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Q. What type of paint does Hands On Painters use? A. We use different paint companies for different jobs. For instance, we like to use Sherwin Williams Super Paint and Duron Plastic Kote paint for custom interior work because it doesn't splatter. However, we prefer to use Sherwin Williams Duration Paint for exterior trim because it is a thick paint that is easier to pull with a brush. We also like Duron Builders Masterpiece flat interior paint for apartments and rentals because it touches up easily and can save the owner some money in the future by using stock colors for an occasional touch up between tenants only where and when needed. |
Q. Who do you have working with you? A. Hands On Painters Inc. employs between 15 to 25 painters a year depending on the season. We have a core team that consist of Myself Jonathan Zawacki (estimates and finance), Derrick Conover and Alex Kondner (field logistics and quality control); Rich Hipsley, Eddy Cortez, Bob Grafton and Erik Moeller (lead field managers and specialized projects); and Fidel Contreras, Michael Ball, Ever Jimenez and Miguel Jiminez (Field managers). This team provides Hands On Painters with more than 150 years of “hands on” experience. There is always someone on your job with a vested interest in your total satisfaction. We do hire some seasonal helpers but are extremely careful in our hiring and training process. Find out more about our team. |
Q. Is Hands On Painters insured and licensed? A. Absolutely, yes. We are covered for liability to you and your home, and we have workman’s compensation for all of our employees. Hands On Painters also provides retirement benefits to help us retain good workers in the field. Hands On Painters, Inc. is fully-licensed through the M.I.H.C., Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC:70338). |
Q. Can Hands On Painters provide help with color decisions and decorating ideas? A. For exterior colors, we can match just about anything out there, even if you have a “left over” can of paint from a previous paint job. Builders sometimes leave touch up paint behind and/or color charts used in the development. Interior paint however, is a different story. Matching colors under various lighting conditions, together with furniture and carpet colors is a bit more difficult and is much more subjective. For these reasons, we try to stay out of the final decision process but we can refer you to a number of professional interior decorators we’ve worked with in the past who can help you make your color selections. Designing Women or visit www.designingwmn.com Haute Interiors or visit www.hauteinteriors.com |
Q. What precautions do you take to protect a home when painting? A. For interior work, we use a heavy-weight painters canvas with a rubber backing for all floors, furniture, and railings. We also use light-weight plastic and paper to cover and protect delicate items and for hard-to-cover areas such as mantels, kitchen counters, cabinets, etc. When working outside, we cover plants and bushes for short periods of time, as well as air conditioners, light fixtures, patio furniture, etc. When sealing decks we usually water-down any foliage around the deck area to protect from any over-spray. |
Q. What is better paint: Oil (alkyd) or Water-based (acrylic latex)? A. The dispute lives on! Hands On Painters feels that both types have their place. Oil paint is great for primers, high-gloss finishes in formal rooms, and on metal surfaces. Oil lasts long, is washable, and has a high tolerance for dirt, grease, and water. The down side of oil paints are smell, smell, smell. If we were to paint a room in your home with an oil paint, it would be a week before you could go back inside. Again, oil is great as a primer, for wood, and spot priming of peeling or chipped areas but it has a very low tolerance for UV light and temperature changes. For this reason, oil paint usually fails to hold color because of the damage from UV light, and additionally does not expand and contract well with the temperature changes we have in this area. Latex /Acrylic has come a long way in the past 10 to 20 years and can do almost everything oil paint can do and better. Latex paint has less of an odor and is also less toxic. We still like to use oil products for reconditioning walls that once had wallpaper, over wood paneling, and homes with water damage stains. Oil is also good for staining cedar in semi-transparents, and other wood moldings, doors, decks, etc. |
Please note ***** since January 2005 oil paints and stains with not be produced or distributed in Maryland. Most paint supplies are re- formulating to abide by new VOC (volatile organic compounds) standards. If you have more questions, please send us an email at: info@handsonpainters.com. Tell us about your particular painting needs or situation and we will get back to you with a solution and recommended paint application. |