January is not usually very busy, but this year I have been commissioned to paint a mural in the pool area of the Best Western on Columbia street, Kamloops, BC.

After agreeing on the subject to be painted I completed the painting in about two weeks. Take a look and see how this mural enhances this space.

2012 was such a busy year that my blog was forgotten. Usually I don't paint new construction but this year I did two in Kamloops. As a work alone painter this is really too much for a one man show. The owner of house one was very good and I managed to keep up to the schedules of the other trades.
Mural painting was late this year due to government hitches. The murals were fun and garnered lots of attention. My other work was confined to smaller projects including a bit of exterior painting and of course Christmas window art. 

Frozen in time

With a temperature reading of around minus 11 outside, painting anything is not on most people's minds. It is a good time to start planning your painting projects for the year though, along with a budget for any professional work that you might need. Always get at least three quotes from 3 good companies. Remember that the College painter types will give a cheap price (maybe) but their work experience is limited to a few weeks if you are lucky. The problem is getting painters to show up and give a proper written estimate. Avoid cash jobs because it usually means no redress for you if the job is unsatisfactory. I usually go with a price that is in the middle somewhere unless you know the person and have dealt with them before.
With the new enviromentally friendly paints on the market, you may find that they don't perform as well as the old less friendly paints. Surface preparation is the most important thing and this is what costs the money. This is where a cheap paint job can come back and haunt you and cost you way too much anxiety later on. 
For more details, visit http://www.mercuryminc.net/
To see last years murals in the downtown; http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercurymedia/
Some more info about the new paints;
http://greenlivingideas.com/2007/12/17/green-remodeling-with-eco-friendly-paint/

6 P's

Prior preperation prevents poor paint performance. Keep this and remind yourself the next time you feel the need to blast on a coat of paint without a thought as to how it will look in a year.
http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Christmas is a time for painting

It's time for window art. Yes, decorating store window glass for Christmas.
This is something anyone can do as long as you don't scratch the glass in the proccess, or don't have an iota of talent.
Visit me at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Rain is good

So, you still want your stucco painted and it just rained. Stucco is the one surface that is good to have damp before you paint. It helps penetration and absorbtion of latex paint. Now, although paint companies market stucco paint as a seperate type of product, any good quality latex paint will do just fine. If you are painting a surface that has never been painted, then you can wet it down with a hose before you start work. This will also wash off any dust and dirt that might be hanging on the the surface.
For more information about painting subjects visit  http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Summer is not attending this year

All you exterior painting types are tired of waiting for a clear stretch of sunny weather, as am I.
I think we are going to fit all our outside painting into August and September. Some parts of a building can be finished in this weather, just leave wooden sills and areas that need need to dry before paint is applied.
Visit us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Murals

Next week will see me begin  two murals in the Kamloops downtown area.
Please come and visit, or leave a message on our contact us page @
http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Don't rush the paint job

Remember that exterior paint requires at least 10 degrees Celsius to adhere properly.
Also the surface has to be dry to prevent the paint from coming off when the sun heats the surface, creating steam from underlying dampness.

More on painting trade secrets at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Is it just me?

I'm already getting inquiries about painting exteriors, and hope the HST will not affect peoples decision to hire a paint contractor.
There are ways to negotiate around this if you can talk to your painter.  Before the tax came in customers were paying 5% Gst on the labour and 12% on the paint and materials. That difference of 7% that the HST has put on a tradesmans bill works out to $70 on a $1000, this, remember is only on the labour cost, so it turns out that the amount is not that much and many painters will agree, like me, to share the cost of the tax increase. So if you pay, say, $3000 to repaint the exterior of your house, then the extra cost with HST will be on $2500 labour = $175.  (assuming 25% of the bill is paint) Ask if you can share the extra cost and you will be surprised how many companies will agree.
Make sure you get three estimates for your job, and don't just go with the cheapest, it could be an expensive mistake. Look at all  aspects of the contractors references and check to see who you think will give you the best job.
More about painting @ http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Does painting bore you?

If the thought of repainting part of your home is akin to watching the pesky stuff dry, you should remember that we are all good at different things.
You don't have to be skilled at everything, in fact it's good to remind ourselves that we are all equally ignorant, but on different subjects.
Should we spend laborious hours trying to improve in area's where we lack?
Or just keep improving the skills we already have?
I believe the latter is the best course, that is why I still paint for a living.
There are many things I'm sort of good at, but a very few things I'm very good at.

