It just so happened that I ran into one of my favorite people, Dennis Prager.  Of all the places to run into him, I never expected it to be in the men's restroom at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California.  I was on my way to a painting conference in Oakland, California and he was on his way to speak in Arizona to promote his new book, “Still the Best Hope, Why the World Needs American Values to Triumph."  We exchanged a few niceties and got caught up on family and some new changes at the radio station, AM 870 KRLA The Answer.  A.Allbright Painting has always been a proud sponsor of the Dennis Prager Show from the Happiness Hour to the Male/Female Hour.  It's especially rewarding to have someone you have looked up to for many years (all the way back to the Religion On The Line days) talk so highly about our little painting company.  He has taught me so much from listening to him on the radio, reading his other books, like “Think A Second Time” and getting to be with him at social events and even being invited into all three of his homes.  I'm grateful to call him a friend.  Thank you, Dennis, for all that you do.  I'm looking forward to reading your book, which I just downloaded from the iTunes Bookstore.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to advance my education in the painting and coatings industry, specifically in the staining of exterior wood surfaces, by completing my training with Benjamin Moore Paints and becoming one of their Certified Staining Contractors.  A couple years ago, Benjamin Moore introduced a new line of exterior stains called ArborCoat which is a Premium Waterborne Exterior Stain System.  It is an advanced technology that combines the penetrating attributes of a traditional oil base (alkyd) stain with the more durable and longer lasting surface coat of a water base (acrylic) stain.  To learn more about this great product, please click on the following link. 

After completing an online course that introduced me to their staining products, I attended their advance training session with Jorge Preciado, one of my Crew Leaders who does a lot of our custom stain work for both interior and exterior.  The session was taught by a very knowledgeable Benjamin Moore trainer with many, many years experience in painting and staining.  I knew the basics about staining, but I had no idea what I didn’t know about staining!  Here are a few highlights of what I learned and may help you with any of your exterior stained surfaces:

• The enemies of any wood surface are moisture & UV exposure from the sun.  The goal of any stain is to show the natural beauty of a wood while protecting it from moisture and sun exposure.
• How a deck, patio cover or wood siding is constructed or installed has a lot to do with how well a stain job will perform.  Poor design will not be overcome by a coating system, so when building a deck or patio cover, go with a contractor with plenty of experience and one who knows the best designs and construction to prevent future stain failure and eventually rotting.  For example, orienting a deck board crown side up and having at least a ¼” spacing between the deck boards will allow for proper drainage of moisture and prolong the life of your deck.
• Back staining, the process of staining or coating all sides of the wood BEFORE it is installed, is essential.  Completely sealing a piece of wood with at least one coat of primer or stain will keep moisture from entering the wood and causing premature failure.  If you install a piece of wood to another piece of wood and you didn’t stain all sides of both pieces first, then the areas where the two piece touch will never be sealed since the painter can get in between the two pieces of wood after they are installed.
• Wood decays in three ways:
  • Delamination – multiple cycles of expanding and contracting due to wet and dry conditions causes the wood fibers to eventually expand and stay expanded.  You see this typically on the ends of boards that swell up and then never shrink back down.  Keeping the wood sealed and protected will prevent this from happening.
  • UV Decay – UV rays break down Lingin, the natural “glue” in all wood that holds all the wood fibers together.  Unprotected wood will eventually break down and the grain will get rough and wood fibers will become loose.  A stain with good UV protection will slow this process down and annual or bi-annual maintenance coats are necessary.
  • Microbial Decay – Basically “rot”.  Three things are necessary in all organic material to begin the cycle of decay.  Heat, water and oxygen.  We can’t do too much about the heat since we can’t control the weather, but we can control the moisture intrusion with proper design and construction and we can seal out the oxygen with a quality stain that is maintained.  Rot is to wood like rust is to metal.  Keep the moisture and oxygen away from metal and it will dramatically slow down the rusting process.  The same goes for wood.
• Here in California, traditional or conventional oil based stains are all but gone and the ones left that do meet the VOC environmental requirements typically have had all the quality ingredients removed from them making them not as durable.  The answer to that is a waterborne stain like ArborCoat.  It is actually a hybrid of acrylic and alkyd technology that is very easy to use and cleans up with soap and water.  It has very good color retention thanks to Benjamin Moore’s new line of all water base tints call Gennex.
• 80% of stain failure is due to improper preparation.  Even brand new wood surfaces require some prep.  Things like mill glaze and surface contaminants will prevent a stain from bonding to the wood.  Mill glaze is a surface barrier that forms on wood during the milling process that interferes with the adhesion and penetration of stain.  It is actually created by the heat of the friction during milling caramelizing the natural sugars in the wood.  This can sometime be seen as a shiny film on the surface of the wood.  You can check for mill glaze by putting a drop of water on the wood.  If it beads up, there is mill glaze.  If it soaks in, then so will your stain.  Mill glaze has to be removed before staining or the stain will not penetrate properly.  It can be removed by sanding or applying a chemical agent that breaks it down.  These things take time and time is money.  Keep in mind, a lower priced estimate from an inexperienced or uneducated contractor will typically not allow for this to be done.
• Severely failing existing stains or clear coats, dirt, contaminants, mold, mildew, etc. all have to be removed prior to applying the new stain.  This can be done by sanding and scraping or by using chemical products.  Today, these products are biodegradable and safe for surrounding plant life.  “Remove”, “Restore”, “Brighten” and “Clean” are all products by Benjamin Moore that will help ensure that your previously stained surfaces will be ready to receive the new stain and make sure is lasts.  Again, doing this step takes time but it will pay off in the long run.
• And finally, annual to bi-annual maintenance is a must to make your initial investment last.  A quick clean and recoat every so often will keep your stained woods looking nice making them last for years and years.  Unfortunately, most homeowners skip this step and they let the stain degrade past a point where a maintenance coat will do the trick and then end up having to strip and re-stain all over again, which is much more costly.  A little money spent each year will be far most cost effective in the long run than a complete strip and stain every 3 to 5 years.  Plus, stained surfaces that are not maintained will rot or decay and then it will cost you more to have the wood replaced.  Setting up an annual maintenance plan with your painting contractor would be a great idea.  ArborCoat has a clear coat that goes over their stains that literally only has to be cleaned with their “Clean” solution product and rinsed with water before it can then be recoated with the clear coat.  No scraping, no sanding, just clean and recoat.  Very easy and cost effective to do each year.  A homeowner could even do it themselves if they wanted to.  The clear coat preserves the color and finish of the stain and acts as a “sacrificial” coating that is reapplied every year to year and a half.  It contains a small amount of wax that also helps with preventing moisture intrusion.

Next week, I will be putting the finishing touch on our certification by attending Benjamin Moore’s final class in the certification process that has to do with managing expectations of stains with customers and problem solving existing stain failures.  We will also be covering how to apply stains to the new synthetic wood products that last a long time and require very little maintenance, but don’t always look so nice.

