Painting Business - How To Get A Fast Start To Profits

Does it cost a lot of money to get a fast start in the painting business? In all truthfulness, it will cost you a fortune if you go about it the wrong way. Going into any new business without knowing what you are doing is scary. Believe me, I know from experience. I did it the hard way and it was a bit rough at times.
I did O.K. stating out. I actually started my painting business with just a handful of tools from my basement. I had a step ladder and I borrowed an extension ladder for a while when I needed it. I used the trunk of my car until I could afford to get a van. No one seemed to mind, so that was good.
One small glass shop owner owner told me, “Buy tools as you need them or as the jobs come in.” That was good advice. Each job you do might call for a special painting tool - so I would just buy them with my down payment as new work came in.
Where I really lacked was not knowing how to effectively estimate new paint jobs. This can cost you a bundle if you consider the amount of money you could have made vs all the lost labor spent from under-bidding. There is nothing worse than seeing new painters giving away their work and eating up hours of low pay or no pay. It happens all too often. Especially with exterior work.
Plus, there is nothing worse than making good money and then suddenly having business dry up on you. Especially around the Holidays. Having consistent work lined up keeps you profitable. It also adds to your estimating confidence. So knowing how to advertise your new business effectively is also as important.
So if you really want to know the least expensive route to go for starting a new painting business or any service-type business, it is to get educated in the art of effective advertising and estimating. This way you can make a nice income right from the start and keep your business running smoothly and on a consistent basis.
Ideally this is the first painting tool you need to purchase. Business start-up information from a good source. The right tools speed up any job. As a matter of fact, I have never invested in a single painting tool yet that didn’t make me more money. So don’t be afraid of spending a little money on your painting business. Most of the tools are not that expensive anyway. Your work vehicle will cost you the most.
Just as having the right painting tools will help you turn your jobs faster, having the right business knowledge will help you make better and bigger money faster. And you will be making it on a more consistent basis. Not just busy this week and slow the next. Instead, we are talking about having jobs booked up for as much as 6 months in advance. And you can still take a day off here and there if you want to.
Getting a good manual written by a professional painter is the first tool I highly recommend that you should invest in. It only makes sense (and dollars). If it highlights on estimating and advertising secrets it is a tremendous shortcut to profits. This type of painting tool will definitely put your painting business on steroids.
It is a wise investment in your painting business that I promise you won’t regret. It will pay for itself over and over again. My first few years as a painter were rough but you don’t have to go through that same amateur learning process.
Give yourself a fast start to profits today. Your customers be impressed with your expert service. Your friends and family will be amazed at your success also. Especially your wife. And as the old saying goes, a happy wife is a happy life!
Lee Cusano has owned and operated his own successful painting business for over 16 years. He has also helped many others to start their own painting business with his "Paint Like a Pro Estimating and Advertising CD-ROM". Lee also offers a free report titled "How To Gain a High Success Rate For Getting Painting Jobs". To get it go to http://www.painting-business.com/
Article republished from Copy & Paste Articles

How To Get A Great Deal On House Painting

When you want to have a nice paint job applied to your home, but the quotes you are getting are out of your range and you simply can’t afford it, there are solutions out there that can help you complete the job accurately and affordably. The following are several tips that any homeowner or business owner can utilize to make sure the painting job is affordable and reliable.

It is always best to get the job done during off-season periods of time. Usually, the off-season for house painting begins around December and can last all the way through mid February. If you live in an area where weather is not an important factor that can affect painting outdoors, then this can certainly help you save some money in the long run.

Also, customers usually at this time are preparing for Christmas and New Years celebrations. And after Christmas they are suffering from overspending and don’t have any money left for painting when they may have budgeted a new paint job for sometime in the spring. Therefore, this is exactly the time best for contacting a painter. The rates will be lower because of the off-season, and you will be able to get the job accomplished quickly and easily.

Additionally, the winter months are also a great time for house painting because in the wintertime, generally speaking, people don’t like to keep their windows open. In the interest in conserving heat and not letting cold, windy air into the house, you can avoid breathing in the fumes outside on the exterior of the house that are associated with paint by painting in the winter. This way, you can still stay in your home during the course of the house painting, and avoid dealing with any of the fumes.

If you have the funds available, but still want to take advantage of off-season prices, calling a house painting expert during these months is your best bet. To get a feel for the deal and everything the project will entail, be sure to ask the right questions. Gather information about availability, work hours, and all of the costs associated with the project so that you are not surprised later on. Also, if you manage to strike a good deal, be sure to confirm everything before any work is started on your house.

To learn more about house painting and to contact a professional painter in the Toronto area, visit http://www.hollywoodpainting.com.


About the Author:

At Hollywood Painting we are skilled Toronto house painting professionals who rely on our satisfied customers to recommend and refer us. Our house painting business relies on you, so you can depend on us. For more information on house painting please visit our site.

