Do You Have Paint Questions?

Sunday, March 14, 2010

paint_325

I’m going to do a series next week all about paint, and I’d love your input. I’m planning to talking about how to choose a paint color you’ll love, painting tools and techniques, finishes, and brands. I’m doing this series for you, though, so I’d love to know what questions you have about paint, colors, etc. so I can try to address them.

So have at it – what would you like to know? What burning paint questions do you have?

Have a great Monday!

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50 Suburbanites Said:

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

The no fail way to pick the perfect color! Just kidding, as far as I know that would be a miracle...looking forward to reading this series. Janell

Melanie said...

I think you have me beat on being the painting queen. I painted my husband office last week and the laundry room. You paint as much as I do.

I will enjoy reading your series.

The Nothem Family said...

I am wondering about how to get paint ot stay. I am repainting a dresser, that mostly isnt real wood, and the last time i painted a dresser all the paint started coming off. what do you suggest? also, what would you use for cabinets? oh...also, how about glazes? to get like a bit of an antique look on white. Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

Curious about painting outdoors - specifically a deck. Techniques? Best products? Good colors?

Julie Johnson said...

I'd like to paint my stairs, just the rise and the molding along the side...and currently they are stained. What type of paint? What is the best process, and how long between coats? With 4 kids and 2 dogs, I may be painting at 1 a.m.! :)

Linda said...

Great idea to do a painting series! The background for my question is this: we will be painting our bedroom/master bath this summer (got a great new comforter etc from Ikea, the Alvine collection in reds, blues, whites etc. Our bedroom furniture is maple and cherry wood (won't be painting it); our bath floor is white with a little blue check, mid-tone wood cabinets with white counters. Number one question is: should we paint the bedroom and bathroom the same color? Number two question is this: since our new bedroom linens are such variable, cheerful colors would it be best to go white on the walls? Or would a creamy beige-y tan look ok? Sorry to ask such weird questions since I *do* realize you aren't here to see the situation first hand. Love your blog :). p.s. we use Devine paint (for the Pacific NW light)

The Davis' said...

I found two bedside lamps for my bedroom. They are green, not the color I want, but the shape is perfect. I figured I could just spray paint them a mustard yellow to match the rest of the decor, so I went a head and bought them only to find out that you can't find mustard yellow spray paint (or at least I can't)! Now I have green lamps and don't know how to paint them yellow. Do you know any other options rather than spray paint? Or do you know if there is anywhere that will customize spray paint?

Anonymous said...

When to prime a wall for paint, and when you don't have to. My Dad never primers, so I'm wondering if I'm doing a lot of work I don't need to!

Pine Tree Home said...

If you are changing the color of a painted piece of furniture, do you need to strip off the paint or lightly sand and repaint?

Kate Riley said...

Hello my dear, I'm so looking forward to your insight. Tell me, 'How does one choose the perfect sheen? When should a gal go eggshell ? When should she go gloss ? Do tell !"

AmyD said...

I didnt real everyones comments but I am soooo looking forward to this, I have to paint a whole house in less then a month or so. and it has to be done in just a weekends worth of time I think. We are currently building a home and we took a discount by painting it ourselves......but at least I get the colors I want too!
here are my questions:

1. how to pick out colors for rooms when they share walls with other rooms you would like a different color.
2. what is the fastest way to paint a room or rooms and is there a fast way?
3. difference in brands??? what to look for what to not care about.
4. black interior doors? good idea?
5. OMG how many whites can there be??? How to pick out the right one for trim? does it matter? if not why all the different colors?

I am sure I have tons more questions but those are on the top of my brain at the moment. Come on over to "Half Baked" and see the house I have to paint! I am overwhelmed at the moment!!! LOL

so looking forward to your post!~

Sylvia (at) Lily's Pad and Petals said...

- How to prepare a piece to paint ie. strippers etc.
- How to seal a piece after painting it.

Can't wait.

Anonymous said...

So how much time DO you have? lol... This is absolutely perfect timing! I will condense, please check my blog for better clarification on rugs, if you would like.
1. Two rooms to be painted, living and dining separated by a four foot opening, the trick, mixing blues from the rugs in each room.
2. L/R rug a brighter blue, but blends well with a smoke blue and the D/R rug a blue, leaning toward maybe the green side, but when blue is next to it, it goes that way.
3. Can I paint the L/R a light blue gray, using a darker blue smoke color drapes, and the D/R a bone color and use brown drapes and the rooms blend.
4. Or should I use the bone color in both rooms to tie them together w/o drawing attention to the different blues?
Actually, this is shorter than the first two times I wrote it, lol. Looking forward to this series, very, very much!

Lynne said...

Love Amy's questions! My question is about having colors mixed. I was waiting for my paint at lowes and a lady came to the counter and started asking the employee if she could mix such and such color at 30% What does that mean? Is it a way of changing the depth of the color? I always assumed that to get the next lightest or darkest shade (like to do a subtle tone on tone stripe, for example, or to get just a slight variation for a ceiling color) you'd just pick one shade up or down on the color chips but maybe I'm

Michele said...

