Dream in Emerald Green!

Wow!

Great article from the Kansas City Star on Pantone's "Color Of The Year".

Check it out!


And call us when you are ready to apply it, or any other color you have.

Minor Drywall Repairs.

Years and wear and tear on a home leads to the occasional dent, hole or crack in the walls or ceiling. The eaisiest way to fix these are to call Family Professional Painting. We'd more than happy to make you walls look new again.

Some want to do the repairs themselves and for those brave individuals here a link to fixing small holes.

Small Hole Repairs.


Below are some photos of some repairs we made to a home in Bozman, MD just outside Saint Micheal, MD.

The joint in this ceiling was cracked so bad that the tape was pulled off.

After pulling the tape, a coat of mold/mildew resistant drywall mud was applied followed by metal reinforced drywall tape (Straight Flex). After setting the tape in a bed of mud, a coat was applied over the tape.

  A second coat of mud was applied after lightly sanding the first. Then the repair was primed and two coats of paint applied. The final product looked like this:

If you are looking for the kind of results please feel free to contact us.

410-714-0448

Or click the link: http://www.marylandpainter.net/estimate.html

   

we welcome this month’s new clients to the “Family Professional Painting” family 

Here are some of our new clients that became members of the “Company Name Family” this past month.  I’d like to welcome you and wish you all the best!

Mark and Leslie Flynn - Annapolis 

Sue Beckham - Quennstown/Kent Island

We are giving recognition to our new clients and our superb friends who are kind enough to refer them.

More Reasons to Exercise

You might know the common benefits of exercise: it makes you feel great, protects your heart and makes you look better. But somehow these benefits haven't nudged you into doing it.
Maybe these new discoveries will.
* Exercise may erase your genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. A Washington University study of people aged 45-88 identified those with a genetic risk for Alzheimer's. But the risk carriers who were physically active and meeting the American Heart Association guidelines for regular exercise showed no buildup of amyloid plaques.
* Both leisure and on-the-job activity protect against heart attacks. A Swedish study, reported by Tufts University, shows both light and moderate work activity created a reduced risk of heart attacks when compared to sedentary people.
As expected, all leisure time physical activity was associated with a reduced heart attack risk.

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Naming The New Generation:

What’s the Rush?

Individuals, journalists, academics race to name the new generation
Previous generations lasted 20 years or more. They include:

The Greatest Generation, also known as the GI Generation, born from 1901 to 1924. They experienced the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the New Deal and World War II.

The Silent Generation, also known as Traditionalists, were veterans and mature people born from 1925 to 1945. They experienced the Depression, World War II, and the Korean War.

Baby Boomers, born from about 1946 to 1964, are huge in numbers. They experienced the Vietnam War; assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Robert Kennedy; the civil rights movement and the women's movement.

Generation X consisted of those born from 1965 to 1981. Many were latchkey kids or children of divorce.
Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Echo Boomers, were born from 1982 through the early 2000s. They experienced the Sept. 11 attacks and the rise of the Internet.

Today, demographers say there is a frantic race on to name the new generation. There's no official contest. The new name will come to life automatically when it's used most often in press releases and by writers and marketers.
"No one knows who will name the next generation," says Neil Howe, who, with his deceased business partner, is credited with naming the Millennials. 'The heart of the next generation," he says, "is still in nursery school."
Psychologist and author Jean Twenge referred to it as "iGen" before the iPhone came out. The i was for Internet. Now she likes Multi-Gen because the generation will be multicultural, multimedia, multiracial and multifamily.
Scott Hess of Teenage Research Unlimited likes PostGen. He says it will be post recession, post Obama and the generation that posts on Facebook.
USA Today says ad man Jack MacKenzie suggests "The Pluralistic Generation," because the Plurals will be most positive about America becoming ethnically diverse.

******

August Is:

·       Admit You’re Happy Month

·       Family Fun Month

·       National Catfish Month

·       National Eye Exam Month

·       National Golf Month

·       Peach Month

·       Romance Awareness Month

 

 

 



Immunize!

