Some people find painting relaxing and rewarding with a refreshing outcome, while others find the task daunting and don’t really know where to start. Knowing some basics and a couple tidbits of advice can go a long way toward a successful end product. Primer must come first over unfinished surfaces. It’s designed to seal the surface so paint isn’t absorbed into drywall paper or plaster patches. I skipped priming over spackle holes on a section of wall that had more than a handful of holes from dartboard mishaps, and it was an absolute waste of time. I went over the area three times with wall paint and finally caved and primed the area before the finish looked right and the color held true. “The paint market has changed a lot. In doing so, some manufacturers are marketing paint that can be primer and paint in one,” says Joel Buch, president of Joel’s Painting, 2001 Columbia Ave. “It’s like colored glue. Definitely prime over surfaces like bare drywall and patches.” When filling holes and other imperfections, patience is a virtue. Don’t rush the drying process. Let filler fully cure and sand it to a smooth finish. The same goes for caulk, according to Buch. “Caulking takes patience and practice. Having a wet finger and something to wipe the excess on your finger is key. The moisture … keeps the caulk lubricated and smoothes it out.” Let’s roll in one more tip that seems like common sense. Clean and de-gloss the surface. Paint can’t stick to shiny or dirty surfaces. Use a fine-grit sandpaper, but if abrasion isn’t needed to smooth a surface, TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) is cheap and works wonders as a cleaner. According to our friends at wikipedia, “TSP breaks the gloss of oil-based paints and opens the pores of latex-based paint, providing a surface better suited for the adhesion of the subsequent layer.” Gotta love it. Buch notes that there are other products sold as de-glossers that work as well. Sheens are a big deal. According to Buch, flat paints are for ceilings or primer, except in bathrooms, where mildew is an issue. Paints listed as “eggshell” are tricky, because even though there is a slight sheen, Buch says they’re “plasticy” and can’t be cleaned up. Buch prefers a matte finish. It’s somewhere between flat and eggshell, but it can be scrubbed. “The molecules are tighter, so dirt can’t permeate the surface,” he says. Satin and semigloss, Buch says, are for kitchens and baths, including ceilings, and trim. To get clean lines around trim and along ceilings and adjacent walls of another color, it’s well worth the time to tape off the area to protect it from fresh paint. Painter’s tapes are rated for their release quality, which tells you how long you can wait to remove it without damaging the surface. Some are three-day release, while others are 14- to 60-day release, ideal for extensive projects or slow DIY painters. Common sense goes a long way. Cover baseboards and floors with newspaper or a brown rolled paper to catch spills and avoid additional cleanup. (Plastic drop cloths don’t work because they don’t absorb, and paint can be tracked elsewhere. Remove or cover furniture, take off cover plates and put a piece of painter’s tape over the actual switch or receptacle. Color samples at stores can be daunting. It’s not a cop-out to use the already-suggested combinations of colors that most paint manufacturers provide. However you pick your colors, it’s never a bad idea to purchase a sample and paint it on the intended surface. That lets you see it in the light of your home during various times of the day. Remember that it’s just paint. Express yourself, and after a couple years, you can re-express yourself with another color. Humidity and moisture, in general, make for slow-drying paint, especially when painting exterior areas. Sun can dry paint too quickly and not allow it to adhere properly, creating a peeling issue sooner rather than later. Paint in the shade. Keep the roller wet with paint. And don’t go back over areas that have already started to dry, or you may pull at paint that has started to adhere to the wall. Buch swears by thinning paint to help it flow better. “If you can put a stick in the can and it stands up, the paint is too thick,” he says. “I pour off half a gallon and, for a latex paint, slowly pour some water in. If it creates a hole in the surface of the paint, it was too thick. Usually 6 to 8 ounces of water works in the half-gallon,” he says. Paint thinner does the same for oil-based paints. The roller’s nap will determine the texture that is left on the wall. A 3/8-inch will result in a smooth, light-texture finish. For a thicker texture, use a 1/2-inch-nap roller.  Two professional words of advice from Buch: “The project will take longer than you anticipate, and stay away from gimmicks:” With a plethora of information on the Web, Buch suggests checking out his and other websites for general information about paint and painting, including educational guides to the chemical compounds of painting materials, and how they work and why.

