Best interior painters near Hackettstown, NJ

If your home was built before 1978, there’s a chance that any paint on your hardwood floors could be lead paint—especially if it was already there when you moved in. Because lead is toxic, hiring a licensed pro to remove it is mandatory. The average price for professional lead paint removal ranges from $1,500 to $5,300 and depends on the scope of the project.

Yes, you can paint over old exterior paint, but success depends on the condition of the existing paint and proper surface preparation. If the previous coating is in good shape (not cracked, peeling, or flaky), you can paint over it with less prep work. However, for the most durable and professional-looking results, follow these key preparation steps:

• Clean the Surface: Thoroughly clean the exterior to remove all dirt, grime, and mildew. A pressure washer can be very effective for this.

• Scrape and Sand: If the old paint is peeling, cracked, or flaky, you must scrape off all loose paint. After scraping, sand the surface to create a smooth, even base for the new paint. Sanding is especially important for wood siding.

• Apply Primer: Using a quality exterior primer is highly recommended. It ensures the new paint adheres properly, improves durability, and provides a uniform finish. If you are painting a lighter color over a dark one, a tinted primer will help cover the old color more effectively.

Some brands offer paint-and-primer-in-one products for convenience. Taking the time to prepare the surface properly will not only increase your home's curb appeal but also help protect your siding and extend its life.

If you recently splashed paint on the wrong area of a wooden object, remove it with a solvent or caustic paint stripper. Some paint that has yet to dry may be removable by hand with coarse sandpaper or a plastic scraper. Another trick for removing dried-on paint is rubbing a dab of nail polish remover on the paint to remove it, but avoid touching the bare wood surface.

Sandblasting is a common method for removing paint. It works great if the underlying material is tough. This is because you can then use more abrasive sandblast materials, making the paint removal process much faster and less expensive. If you plan on removing many layers of paint on smooth surfaces, you’ll need to be more careful about which materials you choose to use to sandblast.