In the month of August, many of our thoughts turn to summer coming to a close and getting the children in our lives ready to return to school. I would strongly encourage you to shift your attention to something else... vaccinations! Most of us born in the 20th century take vaccinations for granted; we might even have forgotten the importance of being vaccinated. That is why August has been designated Immunization Awareness Month. Like testing your fire alarms in conjunction with daylight saving time, Immunization Awareness Month comes with the start of the school year. With children and adults going back to school in the fall, many schools require immunizations to be up to date in order to enroll. The purpose of Immunization Awareness Month is to promote the benefits of immunization.

Immunization is touted as one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. It is thought to have begun in 17th or 18th century and was believed to be initially focused on the eradication of small pox. Thankfully it worked! Vaccines have eradicated small pox, polio and greatly decreased the number of individuals who get measles, diphtheria, rubella, whooping cough and other diseases. Rotary International continues to do amazing work in this area and recently has publicized its work to eradicate polio Their goal is to "...wipe this disease off the face of the earth forever." Check out how the effort is going and how being immunized helps to get rid of this disease and improve the communities' overall health.

It is important to have everyone vaccinated, especially children and older adults, in order to ensure healthy lives. There are many nonprofit organizations that provide immunization information including institutions that administer "free vaccinations" and concerns about vaccines. A simple search on the Internet will often produce information about where to get vaccinated in your community. Additionally, check with the Center for Disease Control's website, which provides details about a vaccination schedule and other pertinent information.

Also remember, when you go to the doctor regularly you not only keep up to date on your vaccines, but also on your health in general. Most regular checkups start with a blood draw. Doctors can screen for a lot of things based on your blood draw and can catch disease in early stages when this is done regularly. This simple step can save a life and improve the health of the community.

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Just for Fun

1. Sonny Crockett and Rico Tubbs were cops on what TV series? a-Miami Vice, b-Hill Street Blues, c-NYPD Blue, d-The Streets of San Francisco.

2. Who defeated Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the world heavyweight boxing champion? a-George Foreman, b-Muhammad Ali, c-Ingemar Johanssen, d-Rocky Graziano.

3. What TV show's theme song includes the lyrics "Sunny day, chasing the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet?" a-The Jeffersons, b-Good Times, c-Sesame Street, d-The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

****

 1-a, Miami Vice  2-b, Muhammad Ali  3-c, Sesame Street  4-c, Palm Springs 

Getting Kids Ready For The End Of Summer

Back to School: Easing the Transition

Going back to school after two months of summer holidays can be either a happy time or something to be dreaded, depending on the child and his or her experience with school. Whether going back to school is happy or not, gradually moving back towards fixed bedtimes and wake-ups in the weeks before school begins, purchasing new supplies and clothes for the year ahead and having an end of summer celebration can help a child transition from summer to autumn.

Back to School Bedtimes

During the summer, parents and children can afford to become relaxed about enforcing bedtimes and often leave the alarm clock switched off. It is important to allow children some flexibility during the long daylight hours of midsummer, but gradually enforcing earlier bedtimes as school approaches will make that early morning waking up easier. If a child's bedtime has drifted to an hour or more later than it will need to be to allow him enough sleep during school, shift it back by 15 minutes every couple of days instead of moving it suddenly.

Preparing School Supplies and Clothes

Help children prepare for their year ahead by bringing them with parents to purchase school supplies and new clothes. Choosing a new pencil case and notebooks can help some children get excited about going back to school, and most will have their own opinions about the kind of clothes they want to wear. Practice laying out clothes and supplies the night before so that it will be a routine by the time school starts.

Preparing for Changes and Separation

Going back to school is often a time of many changes, with new schoolmates, classrooms and teachers. This is especially true for children

Quick primer explanation.

Our friends at the Paint Quality Institute are some of the most knowledgeable around. They recently blogged about the different primers and thier usage. If you are interested, read on:

Many people think that primers are useful only when doing exterior painting, but that's a mistaken notion. Like exterior primers, interior primers make surfaces more uniform and help paint adhere better, but they can do a lot more.
Interior primers can actually help prevent a host of problems and enhance the appearance of a finished paint job. By choosing the right type of primer for a particular project, it's even possible to pinpoint the performance benefits you'll get.
Following is a quick sampling of some of the more common types of interior primers and how they can help improve your next paint job.
Happy Painting,

