Should I Use Oil Or Latex Paint?

This is generally an easy choice. Latex/acrylic (or water-based) paints are just as good as oil in almost every situation, and better in many. Latex/acrylic paints dry more quickly, have less odor and are better for the environment. In fact, many states restrict the sale of oil-based paints. The only situations when you would want to use oil-based paint are when you are painting over other oil-based layers, or you need an exceptionally hard finish.

Should I Use Gloss, Semi-gloss, Eggshell, Satin or Flat?

Most painting contractors recommend using eggshell or satin for most walls and semi-gloss for trim, cabinets and doors. Flat is a good choice for ceilings and for walls where you want to hide flaws. Use semi-gloss in areas of very high humidity or frequent splashing, since they are water resistant. Semi-gloss is also good in areas that get dirty frequently, as it stands up to scrubbing. See our previous post on How to Choose a Paint Sheen.

What Brand of Paint Should I Buy?

As a professional painting contractor, Jalapeno has decades of combined experience with a variety of paints. In our experience, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore have the best products. In areas of the home that experience heavy usage, like kitchens, mudrooms and bathrooms, Benjamin Moore’s AURA or Sherwin Williams’ DURATION will give excellent performance.

Should I Buy a Low-VOC or No-VOC Paint?

Using a low- or no-VOC paint will decrease the odor we like to call “that fresh paint smell.” While the evaporating solvents in a typical paint have not been shown to be harmful in reasonable amounts, it can be more pleasant to work with the low-VOC varieties. There are also fewer compounds that evaporate into the atmosphere. For the best eco-friendly paint, professional painters use Benjamin Moore’s NATURA. This previous post gives more information about green painting.

More Questions?

Your paint experts at Jalapeno Paint Werx will be happy to answer any more questions you have about interior or exterior painting topics. As a painting contractor working in the Naperville area, we bring our spicy service to Aurora, Geneva, St. Charles, Wheaton, Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Barrington.

These prices include thorough wall-preparation, high-quality materials, room protection and expert labor. When you hire Jalapeno to do your interior painting, you can count on spectacular results!

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Small Room?

A typical small bedroom, office or loft in the Chicago area measures approximately 12×12.  The cost to paint the walls would be about $265, and the ceiling would be an additional $80.

How Much Would It Cost to Paint a Medium-Sized Room?

Here in the Chicago region, many dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms are around 13×15. This size room would cost about $290 to paint, and the ceiling would be $110.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Large Room?

The largest room in the house is often the kitchen, family room or master bedroom. For a room about 16×20, the cost to paint would be $400, and the ceiling would add $180.

People often quickly assume that it is cheaper to go the do-it-yourself route when repainting a room. This can be the case, but there are often some hidden cost factors that can make it preferable to hire a professional:

• Professional painters already have all the best equipment. When you do it yourself, you will either spend a lot of money on tools that you won’t use much, or you will do the job with budget tools and end up with budget results.
• Painting contractors know the techniques and products that will produce lasting results, so that your house will not need to be repainted as often. This is especially true in exterior painting.
• The quality of your paint job can increase the value of your home if you are considering selling. A professional house painter will leave you with the clean lines and flawless finish that really impress a buyer.

If you are considering an interior painting project in your Chicago home, why not call Jalapeno for an estimate? Our estimates are free and detailed, and we promise that our friendly estimators will not be pushy or pressure you. There’s nothing to lose! Also, we provide free color consultations for qualifying projects.

Jalapeno Paint Werx serves the Chicago region with excellent interior and exterior painting services. Click here to learn more about our pricing.

Note: Pricing above assumes 8’ ceilings. Higher ceilings will increase the price.

Is It Safe to Paint Inside in Winter?

If you are using latex (water-based) paints to paint your home interior, the odors from the drying paint can be distinct. In normal amounts, however, the smell is not harmful and it will clear up in a few days. With fans running to circulate the air, and with your heat running, the “new paint smell” will dissipate even more quickly.

