SERVICES - Exterior Preparation and Painting

Proper preparation of the surface, the use of quality materials and skilled application are the ingredients of a proper paint job. It is estimated that 85 percent of all premature paint failures are attributed to inadequate surface preparation.

To start with, we inspect the entire exterior surface. Shutters, house numbers, hardware and all light fixtures, which are not to be painted, are carefully removed and properly stored. All plants and sidewalks will be covered. We check for any signs of water damage, rotten boards and moldings and window trim that may need replacing. In order to clean and remove all loose dirt and mildew, the home is pressure washed with environmentally friendly detergents or bleach.

All new and bare wood will be properly sealed and primed. Gaps between adjoining wood and masonry will be caulked. Exposed nail heads will be countersunk. We look for signs of paint failure such as blistering, peeling, bubbling and cracking. We will remove any loose caulking and glazing from the windows and doors. All open seams around windows, doors, eaves, porch columns and foundations will be caulked or otherwise filled to the seal the home. All painted area trims, fascia boards and eaves will be scraped and sanded (down to the bare wood where necessary). All bare spots are sealed with a penetrating sealer and spot primed with an exterior oil base primer, then spackled, sanded and full primed with exterior oil base or a stain resistant primer.

Vertical boards will be hand scraped and sanded (down to the bare wood where necessary), dusted, sealed, spot primed, spackled, dusted again and fully primed with an exterior oil base or a stain resistant primer. All surfaces will be painted with two coats of top quality exterior latex acrylic flat or satin finished paint. Shutters are painted with semi-gloss or high gloss paint. The entry door should be painted with an exterior oil base satin or semi gloss paint.

The final step is to clean up the area to the customer's satisfaction. Hardware and light fixtures are re-installed and touch-up paint is left for the customer. Even-though no paint job can last forever, the life of the paint can be extended with proper care and maintenance.