YES! I started painting my bathroom cabinets last night (before i venture over to the kitchen...you know, in case of mistakes...like this one) and today, after the first coat of paint, i can take my fingernail and it'll scrap off. I sanded the cabinets, primed them with kilz oil based primer and then sanded that down...now what?!?!? How do i fix this?!?!? thanks!

Loui♥ said...

what do you suggest for walls which have WALLPAPER which has been painted over? you can readily see holes/indentations beneath the treatment where in a previous life, wallpaper was removed..and part of the sheetrock came off with the paper..
I plan to beadboard the lower half of the kitchen walls..but what about the living room walls?
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
Loui♥

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Perfect timing..I am in the process of painting my whole house and had planned on letting my followers watch as I proceed. I am going from lots of rich color..to more calming tones. I look forward to your posts. I noticed one of the questions here was about painting over slick surfaces. I used Gliddens Gripper primer with fabulous results to paint over some formica counter top. It is specially formulated for slick surfaces like formica, ceramic and glass. It worked great. I posted photos of my makeover on my blog a while back.

Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHY said...

I have questions about primer

Melissa said...

I too am wondering about painting my deck. When I bought my house it was already painted, so every two years I have to repaint it.

The main questions: What is the best deck paint? Should I prime first or seal it after? Best color? (My deck is currently brick red and I kind of like it.) Most efficient way to get it done. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Yay! My question is about laminate furniture. Is there anything I can do paint-wise to change the color?

***LIZ*** said...

I am always trying to refinish furniture. Can you show me how to best do a finish that doesn't end up sticky.

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt said...

Ohh!! I have a question (or 2):

1. How often should you repaint a room? (I have heard so many answers but I am curious only b/c I THINK it is time..same color..just needs to be refreshed).

2. Going with above...how about cabinets? I painted my kitchen cabinets what will be 5 years ago. Should I dive back in and redo them this summer? They are oil base but...just oh so curious. Maybe this time I can finish the baseboards...shh! Don't tattle on me.

Cheers~
e

Sonya said...

I have 2 questions (sorry in advance if they are long):
1- I'm looking for the perfect shade of pale grey that's not too cold/drab and that can look great with a variety of different accent colors, so I can change out fabrics and furniture with ease. Does this exist??
2- Would love to see some info on painting white trim- the best finish and colors/brands. Also- oil-based or latex? I was at my local Ben Moore store recently and they said that due to gov't regulations they are slowly phasing out oil-based paints. This may present a problem since most of my trim is already oil-based so doing touch-ups with latex will be tricky without having to re-do it ALL. Also, nervous about the finish of latex not being as smooth or durable. Any ideas/duggestions? Thanks!! Looking forward to your series!

Anonymous said...

I have 24 paint chips in my hand and 5 tiny shades of green painted on the wall. Could really use some help.

Unknown said...

My question would be: how can you tell what was painted before and what will be safe to paint over it with? I mean, we just bought our home in Nov and the kitchen walls have a very glossy paint which I'd like to repaint with either flat or satin..but who's to tell if the previous paint is enamel or acrylic? If you paint over enamel with acrylic, it'll peel (I know this, it happened in our old place and it was horrible!) Thanks. Love this subject AND your blog!

Unknown said...

I'd like to hear your recommendations on paintbrushes, rollers, paint brands, tape, and how to paint baseboards when they boarder carpet.
Also, how do you attack straight edges--freehand or with tape?
Thanks for this post!

Danielle @ Transforming Home said...

I would like to know about the difference between latex and oil-based paints - when do you which? I have heard of people painting their kitchen cabinets and some use regular latex paint and others swear by oil based paints. Just wondering what the difference is...

Thanks!
Danielle

Mikael@starter home to dream home said...

Oil based paints Vs Enamel. The REAL facts.
Also, I am going to be painting my kitchen cabinets this weekend, any advice there?
Thanks!!!

Jenn @ West Sac Honey said...

How about a paint that you can wash dog drool off of once it dries? My current flat that came with the house has been coming off when I have to scrub the walls. Paint samples are they that great of an idea or what? I have never bought samples I just choose it from the card and hope for the best.

Annie Wilcox Designs said...

Glad to know there are other paint people out there. I have been a paint color consultant for three years and my business is finally taking off. I get these kinds of questions all the time and it can be very overwhelming to the client. Thanks for tackling some of these issues.

Annelise

Unknown said...

Have you painted furniture that isn't solid wood? Just wood veneers? I'm assuming the same process (primer and paint) would be what to do. But do you use Varathene? Thanks! Can't wait to read all your tips!!!

Anna said...

what's the best way to get a color matched for an existing paint color? Our bedroom is a sage green color (was this color when we moved in) - it needs some touch ups and I'm having a hard time finding a match (the previous owners left some paint cans but not this one!)