Written by Jud Masters - A.Allbright's Rock Star Salesman

We just wanted to introduce a couple of outstanding, up-and-coming team members here at A.Allbright.  Carlos and Williams are just a part of a group of rising stars that exemplify what it means to be apart of LA's premier painting company.  A.Allbright Painting's core values have a high emphasis on training its employees to be one of the best in our trade.  We consistently train on how to be safe on the job site, how to provide outstanding customer service, and how to improve our craftsmanship skills through COP (Craftsmanship Operating Procedures) provided by our trade association, the PDCA.  This week, Jud and Jorge will be taking a couple of days off of their regular work to become certified wood stain technicians through Benjamin Moore Paints.  After they complete the course, they understand it will be their job to "reach down and pull one up" within our team.  Everyone in our organization understands what this means.  We talk about it all the time.  It's when you can mentor another team member to learn the A.Allbright way of doing it.  We continually instill in our employees that if you will teach another, you become even that much more valuable to the organization.

The most rewarding part of the training we do at A.Allbright is the feedback we get from our clients when we continue to service them beyond their expectations. 

Look for more upcoming A.Allbright rock stars, like Luis, Moises and John.  They too are rocking and rolling here at A.Allbright.

This past Thursday, my wife and I celebrated a great tradition with our good friends Darren and Danelle.  For the past 10 or 11 years, we have taken a day off work to  go support the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, raising over 18 million dollars for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and other non-profit organizations.  Then it's off to our favorite restaurant in Pasadena, Cafe Bizou.  It's funny, but we typically all order the same dish because it is THAT GOOD! Email me if you want to know which one it is.  

This year's 1927 Spanish sixteen-room villa, originally designed by architect John Winford Byers, (a self-taught practitioner of  Spanish Colonial Revival Style) was especially beautiful, mostly because the designers really kept the home close to its original state.  We commented on how well everything in the interior of the home worked together this year.  Typically, that's not the case.  Many designers all come together and take a room to infuse their style and influence on the home.   

A.Allbright Painting has participated in a few Pasadena Showcase homes with various designers over the years, like Piana Designs, Richard Herb Interiors, and Parker West Interiors.  A.Allbright Painting's first time participating in the showcase was with Piana Design, where we created a teenage retreat in the attic portion of the home.   Greg Parker of Parker West Interiors has been the biggest supporter of this orginization, always taking on the most challenging rooms, like the kitchens or living rooms.  This year was no exception with his beautiful interpretation of the kitchen and dining room, the crown jewel of the home.     

Our little tradition inside the larger tradition of the Pasadena Showcase House of Design has always been a lot of fun and has offered great inspiration - especially this year! 

Arriving at the SCV Food Pantry Saturday morning on April 25th, 2012 for this year’s 7th Annual Paint-It-Forward event, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride as I watched the team of A.Allbright employees begin this worthy project.  Over 18 employees showed up, with smiles on their faces, and ready to donate their time and talents to updating and enhancing the building at the SCV Food Pantry, an organization which is dedicated to making sure that no child in the Santa Clarita Valley goes to bed hungry.   Food Pantry volunteers were also on-site to support our efforts and offer assistance.  The day was spent prepping the exterior building by moving necessary items, masking doors and windows, spraying the building, painting the trim and metal roll-up doors, cleaning up, and overall enjoying each other’s company.  We even had Sherwin Williams’ Paint Company supply their highest quality paint (A-100 and Duration products).  To top it all off, the store manager Lance from Sherwin Williams brought a BBQ and cooked up a mean hot dog and hamburger extravaganza.  Working with people with this kind of dedication makes a project like this so rewarding.  After lunch, we were able to stand back and admire the updated new look of the SCV Food Pantry.  Belinda Crawford, the SCV Food Pantry’s Executive Director, was so thrilled that they were finally getting their building painted that she gave each of us a Food Pantry Cookbook of volunteers’ homemade recipes and Certificate of Dedication to A. Allbright Painting.  We’re already looking forward to next year’s event.  I guess that’s one reason why we call it “Paint It Forward.”

On one hand, it seems a waste to paint your home right before you move out of it. After all, why go to all that trouble and expense if you won’t get to enjoy the benefits? But on the other hand, will painting increase the value of your home so that you can sell it for more? The answer to that question is a clear and resounding YES!

Market studies consistently show that repainting your home produces a 140% return on investment. This means that spending $5,000 on a paint job is likely to increase the selling price of your house by $7,000, which is a profit of $2,000. Not only does it increase your sale price, but it also boosts your likelihood of selling at all. In our current housing market, selling is difficult because buyers are few. Making sure that your home is freshly painted will increase its attractiveness to realtors and buyers.

Some additional tips for consideration if you are planning to sell your home:

• Spend the money to do the job well. Since you stand to profit from the investment, pay what it takes to have the highest-quality materials, and hire a contractor who will leave your house in truly spectacular condition.

• Use neutral colors. Here in the Los Angeles area, many homeowners enjoy neutral tones such as browns, beiges, and varying light shades of green and gray. White is always a great choice for the trim. Even if the colors are not the favorite choices of the prospective buyer, he or she is likely to be impressed by the clean, stylish look, and is unlikely to be turned off.

As a professional painting company based in the Santa Clarita Valley, A. Allbright Painting is a great choice if you are thinking of selling your home. We have established a wide reputation for reliability, responsiveness and flawless results.

A few weeks ago, I was asked to be a mentor for a day.  I was honored.   A young high school student who is a friend of my son Jake asked if he could "Job Shadow" me for a day and learn what a day looks like in the life of a painting contractor.   I guess this is something our public schools offer to every student in their English class.  My two boys decided they wanted to tag along and learn as well. 

Our day started out with answering a few questions that the student was required to ask, then we headed off to give an estimate at our local Mall for a commercial management company CB Richard Ellis that we have a great relationship with.  Our good client was more than willing to oblige and participate.  In fact, he went the extra mile during our job walk and talked with the boys about how economics work.  He explained why it's important to keep the mall looking its best and what that does for potential leases and the lessor.  It was interesting to see how the light bulb went off for the boys as they clearly saw the mall as a business and the importance of keeping it looking its best and not just a hangout for teens. 

After walking the project and getting our information, we headed to the office for an operations meeting.  They got to sit in on one of our weekly meetings where we discuss current and upcoming projects, weekly and monthly goals and upcoming employee meetings and training.  Overall, it was a great experience, not just for them, but also for the A.Allbright management team to be a part of this community service.   Job shadowing fits perfectly into what A.Allbright painting’s core values are.  In fact, we started a similar program a few years ago called Paint It S.M.A.R.T.  When asked by the high school student if I would do it again, I gladly said, “YES.”  When asked if I would do it again, I gladly said, “YES.”

Any painting contractor will tell you that it is more cost effective to buy a high-quality brush than a budget brush, because it will last so much longer. The key to keeping your expensive brush in great shape is to clean it properly after each use, and to store it well. So what’s the right way to clean a paintbrush?

In order to maintain your paintbrush, we recommend the following tips:

• Before you put paint on the brush, get the bristles wet. Simply dip the brush in water for a few moments, remove it, and wipe off the extra moisture with a clean rag. Now, when you load paint in the brush, it will not absorb so far up towards the handle, making it easier to clean. Also, using this trick will use less paint and get more even results from your brushing.

