand for 2012. According to color experts, almost everyone respects blue whether it is the blue of sparkling sea-glass or the more traditional colonial blue-grey, because blue enhances almost every working space, and because blue is a naturally soothing color.

Green -- Everything from Farm to Forest -- in every shade imaginable, with names like celery and asparagus, fir and fern, makes it possible for an office interior to contain all of the comfort nature provides outdoors. The "natural" areas for vogue greens are in conference rooms or the break room, but the hue goes nicely in lobbies and individual offices as well.

Violet, Purple Mountains Majesty -- Note that because violet is a pleasing combination of patriotic blue and red hues, it can wake up any large or small space when used as an accent color. It is also great as the main color in a work area or boardroom.

There is more news for 2012 aside from that of natural hues.

Looking to the future, three paint and design trends will become popular this year:

Patterns -- In 2012, patterned paint will be at the forefront, with growing interest in hound's-tooth finishes, intricate designs, and bold color blocking techniques. Sometimes, the pattern is the most prominent feature in an area; at other times, it is merely a less distinctive background for a room's furnishings and artwork.

Black and White is a classic combination that has moved beyond the basics. It is something that can be found in settings ranging from an urban building all the way to a large office complex. The combination is an excellent manner in which to refresh a design with something modern and sophisticated.

Exterior Paint Pairings -- For the structure's facade, windows need no longer be just the traditional high-contrast green, red, or black but will lean more toward a monochromatic color scheme. We will begin to notice that doors are painted a shade darker than the other areas of the building.

If you are working with an office building or structure with a stone exterior, you can still get in on things by making the window color the main color of the stone. Despite all the new hues and trends, not everything will change in 2012. The things that will remain the same are top quality paint, which gives the best performance and the best value to building owners looking to improve the value of their buildings.

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Creative Kids Room Decoration Ideas

You would know the importance of decorating a child's room if you have a kid in your home. Searching for interior design ideas for a child's room is not just restricted to parents alone if you are expecting a new member in your family soon then too you need to be well prepared with ideas to dress up your toddler's room. By making use of wall paints alone you can bring in interesting and drastic changes, read on to know how.

Themed rooms: You can create a fantasy world for your children within their own room itself. Walls inspired by cartoon characters, toys, animal kingdom etc can be done up making use of creative wall painting techniques. Finding the apt painting contractor and the right type of paint is the only requirement for this task; rest depends on how imaginative and open to ideas you want to be. Designing rooms for kids needs to a lot of patience and thinking process involved as you may be tempted to paint the walls with bright hues and when finally the painting job is completed you might not like the way it turns out. It is best to keep the likes of children and its longevity in mind in the planning process.

Decorative paints: Home painting has got a creative dimension thanks to decorative paints. Such paints let bring our thoughts over our home walls. A kid's room needs to be an inspiring one, letting the child explore the best of his abilities. Decorative paints will let you do this in many ways, whether you to create the feeling of spring with fresh and lively flowers or create an underwater world with mermaid or sponge Bob or any other idea that you know will woo your kid, can be done impressively.

Lighting: The way a room is lit up also helps change the look of the space to a high extent and when it comes to kids room it plays a vital role. When you think of painting walls using a specific colour you also need to plan which type of light would further enhance that colour and bring out the desired effect. When you paint walls with dark colours you will need to fix bright lights that will make sure the room does not look cramped during the night. You can also order customized fixtures for the kid's room, like stars, moon and the sun, butterflies and many such more.

Infusing your thoughts and ideas in the kids' room will surely be an excitement filled task for you. Every home decoration exercise after all needs to be executed with your personal taste and only then you can relate to it. So whether you are planning a new baby's room or a teenager's space adding the personal magical touch is important.

The Pro Painter: Efficient Interior Painting   How to Clean That Ugly Roof   Basics of Painting IV   Exterior Color Ideas: Before Painting - 13 Tips to Help Homeowners and Builders Make Color Choices