Debbie Zimmer
Editor
dzimmer@dow.com

• Stain-blocking Primers. Walls and other interior surfaces often have water stains, smoke residue, grease, or other contaminants that can "bleed" right through a new coat of paint to ruin its appearance. To prevent that from happening, apply a stain-blocking primer before painting to seal off the stain-producing agents. These primers come in both latex and oil-based formulations, but latex stain blockers have much less odor, which is always a plus when working indoors.
• Vapor Barrier Primers. These interior primers are typically used in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms to help prevent moisture from passing through the walls. By doing so, they help keep the wall insulation dry and reduce the chance of an exterior paint failure due to moisture exiting the interior. Vapor barrier primers also help maintain a comfortable level of humidity inside the home during the heating season.
• Kitchen and Bath Primers. These coatings are often used in the same areas as vapor barrier primers, but they serve a different purpose. Specially formulated with biocides and stain blockers, they help control the growth of mildew and mold in rooms that tend to be damp or humid.
• Drywall Primers. While these coatings are called primers, they really function as sealers, which are close cousins of the primer family. As the name indicates, they are applied over drywall and joint compound to help conceal the differences in their appearance and impart a more uniform look to the completed paint job.
• Latex Enamel Under-coaters. These primers are excellent for use under semi-gloss or gloss paint to ensure that the paint will develop its maximum gloss. After applying a latex enamel under-coater and letting it dry. It's important to lightly sand off any visible brush marks before applying the glossy paint.
• Bonding Primers. When painting a slick material like glass, tile, Formica®, or vinyl-coated paneling, it is always wise to use a bonding primer. These primers are specially formulated to adhere to slippery surfaces and help create a more secure bond between the primer and paint.

Even if you're on a very tight budget, you shouldn't fail to apply a primer when the circumstances call for one: the primer may actually save you money. That's because you may need fewer coats of paint, especially on a previously unpainted surface. Likewise, if you are applying a dark-colored paint, you can often get away with fewer coats by applying a tinted primer beforehand. The net effect may very well be a more economical paint job!

  Family Professional Painting can help you with all your primer and painting needs. If you have any questions just contact us.

We always cherish the testamonials from our customers. Here's one of the latest. Feel free to send yours!

 

 

"I cannot recommend Family Professional Painting highly enough. Dale was immediately responsive, both by email and with any questions I had along the way. Dale and Lenny worked around some sizable upheaval around our house and the daily chaos of dogs and kids with humor and professionalism. It was a great feeling to leave for work in the morning and know I would come home to a beautiful paint job and a clean work space in the evening. The initial estimate was the price we wrote the check for when the job was completed--no surprises. I will be recommending Family Professional Painting to friends and family who need trustworthy, quality professional painters.

*sorry for the lateness of this, Dale. Have a great long weekend!

Rachel"

Be More

Don't multitask. Focus is key to productivity. "These people who think that they can multitask are wrong," says Kate Wendleton, president of career coaching firm The Five O'Clock Club. Focus on one thing, get it done, and move on. "The people who are able to focus and get something done well are the people who are most productive," she says.
"Multitasking can eat up 40 percent of your workday," says Marla Tabaka, a life and business coach who helps entrepreneurs in achieving their business and life goals. "Employers want people who can focus."
Instead of doing two things at once, block out time to do certain tasks. "You're not putting things off, you're scheduling things," Tabaka says.

Easy distressed finish.

  Love the look of wood. Clears, toners or stains it doesn't matter it is fun and love the end results.  We recently posted a photo of a room done by Jean McHale Antiques on our Google + page. It featured a cool distressed shutter.

   Found this video from Old Masters stains that shows how to produce that hand rubbed distressed finish. They make it look easy. Plus there are a few coupons for stain.

Do It Yourself Distressed

 If you are interested in controlling dust when sanding drywall check this out. Just completed a product review for "The Blogging Painters", click the link to see one of the ways we control dust.

Click here.

Details, details.

We go through this over and over with prospective clients, don't go straight to bottom line. Value (what kind of "deal" you think you are getting) should be determined by a combination of price, quality and service.

We painted an exterior over the weekend. The weather was beautiful at Kent Island on Maryland's eastern shore. Removong downspouts so they can be painted behind is something Family Professional Painting normally does. The last paint contractor didn't. (note the stripe in the middle of this trim board.)