• Do not leave your brush resting for more than a few minutes if it has paint on it. This will cause the paint to begin drying, causing little flecks and strands of dried paint that will mar your finish. If you need to pause for more than 5 minutes, wrap your brush in plastic to keep the air off it. If you will be more than an hour, clean the brush.

• When you are finished painting, use your fingers or a cloth to massage the excess paint out of the brush, working from the handle towards the tip. Don’t pull on the bristles.

• Now, rinse the brush in warm water. Rather than running lots of water from the tap, fill a small plastic container and rinse your brush in there. Wipe the brush on a cloth again.

• Use liquid soap or bar soap and gently clean the bristles. Lather the soap in, careful not to deform the bristles. Rinse the brush with clean water. Repeat this step until the rinsing water runs clear.

• If the brush has paint on some bristles and it won't seem to come clean, use a wire brush and comb it firmly in the direction of the bristles, rinsing frequently.

• Once the brush is clean, use your fingers to form the bristles back into their intended shape, and hang the brush to dry. If the brush came with a cardboard cover, place it back on. Alternatively, you can wrap the bristles gently in tissue or toilet paper, which will help the bristles re-form as it dries.

A. Allbright Painting serves the Los Angeles region as a residential house painter. Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer, check out our unique Painting Parties service—it’s a fun way to get the job done quickly and correctly!

*Note: if you are using oil-based paints, then use paint thinner instead of water where mentioned.

Here at A. Allbright, we are often hired for painting jobs in some of the most exclusive communities in the Los Angeles area. One such project recently took place in Beverly Park, a high-end home designed by Rob Wellington Quigley, a nationally renowned architect. With a resort feel all around, this modern masterpiece features exotic woods, fine architectural details and many windows and skylights for maximum natural light. Sitting on a beautiful three-acre lot in a guarded, gated community, the home boasts beautiful mountain views.

Skilled in faux finishing, murals, Venetian plaster and many other premium painting techniques, A. Allbright is the perfect choice of painting contractors for fine homes in Beverly Park and similar exclusive communities. Our professionalism and courtesy are unparalleled, resulting in exquisite craftsmanship.

Here at this home in Beverly Park, residents and guests enjoy a jetted pool and spa, a movie theatre, many bedrooms, an office and a kitchen. In addition, a detached guest house offers two master suites and full accommodations, with a private garage. 

For more information, and to see A. Allbright’s craftsmanship on display, see our "recent projects" page in our portfolio section

While painting at Beverly Park, we were also hired to paint this new high-end home in the same community.

Based in the Santa Clarita Valley, A. Allbright serves the Los Angeles region as a premium painting contractor. From Santa Monica to Simi Valley, from Burbank to Beverly Hills, A. Allbright offers expert painting services to discerning homeowners. Call us or contact us online for a free estimate.

Shadow stripes are an elegant trend that is gaining popularity in fine homes across the Los Angeles region. This faux-painting technique is used by decorators and professional painters to evoke a subtle sophistication and calm order.

What Are Shadow Stripes?

Shadow Stripes are an alternating pattern of glossy and satin stripes, oriented vertically along a wall or around an entire room. Generally ranging from 4 to 12 inches in width, these lines are the same color but a different sheen, so that the effect changes based on the lighting and the location where you stand in the room.

Where Are Shadow Stripes Used?

Formal and classy, shadow stripes are often used in dining rooms, powder rooms and sitting rooms, though they would also look good in many bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms. They can span the whole height of the room, floor to ceiling, or they can take only part of it, occupying the space below the chair rail or above the wainscoting.

How Do You Paint Shadow Stripes?

First paint your walls with the satin or eggshell version of the paint to get the base color. When the paint is completely dry, begin taping your stripes. Use blue painters tape or frog tape to mark the edges of where your semi-gloss stripes will go. Make sure to measure carefully and use a level to make straight lines, and press the edge of the tape firmly to the wall along the edge that will be painted. After painting your stripes, be sure to remove the tape quickly so that it does not tear the paint as you remove it.

Experienced and capable in all kinds of sophisticated painting techniques, A. Allbright is the painting contractor of choice for discerning homeowners in the Los Angeles region. We can paint shadow stripes, murals, faux-bois, soft glazes, patina, Tuscany, Venetian plasters, parchment and much more. Contact us for a free estimate. We also offer a free expert color consultation for qualifying projects!

Based in Valencia, CA, A. Allbright serves Canyon Country, Castaic, Newhall, Newhall Ranch, Northbridge, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Westbridge and the surrounding counties.

I had no idea when i was choosing my life's work at the young age of 21 (25 years ago) that I was choosing a profession that would someday SAVE THE WORLD.  Did you know that there is an astroid on track to possbily hit earth in February 2013?  It's true according to the "Blast It or Paint It" article.  Asteroid DA14 is a 60-meter flaming ball of mass.  The trajectory of DA14 will bring it very close to earth.  Scientists have suggested confronting the menacing asteroid with paint.  That's right - the stuff we painting contractors use every day.  We at A.Allbright have been in training for years to deal with these types of catastrophes.  Our gas-powered sprayers don't need to be connected to a power source and they have been souped up with extra firepower.  NASA knows who to call when it comes to saving the earth.   They have our number on speed dial for just these types of emergencies.  

A.Allbright 1-800-PAINTING, the Superheros of painting contractors. 

Blogging Painters website is a cool place where painting contractors can learn from each other and our experiences.  We can read up on product reviews by other painting contractors and learn techniques from other craftsmen.  When we want an unbiased opinion on a particular tool or new product, we turn to online resources like Blogging Painters.  Thank you, Chris Haught, for your kind words and pointing me out in your "People of Interest" at the 2012 PDCA Expo.  Your review of my teaching is humbling, especially to be listed there with guys like Lynn Fife, an early mentor of mine.  It's an honor to be teaching with guys like him and others.  Being able to give back to the painting industry that has given me so much has been overwhelmingly rewarding.      

This month we where honored to have 3 of our painting videos in the APC's Top 10 Contractor Videos on the Web. There are so many other great contractor videos out there. We're humbled by this recognition. 

As science and research progress, we are discovering more and more substances that can have a negative impact on babies, so many expecting mothers wonder, “Is it Safe to Paint When I’m Pregnant?” Even if a pregnant woman has someone else to do the actual painting for her, she still will often ask, “Is it OK to be exposed to paint fumes while pregnant? Could they hurt the baby?”

Like many questions, these ones have a simple answer, and a more involved answer.

Simple answer: Yes, you can paint (or be around painting) while pregnant.  But…

Involved answer: There are some guidelines you should follow in order to make this a healthy experience for everyone.

• Avoid exposure to fumes from oil-based paints, stains and thinners. Use a latex/acrylic (water) based paint.
• Do not sand or scrape any old paint that may contain lead.
• Keep the painting area well-ventilated.
• Have someone else do the painting for you, if possible (A. Allbright would be happy to help!).
• If you cannot open windows, or if you want to be extra careful, use a Low-VOC or No-VOC paint.

