Residential Painting FAQs

Do you use quality paint in each home you work in?

We believe that to get quality results, you can’t use cheap supplies. This is why we always use the best quality paints on the market. If the job requires it, we will use a special type of paint suited for the type of surface being painted.

If I have my own paint already, can you use it?

Many of our customers have a preference for a particular type or brand of paint, especially if they have extensive experience with home renovation themselves. We will happily use your own paints if you prefer.

What is paint actually made of?

Paint is a group of emulsions made up of pigments suspended in liquid. Paints used today are made out of a variety of compounds. Some of them are optimized for specific uses, such as residential, commercial and furniture paints.

Did paints used on the interior and exterior of buildings change over time?

Paints used on new and existing buildings are sometimes referred to as “architectural coatings,” although this term is rarely used outside of the industry anymore. Before 1950, the majority of paints used on the interior or exterior walls of a building were oil-based. Some advancements were made in the industry during this time period, which resulted in quality water-based paints becoming more affordable and popular among individuals and industry professionals. Today, the vast majority of paints used in buildings will be water-based. One may still find oil-based paints, but they tend to be used for specific applications, such as to paint furniture items. Water-based paints offer many advantages compared to their oil-based counterparts. They’re a lot easier to clean off rollers and brushes. They’re good for the environment too. Oil is a volatile compound and gets released into the atmosphere as the paint dries. It reacts with sunlight to form smog, which had become a concern in big cities 40 years ago. Water-based paint doesn’t have this problem and complies with all clean air and environmental guidelines.

Are paints usually made in the USA?

The American paint and coatings industry has over 800 companies providing a wide range of products. This includes common house paints, but also industrial and specialty coatings that are used for road markings, as well as to paint ships and oil rigs. Many standard house paints are made in the USA. We’re proud to support our local industry and use many products made right here at home.

Is it really necessary to use primer on pre-primed hardboard siding after it is installed on a house?

You may check the recommendations issued by the manufacturer while planning your project. As a general rule, a coat of exterior alkyl primer is used before two coats of acrylic latex paint produces a superior result that lasts longer. Paint adheres better when exterior primer has been applied to the hardboard. It also helps seal the material from the elements, thus preventing deterioration as it gets exposed to moisture and water on a regular basis.

I need to decide which paint to use on wood but I’m not sure which type it is. How do I figure it out?

You can determine the type of wood you’re dealing with by sanding some exposed wood until it has an almost new appearance. If it has a reddish color, or a gray one if exposed to the sun, it’s usually cedar or redwood. Pine will be quite soft and look yellow. If you’re not sure that you got it right, don’t hesitate to ask us when we visit your home for your project consultation. Our experts can recognize the various kinds of wood and will tell you which type of paint will work best with it. If you don’t have the right paint, don’t worry, as we will bring ours.

I need some painting work done quickly. How soon can you begin?

Kunst Painting Inc. has over 30 crew members at our disposal to better meet the needs of our customers. This allows us to meet almost any kind of deadline you may have. Over the past 30+ years, we’ve had many customers who need a job started and completed very quickly. Don’t hesitate to give us a call to find out what we can do to help. We will give you an honest answer depending on which services you need and the size of the project. In any case, you can be sure that we will make every effort to meet your deadline.

How long does it take to get a certain project completed?

This will depend on the nature of the work you require. In most cases, the work will be done in 1 or 2 days. In rare cases, such as if your project is very elaborate or you have a large property, completing all the work required may take a bit more time. Our painters are able to work in a highly efficient way without cutting corners that would compromise the quality of the job. When you receive your initial consultation, you will also get a detailed timeline for the completion of your project. This allows you to know how your entire project will move forward.

How many painters will be sent to work in my home?

The number of workers assigned to a job will vary depending on the scope and size of the job they’re doing. Once you get your estimate, we will be able to give you a more accurate answer to this question. In any case, we always assign the right number of staff to each project, so that the work is done efficiently and rapidly.

