Our Answers to All Your Painting Questions

Drywall repair becomes necessary when there are visible cracks, holes, or water damage on your interior walls or ceilings. Addressing these issues promptly is essential for maintaining a polished and structurally sound environment.
Important considerations for drywall repair:
Aesthetic Improvement: Repairing drywall enhances the overall appearance of your interior spaces.
Structural Integrity: It ensures the integrity of your walls and ceilings, preventing further damage. Professional Service: Skilled drywall repair experts can provide seamless and long-lasting repairs.

Wood repair involves fixing damaged or deteriorating wooden surfaces, such as decks, fences, or siding. It is essential to prolong the lifespan of wood and maintain the structural integrity of your property.
Key reasons for wood repair:
Preventing Further Damage: Repairing wood prevents issues from worsening, which can be costly to address later.
Aesthetic Enhancement: It restores the natural beauty of wood, making your property look well-maintained.

Preserving Value: Regular wood repair helps maintain the value of your property by addressing structural concerns.
In summary, house painting, whether residential or commercial, involves a meticulous process and the selection of the right painter is paramount. J Brown Painting in San Diego is a trusted choice for your painting needs, offering a wide range of services, including interior, exterior, and cabinet painting. Additionally, understanding the importance of stucco, drywall, and wood repairs is essential for maintaining the beauty and integrity of your property.

The best thing you can do to prepare walls for painting is to take any items that are on the walls, like pictures and art work, off of the walls, and to move any furniture to the center of the room to be covered with drop cloths.

The best paint color for a living room depends on what mood you’re trying to evoke. Light colors tend to make living rooms look bigger and brighter. Dark colors make the space look smaller and darker. We recommend calling your local Dunn Edwards or Sherwin Williams paint store and asking for a free color consultation.

The first step to painting a room like a professional is to mask the floor from paint splatter or paint overspray using rosin paper. Next, you will want to mask the baseboards using painter’s tape and painter’s paper so that paint splatter from the wall color doesn’t get on the baseboards. You also want to remove all outlet covers so you don’t see brush strokes around them. If there are any holes in the wall, you will want to fill those using lightweight spackle. Next, you want to “cut in” the room with a brush anywhere that a roller won’t allow you to get close enough, such as where the top of the wall meets the ceiling, around any trim, etc. Lastly, you will apply two coats of paint using a roller.

Choosing the right paint finish depends on the look you are trying to achieve. A flat finish, or sheen as it is called, has no shine to it. With a flat finish, sometimes smudges are hard to wipe off. However, touching up with a flat finish is extremely easy for even the complete novice. You will not be able to see where you touched up. With anything with a sheen, such as eggshell, satin, or semi gloss, smudges are easier to wipe off with a wet rag, however, if they don’t come off with a wet rag, now you have to touch it up with paint. The problem is, with anything with a sheen, you typically have to paint from corner to corner, or else you can see where you touched up. That is the trade off. All that said, most people do eggshell or satin for their walls, as it’s not too shiny, but still wipe-able. Trim and doors are almost always painted in semi gloss, because semi gloss dries harder and as such can better withstand the wear and tear from vacuum cleaners, hand traffic, dogs, kids, etc. Semi gloss is almost always used in bathrooms as well because it contains a vapor barrier that makes it more mold resistant.

When it comes to our exterior painting services, we start by pressure washing all the dirt, dust, cobwebs, bird droppings, mold, mildew, and algae off of the house. Paint won’t stick to that! Next, we scrape any chipping, cracking, or peeling paint. Anything you can get your fingernail under, we scrape that off using a 5-in-1 scraping tool. We then power sand any remaining ridges to ensure a smooth finish. Anywhere there is bare wood or we’ve heavily sanded, we will prime. We then caulk any large cracks and fill any holes with Bondo, unless we’re replacing the wood entirely. Finally, we apply one to two coats of 100% acrylic exterior paint from either Dunn Edwards or Sherwin Williams.