Now the time for wondering is over, and the time for painting has come! Grab a brush and bucket, or contact A. Allbright Painting. As an experienced painting contractor, we can finish the job with spectacular results in a very short time, minimizing your inconvenience and exposure to painting products.

A. Allbright, serving Castaic, Newhall Ranch, Westridge, Topanga Canyon, Calabasas, Los-Feliz, Westlake, Pasadena and the whole Los Angeles region.

It was another great time again this year at the PDCA Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.  We got to meet with old friends and even met some new ones.  After learning from Bob Cusumano about the PDCA Industry Standards, I was able teach an Emerging Leaders class with my good friend and fellow painting contractor Dave Scaturro with Alpine Painting in New Jersey.  We shared innovative marketing ideas and how technology is being used amongst the professional painting contractors.  The following day, I was able to teach a class on estimating, job costing and business planning to a standing room only class.  It is very rewarding to be able to give back to the trade organization that first gave to me. 

During our trade show, we were able to teach a lot of guys about the estimating software we developed back in 2005, called One Step Estimating

One of our main goals as a painting contractor is to show such loyalty and trustworthiness to our clients that they grow to trust and respect us and our work. We are pleased to have many excellent relationships with our clients, and we are always excited when they call us again for a new project. One such relationship that A. Allbright has is with Dr. Lisa Pope.

Dr. Pope is the owner of Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center, and we have painted for her there for her on various occasions. Pleased with our work, she has also invited us to paint at her home in Valencia several times. She and her family love bright colors, and their home features bold and beautiful painting throughout. Most recently, Dr. Pope contacted us for a painting project in her son’s bedroom.

Creative and patriotic, the young designer wanted an American flag wall. Using our Paint-For-A-Day program, Dr. Pope honored her son’s wishes and in a matter of days the room was transformed! We used Frog Tape to mask our stripes and boxes, producing incredibly clean lines and a sharp appearance. High-quality paints give a bold, bright appearance that will resist fading and stand up to a little abuse!

The finishing touch—a collection of star stickers—will be added by the room’s proud occupant to complete the look.

Whether in Valencia, Stevenson Ranch or in any part of the Los Angeles region, A. Allbright Painting brings quality painting and personalized service. With a courteous, professional staff and a solid infrastructure, we are ready to offer painting services to residential and commercial clients.

To learn more about Dr. Pope’s Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center, click here.

Today, we opened the voting to the public, to take part in giving someone $7500 worth of painting services for FREE.  Please take a moment to read the stories of these real people with real struggles and choose who you want to give it to.  It's so easy to pay it forward with our Paint-It-Forward charity give away.  Just go to our Paint It Forward page.  

In an uncertain world, where tragedy and hardship can change lives in an instant, community can make a huge difference. When everyone gives and serves in the ways they are able, we can brighten lives and ease suffering.

Here at A. Allbright Painting, we believe in community, and we are committed to using our own talents and resources for the betterment of our community and our world. That was our inspiration for Paint-It-Forward, our largest annual charity event.  Each year we select a family in need, and we donate up to $7,500 in labor and materials to complete a painting project on their home.

At our annual company Christmas party, we vote to select a family, and in the early spring we complete the charity project.  It is always an exciting and emotional event when our vans pull up and we start working to give a deserving family a top-of-the-line paint job and an unforgettable experience. 

As a professional painting contractor, we work to brighten the lives of those in need. While a new paint job cannot solve their problems, it can bring some joy and relief. 

When saving money is the goal of a do-it-yourself painting project, each purchase for the job needs to be an intelligent decision, so homeowners often wonder, "Do I need to prime this wall before I paint it?" Primer is not always necessary, so you can often save money by omitting it. In many cases, however, primer will actually save you money because it reduces the number of more expensive topcoats you will need to get excellent results.

A. Allbright has many years of experience as a painting contactor in the Los Angeles area. We suggest using primers before painting in the following circumstances:

New Drywall & Skim Coating: The process of drywall installation and/or skim coating leaves a great deal of highly absorbant space to paint, and it may require many coats of high quality paint to give adequate coverage. Use a coat or two of quality primer first, however, and the pores will be sealed and your new topcoat will cover nicely in one or two coats.

Patched or Repaired Drywall: If you have repaired a wall before painting, you will likely have patches of spackle or joint compound on the surface. If these repairs are small, you do not need to buy a separate primer; simply use a small amount of your regular paint and brush it lightly on those areas to "spot-prime" the wall. Then, when these spots are dry, you can paint the wall normally and those spots will not show through.

Major Change in Wall Color: Painting contractors generally assume that a dark color will cover over a light color very effectively with one or two coats. Light paints, however, will rarely cover dark colors even with many coats. In order to save money and time, professional painters recommend using a good primer with strong "hide" qualities.

Painting over Oil-based or Glossy Paints: In order for the new paint to perform well, the new paint must have a surface it can adhere to. When the current layer is oil-based or has a sheen, this surface can be acheived in two ways. You can use sandpaper or TSP to scuff up the surface, or you can apply a bonding primer which will stick straight to the underlayer and provide a good backing for the new paint. If you need to prime anyways because of color change, then use this method and skip the sanding. If you don't need to prime anyways, however, it will probably be cheaper and faster just to do the scrubbing.

Stain or Odor Coverage: Some stains, such as greasy spots or crayon scribbles, will show through new paint. Also, cigarette smoke and other strong odors can still be detected after repainting. In order to truly block out the ghosts of these issues, painting contractors use a serious primer like Kilz or Zinsser. Note: do not use a primer to hide mold or mildew in your walls. It will only grow. Instead, first deal with the cause of the mold (usually water entry), and remove the mold. Then, you are free to prime and paint.

Many professional painters use a tinted primer before painting. This is an inexpensive way to bring your walls close to their final intended color before adding the more pricey topcoat. Ask about this at your paint store if you are painting a bold or dark color.

A. Allbright Painting offers excellent residential painting services to the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Pasadena, La Crescenta, Burbank and Glendale.

Joshua Abramson has been invited to be Dunn Edwards Paint Company's featured guest speaker for their Dunn-Hub Contractor classes. He has been scheduled to speak as a 4-part series to help local painting contractors with their businesses.   Josh will be speaking on business planning, job costing and estimating software.  A.Allbright Painting and Dunn Edwards Paint have always approached their relationship as a partnership to success, that is why Joshua Abramson is glad to give of his time to help others.  

Come join us this Wednesday at Dunn Edwards Paint in Pasadena for 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and lunch will be provided if you RSVP.   So far 60 painting contractors have signed up.  

RSVP by calling 626-577-0880 

This project came to us while we were working on another 20,000 square foot property within this ultra exclusive community.   We have found over and over again that the homeowners here really appreciate the level of craftsmenship and professionalism that is evident in the work being done in this neighborhood.  We love getting calls from interested homeowners because they see our vans in the area.  That's what happened here.  While we were working on the one property, we got a call from our office manager that a neighbor wanted us to come by and take a look at their home when we had a chance.  Within a few hours, we were shaking hands on a deal to get started the next week to meet the clients' schedule demands.  This luxury home reminds me of the beautiful villas one would see overlooking the Italian coast of Capi with their tuscan style rotundras and cement columns.  Here we added several areas of a rustic tuscan glaze to the plaster insets that really accentuate the arcitectural details.   All-in-all it was great to have two custom projects going on simultaneously in this beautiful neighborhood.      