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Article Source: www.iSnare.com
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Faux Painting Tips And Ideas

Faux painting tips

Faux painting is a very convenient form of painting the interiors of the house which not only is do it yourselfer type of work but also adds an exceptional look to the entire room. It’s a great way of creating a soothing and pleasant atmosphere around the room. Faux painting can be done with many techniques such as sponging, rag rolling, dragging etc depending upon the type of the surface. Each technique has its own individual specialty and needs that extra tools and materials. Faux painting can be easily learned over the internet from the all the online faux painting schools and one can also have a professional degree by doing a course on faux painting. These schools help the student learn faux painting in the easiest possible way so as to help them do all the future painting in and around the home by themselves.

General materials and tools needed

In order to have a basic project of faux painting one need the normal tools which are required for almost all the techniques. The following is the list of all the materials needed for undergoing a basic faux painting project:

* Paint tray
* Lint free rags
* Rubber gloves
* Painters tape
* Zinsser products such as Blend and glaze etc.

General tips on faux painting

The following is a in general list of tips which would be very helpful in performing a faux painting project in a most simple but sweet way:

* The surface should and must be prepared very properly before starting to decorate it.

* The experimentation should be done first on a sample board rather then directly approaching the wall.

* The work should be divided into small sections. One wall or section should be completed stopping at the corner or the natural break.

* The work should be done very quickly well in time before the glaxe becoming tacky may be around 10 to 15 min. In case of performing negative applications a thick wet edge of unworked glaze should be left at the end of each section to help allow the blending of the next one.

* The use of protective gloves is often recommended while glazing for easy clean up.

* The use of lint free rags such as funnels, diapers, cheesecloth or sheets would be advisable.

In this way following the above tips very sincerely one can get outstanding results from a simple faux painting project.

Faux painting ideas

Faux is a French word for the word ‘false’ or ‘fake’. So we can say that this painting is all about false illusion. It creates an illusion of depth and complexities to the painted walls, doors, and ceilings. Till now we have come across popular effects achieved by faux painting in a stone, parchment, and in an antiquarian. Faux finishing provides a variety of interesting techniques that gives depth and personality to walls and other objects. In other words, we can say that it provides life to the non living things also. Faux painting can be both simple and a complex one. It provides a purpose to everything whether it is wood, marble or leather. It is less expensive alternative for using natural materials. It is a unique style whether it is done by any individual or a professional. Through layering of paints and glazes done by hand it provides the surface appear to be something it is not. It is the easiest and creative outlet for people who are interested in arts and is a wonderful medium for experimentation.

Implementation

Though faux is applied to any kind of surface but it generally involves wall preparation and repair, one or two base layers of paint, one or more coatings of a complementary glaze and paint mix, and a topcoat that acts as sealer and protectant. But it is not so that it is only limited to walls, it is also useful for revitalizing furniture or cabinets and adds appeal to walkways or other concrete structures. Faux paintings are applied for bare walls. Before one get out the sponge the wall should be ready and clean so that one can give a background color to it. Light colors are always ideal as a background as they show through the overlying paint to some degree and help in creating a sense of depth or roughness. Experienced painters recommend the background to be painted with semi-gloss or satin paint as most of the faux paints dry slowly on slightly slick backing surface which tends to heighten the desired effect.

Suitability

Faux paining is also suitable for children. Even small children can do this faux painting. This can be done by anyone as it is very easy to do. It can be done by anyone like the housewives, children and the old people.


Submitted By: Jamie Mad

How To: Paint Wood Paneling

In my 10 plus years as a contractor I have received many a call to paint wood paneling. Mainly do-it-yourself folks are thrown off because of the challenge that presents itself when it comes to the stain bleeding through the paint and trying to achieve proper bonding. I would not say this is a project for a beginner; however,careful planning and knowing what to do will enable most folks to paint their wood paneling with professional results.

Paneling is a product of the sixties and seventies that was used instead of Sheetrock because of it's ease in installing and was much cheaper. Today it is dark, dull and outdated however like the past most folks would rather paint it than tear it out to be replaced by Sheetrock, which would be very expensive. Painted paneling can look very sharp, especially with other decor in the room.

Materials needed:

1/2" nap paint roller Paintbrush Goggles Stain Blocking primer B.I.N Painter's tape Quality latex paint Spackling Drop cloths Rags Paint tray Deglosser Painters Tape

De-glossing

Wood Paneling has a gloss over it's surface and in order to paint wood paneling so it bonds properly that surface needs to be de-glossed. You can of course use some sandpaper and lightly sand the surface; however, I have found this method to be a bit quicker and easier but still producing excellent bonding.Using a rag, degloss the paneling with the de-glossing chemical by working in small sections of the surface. Once a section has been completed then roll the primer over top of the area you just de-glossed. The reason for this is the de-glossed section will only be good for a short amount of time, so it is important get the primer on before the time expires. De-glossing will provide a good surface for the the primer to properly adhere to. Be sure to have the room properly vented, you may even want to invest in a respirator that has a chemical filter on it.

