FAQs

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Coating

Do you need to paint 3 coats after wall paper?
Yes, when removing wallpaper two things happen: first, there will be some wall repair necessary (skimming and sanding) and second, glue residue must be sponged off (not all of the glue will be removed). When these two steps are completed, a primer will be necessary, preferably an Alkyd-based product, followed by two fresh coats of paint. Sometime a single coat of finish paint will produce the desired result, depending on the sheen and color used.

What is the absolute minimum number of coats for painting an exterior surface?
The absolute minimum for painting an exterior is one coat. However there are many factors affecting this decision, such as how long ago the house was house painted, whether a color or sheen change is desired, or the type of paint used previously (acrylic, lead, a combination, etc.) When painting an exterior surface, maintenance, preservation and protection of the substrate and the appropriate build up for color and sheen are all necessary to ensure a good finish. On raw wood a good primer is highly recommended, followed by a finish coat. With some colors and sheens a second coat may be required to achieve the desired color and or sheen. Your local CertaPro consultant can answer any questions you may have about the number and type of coats needed.

Can we ever have one coat on an exterior?
Yes, we would recommend one coat if we are painting a surface that is in good condition (no peeling or chipping) with the same color (matching existing substrate color and sheen), using a premium product.

What do you recommend on exterior surfaces?
At a minimum a full coat of prime and a full coat of finish after surface prep (such as washing and spot prime where there are exposed areas prior to the full prime to assist in surface build up). Sometimes caulking can occur after a full prime has occurred.

Are all paints the same?
Absolutely not. There are many different types of coatings that work in different environments and on different substrates.

Do I need to paint two coats on my interior walls when I change colors?
Yes, two coats at a minimum. As the surface coating dries, the coating will shrink it if complete coverage was not achieved there will be bleed through or a holiday as we would say. Also, two coats will help prevent flashing, which is caused when an inconsistent surface sheen exists.

Do I need to paint two coats if I am only changing the sheen?
Yes. An inconsistent sheen will result in what is referred to as flashing.

What is “flashing”?
Flashing is when there are dull spots (when going up in sheen) or shiny spots (when going down in sheen) inconsistent with the rest of the coat.

Do I need more than two coats?
Sometimes, not all colors cover in two coats. Deep colors like Red or delicate colors like yellow will need more pigment and solids to achieve a consistent color. When there isn’t enough pigment or solids, bleed-through will occur.

What is “bleed-through”?
Bleed through occurs when there isn’t enough pigment in the color of solids in the paint to cover the existing color with the desired new color. If this happens, more coats are necessary to build up to the desired resulting color.

Does trim work (baseboards, window casings and door frames) always need to be painted?
No. Especially if the trim is in good condition and there is no old paint color on it. If there is it will become noticeable once the new wall color is cut in.

Do I need to paint two coats if I’m only changing white?
Yes. There are literally hundreds of variations of white. If you change to a different white there will be noticeable areas as you experience lighting changes in the room, especially on trim. Sometimes , with certain products you may get it close enough. Many customers don’t notice, but then again many do.

Do ceilings need to always be painted?
Only if you want to. I do recommend painting ceilings especially if there is quite a bit of current wall color on the ceiling and a color change is about to happen. In this situation you will notice the old color on the ceiling once the new color is cut in.

 

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Priming

Why do we prime surfaces?
The need for priming depends on the surface you will be painting. Primers are designed to prepare the surface to allow paint to adhere, and will be necessary when painting over previously wallpapered surfaces, over wallpaper, on raw drywall or recent drywall repair, previously stained surfaces, any surface that has never been previously painted, walls with crayon or any type of parfin, water stains, etc. Consult your local CertaPro consultant for more information.

One-coat systems – primer and paint in one?
We do not recommend one-coat systems. The marketing behind paint and primer in one leads you to believe that you can complete a project with one coat, which is sometimes possible when you are keeping the same color and sheen. However, most projects where there will be a color change or sheen change, two coats will be necessary. If you read the label of a primer and paint in one it does state that an additional coat may be necessary, and this is most often the case

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Water/pest resistance

Should clap board be caulked on every horizontal board (between boards)?
No. Clap board is designed to be lapped and to allow any water that may get behind a board from above to run out. Caulking every board will trap any water that may get behind boards and cause premature blistering when temperatures warm up and water starts to evaporate.

Does all caulking need to be completed prior to painting?
No, it really does depend on the situation and the existing condition of the surfaces being painted.

Is there paint that will stop carpenter bees or ants?
No, there is not a product that will stop carpenter bees or ants. There are some colors that I have heard to attract carpenter bees.

Is there paint that is mildew resistant paint?
Yes, there are paints that do have agents to prevent mildew and algae growth. Mildicides and algicides are typically added to achieve this.

Can you water proof a surface with paint?
Yes with the proper priming and special coating surfaces can be water proofed.

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Buying paint and materials

Does paint really differ from company to company?
Yes there difference and in essence you do get what you pay for.

Can different colors be matched by different companies?
Sometimes. There are colors that will be unique to that specific paint company. Especially in different lighting conditions.
Beware: when working with a design concept (usually an interior decorator) color matches usually will not work right as lighting conditions change.

Which is the best company to buy paint?
Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Porter Paint (PPG) are all very reputable companies with very comparable products. Many of the factors that will affect the quality of the product is the environment and the substrate.

Which is the best paint?
That will depend on the environment, substrate that is being painted, and the expectation trying to be met.

Can I supply my own paint?
Yes. Supplying your own paint will void our warranty, simply because we do not know the source, age, how its been stored, treated or opened. All of these factors can and will affect the product ultimately affecting its application, curing, and long term performance. We do not store paint. We purchase paint as we need it, assuring product quality while also providing a controlled lot number for tracking purposes.

Do you supply materials?
Our price includes all materials necessary to complete the project.

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Hiring us

Will I need to give you a deposit?
Yes, we do ask for a $100 deposit.

Will I be charged more money at the end, outside of what my proposal specified?
No. Costs will only be added if the scope of the project is changed (I.E. adding a room).

How long does the average job take?
Length of the project will depend on size, length of work day and size of crew. There really isn’t an average size job.

What if I have pets?
We do work with your pets. Many folks have kept their pets in other rooms, different floor, kept them outside, kenneled, at the Vets, with neighbors, family, or friends.

Will you follow up with me when the painting is complete?
Yes, sometimes our paint supervisor will do a final walk through with our customers to assure everything has been addressed. Sometimes our customer will notice something was missed, even after a final walk through; we do and have sent someone back for touch ups.

Do you provide a warranty?
We provide a two year warranty on our work, against peeling or chipping.

Are you insured?
We are insured and bonded. We are responsible if anything happens while our painters are on your property short of an act of God.

Are you certified to handle lead paint?
We are certified renovators. We are certified for preparing surfaces that contain lead in preparation of receiving a fresh coat of paint. This is different from lead remediation, which is the removal of lead from substrates.

What is the difference between a proposal and an estimate?
A proposal is a fixed price cost for your project (short of project scope change or creep). Estimates are not firm and may vary based on customers expectations and painters understanding of those expectations.

How long have you been in business?
CertaPro has been in Louisville since 1992. I have personally owned the company since 2010, involved with company since 2009 and painted for my dad (who was a professional painter) since 1979.

How many people are on your crew? What is their hiring process?
Crew size varies depending on project needs. We interview our painters, check references, body of work, and test their skill sets with smaller projects and slowly move them through a progression projects with continued increased level skills requirements.