Come and visit us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/ and I can help you make painting fun.

Cold enough?

With winter blasting away all over the country you would not think that painting is on many peoples minds.
 Interior painting is actually on many peoples agenda's because during these cold months we see more of the inside of our houses than we would sometimes like.
Paint contractors are usually a bit slower at this time of year, so, consider getting some quotes for any painting you need done. Remember that in the spring everyone suddenly wants a painter and prices are less flexable.

Visit our site @ http://www.mercuryminc.net/ or email me @ mercurymediainc@telus.net  Ken.

Whats new.

I just used the ' Aura' paint from Benjamin Moore. I really liked the way it covered and adhered to the surface. The colour I used covered really well although I know it's not true with all the colours. The one drawback is the cost but the covering ability of the paint enabled me to only put one coat on some very hard to reach area's, saving the customer lots of money.
So I guess the cost of the paint can definitely be cancelled out by the cost of the painter.
Too many people don't see past the price of the can of paint, I've seen some horrible quality paint come out of some of the big box stores, bought by unsuspecting consumers who didn't take the time to arm themselves with the information  needed to make a smart decision.
Visit our site @ www.mercuryminc.net

A new year of new products

When you dip your paintbrush into a can of new "green" paint this year, don't be surprised at how different it might be. With the new regulations and higher cost of raw materials, paint is not what it used to be.
When the paint manufacturers removed the VOC's (volatile organic compounds) it changed how the paint acts and changed how long it will last.
I have found that the new paint dries way too fast, and adhesion is not as good.
Some companies used to mix alkyde or other compounds into their exterior paint to make them stronger and more resistant to weather. Not anymore.
So expect to pay more. Expect to paint more often. Bad news! but we must change, right?
Visit us for more information@ http://www.mercuryminc.net/

A painters Christmas

It's usually a slow time for professional painters in December and January. 
 It is a good time to look for deals but having the intrusion of painters running around your house at this time of year is often not welcome.
To all those who are painters and customers, I say;
Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.
 In the new year, visit our site at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Where is your paint

It's surprising that many home owners don't have more regard for the paint they have left over from painting their homes, both inside and out. Not only is the stuff pricey, it's also very useful if you need to touch up an area later on.
I usually write the date and what I used the paint on, right on top of the can. Then make sure the paint can is sealed properly. This means not putting the heal of your boot in the middle of the lid when closing it, thereby making sure the lid will never seal properly again. Also excess paint build up on the edge of the can will also ensure that it will never seal.
So take care of the small things and the big things will.......... you know the rest.

vist us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Low temps and latex

The low temperatures remind me that latex paint will turn to cottage cheese  if it's left to freeze.
No it's not edible. If your precious paint is stored in your shed or garage make sure you move it. With paint running at 40 to 70 dollars a 4 litre can, it's worth the effort.
Above freezing is all you need to store the paint until you need it next year.

visit us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

winterizing your paint supplies.

Storing paint through the winter is best achieved by finding a cool dry place where it doesn't get below 0 degrees (or freezing). Oil based paints are OK in an unheated area, but all waterbased or latex paints will become unusable if allowed to freeze.
I keep my paint in a root cellar which stays at about 5 degrees all year.
Lids must be secured as lose lids will cause your paint to skin and evaporate.
If you find that you have no use for your left over paint, many landfill sites have paint recycling as a part of their service.

visit us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Painting before Christmas

It's time to consider brightening up your home's interior for the holidays.
As I have mentioned before, painting your  interior is a great way to prepare for guests and make sure there are not piles of personal stuff behind furniture or lurking in corners, etc.
Giving your walls or even ceilings an new coat of paint will liven up the ambiance and make your friends feel they are in a home that is fresh and inviting.
Pop down to your local paint store and start today.

Visit us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/

Brighten up your surroundings.

We often underestimate the ability of a new paint job to uplift our spirits and change our whole outlook on life.
Colour has a huge impact on our moods and emotions.
Pulling out furniture from the walls and uncluttering the corners may be a chore, but not only will you find long lost items but your home will seem clearer and you won't spend anymore time rumaging through area's looking for things.
Painting is straightforward but pay attention to your colour choice. Colours you love may be better as an accent, like a pillow or rug, rather than the whole room.
Gentle colours are much better and should compliment the other colours and tones in the room.

Visit us at http://www.mercuryminc.net/