Painting, in plain English.
Prep, primers, sheens, exterior coatings and getting a finish that lasts.
The lingo.
- Back-rolling
- Rolling paint into a surface right after spraying so it bonds instead of sitting on top. Important on rough siding and stucco.
- Cabinet refinishing
- Cleaning, degreasing, sanding, priming and spraying existing cabinets with a hard enamel. A fraction of the cost of new cabinets when the boxes are sound.
- Caulking
- Filling gaps between trim and wall or siding with a flexible sealant before painting. Paintable acrylic-latex caulk inside; a siliconized or elastomeric caulk outside.
- Cutting in
- Painting the edges along trim, ceilings and corners with a brush before rolling the field.
- Elastomeric coating
- A thick, stretchy exterior coating for stucco and masonry that bridges hairline cracks.
- Latex vs. oil
- Water-based (latex or acrylic) paint dries fast, cleans up with water and stays flexible; oil-based levels beautifully on trim but yellows and is restricted in many states. Do not put latex over oil without a bonding primer.
- Lead paint
- Paint in homes built before 1978 may contain lead. Federal rules require contractors disturbing it to be certified and to use lead-safe work practices; ask to see the certification.
- Peeling and alligatoring
- Peeling means the paint has lost its bond, usually from moisture or poor prep. Alligatoring is the cracked, scaly pattern of many old layers of oil paint; both mean scrape to a sound surface.
- Prep
- Everything before paint touches the wall: washing, scraping, sanding, filling, caulking, priming, masking. Prep is most of the labor and all of the difference between a paint job that lasts and one that peels.
- Primer
- The first coat that seals the surface and helps paint stick. Bare wood, new drywall, stains, glossy surfaces and big color changes need it; a paint-and-primer-in-one product is not a substitute on those.
- Sheen
- How shiny the finish is: flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss. Higher sheen is more washable and shows more flaws; eggshell for walls and semi-gloss for trim is the common choice.
- Spray vs. brush and roll
- Spraying is faster and smoother on exteriors, cabinets and doors, but takes heavy masking. Brushing and rolling is the norm for occupied interiors.
- Touch-up
- Repainting a small area. Leftover paint from the same batch touches up well on flat finishes and poorly on anything shiny; ask for labeled leftovers.
- Two coats
- The standard for a finished result. One coat rarely covers evenly, especially over a color change; an estimate should state how many coats are included.
- VOCs
- Volatile organic compounds, the solvents that give paint its smell. Low- and zero-VOC paints are standard for interiors now.
Guides.
- Before you call a painter
Why prep is the price, how to compare estimates and what to decide before the walkthrough.
- Paying for the work: deposits, draws and financing
How much to pay up front, when progress payments are fair and what to watch in a financing offer.
- Hiring a Pro: five questions before you sign
License, insurance, references, a written scope, and who is actually showing up.
- What a written warranty should say
Workmanship, materials and the difference between them. What to ask for and how to make a claim.
- How to read a contractor's estimate
Compare scopes, not prices. What every line on a good estimate means and the questions to ask before you sign.
Reading list.
Articles from around the internet that our Pros trust. They open on the source's site.
- Lead · U.S. EPA
Where lead paint hides and how to protect children during and after work.
- Renovation, Repair and Painting Program · U.S. EPA
The federal lead-safe rules for work in homes built before 1978 and how to find a certified firm.
From the Pros.
Written by the people who do this work every day, in your area.
The first posts from Painting Pros are on their way.
Questions from homeowners.
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