If you are going to paint a front door yourself, we recommend you mask the hardware very tightly. Use either an X-ACTO knife to cut away any excess tape, or a putty knife to tuck in any excess tape. If you feel comfortable removing and reinstalling the door hardware, this is an even better option. Next, we recommend you give your door a light sanding using something like 100 grit, to ensure the paint adheres as tightly as possible. Next, we recommend using the finest roller nap you can get your hands on, such as ¼”, so that it is as close to a spray-like finish as possible, without having to rent an airless sprayer just for a door.

If you are going to paint your trim and baseboards, we recommend you protect anything you don’t want to get paint splatter on. If you don’t feel confident that you can paint your door jambs without getting that color on the walls, you can use painter’s tape and painter’s paper to protect the walls. For baseboards, we recommend using rosin paper to protect the floors, and painter’s tape and painter’s paper to protect the walls. Use a brush and ⅜ ‘ nap roller to paint your trim. A sprayer is not usually suitable for painting trim.

If you want to paint a ceiling without streaks, you have two options: spray the ceiling, or roll it. If the room is vacant of furniture and you know how to spray, we recommend spraying to eliminate streaks. However, if you are not comfortable with a paint sprayer, you can roll the ceiling with a dead flat paint. It is important to use a dead flat paint, because the more sheen your paint has, the more visible the streaks will be. Also, we recommend painting one coat in one direction, north to south, and once that coat dries, paint the final coat in the other direction, east to west.

To fix peeling or cracked paint, start by using a tool called a 5-in-1 scraper to scrape away all loose paint. After that, we recommend using an orbital sander with say, 80 or 100 grit sandpaper, to minimize all ridges left after scraping. Next, spot prime the areas that you heavily sanded, so that the paint properly adheres.

A gallon of standard exterior acrylic latex paint typically covers at least 300 square feet if you’re rolling, and 200 square feet if spraying. A gallon of paint will also paint about 30 windows, or 10 doors. On the interior, for 2 coats of paint, you should plan to use 2 gallons for the walls in each bedroom, 3 gallons for the walls in bigger rooms such as a living room or family room, 1 gallon for a closet or small bathroom, and 1 to 2 gallons for the ceilings in each room.

When using painter’s tape, we recommend pressing down one half of the tape to the surface you are protecting, and leave the other half up, so that you can easily bring the masking paper to the portion of tape that isn’t sealed down yet. This makes masking much easier.

Use semi gloss paint in a bathroom or kitchen because it contains a vapor barrier, making it more resistant to mold. The first step to painting a bathroom or kitchen like a professional is to mask the floor from paint splatter or paint overspray using rosin paper. Next, you will want to mask the baseboards using painter’s tape and painter’s paper so that paint splatter from the wall color doesn’t get on the baseboards. You also want to remove all outlet covers so you don’t see brush strokes around them. If there are any holes in the wall, you will want to fill those using a lightweight spackle. Next, you want to “cut in” the room with a brush anywhere that a roller won’t allow you to get close enough, such as where the top of the wall meets the ceiling, around any trim, cabinets, etc. Lastly, you will apply two coats of paint using a roller.

To paint over wallpaper, use shellac primer prior to your two coats of paint. Shellac is an alcohol-based primer that is excellent at stain blocking and blocking anything underneath it. It also dries in about 15 minutes and then you are ready to apply paint.

To determine how long the paint you are using takes to dry, look on the back of the paint can you are using under “dry time”. Generally speaking, latex paint takes 1 hour to dry to the touch, and can be safely re-coated in 3 to 4 hours. For oil-based paint, generally speaking, it will be dry to the touch in 8 hours, but can’t be re-coated for 24 hours. Ample sunlight expedites the drying process, particularly for latex paints.

The first step to painting your interior like a professional is to mask the floor from paint splatter or paint overspray using rosin paper. Next, you will want to mask the baseboards using painter’s tape and painter’s paper so that paint splatter from the wall color doesn’t get on the baseboards. You also want to remove all outlet covers so you don’t see brush strokes around them. If there are any holes in the wall, you will want to fill those using lightweight spackle. Next, you want to “cut in” the room with a brush anywhere that a roller won’t allow you to get close enough, such as where the top of the wall meets the ceiling, around any trim, etc. Lastly, you will apply two coats of paint using a roller.

The best way to determine the cost of painting the exterior of a house is to request a bid from three different licensed painting contractors in your area, and compare quotes.