Phase One: Inspection A painter contractor from Joel’s Painting will determine the type and condition of the exterior or interior surface you want to paint. Is the surface wood, hardboard siding, drywall, vinyl or aluminum siding, steel, masonry or concrete block? What are the conditions of the walls, trim, windows, doors and ceilings? Do holes and gouges need repairing? Is the surface peeling or chalking, rusty or mildewed, rotten, dirty, dusty or stained? After we determine the surface’s type and condition, it is time for expert preparation. Phase Two: Preparation Surface preparation is the most important part of any paint project. It’s also the single greatest cause of paint failures. Whether interior or exterior, all surfaces need to be cleaned and in good repair so the paint will adhere properly and last longer. For proper surface preparation, Joel’s Painting follows these steps. Wash off the dirt, grease, soap and oil buildup with the appropriate cleaner then rinse it thoroughly. Remove loose paint and powdery substances. Patch holes and cracks with spackling or patching compound. Allow the surface to dry then sand it smooth. Remove the sanding dust with a damp cloth. Lightly sand glossy or nonporous surfaces to a dull finish or use an abrasive cleanser. Remove sanding dust or cleanser residue. Prime all bare areas prior to applying the topcoat. Warning! Removing old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate lead dust or fumes. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. We control exposure to lead and other hazardous substances by using the proper protective equipment. That equipment includes properly fitted respirators (NIOSH approved). Our painting contractors also contain the dust and fumes correctly. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD or contact your local health authority. Before beginning your project, prepare the room. These preparations simplify the painting process and protect your home from inadvertent splatters or spills. Our employees work with you when following these steps. Remove draperies, pictures, mirrors, area rugs, hardware (if possible), and switch and receptacle cover plates. Move all furniture to the center of the room or out of the room, if possible. Cover all furniture with drop cloths. Tape off woodwork, and tape plastic drop cloths onto the floor. Wrap plastic around light fixtures, and use masking tape to cover any non-removable hardware. Open a window or door to ensure good ventilation. Phase Three: Paint Selection Choosing the right paint for the surface ensures a quality paint job that will last. Joel Buch Painting Contractor uses only the finest quality painting products for every project. Ceilings — Specially formulated flat ceiling paint hides irregularities and lap marks. It also rolls on with minimal spatter and won’t yellow over time. Woodwork – Before painting, prime bare wood. Easy-to-clean semi-gloss finishes are a wise choice for surfaces that may be exposed to frequent wear and tear. Surfaces that receive modest wear and tear perform well with flat or satin finishes. Walls – Easy to work with, latex paints easily apply over properly primed drywall, wood or masonry. Metal — Latex or oil/alkyd paint covers properly primed iron or steel. Apply latex directly onto aluminum and galvanized metal. Prime these metals before painting them with an oil/alkyd-based paint. Masonry/Stucco — For cement, concrete block and brick surfaces, acrylic latex wall paint designed for masonry surfaces is an excellent choice. Phase Four: Painting It may seem obvious, but it’s important to paint a room in the right order. Using good painting techniques is the key to achieving professional-looking results. Our employees undergo regular training and consistently bring expert techniques to every job. Using a Brush Hold a brush near the base of the handle. Dip half the bristles into the paint and tap on the lip of the can. Don’t wipe it on the side. Paint with enough pressure to bend the bristles slightly — don’t bear hard on the brush. Using a Roller Roll the roller slowly into the paint in the tray. Then, roll it back and forth until roller cover is evenly coated with paint. Roll onto the tray’s ridges to remove excess paint. For smooth surfaces: Cover about a two-foot-square using the N pattern. Cross roll to spread the paint. Finish, with light roller strokes in one direction, at a right angle to the cross roll. Phase Five: Cleaning Up Even with drop cloths and masking tape, accidents happen. Clean-up procedures depend largely on the paint used. Here are guidelines we use for cleaning up. Latex Paints Before they dry, clean any spills with a water-dampened paper towel. Clean brushes, rollers and other tools with soap and water. After cleaning, prevent rust by flushing the spraying equipment with mineral spirits. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations when using mineral spirits. Oil Alkyd Paints Clean any spills before they dry with a paper towel dampened with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Oil-based (alkyd) paint must be removed from tools with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Pour the cleaning material into a clean bucket and rinse brushes and rollers well. When done, allow the solids to settle out of the cleaner, then strain the liquid back into the original container for reuse. Phase Six: Protecting Your Paint Job Keeping up with maintenance is a key in extending the life of any paint project. Maintenance usually begins the first year after the paint project is completed. Surfaces expand and contract as temperatures change from season to season, causing minor defects such as cracks in caulking. Check for weathered areas, chalking, cracks, loose paint, nail stains, dirt, mildew and other imperfections. Joel’s Painting offers a generous two-year warranty on all projects. We stand behind our work as you enjoy your beautiful interior or exterior paint job. Joel Bush Painting Contractor follows these steps meticulously without cutting corners. From initial inspection to final clean up, we maintain professional standards and quality workmanship designed to last.