Many people, thinking to themselves, "how hard could it be?", take up a roller and brush and soon end up wondering instead, "how do I paint a room?" Painting is both an art and a science, requiring certain techniques and skills. With long experience in high-end residential painting, A. Allbright is happy to share some tips and ideas to help you acheive better results.

One of the most important steps, though definitely not the most fun, is to protect your room and prepare your walls (click to see previous posts). Next, apply tape to all of the edges of your painting surface. Now, give your paint cans a quick shake and a good stir, dip your brush and you're ready to begin!

Using your brush, paint a frame around each surface you are painting, along the ceiling, floor and walls. Also paint a frame around the outside of the windows and doors. This frame should be 4-5 inches wide, with smooth, thorough coverage. This process is called cutting in, and it allows you to roll the rest of the wall and not have to roll too near adjescent surfaces. For best results, make sure there is not a ridge or bead of paint at the edge of your brushstroke.

Now it is time to use the roller on the large, open surfaces. Load the roller with paint, but not so much that it drips. Begin in a top corner and roll your way carefully downwards. Rolling too quickly will cause splatters. Work your way from top to bottom and from one end towards the other, always maintaining a wet edge. This means that the most recently painted spot is nearest the unpainted area, and each new stroke of the roller overlaps wet paint, not dry. This helps you to avoid lap marks. Keep an eye out for drips and splatters, and use the roller to blend them back in while the paint is quite wet.

Step back and admire your work! If you see any trouble spots, try to deal with them quickly. Don't judge the results until the paint is fully dried and you see it in a variety of lightings. Remember to remove the tape while the paint is still wet, and don't put tape on the painted surfaces until the paint is completely dry, then you can tape off and paint your trim or other surfaces.

Painting can be a very fun and exciting process, but it can also be a challenge to get results you will be happy with. Sometimes, for newlyweds or new home buyers, family and friends will volunteer to help. This can be a dilemma: you want the help, but you want to make sure the quality is excellent. If this is the case, an A. Allbright painting party is exactly the answer. We provide all paints, tools and dropcloths, and one of our expert painters will spend the day giving tips and supervising the work for excellent results. In fact, we'll even bring pizza for lunch!

A. Allbright is a licensed and reputable painting contractor, serving the San Clarita Valley and all of the Los Angeles region.

While taping walls before painting might not appear to be a difficult skill to master, properly applied painter's tape makes all the difference in producing a professional looking result. Even expert painting contractors take great care in placing (and removing) painter's tape.

First, supply yourself with several rolls of painters tape. 3M's blue tape is the best kind for most jobs, and it is most helpful to have a couple of different widths at hand.  Tip: never apply tape to paint that is not entirely cured. Wait 1-2 days after painting before applying tape to the painted surface.

If you are taping a line where two colors will meet on a flat surface, use a level to draw a light pencil line. If you are taping an edge or corner, use the edge as your gude. Instead of trying to place a long piece of tape all at once, use a number of shorter pieces (2-3 feet). This helps you to avoid creases and bends.

Line up one end of your piece at one edge, and pull the other end taught (but not stretched tight). Use one finger to lightly press the tape into place, running from the stuck end towards the free one. Once the tape is correctly in place, run a finger along the tape again, firmly sealing the edge where the paint will meet it. Leave the non-painted edge loose.

It is important to apply painter's tape carefully and methodically throughout your work area. Place it in any location where two colors will meet, such as corners, door and window trim, baseboards and moldings. Also use it to protect surfaces that will not be painted: door hinges, window glass, and similar items.

Now comes the fun part; you are ready to paint! Make sure that you remove your tape before the paint is thoroughly dried, or it will tear and ruin your work. Wait at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 6 hours. If you are doing multiple coats, your safest plan is to apply new tape for each coat.

A. Allbright enjoys serving the San Clarita Valley and the greater Los Angeles area as a residential painting contractor. If you choose to paint your home on your own, we are happy to provide advice, and we wish you well! But if you get stuck, or decide to get the help of a professional painter, give us a call.

Many homeowners desire to paint their home interior, but are unsure of the steps and techniques needed to paint a room. A. Allbright Painting, as an experienced painting contractor, is happy to offer some friendly pointers for achieving pleasing results.

The first step, protecting floors and furniture, is covered in this previous blog post. The next thing to do is to prepare the walls themselves. This stage of preparation is often overlooked by hasty homeowners and budget painting contractors, but a truly professional painter will tell you that surface preparation is one of the most important keys to lasting, beautiful results.

If your current paint has any glossiness to it, the sheen will have to be removed for the new paint to adhere to it effectively. This can be done with a light grade of sandpaper. Walls should also be washed prior to painting to remove any surface contaminants that might show through or interfere with paint bonding. A more efficient option might be to scrub the walls with a mild mixture of TSP and water. This will remove the sheen and clean the surface effectively.

The next step is to restore a smooth surface. Look closely from a side-angle to see if there are any spots that stick up. Old tape is a common culprit, as well as spatters of paint or "popcorn" from the ceiling installation. Use sandpaper or a putty knife to level off or remove any protrusions. After that, examine the wall for dents, cracks, nail holes and gouges. Use the putty knife to fill the holes with a light-weight spackle. Don't overfill the dents, but use a smooth stroke to make a flat surface straight across. Allow it to dry. Once it is dry, use fine sandpaper to smooth the spot. If the spackle has shrunk or cracked, repeat the process to get a smooth surface.

The final step is to tape off the edges where you will have different colors, or where you are not painting: around door and window frames, baseboards, ceilings or crown moldings. See this post for more instructions on taping prior to painting.

Use a brush or roller to put a smooth little dab of paint on each spot where you used spackle. This will act as a primer so that the porous spackle does not soak in too much paint and show through.

Now you are ready to begin painting! Give the cans a good stir and watch your walls come alive!

A. Allbright Painting serves the Los Angeles region as a premium painting contractor. If you are normally a do-it-yourselfer, but you have a specific project that you want to turn out truly spectacular, contact us for a free project consultation and estimate.

I really enjoy the opportunity I've been givien this year to speak to other painting contractors around the country on "how to" grow their business through business planning, estimating accurately and job costing.  It's been very rewarding to see them get inspired to be the best they can be.   Thank you to all the paint manufacturers that made it possible, for inviting their cleints to come and learn.   I remember when I was just starting out in business and feeling like there was so much i needed to learn.  I would soak up any advice, if someone in the industry was willing to share with me.   I know that I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for a few strong leaders who were willing to give back and teach another.  Thank you!

Thank you to

Sherwin Williams Paint

Glidden Professional Paints

PDCA  

Looking forward to doing it again next year.

In order to achieve excellent painting results and protect your home from accidental damage, it is important to know how to prepare a room for painting. As a professional painting contractor working in high-end homes, A. Allbright is well-experienced in room preparation, so we can share a few handy tips with you.