Some people are more sensitive to paint smells, or they worry about exposure to paint odors during pregnancy. If someone in your home is pregnant or is sensitive to the smell of paint, there are many low-VOC and no-VOC products available, which are virtually odorless and contain no harmful compounds (though we wouldn’t recommend drinking it!).

Some painting products have flammable fumes, which can be a problem when used near an oven, space heater, water heater and certain other appliances. Just check the warning labels on the paint before you buy it. Most typical interior paints will not be a problem.

Does Interior Painting Work Well in Winter?

Our Chicago winters can be brutal, and of course we avoid exterior painting during these months, but does the cold affect the performance of paint when painting indoors? Not Usually.

If your house has a heating system running and the walls are even minimally insulated, you should be fine. The winter is a low-humidity season, and heating systems further dry the air, so paint will generally dry and cure normally. The interior surfaces of your exterior walls might dry more slowly than normal if they are cold to the touch. This isn’t normally a problem, and the drying can be sped up with fans, a dehumidifier, a space heater or a combination of the three.

If you have any dreams for interior painting this winter, don’t let the cold hold you back. You can grab a brush and ladder and do it yourself, or call a Chicago painting contractor such as Jalapeno Paint Werx. We are experienced with low-odor and no-VOC painting products.

Based in Naperville, Illinois, Jalapeno serves Geneva, St. Charles,  Wheaton, Hinsdale, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Aurora, Batavia, Downers Grove and more.

So, here we are again at that crucial point of the year when we all begin looking ahead at how amazing the coming year is going to be!   As we get ready to plow ahead into 2012, Jalapeno has a fun little contest for you!

Here’s how it works!

Share your craziest New Years Resolution for 2012.

The staff at Jalapeno will select the craziest or strangest resolution and send them a $15 Starbuck’s Gift Card!

Just fill out the form to the right and type your resolution in the message box. The winner will be announced on December 31st!

Let’s hear what you’ve got planned for 2012!!

1. Does the company return phone calls and respond to your requests and questions promptly?
2. Did the estimator show up on time? If not, did he call to keep you in the loop?
3. Did he measure the rooms or just walk through and wing it?
4. Was the proposal delivered when you were told it would be?
5. When you received your painting project proposal, was it clear as to every area AND item/surface included in the price?
6. Did it specify the exact preparation & number of coats each surface would get?
7. Did the proposal name the manufacturer AND product line being used?
8. Do you feel you were ‘heard’ and that your concerns were adequately addressed?
9. When you asked how long the job would take did you get an exact answer?
10. Was the presentation of the company highly professional?
11. Did the painting contractor have a discussion with you regarding pre-job planning to avoid any miscommunication or surprises?

+ 1       If all the prices were the same who would you hire?

The above guidelines can be early warning signals for you if you pay close attention. There are too many really good painting companies out there for you to settle on a mediocre one. If we can help you with your project OR assist you in any way don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

Painting contractors always begin by protecting a room and then preparing the walls (click the links for previous posts on these topics). Next, use blue painters tape to create a clean protective line wherever the current color you are painting will end. Next, shake and stir your can of paint, and you’re ready to go!

Begin with a brush, painting along all of the edges and corners. Use long, smooth strokes, making sure that the paint covers smoothly. Watch for drips or raised beads that will dry and show on the surface. Your cutting in should be 3-4 inches wide, creating a frame around the perimeter of each wall surface, window and door. For best results, professional painters use light brush strokes to create a “feathered” edge, so that there is no clear line where the cut-in stops.

Next, use your roller to paint the large open areas. Begin in one corner and roll from top to bottom (and back up). Do not roll too quickly, or you will get splatters. Watch for drips, lap-lines and thin spots, and always work to maintain a “wet edge.” This means that you work your way slowly from one end of the wall to the other, always lapping new paint on wet, fresh paint rather than allowing a patch of wall to dry and then lapping the paint over that.