Angie said...

AnNicole,

Only One Question: How do I freeze time for everyone but me so that I can actually get some painting done?

That's about it. The rest I can figure out myself!

;-)

Angie

Rebecca said...

Oh my gosh I so need this right now! I'm looking for the right color to paint next to knotty pine. Painting over the pine isn't an option, but it is a hard choice. Look forward to hearing all of your ideas about paint!

Daphadills said...

Your timing couldnt be more perfect. I am in dire need of help, i am thinking i need a shrink at this rate!
What neutrals dont have yellow in them? Esp in taupe based tones.

Kacey @ www.shesnomartha.com said...

What is the BEST CREAMY WHITE?

Not white-white, stark white, true white, not cream, not off-white, not linen, not light beige, but creamy white?

See my prob?

Kacey @ Shes.No.Martha

jvw home said...

best sealer to use?( once you've painted a piece of furniture):
MinWax?? and do you recommend the satin finish MinWax?

kathryn witte said...

Long ago, visible hot and cold water pipes leading to the second floor were painted in my 115 year old house, probably many times. The cold water pipes' paint has held up, but the pipes that carry the hot water have flaked-- badly. I am sure of lead paint presence, but am not more afraid of removing the existing paint than of letting it flake to the ground around me.

My uestion is: what paint can I use that will withstand the expansion and contraction of these pipes (won't crack and hence peel) and should I just take my heat gun to them? Doing anything without removing the seriously damaged paint first would be a fool's errand.

My degree is in Design, but since you asked, I thought I'd put MY question of the week into the pot. I have just put another call in to the plumber for his advice.

postscript- Calling hazmat is out of the question. If it is to be done, I MUST do it myself.

KitKat said...

I would like to know more about choosing colors from room to room. If it's an open floor plan, obviously the colors will need to flow. Do you have to do the whole house in the same scheme? Do you have to choose them all at the same time? I want a different feel in different rooms, but I still want the colors to flow into each other in a comfortable and easy way. I would love to hear your thoughts on that!

Annie Louise said...

Great!! I hope this is not a stupid question, but I am dying to know how to get that great white shabby look on furniture. I have tried but never even seem to come close to getting the aged/worn look quite right. Thanks so much, I am so looking forward to your posts.
Jeanette

Lynne said...

Another question- the best way to clean brushes/equipment? No matter what I do or how promptly I wash them, my brushes are never quite right after use - they have some residue and stay crunchy. Makes it hard to justify $14 for a Purdy or similar when o end ip having to toss after one use!

Kathleen said...

Lots of great questions. Here's mine. What colors work with stained wood trim?
I'm getting ready to repaint our dining room - I painted it RED 5 years ago when we moved in and I'm done with Red now - I need a more calm color. I would love a gray color BUT we have stained red oak trim. It is original to our home (circa 1918)so a good many colors just don't look right against it. I am having an awful time trying to find a gray-ish color that works. They all end up looking like a chalky white color. *blek* Help?!?!?!? Thanks! LOVE your blog!

amylouwhosews said...

i'm sure someone already put this - but I'd like to know which finishes are good for what. Like painting furniture for instance. Semi-gloss, eggshell, etc?

prashant said...

They are green, not the color I want, but the shape is perfect.
data entry india

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I am wanting the perfect white. I am getting ready to paint kitchen cabinets, trim(have all stained trim now) Not sure if white-white is the best choice, but I don't want anything that will look yellow. How do I know? What is the best color for a cottage look kitchen that would be neutral? I have had red for years, and a little tired of it. Picking paint is a hard thing for me. Jackie

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Another question. What is the best method for painting kitchen cabinets? Jackie

TiffS said...

I need to fix a spot in my dining room ceiling where the bathtub above leaked. What kind of paint do I use for that? Is there 'ceiling' paint or a certain color to get? Thanks for your help!

Unknown said...

How do you choose a paint color to compliment an existing color in another room? My rooms flow into eachother and I want them to make sense together. My living room dining room is "fernwood green" by Benjamin Moore and now I need to choose colors for my entryway and kitchen/family room which all flow from the liv/dining room. I'm at a loss...

Talysa said...

I have a Colonial floorplan that is basically a circular pattern aroung the staircase in the foyer and the half bath that is underneath it. I can see my kitchen, sitting room, living room..all from the foyer at the front door. Repainting all these rooms and the cabinets in kitchen from oak to white. How on Earth I pick colors to flow from one room to another is about to kill me!!! I may just start gouging my eyeballs out! :-)

Also, what if you do not already have a fabric to start with for inspiration in a room? I have no curtains in my kitchen...and I have no furniture for my sitting room yet...or rugs. So I'm pretty sure I'm trying to accomplish this backwards but hey, it's where I am. :-)

Any advice much appreciated. :-)

evelania said...

I have a question, if I'm not too late. How would I go about painting a non-wooden door? Maybe they are called weatherproof doors, it would be an exterior front door. Thanks!