First, remove any large furniture items that you can to keep them completely safe and out of the way. If there is anything too large or heavy to move out of the room, you can reposition it in the center of the room and cover it with an old sheet or dropcloth.

Next, remove all pictures, mirrors and decorations from the walls. Pull out any nails or hooks that they are hanging on, and store the items carefully in a place where they will not get in your way. If you have any wall-mounted light fixtures and you are able to remove them safely, this is preferable. If not, carefully use painters (masking) tape to cover the parts nearest the wall, and tape plastic over the rest of the fixture to protect it from drips.

One easy but commonly overlooked step is to use a screwdriver to remove the wall plates surrounding light switches and outlet covers, and then use tape to cover the switches and outlets. Also remove or tape doorknobs and hardware.

Finally, protect your floor. Spread dropcloths or tarps to cover the whole floor, and not just the section nearest the wall. This way you are protected against all unexpected drips, splashes and spills. If you have carpets, use a wide strip of tape to cover the carpet along the edge of the baseboard, and use a putty knife to tuck the taped carpet under the baseboard.

Now you are ready to prepare your walls and paint! Oh, and by the way, you might want to lock up your pets!

Painting contractors generally spend more time preparing a job than actually painting, between protecting non-painted surfaces, filling, sanding and priming. The key to a professional looking paint job is to be meticulous with the preparations. Here at A. Allbright Painting, we pride ourselves in our painstaking preparations that create a truly spectacular look when finished. If you are ever in need of a professional painting service, call A. Allbright for excellent service and inspiring results.

A. Allbright: professional painting services for the Santa Clarita Valley and the whole Los Angeles region.

As a painting contractor, one of the questions we are most often asked by clients is, "How long will an exterior paint job last here around Los Angeles?" The question is a perfectly natural one; when investing money and care in new exterior paint, we want to know how long it will last. There are many factors that influence this answer, including the type of surface being painted, the quality of the paint and the skill of the painting contractor or homeowner.

Here in SoCal, the greatest threat to an exterior paint job is ultraviolet rays from the sun. This UV radiation breaks down the paint on homes here in Los Angeles, causing it to eventually wear, chalk, fade and crack. On a stucco surface, homeowners can expect a good coat of exterior paint to last 7 years. Wood surfaces deteriorate more quickly, yielding an expected lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

For homes on the coast, where extra wind and salty air pose extra threats, homeowners will see paint aging more quickly, and may find that a yearly exterior paint-maintenance plan saves money overall compared to complete repainting every few years.

In order to maximize the life of your paint, quality is a vital consideration. First, the caliber of the materials in your paint will ensure a longer-lasting beauty and protection for your home exterior. Budget paints and primers have fewer of the elements that cause paint to bind solidly and hold color excellently.

Secondly, the excellence of your professional house painter will have a significant impact on the lifespan of the job. If a painting contractor takes adequate time and care to scrape, sand, fill, repair and prime where necessary, the exterior paint job will last much longer. Also, an honest painting company will be able to tell you when your home needs a second coat of paint, or if only one will do. Generally, two coats will provide longer-lasting results.

Whenever we are faced with a large bill, our immediate reaction is often to look for ways to cut the cost. Experience often shows us, however, that investing in a quality purchase at the beginning will save money in the long-term. This is true of exterior painting contractors. Spending the extra cash to get the job done well will ensure a more enduring paint job and fewer repainting cycles during the life of your home.

A. Allbright Painting is a highly regarded painting contractor, respected throughout the Los Angeles region for outstanding dependability and surpassing quality. Based in the San Clarita Valley, we provide residential painting services to the whole Los Angeles area.

Whether we are budget-conscious, environmentally-conscious, or we just don't like waste, no one wants to buy too much paint. At the same time, the last thing we want is to have to run out to the store for one more gallon, half-way through painting a wall. So, assuming you're not a professional painting contractor with more ready-mix paint in your van, how do you calculate the right amount of paint to buy?

First, measure the height and width of each wall (and ceiling) you will be painting. Multiply the height and width to get the square footage for each wall, then add together the amount from each wall. So if you are painting two walls, and they are both 10 feet wide by 8 feet tall, that's 80 square feet per wall, so a total of 160 square feet.

The next, and possibly more difficult, step is to determine how many coats of paint you will need (see below). There are many factors that influence this consideration, but in general, it is best to plan on two coats. However many coats you decide on, multiply your square footage by that number. So two coats at 160 square feet will be 320 square feet. Check the label on your paint, and see how many square feet a gallon will cover. For this sample 2-wall project, one gallon will probably do.

How do I know how many coats of paint to use?

If you are recoating a wall with the same color that was previously on it, then one coat will probably be sufficient, as long as the paint is still in good shape. One exception to this is in new homes where the current paint was applied during construction. Here in Valencia and throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, many homes were originally painted using a very thin, cheap paint sometimes referred to as builder's paint, or contractor-grade paint. If this paint is still the only coating on your walls, you may need two coats, even if you do not change colors.

If you are changing colors, it can become nearly impossible to predict how many coats you will need, because paint quality, previous color, new color, and application method can all impact this calculation. Professional house painters generally plan on at least two coats, even when covering a light color with a darker one. When covering a dark color with a light one, it will take many coats, and it is advisable to do your initial coats with a less expensive primer, tinted to a partial shade of your new color.
Finally, purchase higher-quality paints that have a greater "hide" factor. This is a measurable quality that is often mentioned in the paint manufacturer's literature. You may well find that spending more money on the quality of paint saves money overall because you need to buy less of it.

As you consider your painting project, remember A. Allbright Painting. As California's first PDCA accredited painting contractor, we can finish your project efficiently and with spectacular, enduring results. Our professional painters are courteous, reliable and highly-qualified.

My review on a new color app in the Apple store.  I came across a neat little app on my iPad this morning, called Color Uncovered.  It was created by the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California and it's FREE.  This app helps take some of the mystery out of color and why it does what it does.  So many times we don't understand why color does what it does and we are baffled at how we can think we like one color on a small paint chip to only find out we hate it once it is on all four walls.  

Color Uncovered features a wide spectrum of cool color-related topics to explore.  Learn when is yellow yellower than yellow.  Other fun facts about why friends don't let men buy bananas and don't let dogs drive.   This is a real fun and interactive app that allows you to learn while discovering new things through the science of color.  

A.Allbright 1-800-PAINTING has been a leader in the painting industry by developing tools to help homeowners and business owners select the perfect paint colors for their projects.   See A.Allbright's Color Consulting.  Our helpful system has been so popular that many other painting contractors aroiund the nation have purchased this system.  For more information on our revolutionary color assistance program called Colorchoice and other tools we have developed for our industry, visit Allbright Products

Chalk-Bored? Never!

From kids’ rooms to coffee houses, chalkboard paint is a new-found trend with an old-school charm. Useful in the office, the kitchen, a bedroom or a playroom, chalkboard paint offers myriads of exciting possibilities!

At Work/Home Office

While coffee shops and bakeries are accustomed to presenting their menus artistically with chalk, other types of businesses can also create a trendy tableau with chalkboard paint. Create a wall space for brainstorming, memos, and reminders. Or make a kids’ corner in your waiting room, so that children can be entertained while their parents conduct business with you.