It took about 30-40 minutes for two guys to remove and later re-install the downspouts.  Maybe you don't care, but its the little things that add up to make your investment in any paint job last. We care about the details and so should you. Make sure your estimates list the procedures that the contractor will take to accomplish the project.

Sights you see on the way to the job.

   Driving can be a pain, specially if you go to the same location day after day. Luckily for most contractors our locations change often and we get to view new and different scenery. Recently, while doing a project on Marylands eastern shore we got to see the most creative private Christmas display I've ever seen. 

  
      Turn out that the gentleman who owns this farm is also one of the largest private collectors of fighter aircraft in the world. You can find the rest of the photos at Family Professional Paintings Facebook page here.

The Time Savers Part II

Back in August I started a multi-part blog on time savers. A good brush was the first part of this series. Now we move on to the number 2 time saver for most homeowners and pro’s alike, the roller.

If you are doing any amount of large surfaces, a roller can be a key to maximum production. Choosing the best one for the job at hand will speed up job completion. Like the brush, we recommend purchasing a good roller arm and covers (or pads).



Roller arms are not all the same and a good one will last a DIY’er a lifetime. Look for the thickest shank (the metal part that the handle is mounted to) to keep it from flexing while rolling. The best ones will have built in bearings on the part that spins and hold the roller cover. This makes it easier to roll down the wall without “skidding”. Some also have quick release systems built in so it can be quickly snapped on and off compatible roller poles.

There are plenty of good ones out there but my favorite is the Wooster Sherlock frame pictured above. It has all the features mentioned above and it can easily be found at most paint and big box stores. Here’s a video link at Wooster’s site. You can get these for both 9 inch and 14 inch roller sleeves.

The frame does you no good without a roller cover and like frames there are a ton of choices. Rather than go through each cover and material, we are just going to touch on the more common ones, choices that will deliver a good job. Like many things, price will determine the quality of the cover and its ease of use.

  

     Cover materials are both man-made and synthetic. Most pros like wool the best, but they are pricey. A good second choice is a 50/50 blend of polyester and wool. Both of these covers will work in all paints and generally clean up easy. Personally I’m a big 50/50 fan as it has similar performance of wool at half the cost and probably Family Professional Painting’s number one choice.

    The next material choice (for me) would be the synthetic wool or polymide. Which has the characteristics of wool while holding more paint. Nobody does this better than the Purdy Corp.



   There are a slew of other materials out there, but probably the main things you need to be concerned about is how it is made and will it work with your paint. The covers listed above will pretty much work in all paints and stains, latex or oil.

    Check the length of the “nap”. It will be listed on the cover some where. That is the length of the fibers holding the paint. Generally use longer naps for rougher surfaces and vice-versa. The most common is the ½ inch nap for walls and ceilings. If your walls are in rough shape, you may even want to use a ¾ inch for the extra “stipple” (texture) that aids in making some imperfections less noticeable. They make much shorter naps for smoother finishes, but they will not hold much paint and you will find yourself dipping much more often. I would avoid using a nap shorter than 3/16 inch. The packaging on most roller covers will provide information to help you choose.

Last choice is roller cover width. Without going into too much detail, use the widest cover you can for the job. This will increase production. We use 14-18 inch covers and frames as much as possible, but something you need a shorter one. It’s not uncommon for us to use a 6 inch roller in tight confined rooms. (A powder room)

Let’s recap:

• Get a roller frame with a thick shank to prevent flexing and internal bearing for smooth rolling.

• Wool, wool blends and synthetic wool cover offer the best combination of finish, cleanup, shed resistance and long life. They will also work in almost all paints and stains.

• Nap length helps determine how much paint you get to the wall and the “stipple” or texture it leaves on the surface. Longer naps for rougher surfaces (block walls) and vice-versa.

• Use the widest cover you can for the task at hand. I don’t recommend that homeowners go wider than 14 inch.

If there are any topics you'd like us to cover, lets us know.

Why you shouldn't "Just Paint It".

Dug up a photo of an exterior we did over the summer. The picture is of aluminium siding that was pressure washed. We purposely stopped so the home owner could see why we recommended cleaning before painting.