At Joel’s Painting, our painting contractors deliver what we promise: quality, value, and client satisfaction. When your residential or commercial space requires painting services, contact Joel Buch painting contractor. Discover the difference our painting company offers as we complete your project on time and within budget. We use the following process to ensure customer satisfaction. 1. Estimate: To estimate the amount of materials needed for a particular project, we need to know the square footage of the surfaces you wish to paint. Don’t worry about deducting for windows, doors or other features. We also need to know your painting material preferences before giving you free painting quotes. 2. Examination: Before we start the actual job, we walk through the area with you. We examine the areas you want to paint and inspect the surfaces and their condition. To make sure you get exactly what you want, where you want it, we take extensive notes of your instructions. 3. Preparation: A properly prepared surface is the key to good-looking, long-lasting results. Before painting, we make sure the surface is clean, smooth, dry and free from cracks and imperfections. If necessary, we clean the surfaces and let them dry. We then patch and caulk any holes or cracks. Next, we sand the area to make sure it’s smooth and then clean up the dust and apply primer. Priming a cleaned and properly prepared surface is important in ensuring the longevity of any paint project. 4. Painting: Using good painting techniques is key to achieving professional-looking results. Joel’s Painting’s experienced painters use only the best tools and methods to achieve the great results you expect from us. After applying the paint, we wait for the first coat to completely dry before applying a second coat. Once the last coat dries completely, we check the project area and complete any touch ups before we remove the protective tape and plastic. 5. Clean Up: We make sure that when we are done painting, you can move right into the rooms we’ve been working on. We take pride in being neat and clean, and we are fanatics about using drop cloths and masking tape. 6. Inspection: Once your home or office has been properly prepared, painted, and returned to its previous state, you will once again walk through with our crew foreman to make sure that the job is exactly complete the way you want it. 7. Payment: After the above steps are finished and you are completely satisfied with our work will Joel’s Painting ask you to pay for the project. We have found this helps make the experience far less stressful for our customers since you know you will get a quality paint job and a completely finished commercial or residential space.  Thanks in advance for giving us a chance to serve your residential and commercial painting needs!

Joel’s Painting remains committed to environmentally sustainable practices. When completing exterior or interior painting projects in residential or commercial spaces, we use products that cause minimal environmental damage and air quality reduction. Our painting technicians use low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints for indoor acrylic work. VOCs are petroleum based solvents and evaporate from the paint as it dries. A cause of paint odor, these compounds release fumes into the environment for up to five years after the paint is applied. In addition to polluting the air and emitting greenhouse gas, these fumes cause unpleasant indoor odors and reduce indoor air quality. Conventional acrylic paint brands include between 3-7% VOCs. Joel Buch Painting Contractor uses untinted low VOC acrylic products. They include less than 1% VOCs. Conventional oil-based enamel paints include 30-50% VOCs. Our untinted enamel equivalent products include only 8% VOCs. Rest assured that our low VOC products remain washable and resist stains, like their conventional counterparts. In a huge range of colors, they release virtually no paint fumes or odors that trigger respiratory discomfort. Additional the environmentally safe products we use include water-based interior enamel equivalents and plant or mineral-based paints. Check out these websites for more information about the green products we use in restoration, residential and commercial painting projects. Glidden – Lifemaster Sherwin Williams – Harmony Benjamin Moore – Natura What makes Joels Painting “green”? We are LEAD certified and a responsible contractor trained by the EPA in environmental low impact laws. We also help the environment by keeping what gets tossed in to the landfill at a bare minimum. We offer high quality low or zero VOC paint. Help you achieve the look you want while being environmentally sensitive and health conscious. When you want environmentally friendly paint products, count on Joel’s Painting. We are LEAD certified, and our team members undergo EPA training in environmental low impact laws. We also strive to limit landfill waste by decreasing the amount of paint we throw away. Contact Joel’s Painting for all your interior, exterior, commercial or residential painting needs. We’ll complete your project with environmental sensitivity as we reduce negative environmental impact and improve outdoor and indoor air quality.

Every year the The Mix at Arbor Place holds a banquet, to raise money for their Non-Profit organization. On the evening of April 22nd, they held a silent auction, with the items donated from the banquet. This year, The Arbor [Continue Reading] The post The Mix At Arbor Place: Silent Auction appeared first on Joel's Painting.

Several of Joel’s Painting employees, along side of Franklin and Marshall students,volunteered at Milagro House, to paint a few rooms. The Milagro House is a program that makes a difference in our community as well as in the lives of [Continue Reading] The post Joel’s Painting Volunteers at The Milagro House appeared first on Joel's Painting.

Joel’s Painting proudly donated a ray of support of $500.00 to the Sunshine Kids. The Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to children who are fighting cancer. Joel and and a few other contributors, took part in Berkshire Hathaway’s 5th Annual Sunshine Kids Golf [Continue Reading] The post Sunshine Kids: Ray of Support appeared first on Joel's Painting.

Joel Buch, owner of Joel’s Painting and Job Foreman Mike Wilson had the privilege to speak to speak to around 50 kids in 4 different groups, We support the effort McCaskey is making to educate and provide career opportunities to [Continue Reading] The post Joel’s Painting Volunteering in McCaskey High School appeared first on Joel's Painting.

Joel Buch, owner of Joel’s Painting and Contracting has won the #1 Community Volunteer in Lancaster County. Among some of the organizations that Joel supports are, Schreiber Pediatrics, Lancaster Day Care Center, Teen Haven – City wide clean up, Breakout [Continue Reading] The post #1 Community Volunteer – Joel Buch appeared first on Joel's Painting.