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.

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)