Paint would not stick to a chalking surface like that.(At least not that long) The extra work may be more costly, but it is an investment in a longer lasting and properly done paint job.

When gathering estimates together for your next project, keep in mind that prep is one of the most important if not the most important processes in a long lasting paint job.

Have a great Thanksgiving.


Dale

Coming Soon To A Paint Store Near You?

This past summer Benjamin Moore sent us some exterior paint to evaluate.

Ultra Spec is another addition to their line that utilizes their excellent colorant system. One has to assume it is to be (if brought to market) aimed at the lower price point. Note our analysis is base on limited use.

We were given the choice of how we wanted the paint tinted and sheen's. We chose a white tint base in a satin for two reasons. One, tint bases usually are lacking in hide because they are meant to have colors added. This would give us the opportunity to judge "hide". Two, it was a re-paint and a reduced sheen helps to minimize to rough areas appearance.

The paint was brushed, rolled and sprayed.

Brushing it on a 90 degree (plus) day in direct sunlight was actually enjoyable. Most modern paints dry too quickly and leave very little if any open time. The Ultra Spec was applied in direct sunlight early in the day (about low to mid eighties) and allowed one ample time to apply it and lay it off. It kept a wet edge in that heat better than most products. It flowed well and like all Ben Moore paints with "Color Lock" technology it also covered well.

If there was a downside to brushing, it is the viscosity of the paint. It is stringy. If you are not super diligent of tapping the excess paint off the inside of your bucket, you will get strings and drips as your brush comes out of the can. Similar to Super Spec or PPG's Sun Proof exterior paint. It is a trait that doesn't bother some, but it irks the hell out of me. It's messy.

It rolled well although not as spatter free as I would like, but it was acceptable. Expect to get some on you and the surrounding work area.

We also sprayed some CMU with it. I actually liked spraying it. It covered well, went pretty far, and you could load it up a little without runs.

All in all, it seems to be a decent product. just have to wait to see if it ever comes to market.

Ultra Spec:

Pros:

Color Lock Technology.
Good open time.
Good hide even in a "tint base"
Price point?

Cons:

Messy
Not available. (yet)

Being Courteous Is A Two Way Street.

We love our customers and many of them love us back. Being in any service oriented business one expects to be treat with dignity, courtesy and kindness. We watch what we say, try to wipe our feet, clean up, be punctual and just set a plain good example.

Most contractors give free estimates. We are flexible so as to meet your schedule. Burn up our gas and time to maybe have an opportunity to serve you. The expense of these "free estimates" are borne by the contractor and are a part of the business.

How many people actually appreciate the costs in money and time that we expend for your benefit? I say that most do, but many show a great lack of respect. They could care less about a contractor's time spent away form his family, the costs incurred if they think of it at all.

So, you may ask. Why the rant? Because you can't take the time to let me know that (a:) you received the proposal and (b:) that you have made a decision about the job.

A little "thank you for coming out and providing this estimate" would be nice. We get that often. but some where, some how, many people just forget how much that little kindness means to a guy or gal who went out of their way to provide a "free" estimate.

Show you appreciation. Even if you did not choose us. Contact your contractor and let him know you appreciated the time they took out of their busy day, for you. It will make their day and set you apart from the crowd.

We got "Quoted"!

The Recent issue of "Taste Of The Bay Magazine" asked us about some recent trends in painting and our views on a few subjects. They took Family Professional Painting's answers and included them in both the article and a side bar.The October issue is out, but the website as of now has not been updated.

Due to editing, they got the gist of what we were saying correct, but the numbers are off. So here are the actual answers copied and pasted from the email:

If you are willing to be quoted, please answer the following for me:

1] Regarding color: What are the trends in color choice you are seeing this year?

The big trend has been bringing nature indoors. Muted greens seem to be the color of choice followed by tans. Also pure white on trim is slowly being replaced by off whites and creams.

2] Regarding paint in general: What are some of the major factors people should consider when choosing a paint for their home (interior paint primarily).

First, stick with the premium products. They cover better and retain color longer in sunny areas and tend to touch up easier.
Second, think about paints that are washable and scrubable. If you have pets or children, you will get mess on the walls. Having the ability to clean the surface prolongs the time between having to repaint. Staircases, (why don't kids use the handrails?) bathrooms and hallways are prime candidates for dirty handprints

3] Are there any myths or misconceptions people tend to have when choosing paint?

