Americans love to paint. Each year they buy an average of 2.3 gallons of paint. A 2007 Environmental Protection Agency study estimates that about 10% of the house paint purchased annually ends up as leftover or unused. In Oregon and Washington State about 2.322 million gallons of paint is leftover annually. A study spearheaded by the nonprofit Product Stewardship Institute finds that people will hold their leftover paint for about seven years before they dispose of it through municipal household... more

A common reason for re-painting is the desire for a fresh, clean surface. But simple repainting will not remedy the most common cause of paint discoloration: mildew. Mildew is the common name used to describe mold and its discoloration, which often appears as black, green, or brown fuzzy, powdery, or slimy patches. Since mold is a parasitic fungus its web-like body can eat through and into porous painted surfaces.... more

Knowing when to paint is just as important as knowing what to paint. Painting under the best weather conditions, at optimum temperatures, and allowing adequate drying time ensures good surface adhesion. Low temperatures and rain Obviously, paint is not going to stick when it is raining. But, it is best to stop painting at least eight hours before anticipated showers. Some paint can labels go further, advising stopping 24... more

Color by the Size Color is the least expensive way to remodel a room to fit any lifestyle. Before beginning any interior painting project, size up the room — don’t just measure the area to be painted — but decide if the space should feel expansive or cozy. Color is a subtle, yet fundamental, design element. When used properly it changes the room from a space to an experience. Color and harmony... more

Furniture, molding, and door stripping have been very popular. Today there is a heightened appreciation for quality woodworking that is rarely practiced. Those owners with older historic homes that have a lot of exposed ornamental woodworking and molding want to preserve this historical beauty. When the layers of paint have accumulated to where you barely notice the fluting in a door molding, it’s time to have the wood... more

Both interior and exterior architectural coatings fall into two general categories: latex or water-based paint or oil-or alkyd-based paint. Contractors and do-it-yourselfer’s select latex for its good performance and ease of use. Latex moved from 30% to 35% of paint sales in the 1970’s to over 80% of architectural coatings sold today. While the pigments in latex and oil-based paints are often the same, different... more