Whether you are a Homeowner who takes pride in their home ownership, a Contractor building a client’s dream home, an Investor or Property Manager working on an investment property or a Realtor helping a client buy or sell – Mills Painting can help. Our trained staff understands the coating process both inside and out.
As a painting contractor it’s our job to go over what type of exterior siding is on your home or business and determine what coatings will perform best and last for years to come. We start by testing what type of coating is on the surface of your exterior siding determining if it is an alkyd oil, latex, solid body or semitransparent stain, Elastomeric or lead coating. We evaluate the condition of the coating and determine what preparation methods and coatings will give you the best performance value for longevity, wash-ability, color retention, mold resistance, and overall durability. Coatings failures are addressed at this time, and after agreeing on the approaches and products to use, we will begin work.
Here are a few of the most common coatings failures provided courtesy of Miller Paint: Common Interior & Exterior Coatings Failures
Our Exterior Painting Process:
- Surface Preparation: All homes prior to 1978 are tested for lead on site and then laboratory tested if lead is present to determine the lead action level. A lasting finish starts with a good pressure washing. After the power washing has dried, the exterior is tested with a moisture meter to ensure the surface is ready for preparation and that any residual moisture has had a chance to escape. The old saying that painting is 80% percent prep is 80% sweat and that is what we give next by removing failed coatings, sanding, grinding and full prepping the surfaces leaving them primered and caulked to meet A.S.T.M coating standards.
- Mask and Protect: During the surface preparation process windows, doors, light fixtures, foundations, gutters and other surfaces not to be painted are masked. Drop cloths are used to catch jobsite debris and failed coatings as we go. Additionally, the roof lines, plants, shrubs, and bushes are covered to prevent over spray. Our crew is meticulous about keeping the job clean every by sweeping up and not leaving behind paint chips or other rubbish.
- Coatings are Applied: The exterior body of the house or business is sprayed, back brushed or back rolled depending on type of exterior siding and methodology required to ensure a uniform finish. Masking is removed and trim around the windows and doors are hand painted. Accent color doors are removed and sprayed and the painting proceeds until completed. Decks, fences, pergolas and gazebos are stained or painted before or after the exterior painting is completed. All touch up paint cans are labeled and dated.
Our Interior Painting Process
- Surface Preparation: Prior to paint commencement, all walls are looked over to determine if cleaning is necessary prior to painting. We look for surface mold or any other infestations or defects and bring that to your attention. Typically a dilution of bleach and warm water takes care of surface mold. We also look for surface contaminants from fireplaces, oil furnaces, candles or excessive traffic. Any contaminants are removed and a cleaning of tri-sodium phosphate and warm water rinse assures a clean, bond-able surface for the paint to adhere too. Nail holes are filled and primed and cracks caulked. Larger repairs are textured and primed.
- Mask and Protect: Prior to painting we take the necessary steps to make sure furniture is protected with plastic. Baseboards, windows, outlets and other items not to be painted are masked prior to walls being painted. Drop clothes are always used to protect the carpet and floors. In commercial settings, wet paint signs are placed in view of employees, guests or residents during the painting process.
- Coatings are Applied: Walls and ceilings are cut in by hand and then rolled to achieve a consistent finish. Trim work is hand brushed and all surfaces to be painted are gone over until the work is complete. Depending on the products being used, a top coat is applied in similar manner. When finished, all touch paint cans are labeled and dated for the property owner.
- Mill Work: Mill work is thoroughly prepared whether it is stained, clear coated or painted with alkyd enamels, latex, or solid body stain. We always start by determining what products have been used on your doors, windows, crown molding, baseboards, or cabinets whether you have the paint can or not. Different clear coats and stains have different chemical reactions when a new coating is applied. A quick test gives us the ability to determine the coating and what product methodology to proceed with. A inexperienced painting contractor can cause thousands of dollars in failed finish damage to your mill work! Our expertise and extensive product knowledge in the painting industry sets us apart from many of the others.
Curt Mills has devoted his entire adult life to enhancing the professional craftsmanship of our industry and he brings over 27 years of applicable coatings experience to the table as a master level craftsman and fluid applied liquid engineering applicator. This is just one of the many reasons he is trusted by Architects, Property Managers, Realtors, Designers, Maintenance Companies, the Restoration Society and Buildings Owners throughout the Inland Northwest.