Fresh Paint a Great Recipe for Affordable Kitchen Remodeling

A remodeled kitchen is the fondest dream of many homeowners. But at an average cost of $56,000 for a "mid-range" upgrade according to Remodeling magazine, the price is simply too steep for most. That said, if you're on a budget, there's a great alternative: spending $100 or so to give your kitchen a whole new look with paint.

"Many people underestimate the dramatic change you can make in a kitchen with a little imagination and a couple of cans of paint," says Debbie Zimmer, color expert for the Paint Quality Institute. "But actually, you can use paint not only to freshen the wall color, but also to totally change the appearance of your kitchen cabinets."

The only ingredients you'll need to cook up a whole new look for your culinary center are some careful planning, a good eye for color, and a willingness to spend time in your kitchen with some paint cans as your companions.

Where to begin? Zimmer recommends that you visit the websites of major paint companies. On many, you'll find idea centers with paint palettes designed by professional colorists, and "visualizing" tools that allow you to pre-test your color choices online.

Once you've settled on a color scheme, it's time to paint. Assuming that you're going to do a top-to-bottom makeover, start by removing the cabinet doors, as well as the hinges and knobs. If you're going to re-use the hardware, put these items in a plastic bag so they don't get lost.

After placing drop-cloths to protect the floors, paint the ceiling first, then the walls, and finally, the trim. For easy maintenance, use top quality 100% acrylic latex semi-gloss paint: It will resist stains and stand up to scrubbing better than a flat paint. Now turn your attention to the cabinets again.

Scrub the kitchen cabinets and doors with a degreasing solution to remove dirt and grime. When they've dried, sand the cabinets to remove any loose paint and to provide better "tack" for the new coating. Use a wet cloth to wipe off any dust created by the sanding.

Next, apply a top quality latex primer to the cabinets. Use a roller wherever possible, and a small brush where necessary. Let the primer dry overnight.

Finish the cabinets in the same way by applying a coat of top quality 100% acrylic latex paint. Here, too, it's best to use a gloss or semi-gloss finish, since they are more stain-resistant and easier to clean. Don't re-install the cabinet doors quite yet. Wait until the paint is totally dry.

To put a perfect finishing touch on your kitchen remodeling, consider purchasing new knobs or handles for your cabinets either online or at your local home center. They're readily available in a wide range of shapes, styles, sizes, colors, and materials. One is sure to strike your fancy.

When your cabinets are restored and everything is done, stand back and take pride in your new kitchen. . . and in the thousands of dollars you saved by doing your own remodeling!

For more how-to information on home painting, as well as color and design ideas, visit www.paintquality.com or blog.paintquality.com.

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Home Improvement Trend That Won't Break The Bank

Faux painting techniques are an economical and innovative way to transform any surface and can complement any decorating style. Dull concrete floors, both indoors and out, can be brought dramatically to life with a latex paint such as DRYLOK(R) Latex Concrete Floor Paint.

Planning and Preparation

Before choosing a design, look carefully at your surface and space. Some designs are useful for disguising flaws in a floor. For other designs you may need to patch and smooth flawed surfaces first.

You will also need to think about the traffic in the area you are painting. Is it worth doing an elaborate, time-consuming pattern in a high traffic area? Large, bold patterns may be out of scale for a small room. Equally, small, detailed patterns may get lost in large spaces.

Inspirations for Faux Painted Floors

Brick and Stone

Brick and stone finishes can add texture and/or color and can be effective indoors and outdoors.

Tiles and Mosaics

Faux terra-cotta tiles are a versatile option for porches, patios and dining areas. The earthy appearance creates a warm, earthy feel and goes well with the rustic Tuscan look and matches many decors.

Patterned and Textured Finishes

For a finish that isn't too busy, you can use paint to create subtle visual texture. With pattern, your choice is endless. Covering an entire surface is one option. Alternatively, you could paint a faux rug, perhaps with patterns inspired by oriental carpets.