In The Kitchen

The kitchen, in many Los Angeles homes, is already a creative center of the house, where culinary masterpieces are crafted and new ideas discussed. Chalkboard paint can add to this atmosphere by offering a new outlet for creative impulses. A place for recipes, fanciful doodling, phone messages, and to-do lists, a chalkboard in the kitchen can bring fresh inspiration to our everyday activities.

In The Kids’ Areas

Parents looking for fresh ideas for painting children’s rooms are also turning to chalkboard paint. Since children have a natural urge to create masterpieces, this gives them an appropriate canvas for their artistic expressions. Practice forming letters, drawing shapes, or recognizing colors—this was originally a schoolhouse item after all!

Design Ideas

In some rooms, a chalkboard wall would make a terrific accent, especially when livened up by brightly colored chalk. If this is too much, however, simply tape off a rectangular area and paint your chalkboard inside it. Be sure to use a level and measure carefully! When the black areas dry, use tape again to create a frame, and paint it some bright, coordinating color.

If you have any ideas or questions about chalkboard paint, A. Allbright Painting would love to help. We are not only a professional painting company, but we also provide nationally recognized design and color services. We are delighted to serve the San Clarita Valley and the greater Los Angeles region!

Today marks the day we start our 2011 Paint-It-Pink campaign to raise awarenes about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.  October is great month to paint your home either interior or exterior.  By preparing early before the holiday guests start arriving (just like early detection), you will not only save money (at least 5% off your project) but also support a great non-profit orginazation like Circle Of Hope (another 5% of your project costs will be donated).   And best of all, you get to enjoy your newly painted home.   Let's us help you through the process with free written estimates, color consultations and the best preparation proceedures to insure a long-lasting paint job.

For more info and a short video on why we have started the Paint-It-Pink campaign  For more info and a short video on why we have started the Paint-It-Pink campaign click here 

Earlier this month, A. Allbright 1-800-PAINTING was invited to speak to a group of professionals on such topics as: 

1. Painting near the ocean
2. What to look for in within a written estiamte
3. The Painting Curve - How to save money
4. EPA Lead Laws
5. How Color can Affect Your Mood

Farrow & Ball is a high-end paint store located at 8475 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA that delivers unsurpassed quality along with the most beautiful color palette.  They use natural pigments instead of synthetic ones to gain a deep and rich color that is known as the Farrow & Ball look.  The group of professionals that we were invited to speak to is called D.E.M.A. (Domestic Estate Managers Association). These are people who manage large estates for the rich and famous, who come to learn from each other and others on best practices to care and maintain of the estates they manage.  

During our talk on Color we invited our Colorist Philippa Radon to speak about how color can change your mood.  Afterwards, many of the D.E.M.A. members came up to us and said they could listen to us speak for hours.  

Thank you Farrow & Ball and D.E.M.A. for the opportunity! 

Oh how a little note from a satisfied cleint can make us feel.   We love getting emails like this.  It's encouraging and it lets us know we are doing exactly what we promise.  

This week we received an email from a satisfied client in Santa Clarita after we painted the exterior of her home.  She sent this to us just becuase she wanted everyone to know about her experience with A. Allbright 1-800-PAINTING.  

Here is what she wrote:

Hello Josh,

"Just wanted to say thank you for such a positive experience while your painters worked on my home.  It is absolutely beautiful, so glad I chose your company (A.Allbright) to do the work.  I will definitely recommend you to everyone I know and when the time comes I will call to have the inside of my home painted.  Your painters are amazing, very professional, friendly and so polite.  I will complete the satisfaction sheet they gave me and mail it to your office.  My Granddaughter even called me at work yesterday, when she came home from school, just to tell me how much she loves the color of the house, how pretty it looked and she's my biggest critic." 

 

Thanks again, Kathy

 

 

This has been our goal since 1987:     Make every customer so happy that they will recommend and promote A.Allbright 1-800-PAINTING to a friend or colleague 100% of the time.

Expect Brilliance!

We just completed one of the most beautiful Master Bedroom suites in all of Los Angeles.  I'm so excited for our client to arrive home to see it.  She is coming home today after a long two week trip while we worked feverishly to complete this masterpeice.   It has been a long and involved procress to get it to this place but totally worth it.  From the skimcoating of the walls to receive the subtle metallic Venetian plaster to the silver leafed and metallic-glazed beautiful crown molding.  From the totally refinished maple and wood cabinets to the shimmery moody metallic ceiling.  This all came together with the homeonwer's vision and our color consultations and expertise.  I wish I was there to see her reaction.  Can't wait for her phone call or Facebook message.  

To view pictures of this work of art, go to our portfolio under recent projects.

Last week I was asked to speak to about 25 painting contractors on the topics of estimating and job costing for the PDCA and Sherwin Williams Paint Company.   I really enjoy getting the chance to give back to young guys who are out there like I once was.  I remember those early days (24 years ago) not having a clue on how to run a business, how to get work or even how to estimate a job correctly.  I'm grateful for those who had taken the time when I was a brand new contractor to give back and pass on their knowledge to me.  If it weren't for the PDCA and the people I have met through our trade assosiation, I would probably be out of business by now or struggling to make ends meet.  

Even though we are all busy and have all kinds of things we could be doing rather then giving back, I got to tell you, it is so rewarding when you do.  At the end of last week's event, I got a standing ovation.  That was totally unexpected, maybe because it was the first one I have ever received.  Guys came up to me afterwards and said thank you.  Much like I did 24 years ago after leaving one of these type meetings.  

To see more about these events, check out this earlier post of mine. 

Upcoming dates that I'll be speaking at:

November 2nd, 2011 in San Francisco for Glidden Professional Stores

November 30th, 2011 in Fresno for Sherwin Wiliams Paint Stores 

Our goal is to have our painting service remind you of your favorite cup of coffee in the morning.  The one where you sit back, relax and enjoy that first sip of frothy, tummy-warming goodness!

Thank you to Steve Burnett with Burnett 1 800 PAINTING who is a part of the professional group of 1 800 PAINTING contractors for sharing this video with us.  

Veiw the video

The Colors Blue & Green

By Joshua Abramson President of A.Allbright 1-800-PAINTING

This article will be the first in a series I plan on writing about color and how it has a lot of influence in our day-to-day lives.  Color gives us direction (red, yellow, green light), it warns us of possible dangers ahead (caution yellow), and it gives a sense of belonging (red, white & blue).  Color is important to us and it has an impact on the choices we make.

The Color Blue

Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed.  The color of sky and the ocean, blue is perceived as a constant in our lives.  Blue affects us physically and mentally
as a cooling color.  It invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming; however, not all blues are serene and sedate.  Blue is the most popular overall favorite color by both men and women.

Companies Identified Primarily With Blue

• Best Buy
• Blue Shield
• Ford
• The Gap
• Pepsi
• Tiffany & Co.

The Color Green

Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colors and is second only to blue as a favorite color.  Green is the pervasive color, making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. 

The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones.  Green is considered the color of peace and ecology.  Green soothes and relaxes us both mentally and physically. 

