Storing Used Paint

Before storing an opened can of paint clean as much of the paint out of the channel at the top of the paint can as possible. Then take a piece of plastic wrap and cover the top of the can. Replace the lid and make sure the lid is on tight. Use a rubber mallet or stand on the can. Write the name of the room where the color was applied on the bottom of the can before storing it for easy identification. Then store the can upside down in the storage area. A cool, dry place is preferable but this method will also help in a hot, humid garage. (Hello, Houston!)

When you contract with KC Contractors we provide you with personalized touch up paint containers after we finish your project.

Preparing for Painting

Don’t get in a hurry. Preparation is the most important step in ending with a successful painting project. Empty the room of as many of the furnishings as possible and put the remainder in the center of the room and cover. Clean any surface that is going to be painted. Remove all dust, markings particularly any wax or oil based marks. Fill any holes with spackling.

Remove all the electrical plate covers. These will clean easily with soap and water while you have them off. Even if you are not painting the baseboards these should be wiped clean. Mask the doors, windows baseboards and crown mouldings with painters blue tape.

If the flooring is not being changed use drop clothes around the room at least 24” from any wall surface being painted and all over the floor if the ceiling is being painted. You can move the cloth as you go but be sure to stay within the bounds of the cloth while painting. A tightly woven fabric drop cloth is better than plastic, which can stick to your feet and get messy. Just remember not to turn the drop cloth over as you paint, as this will cause the splatter to get on the floor.

Use quality brushes and rollers to get a smooth even application and a professional looking job. Or call KC Contractors who will do all of the above for you while you relax, chose your decorator colors and plan your next project.

Preserving Your Beautiful Wood Door

Many homes have an exposed wood front door, which is beautiful, but after a few years of being exposed to Houston’s hot humid weather it begins to show signs of wear that are hard to prevent. If the door is already showing these signs you will need to get it back in shape first. KC Contractors can do this for you and save your door before its too late. If your door is still looking good now is the time to act!

First make sure that the door is sealed at the bottom lip. In other words you may need to take the door off the hinges and actually look to see that the lower edge of the door is not open to moisture. If there is enough clearance under the door when it’s open a mirror may let you see enough. If it is you are a step ahead. If not you will need to get at least two coats of polyurethane on this bottom edge. Let the urethane dry between coats. Next, if there are areas that are showing a little wear, clean the entire door with a mild detergent and dry thoroughly. Lightly sand any rough areas. Wipe clean. Apply a coat of polyurethane (always brush in the same direction) and let dry. Apply another coat if needed.

Regular maintenance in Houston means drying your door regularly after rains and heavy dew days. The key is to not let the blazing sun catch your door with water on it. This is the number one cause of deteriorating exterior doors in Houston.

Making Color Selections

Color selection is one of the most difficult decisions to make when decorating a room or the entire house. It is subjective and many times everyone has to come into agreement. For real insight into the color selection process look at the digital color wheel at http://www.paintquality.com/color/index_cont.html for a real insight into the psychology of color and your decision making process will make sense.