Q: Why should we consider hiring Custom Painting, Inc.?
A: Custom Painting, Inc. has provided residential and commercial painting services throughout the Bay Area for over 40 years. We are also a licensed, bonded, and insured company. In addition to interior and exterior painting, we offer other services such as cabinet painting and refinishing, popcorn ceiling removal, and custom work like crown molding, wainscoting installation, and wallpaper installation and removal.
We are a locally established, owned, and operated company. We serve communities across the Bay Area. Our business is founded on quality workmanship, honest communication, and friendly customer service. We combine the latest in paint technology, and other services, with time-honored values to exceed the expectations of every client.
We always stand by our work with a one-year warranty. We also offer extended warranties and a one-year warranty for work on floor surfaces are also available.
Q: How do you protect our furnishings and clean up after you finish painting?
A: We protect the floor, furniture, and other areas with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Upon completion, we will clean up and return the furniture to where we found them.
Q: Do you have references?
A: Yes, we provide references upon request.
Q: How much paint will you need in your commercial paint projects?
A: It depends on several factors. First, we need to determine the total square footage of the interior or exterior areas you want to paint.
Please remember that a gallon of paint normally covers about 300 square feet of smooth surfaces. For good-quality paint, you should expect to pay between $50 and $75 per gallon. For instance, the cost for paint to cover 4,800 square feet of flat surfaces would be about $1,200 for paint.
If the surfaces are textured, or you would like to paint many walls, you’ll need more paint.
Q: Which is better – latex or oil-based paint?
A: Oil-based paints have traditionally been considered superior to latex paints. However, their major problem is their potential hazards to health and the environment. As such, they have been phased out of the marketplace, and some states have banned them.
At the same time, advances in paint technology have paved the way for latex paints to improve dramatically. They are almost as durable as oil-based paints. Custom Painting, Inc. provides specific paint recommendations for every project.
Q: Do you remove all the old paint before coating it with new paint?
A: No. We don’t remove all the old paint before painting. However, removing chipped, cracked, or peeling paint is essential before painting.
But if you wish to have specific areas of your building stripped of old paint, we will gladly discuss the process. Such services can be priced as an option, although it can be expensive.
Q: How many coats of paint do you apply for your project?
A: In most instances, Custom Painting, Inc. applies two coats of paint to previously painted surfaces. New, bare surfaces typically receive complete priming before the topcoat. In addition, drastic and dramatic color changes usually require a full coat of primer before finishing coats.
If you are not changing color or the existing paint is in good condition, one coat of paint may suffice.
Q: What type of paint finishes are usually used in commercial buildings?
A: In commercial buildings, the interior surfaces usually experience foot traffic, while the exterior surfaces take the usual beating from the weather elements and pollution.
For these reasons, we usually use higher-gloss paints. Flat or matte paints are much more resistant to scuffing, stains, moisture, and grease. They can also stand up to being frequently cleaned, wiped, scrubbed, or washed better than flat.
Paints with a higher degree of sheen are more reflective, almost mirror-like. However, this very attribute causes higher-gross paints to reveal surface imperfections. Higher-gloss paints act as a sealer to protect the surface, making these paints ideal for those high-traffic areas.
Flat and matte finishes give a “quieter” and less reflective finish. Bear in mind that these finishes are not durable and prone to stains and scuffing. In addition, flat paints do poorly when cleaned or scrubbed. Flat or matte finishes won’t hold up well if you have to do frequent cleaning.
The list below specifies the various types of paint finishes:
- Flat (matte) finish: It has little or no sheen. It is good at covering imperfections, but it is prone to dirt and scuffing and is next to impossible to clean. It is best for areas with little traffic, such as corner offices.
- Eggshell: This paint is a slightly bolder version of flat and is considered the “happy medium” between flat and glossy. It has little reflectivity and is more durable than flat. This popular finish is ideal for areas with moderate traffic, such as conference rooms.
- Satin: Another popular finish, satin has a slightly higher degree of sheen than eggshell. It works well in certain high-traffic areas, such as kitchens, restrooms, reception rooms, and hallways. While satin is more durable than flat and eggshell, it tends to show brush marks and is poor at hiding surface imperfections.
- Semi-gloss and high-gloss – These paints have a high degree of sheen and provide durability to the surface. However, they also tend to show brush or lap marks and poorly conceal surface flaws. Semi-gloss and high-gloss paints work well in kitchens, hallways, cafeterias, and break rooms.