Popular Phrases That Include the Color Green:   

• Got the green light
• Green thumb
• Greener pastures
• Green with envy
• Turning green
• Going green

Blue & Green Together Represents:

• Heaven and earth
• Where land meets sky
• One the most influential painting company in America located right here in the Santa Clarita Valley – haha  

Blue & Green Paint Colors For The Home can be energizing yet welcoming.  Re-invent the classics by using a leafy green for walls with touches of blue on soft furnishings.  A few touches of warm color, like an eau de nil green, with mostly neutral colors will enliven a room.  Try a different range of a blue you love...instead of turquoise, venture into sapphire or delphinium blue.

Blue and Green - How often do we see this combination? Make a point of noticing it today. 

What is Your Favorite Color?

A.Allbright is proud to be an activity sponser for the Single Mothers Outreach's first annual family event in Santa Clarita – SCV Water Festival. It's going on right now!  August 6, 2011 from 4pm- 10pm at the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center.  Come on out and join us.  This is great opportunity for families to have fun together.  There will be games, music, rubber ducky races, water golf, a wonderful kid movie, food, and so much more. Come join us and make a memory before the kids go back to school. For more information about the event, or to purchase tickets please call 661-288-0117

A.Allbright Painting was just commissioned to select the color palette and specifications of paint materials for the Santa Monica Ocean Towers for their re-image project.  These iconic twin towers sit right on some of the most highly sought after real estate in the world.  They sit high upon a cliff right off of Pacific Coast Highway, at the corner of Ocean and San Vicente Blvd, overlooking the Santa Monica Pier.  The architectural design firm Perkins Eastman sought A.Allbright Painting for it's expertise in paint and color consulting.  The owners of this building understood that it's important to not only pick the right colors but also pick the right colors that will be relevant in 15 to 20 years.   If they don't pick the right colors for this premier location, it could be disastrous and costly.  Also, they wanted to be sure that the best paints will be used on this project, so that the paint looks as good as the color is going to last.  With this property being so close to the ocean, it's important to specify the right paints that will hold up to the harsh beach elements.  Not only that, but it's just as important as to which repair and sealant products will be used.  Another good reason to hire an accredited panting contractor, one who keeps up on the ever-changing rules and regulations on new paint products.   

We've been told that we set the standard pretty high when it comes to helping our client's select the right color(s).  We believe it's one of the most important aspects to our painting business.  That is why A.Allbright has developed it's own exclusive colors and color combinations to help our clients navigate the process of selecting colors.  Typically a homeowner or business owner will have a little trepidation about color, and who can blame them, color is a science. Along with the vast amounts of color choices out there, it gets a bit overwhelming.  Typically painting contractors are no different when it comes to paint colors.  They would rather not have to deal with color.  They wish they could just say to their clients, "please just pick a color and tell me where to paint it"   At A.llbright Painting, we encourage our clients to talk about color.  We get excited when color is important because that's another area in which we shine.  -Expect Brilliance! 

We think so.  This document is more than just some written words on a piece of paper.  To us, it's a living document, one that guides our actions, gives meaning to what we do and helps us know that we are doing what is right.  Most of us spend a lot of our time at work and the fact is, time is one of the most important gifts in life and we all want it to be spent well.  We want what we do to be meaningful and useful.  Maybe there are some companies that put out a mission statement to just check off a box of things needed to have a good business, and that's fine if that's all it is, but that's not the case here with A.Allbright Painting.  Our culture, since 1987, has always been one of progress, striving to be the best, and improving the way we do things, whether it be with customer service, employee training or painting, and never being okay with the standard way of doing things.  Since the beginning, we have pushed ourselves to learn the newest painting techniques and tools.  In fact, we have created some of the most innovative tools and techniques, like One Step Estimating and Colorchoice, to help our fellow painting contractors all across the nation. To see some of these tools we've created, go to Allbright Products.

We have divided our mission statement into what we consider the top 4 categories.  

We will seek the betterment of:

1. Our Customers
2. Our Employees
3. Our Community
4. Our Trade

Our Mission Statement

A. Allbright’s mission is to work for the betterment of:


• Our Customers


• By protecting & enhancing the beauty of their homes & businesses
• By serving their needs with attentiveness & integrity

• Our Employees

• By providing continual professional development and a positive, satisfying work environment

• Our Community

• By donating our time, skills, energy and resources to invest in our local families and charities

• Our Trade

• By serving and mentoring in a way that sets the standard for professionalism, innovation and teamwork

Betterment: The act or process of making better; improvement; progress.

Everything we do relates to one of the categories in our mission statement and we judge our actions against this.

With that said, we will continue to look for ways to even improve our mission statement.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know.  We will listen.   

Did you know that A.Allbright Painting does a lot of commercial painting here in the Santa Clarita Valley and all over Los Angeles as well?   Most of the time I hear, “Oh, I didn’t know you guys do that.”  As President of A.Allbright, part of my responsibility is to get the word out to the public of who we are, what we do and how we do it.   Today I chose to tell you about “what we do.”  Before this, I frequently used to get asked, “Do you paint exterior homes too?” and, of course, my answer would be, “Yes, we do.”  In fact, back in 2002 we received national recognition for an exterior painting project we completed of a home in the Hollywood Hills for the type of prep work we did, painting products we chose and techniques we used. 

Currently, commercial Painting is about 50% of what we do.  Most people don’t know that we helped paint Goliath, the shiniest, tallest rollercoaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain.  Painting that structure takes a special kind of skill and safety procedures that not every painting contractor possesses.  Next time you drive by, check out its brilliant shine.   High-rise painting work isn’t a problem for us.  We have painted exterior buildings as high as 17 stories, like 9777 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.  It’s called the Gateway Building to Beverly Hills because it sits right at the entrance of Beverly Hills at the triangle corner of San Monica, Little Santa Monica and Wilshire Blvd. 

Some of the other notable projects here in town are places like Town Center Drive (Glen Ivy & Princess Cruises), Hyatt Hotel, RiverOaks (Target Center), Promenade (Pavillions), Northpark Church, Crossroads Community Church, The Paseo Tennis Club, Eggs & Things Restaurant and too many more to list.   In fact, when Sherwin Williams and Dunn Edwards Paint Stores re-painted their stores, they chose A.Allbright to do the work.  We also do a lot of national re-image painting for companies like Starbucks, Del Taco, Enterprise, National and Alamo Rent-A-Cars.  We are currently getting ready to start painting 88 Kohl’s Department stores in July all over Southern California, so if you happen to be shopping and see one of us there, come by and say hi. 

A.Allbright Painting has won first place honors in the American Painting Contractor's Magazine for the interior painting work we completed at the Carlyle building located in Los Angeles, CA.  See More.  Not only was this a nation wide contest but we also received thousands of dollars in prizes like a Graco Ultra Max II 490 sprayer, paint materials from Modern Masters and a wallpaper pasting machine.  Thank you to the judges and sponsors for all the wonderful accolades.  

This is the second time our work has been published in this magazine.  Last time was back in 2004 for the exterior painting (using lime wash and instant rust paint products) on a home in the Hollywood Hills, CA.