Springtime is finely here, and with it brings the need for many of us to clean out the old. This often includes remodeling, whether it’s a full-on construction/rebuild or a small project like updating a favorite piece of furniture. By taking a chair or table, having it stripped and refinished, a room can take on a whole new, fresh look and feel. If a home project involves something on a larger scale such as kitchen cabinets or woodwork, these can be removed and taken to be stripped at the only... more

My house was painted two years ago, and I already have mold and mildew forming in a couple places? Why? The northwest has a wet and damp climate, the perfect formula for mold and mildew to grow. Most high-quality paints have Mildewcide (a mildew control for wood surfaces) added to them, but given time they will break down due to our wet weather. Shade is mold and mildew’s best friend. The side of the house that never sees sun is more prone to developing mold and mildew growth. If you have trees,... more

There is a broad spectrum of appropriate trim colors for historic homes, but white is one of the most common and difficult to select. Finding the right white to paint the interior trim of your home can be a daunting task. Instead of making the choice easy, there is a staggering palette of whites available that cause confusion and indecision and make it difficult to choose the right shade. After all, what is historic “white”? A bit of knowledge concerning the history of white paint and trends... more

I once saw in a catalog an air freshener with the “new-car smell.” I’ve never seen an air freshener with the “just-painted smell.” Decorators say that the easiest way to “freshen” a room is to paint it, but no one likes the smell of new paint. We even pay more for paints marketed as low odor. Before latex paint took over the paint market, the solvent in oil-based paint made the smell intense. While latex paints do not smell as strong as oil-based paint, they do contain a small amount... more

Interior decorating books recommend perfectly matching the colors of paint with existing decor. As the gallons of unused paint turned in for recycling reveals, matching colors is easier said then done. Paint manufacturers advertise that they can match any color (even that of a competitor) using a computer matching system. Using a spectrophotometer, a shoebox-sized instrument connected to a computer, the color emitted from a sample is measured electronically. Each wavelength of light reflected from... more

On July 1, 2010 it became more convenient to turn in leftover oil and latex house paint. A network of permanent collection sites was established by PaintCare, the non-profit formed by the American Coatings Association, an industry group representing paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, and technical professionals. The sites are open to both do-it-yourself and professional painters. There is no charge to turn in paint covered by the program. Architectural paint... more

Are you tired of repeatedly having to paint your home? If you want to break the re-painting cycle but don’t like the idea of vinyl or metal siding, then you owe it to yourself to take a close look at a protective ceramic coating that gives the look of a freshly painted home year after year. This specialized coating system is guaranteed for as long as you own your home, and has a 25-year transferable guarantee. You will never have to paint your home again. Going Green Rhino Shield Coating... more

The new EPA lead paint removal rules starting this April 22 will probably have a big impact on how contractors deal with lead-based paints. Contractors will be responsible for containing and cleaning lead dust during remodels and renovations. Certification for contractors will be required and done by the EPA. Although these rules do not apply to homeowners unless they use paid help for the removal, the health risk is there for them too. Homeowners should take the same precautions when disturbing... more