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.
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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
]]>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 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!
]]>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:
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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.
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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.
]]>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.”
]]>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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
]]>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.
]]>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.
]]>A.Allbright 1-800-PAINTING, the Superheros of painting contractors.
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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.
]]>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
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