The most important thing to remember is to follow the proper preparation and patching procedures from the product label. If you are using a pressure washer to clean the surface, do not use on a pressure setting above 1750 psi to avoid damaging the concrete. Remember concrete acts like a sponge. Pressure washing and cleaning in general may trap residual moisture in the concrete. To check for trapped moisture, tape a 12" x 12" piece of 3 mil plastic or aluminum foil tightly on all four edges to the surface. Remove it after 24 hours. If the floor side of the plastic or foil is damp, allow additional drying and then repeat the test. It is very important not to have trapped moisture in the concrete; it is the number one reason why epoxy and latex concrete floor paints fail.

Protecting the Pattern

A clear protective coat, such as DRYLOK(R) WetLook Sealer is the perfect finish to protect the design from scraping of patio furniture, grease, weathering and washings. Remember to use a product that is made to be a clear protective coat, not a penetrating sealer. A penetrating sealer is designed to enter the pores of the surface and settle into the masonry. It will not penetrate the floor paint. The clear sealer is a protective measure that should be repeated every two to four years depending on the use and exposure of the surface.

Bold or subtle, bright or neutral, faux painting techniques can give your floor an expensive-looking makeover that won't break the bank.

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Four Simple Rules For Exterior Painting to Perfection

If you want to achieve professional results when painting wood surfaces exposed to the outside, carry out the project as if it were a painting contractor expert. So, follow four simple rules that are second nature to experienced painters, according to Debbie Zimmer, spokeswoman for the Institute's Quality Painting (Paint Quality Institute). 

For starters, here are the four rules, in full compliance with the experience of the painters: 

1. Take time to properly prepare the surface.
 
According to Zimmer, this is overlooked aspect of the inexperienced painter. "It's important to fight the urge to start painting soon. Even the best paints fail if applied to a surface that has not been prepared properly," says the expert. 

Before painting, thoroughly clean the surface with either a power-washing equipment that you rent, or  by scrubbing with a long-handled brush using plain soap and water. 

Once done, remove any loose fragments of paint, by scraping or wire-brushing. Then sand down the rough edges of old paint and paint those areas where it has been glossy. 

Finally, clean the dust and particles that may have left the sanding and scraping. Then, sand and apply rig in any area where timber has been discovered. 

2. Buy premium paint. 

"To ensure the most beautiful and durable, it is important to use the highest quality painting", advises Zimmer. "For the wood and most other exterior surfaces, the best option is 100% acrylic latex paint."

Because these paints contain more solids than run-of-the-mill paints, they form a thicker, more durable paint film. In addition, cover better, so that often hide the colors of old with a few coats of paint, extra work and also saving money. 

"The acrylic latex paints are also 100% better adhesion, so you better fix on a properly prepared surface," says Zimmer. "And they remain flexible, so it can expand and contract with temperature changes. These attributes contribute to high quality paints are resistant to peeling and flaking, which increases the life expectancy of the work." 

Generally, acrylic latex paints 100% last ten years or more, compared with three or four of lower quality. Therefore, they are a much better value in terms of cost per year of service, an important consideration in tough economic times. 

3. Use quality brushes and equipment. 

For best results with the implementation of quality paint, use brushes and accessories quality, Zimmer notes. "The team provides the best quality work and contribute to the application of paint in a thick, uniform layer to achieve a better looking job." 

The expert advises homeowners to choose brushes well balanced and elastic, with multiple rows of bristles are divided and placed firmly in a thickness of 3 / 4 to 1 inch in a conventional 4-inch brush. 

When working with latex paints, it is important to use synthetic bristle brushes, ideally polyester. According to Zimmer, polyester bristles keep their shape and adequate stiffness, regardless of the amount of water they find. 

4. Paint in good weather conditions. 

After you have your quality paint and tools in hand, choose the right type of day to apply the paint. Doing so will allow the paint film to form a strong, durable and protective. Zimmer says it's better to paint outdoors in nice weather, ideally with a temperature above the 50th F., and when not too windy. 

On hot days, try not to paint under direct sunlight, because the surfaces exposed to direct sunlight can be 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the air temperature. One way to resolve this situation and still keep the job moving is to begin painting the shaded part of the house. 

These four rules for the perfect painting involve common sense and some self-discipline. But if true, be rewarded with a beautiful paint job and career that will last many years.

To access more painting tips, visit the Institute's Quality Painting (Paint Quality Institute), www.paintquality.com.


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