Three big misconceptions are that that you need a shiny satin or semi gloss paint to be able to clean it and that cheap paints are just as good as premium paints. Last is that enviromentally safe paints don't work.

There are some excellent matte/flat paints that offer a durable washable/scrubable coatings. Benjamin Moore's excellent Aura line and Berh Flat Enamels come to mind.

Second, cheap paints are just that, cheap. Manufacturers have to cut corners somewhere and that is usually in the resins and colorants made into the paint.
Say you are painting a room and you can either spend $40.00 on paint or $100.00 on paint. The cheap paint burnishes (leaves a shiny spot) the first time you try to clean it and after 3 years it just looks poorly. Now you decide to re-paint. That material cost you $13.33 per year.Same color and room with premium materials. A good washable paint and it looks good for 10 years before it needs to be re-painted. That material only cost you $10.00 per year and saved you a lot of headache. Premium paints are a better long term investment.

When "green" paints first hit the shelves, they left something to be desired. Most were harder to work with, covered poorly and just didn't last. Technology has finally caught up and some of the best paints out there are enviromentally sound products. In fact all of the waterbourne paints available in the area are vastly more green than just 5-10 years ago.


Not a huge difference and they can't be blamed for editing. (I get longwinded) Of course we are always happy to receive any publicity and would like to thank Kimbra Cutlip and Taste Of The Bay Magazine.

Tips for LinkedIn users

Here's a link for all you business people who use LinkedIn. A few good tips there.

The Time Savers


“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”
Socrates


“From the time we're born until we die, we're kept busy with artificial stuff that isn't important”.
Tom Ford


Time is a big deal anymore. Most never seem to have enough of it and once it’s used you can’t get it back. Work, family, kids, sports, friends, cut the grass, paint the house. (aaarrrgh!) Well in this multi part blog (I don’t have time to do it all at once) we are hoping to introduce you to a few things that make the painting faster and more efficient.

Of course the fastest and most efficient way to get that painting project done is to hire a professional paint contractor. Hiring a pro allows you to carry on your day to day life. You can perform more productive and more enjoyable tasks instead of the drudgery of painting. (Hint, hint!)

SO, if we haven’t scared you off yet, the number two tip (number one is hiring me) is purchasing a good brush.

Surprised? Don’t be. A good brush is designed to perform several important functions that will make painting faster and easier.

1. A good brush is designed to hold more paint, so you cover more surface area before having to load (dip) it up again.
2. Pro brushes are designed to release paint quickly and smoothly, with less effort.
3. Pro brushes are offered in multiple designs and filament materials. This allows you to tailor the brush to your needs.
4. With proper care, pro brushes would likely last a homeowner a lifetime.

We could write several blogs on just which brush to use where. So in the interest of brevity let’s narrow it down to just a couple. Today, most painters and homeowners alike use predominately latex/acrylic paints. So, a synthetic bristle brush is in order.

Brushes do come in several levels of “stiffness”. As a general rule, if you are working in the heat a stiffer brush is better. The heat will slightly soften the bristles.

Brushes also come in different widths, angles and shapes. Again, in the interest of brevity, we recommend you use the widest brush you are comfortable with. This allows maximum paint pickup and release while dipping (loading) less.

If you are cutting in trim, you are going to want an angled brush. If you are doing siding or flat boards you probably want a straight brush.

If you want a recommendation. If I had to have just one brush, I’d go with Wooster Brush’s Alpha line. They have the stiffness, can be used in all paints and are available in most popular shapes and sizes. A 2 or 2.5 inch angled sash is good for most novices. Pro’s are going to have a selection. (One of my favorite’s is the semi oval)

Hope this information helps. If you are looking for local help, go to an actual paint store, the big box stores won’t have the selection or the personell to help you find the best match.

You can also visit Wooster’s site here. They have great customer service, and online dealer locator and more.

You can also view my earlier review of Wooster’s new Chinex FTP brush by clicking here.

Our monthly newsletter, Around The House News, features expert advice and tips from professional painting contractors. The newsletter contains several areas of interest including home care, painting and repair, and tips for around the house. Best of all it's free. Sign up for your copy here.