If your walls will require a second coat of paint, wait for the first coat to dry, and then reapply. Clean out or thoroughly wrap your brushes in plastic while you wait.

Once you are finished painting, remove the tape as soon as possible. If the paint cures all the way, the tape may tear it as it comes away, ruining your nice clean edge.

Now, step back, take a deep breath and enjoy your masterpiece!

Once you know how to paint a room, the process can be fun and exciting. It is exciting to see the change taking place. For a truly exquisite interior paint job, however, trust the job to a professional painting contractor, such as Jalapeno Paint Werx. We can complete your project in less time and with stunning results. We also offer professional color consulting services, so you are guaranteed to get the color and look that suit your home perfectly.

Jalapeno Paint Werx serves St. Charles, Geneva, Plainfield, Batavia, Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Oswego and the whole Chicago area, offering high-quality painting services.

The first step when painting a room is to protect all furniture and non-painted surfaces (see this previous post). Once this is done, the next stage is to prepare your walls for painting. While this process can seem tedious and difficult, it is very important, and cannot be overlooked. Painting contractors usually spend at least half of their project time on preparation. The goal is to turn your wall into a smooth, flawless, uniform surface that paint can adhere to.

Getting a good, clean surface is key when painting your home interior. Occasionally, the walls need to be washed before painting, and if the current paint has any sheen to it, this should be scrubbed with a light abrasive. A light sandpaper would do, or you could wash with a mixture of water and TSP, which will clean the wall and remove the sheen. This will allow the new paint to bond solidly to the current surface, preventing blistering or peeling in the future.

Next, examine your wall for any imperfections: old tape, nail holes, dents, gouges, old paint drips and nail pop-outs. Use a putty knife to scrape off anything that sticks up above the surface. Then use a lightweight spackle to fill in any scrapes, gouges or holes. Do not overfill the indentations, but use the putty knife to create an even surface right across the flaw. When the spackle has dried, sand it lightly with fine sandpaper until the surface is smooth.

If you are changing from a dark color to a light one, or if you have done significant patching on your walls, professional painters recommend priming the wall at this stage. If you are priming for a new color, you can have your paint store tint the primer to a half-shade of the final color.

Finally, if your baseboards and/or crown molding are not connected by a clean bead of caulk, apply a line of paintable latex caulk. This will close any gaps and give you a crisp looking finish.

Now that you have tarped and taped to protect your room, then filled and filed to prepare the walls, you are ready to start painting!

If you are planning some interior painting, but you are not sure you can paint a room with the fine results you desire, consider hiring a professional house painter. Jalapeno Paint Werx guarantees a spectacular paint job, and we stand behind our work with a 3 year warranty. Let our professional painters do the hard work so that you can sit back and enjoy the transformation!

Jalapeno serves the Chicago area, offering excellent painting services to Naperville, Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Batavia, Burr Ridge, Lisle and more.

Previous Post –  How to Prepare a Room for Painting

Next Post –  How to Paint a Room: Painting Tips

The first step is to remove any large furniture items that can easily be put in another room (if you’ve got a friendly, burly neighbor, you might want to ask for a hand). If your piano or sofa is too large to be easily relocated, simply put it in the center of the room and cover it securely with a dropcloth or old bed sheet.

Next, remove your pictures and decorations from the walls–this might be a good opportunity to dispose of some of those gifts you felt you had to display! Place them in a safe location where you won’t be tripping over them, and make sure you remove all nails and hooks from the walls.

At this point, see to any light fixtures that are mounted on the walls. If you can safely remove them, do so. Of course, then you’ll need to bring in a floor lamp so you’re not painting in the dark! If you can’t remove the fixtures, carefully tape their edges where they meet the wall (to protect it from brushing) and securely cover the light with plastic (to protect it from splatters and drips).

