Painting Tips:

How do you tell if something is painted with oil paint or latex.

If you try to paint over oil paint with a latex paint it may not adhere properly.  This may result in the paint flaking or peeling. You can use something called a conversion primer to ensure that the top coat will adhere properly.  So how do you tell if you are dealing with oil or latex. .There are several ways to tell.

1. The first method is to wet a rag with some nail polish remover and rub it on the paint. If the paint is latex the nail polish will start to dissolve the paint. If the paint is oil based the nail polish will simply clean the surface without damaging it.
2. Another method is to sand the surface with some sandpaper, and then run your hand along the area you have sanded.  If the surface is oil there will usually be a fine talcum like powder on the paint surface.  If  the surface is latex paint there may be some crumbs similar to what is left behind when you use an eraser on a piece of paper, but not a fine powder.
3. Another way to tell whether something was painting with oil or latex paint is to look closely at the surface texture. Oil paint usually dries to a very smooth glass- like surface. Latex paint is usually not as smooth and will show brush strokes in the surface.
4. Another method is to try to scratch the paint surface with your fingernail.  Oil paint is much harder and will be difficult to scratch. Latex is softer and easier to leave a scratch mark on it.

Some new technology paint formulas allow latex paint to perform like oil. For this reason you may need to use more than one method to be sure of the type of paint you are dealing with.

Painting vs Replacing your kitchen Cabinets

Free Tips for Painting in Kitchener Waterloo

One reason why so many people employ home painting contractors is because they can get the job done quickly. Amateurs, on the other hand, tend to move more slowly in hopes of avoiding mistakes.

Thats why if your painting job involves multiple rooms, you may be better off with a contractor. Otherwise, a two-room job could quickly turn into a week long project. A contractor could get it done in far less time.

Sometimes it simply makes sense to employ a home painting contractor. If you aren’t certain that you can do the job quickly, properly, as well as safely, you will thank yourself for not taking the risk.