Are you able to work on weekends?

Flexibility is something that comes naturally to us and we will work with you to accommodate your schedule to the best of our abilities. We can arrange for a crew to be sent on a weekend if you have a tight schedule.

Do you stay updated on new developments in your industry, such as new paint types and tools?

As professionals, we take a lot of interest in anything new which affects our industry. We read industry publications and attend various classes or seminars on a regular basis. While the basics of painting haven’t changed too much in centuries, there are sometimes new developments being made in the business, like new or improved work tools, new paints that offer unique advantages in some applications or new methods to get a certain kind of job done more efficiently. 

Our goal is to do the best job possible while offering affordable prices. We carefully evaluate anything new to see if it can be truly beneficial to both us and our customers. Our company founder and management team have decades of experience doing all kinds of paint jobs, so we know that just because there’s a new kind of paint out there, it doesn’t always mean it will be the best choice for all projects. We always work with the best materials, tools and supplies to do the job you hire us for, whether it’s something that your grandfather would use or the latest scientific breakthrough.

What is the purpose of primer, and when it is needed?

Primers are specifically designed coatings used to prepare different substrates to accept top coats of paint. They solve specific challenges painters face: sealing out moisture, resisting bleeding of stains and chemicals from inside the substrate, and locking down chalky surfaces.

Substrates that have paint adhering to them, in good condition, usually do not need a full prime coat. Rather, spot priming is performed where the surface is bare, or preparation tasks have been performed. However, if an extreme color change is planned, it is often helpful to have a primer coat applied to help the finish coats cover better.

Commercial Painting FAQs

How long after the estimate does painting begin?

Work begins one to three weeks following the estimate, once color selections and work specifications have been confirmed and the work contract has been signed.

Our prep work prior to painting includes repairs for holes and cracks.

How do I prepare for painting once I have signed a contract?

Kunst Painting Inc.’s prep service includes the protection and removal of furniture and fragile items such as pictures, glass items and electronic devices. Our licensed and insured team works closely with clients to keep your property, employees and family safe.

How Does Commercial and Industrial Painting Differ?

Commercial and Industrial painting involves painting a building used for commercial or business purposes, but both the process are done with different goals in mind.

• Commercial painting involves painting of building where clients or customers are present. But in the case of industrial painting, paint is done for machines or
  a building that needs to withstand the harsh conditions of the manufacturing
  environment.
• Commercial painting jobs are conducted using latex-paints, as the latex paint dries out quickly and the building can be used for your business. For industrial painting, the buildings are not used by most of the public but need to withstand the harsh machine conditions. So oil-based paints are used, as they tend to be
  more durable and last longer.

• Commercial Painting offers painting for the building interior and exteriors.
  Industrial painting offers painting for machinery, boats, aircraft, and structures
  such as bridges.

Which is better – oil paint or latex paint?

While oil paint has traditionally been viewed as superior to water-based paints, the chemicals that made oil paints especially durable have been legislated out of use by the government. As such, oil paints are being phased out of the marketplace for residential painting & some commercial/industrial applications. At the same time, the technological advances in 100% acrylic resin latex paints have improved dramatically.

How many coats of paint are appropriate for my project?

The durability and longevity of a paint job is affected more by the quality of the preparation than the number of coats of paint. In most instances, Kunst Painting Inc. specifies two complete coats of paint for previously painted surfaces. New, raw surfaces usually receive a full prime coat prior to finish coats being applied. Additionally, very dramatic color changes often require a full prime coat prior to finish coats being applied. This is most often seen when covering deep reds, greens and browns and/or when re-coating with a very light color. We will consult with you and can provide an option for an additional coat in those areas.

If you are not changing color, and the existing paint is in relatively good condition, a single coat of matching color and sheen may suffice.

How long does it take the new paint to dry?

Most latex paints are set up in 30-120 minutes but may take as long as 30 days to fully cure. For this reason, we recommend opening and closing newly painted windows and doors regularly during this period to avoid sticking.