Now you’re almost done. One quick but very necessary step is to see to your light switches and outlets. Use a screwdriver to remove the wallplates that surround them, and then use painters tape to cover the outlets and switches. This is a good time to replace them if they are outdated, since you’ve gone this far.

Finally, the floors. Spread out drop cloths over the whole floor so you are completely prepared for unexpected spills, drips and splatters. Use tape around the edges so that when you paint the baseboards you don’t get the floor. Try to spread the cloths smoothly and overlap them well so that they don’t become a tripping hazard.

Now that you’ve protected the room like a professional painter, you are ready to prepare the walls and start the fun! One more thing, though–unless you like paw prints, you might want to lock up your pets!

Jalapeno Paint Werx, a painting contractor based in Naperville, Il, offers excellent painting services to our Chicago-area clients. We take great care to protect your home so that the only memories of our visits are flawless surfaces and clean lines. We also offer color selection services, to help our clients answer the question, “What color should I paint my (insert room here)?”

Jalapeno, serving Mokena, Aurora, New Lennox, Orland Park, Elmhurst, Lombard, Batavia and all of Chicagoland. Expert painting services, exceptional service!

Unfortunately, there is no one answer that will fit every situation. A multitude of factors can impact this consideration, including the material being painted, the quality of previous paint jobs, the skill of the painter and the quality of the new paint. That said, most homeowners can count on at least 5 years for their exterior paint job, while in some cases it will last 7 to 10 years.

In the humidity of our Chicago summers and the cold of our Midwest winters, painted walls take a beating, expanding, contracting and holding out the elements. Because it expands and contracts more, and because it can absorb more moisture, painted wood will often fail before painted block, brick or stucco. Another factor is the lower layers of paint on the substrate. If a home exterior has been previously painted with an oil-based paint, it may be brittle and cracking, which will cause the new paint to fail sooner.

The best way to ensure that your painting investment lasts a long time is to hire a well-established painting contractor with a proven record for satisfied customers. A reputable painting company will put in the preparation work that budget companies skimp on, such as scraping, filling, sanding, repairing and priming. An excellent house painter will also use premium materials. While our first instinct might be to hire the painting contractor with the lowest bid, the truth is that paying 20-30% more for the paint job up front could more than double the length of time before you need to paint again.

Jalapeno Paint Werx, based in Naperville, Illinois, knows how to perform exterior painting that will endure and remain beautiful for many seasons. We serve the whole Chicago region, including Oak Lawn, Elmhurst, South Barrington, Tinley Park, Bolingbrook, Downer’s Grove, Plainfield and Aurora. Contact Us today to discuss any painting projects you may have in mind. We’re always happy to answer questions–even if they’re ones we hear all the time!

Naperville Ceiling before repair

…that ugly crack caused from a leaky toilet two years ago! It has been on your ‘To Do’ list for far too long and now you have guests coming and need to repair it!

Here are a 8 easy steps to fixing your drywall ceiling on a Saturday afternoon:

1.  Cover and protect your cabinets, floors and counters with drop cloths and plastic.

2.  Remove the damaged tape by using a utility knife. Any loose sheetrock should be removed as well.

3.  Cut a piece of fiberglass mesh drywall tape to the needed length and apply to the void.

4. Apply a light coat of joint compound over the taped area and allow to dry. Try to avoid leaving large edges of the compound…remember you will need to sand it later!

5. Sand smooth with a sanding sponge and knock down any ridges.

6. Apply a second coat of mud with a six inch broad knife.

7. Lightly sand the area and check for any other imperfections.  A third coat of joint compound will most likely be needed to ensure a smooth and even-looking surface.

8. Prime the repaired area and apply a fresh coat of ceiling paint to the entire ceiling.

Tape seam after repair!

The above steps are simply an outline to use when repairing a tape seam. There are occasions where the drywall is so badly damaged and soft that it will make more sense to cut a section of the ceiling out and hang new drywall.  If you have any questions about your drywall repair project feel free to contact us at 630-527-1829 and we will be happy to assist you!