Priming

The best primer to use would be B.I.N. It has stain blocking propertie in it which will keep the satain from bleeding through the paint. Use the brush to cut in the edges and wherever the roller will not get to. Sometimes you will need to brush the crevices, especially where the molding and panel meet, you will need to push the primer into the gaps where the grooves are going along the molding. This can be tedious so patience is required here. The rest will just be rolled out as stated in step 1.

Surface Prep

Here it will be up to you just how far you want to go with surface prep. You can fill all the crevices and joints with spackle then smooth it out before painting. I would highly suggested this if you are going to be installing wallpaper the wood paneling but wallpaper is a topic for another article.

Painting the Wood Paneling

You may use any color to paint the wood paneling, as well as any brand or type such as eggshel or flat finish. I suggest Benjamin Moore because of it's vibrant colors and ease of use. Thier products do not spit paint as much when rolling and provide a smoth leveling that you just do not get with some other brands. If you are going with a darker color you can even have the B.I.N primer tinted.

Good Luck Folks!

By Jeremy Berger

Other Links

Painting Paneling

De glosser

B.I.N. Primer

Interior Painting: Garage Floors - 3

Go To Part 1 2 3

Part 3 – Application of Epoxy

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on painting your Garage Floor. We have discussed proper preparation and choosing an Epoxy Paint in the past series. It is at this point we are ready to begin the application process of the epoxy.


Picture by Warwick Patterson


Materials Needed:
Epoxy paint (specifically formulated for garage floors)
Paint rollers with water-resistant and solvent-resistant covers
Nylon Brushes
Respirator (with an organic vapor/acid gas filter)

You should have by now taken measurements of the surface, purchased the correct amount and color of epoxy, and have it ready to be mixed. Following the safety and mixing directions on the label, mix enough epoxy to cover the square footage of the garage floor surface. It is very important you allow the mixed product to sit for the specified time on the label before applying it!
While waiting for the mixture stand you can mask off any areas that you feel you need to, if this will take some time I suggest doing so before mixing the epoxy which may need to stand for a half hour. Once the mixture has stood for the correct time the floor is ready to get the first coat application. Begin by using the nylon brush to cut in all the floor edges. Now using your roller apply the rest of the batch to the garage floor before the specified expiration time that is on the label. Moving at a steady pace the two-car garage floor should be completed in less than an hour, working from the back to the front so as to not paint your self into a corner. Keep the garage door open for at least couple of hours after application at which time it may be closed. You may also tape off the bottom of the door to keep the fumes from entering the house. Allow the application to dry overnight.
At that time you can apply a second coat by repeating what was done for the first coat. You may also add some non-skid products at this time according to label directions. Epoxy floors can be slippery especially if they get wet so adding the non-skid product will make the floor safer and can add an appeasing look to your garage floor. You may drive on the floor after 10 days but full curing does not occur for about one month.

Tips:
· Coating the epoxy floor with a coat of wax can make it easier to clean.
· Keep a clean rag and some xylol epoxy thinner to clean up drips and spills

Interior Painting: Garage Floors - 2

Go To Part 1 2 3

Part 2 – Choose an Epoxy


This is part two of a three part series on painting garage floors. In the first part we discussed safety and preparation procedures. If your garage floor can pass the plastic square test you can move on to applying epoxy, if it did not, the garage floor is not suitable for epoxy. Choosing which one can prove to be a difficult and I will try to explain the differences between them so that you can make an educated choice.


Epoxy is a tough durable paint that resists grease oil and many other substances that would ruin ordinary paints. It can be found in a variety of colors as well as types and different manufacturers. Epoxy paints contain tough resins that come in two parts that you mix together, and can be broken down into 3 types: 100% solids, solvent based, and water based.

The 100% solid Paint Epoxy type is the almost pure epoxy and does not contain solvents that evaporate. These products are extremely expensive and difficult to apply on a garage floor because they harden very quickly. For this type it may best to leave this to the pros, unless you do your homework.

Solvent types are the next product type which contains 40 to 60 percent solids (epoxy) and are two part that need to be mixed before application. They penetrate the concrete well and have excellent bonding properties making them a top choice for Pros. Available in a wide array of colors and the top pick as recommended product for your project. Solvent-based epoxies may be difficult to find but visiting your local paint specialty store you should be able to locate a product (Sherwin Williams is highly recommended) Because of it’s volatile properties you need to use a respirator mask with an organic vapor/acid gas filter, available at local and giant hardware stores. Make sure the mask fits tightly to your face and that the garage is well ventilated. This is the product I recommend using for garage floors.

Water based epoxy paints are also two parts that need to be mixed before applying. And these also typically contain 40 to 60 percent solids. The upside to this type is there are no hazardous solvent fumes in this type of epoxy paint and are easily found at most local or giant hardware stores. The quality and performance is not as durable as the other types of epoxies, but a popular choice for the do-it-yourself folks. One such popular product is Rust -Oleum’s ,“EpoxyShield Garage Floor Coating”, which colors are limited.

Whether working with Epoxy Solvents or water base I recommend you apply two coats for a good build up that can withstand the wear and durability of the product. Make sure to read and follow the safety, application and clean up directions for any of the products you choose to use to achieve the best result.