The best way to determine the average cost of painting kitchen cabinets is to request a bid from three different licensed painting contractors in your area, and compare quotes.

The best way to determine the cost of hiring a professional for wallpaper removal is to request a bid from three different licensed painting or wallpaper contractors in your area, and compare quotes. Most painters know how to remove wallpaper, but most do not install it.

To remove paint from different surfaces, always start with water and a wet rag, your fingernail, and some elbow grease. If that does not work, you can add a little Dawn dish soap. If that doesn’t work, try Krud Kutter Latex Paint or Formula 409 All Purpose Cleaner. Lastly, if none of those work, try a little Acetone and a wire brush if on masonry.

For exterior projects, take the square footage of your house, divide that number by 200, and that is about the number of gallons needed to paint the body of your house with one coat of paint with a painter sprayer. Divide by 400 if using a paint roller. For windows, assume 1 gallon of paint will cover 1 coat for 30 windows. For doors, assume 1 gallon of paint will cover 10 doors. For trim like fascia and eaves, assume 5 gallons will do the trick for one coat. To estimate the number of gallons needed for 2 coats, multiply the number of gallons needed for one coat by 1.7.

Residential house painting refers to the process of painting the interior or exterior of a private home. It involves choosing the right paint, preparing the surfaces, and applying the paint to enhance the aesthetic appeal and protect the home from environmental factors.

Commercial painting is the practice of painting non-residential structures such as office buildings, retail stores, warehouses, and industrial facilities. It differs from residential painting in terms of scale, materials, and considerations.

Commercial painting involves larger surface areas and often requires specialized equipment.The choice of paint is influenced by factors like durability, maintenance, and compliance with regulations.Commercial painters are experienced in working with diverse materials and managing tight schedules.

Selecting the right painter is crucial for a successful painting project. Consider the following factors when making your choice:
Important considerations when choosing a painter:
Experience: Look for painters with a proven track record and experience in the type of painting you need.
Credentials: Ensure that the painter is licensed, insured, and adheres to safety standards. References: Request references or view past projects to assess the quality of their work.

J Brown Painting is a reputable painting company in San Diego known for its high-quality residential and commercial painting services. With years of experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction, they are a trusted choice for your painting needs.

Exterior painting involves several steps to ensure a long-lasting and visually appealing finish. Here's an overview of the typical process:
Key steps in exterior painting:
Surface Preparation: This includes cleaning, scraping, and repairing any damaged areas on the exterior surfaces.
Primer Application: A primer is applied to create a smooth and uniform surface for the paint to adhere to.
Paint Application: High-quality paint is applied using brushes, rollers, or sprayers in multiple coats.
Finishing Touches: Trim work and detailing are done to ensure a polished look and protect against weather elements.
Cleanup: A thorough cleanup is performed to leave your property looking pristine.

Interior painting focuses on enhancing the aesthetics of the inside of a building. The process includes:
Crucial aspects of interior painting:
Color Selection: Choosing the right paint color to match your interior decor and personal preferences.
Surface Preparation: Properly preparing walls, ceilings, and trim by cleaning, patching, and sanding.
Paint Application: Applying paint using suitable techniques for a flawless finish.
Cleanup: Ensuring a clean and tidy environment once the painting is complete.

Cabinet painting is the process of refinishing kitchen or bathroom cabinets with a fresh coat of paint. This can transform the look of your space without the expense of cabinet replacement.
Benefits of cabinet painting:
Cost-Effective: Cabinet painting is more budget-friendly than replacing cabinets entirely.
Aesthetic Upgrade: It allows you to change the color and style of your cabinets to match your home decor.
Sustainability: Refinishing cabinets reduces waste by repurposing existing ones.

Stucco repair involves fixing cracks, chips, or damage to the stucco exterior of a building. It is necessary when the stucco shows signs of wear and tear, which can lead to water infiltration and further damage.
Key points about stucco repair:
Early Detection: Timely inspection and repair of stucco issues can prevent more extensive damage.
Waterproofing: Stucco repair not only restores aesthetics but also ensures the building's waterproofing.
Professional Help: It's advisable to seek professional stucco repair services to address the problem effectively.