"SHORT REVIEW: You couldn't ask for a better painter! 2nd job DS Painting did for us and we couldn't be more pleased! DETAILED REVIEW: Derek painted a room for us 8 years ago when we purchased an Angie's List deal for his company. We were so impressed with his work ethic, personality, and the quality of his work that we kept his name on file. We recently moved into an existing home that needed to be completely painted: ceilings, walls, and trim. We were out of Derek's normal service area but took a chance that he would accept the project since it was a whole house. He accepted...YAY! As expected, he and his coworker, Mike, were AMAZING. Every surface of our home was covered with a drop cloth or plastic (cabinets); every outlet cover and register removed; every doorknob, hinge, and light fixture taped or covered so paint would not get on them. We gave Derek a key to the house and stayed out of his way. We were so pleased with the progress. We found out that Derek does tile work, so we asked him to also add a tile backsplash in our kitchen. That turned out great as well. The only evidence that they were even there was the BEAUTIFUL paint and backsplash: They cleaned everything up and even vacuumed the floors before they left. I will be saving up and trying to get enough work together to convince Derek to come out to us one more time for bathroom tile and anything else that he does. Honestly the best contractor (painting or otherwise) that I have had the pleasure of working with. Thank you, Derek and Mike!"
"Great Job. Work was done in a timely manner and with great care on cleanliness. We are very satisfied with the work performed and have already requested more work to be done."
"They did a great job. When there was a problem with stains seeping through fresh paint, owner Lisa Costas was eager to find a way to solve the problem, and she did. Everything was done to our satisfaction. The painters are the cleanest workmen I’ve ever hired. I will hire them again for any future painting we need done."
"John was very professional and prompt in cleaning my gutters. He has a great work ethic and took pictures of clogged areas. I will definitely use him again next year."
"Marlon and his staff did a great job painting our rooms. Quite a bit of prep to patch areas and they look fabulous. Marlon is a pleasure to work with. Great workmanship, clean, punctual, and very caring."
"They were great ,love there work ,my home was full of dark colors and wallpaper and now its so bright and beautiful, I told Mel what I needed done and the colors I chose and him and Kevin did a great job , they would keep me up to date with everything they were doing or getting ready to do ,if they hit a snag they would show me and do there best to fix it, by snag I mean my walls had lots of bumps and wallpaper and they made it look good 😊 very verbal with everything, at first I hired them for my mom's bedroom, living room and my hallway, after seeing the finished work, I had them do my kitchen, love it , I will be hiring them again 👍🏻😆 thank you guys so much . PS there prices are great ! Please ignore the yellow 🤣🤣🤣there getting ready to be replace ,the painting is done by Mel and Kevin."
"Great crew. Showed up on time, prepped everything properly, and left a clean, professional finish. No mess, no delays, no surprises. Will hire them again!"
"We had a leak. Pablo came to advise, was very professional. He saw the job through the beginning to end advising us along the way. Roof was replaced on time. Crew was neat and clean. Workmanship was high quality."
"RMJ painted interior of my home a few years ago and this past week painted the inside of my garage.
RMJ is the ultimate in customer service, attention to detail, recommendations on colors, setup and cleanup.
Everyone on his staff has the same quality in superior customer service, attention to detail, setup and cleanup.
I will continue to hire this company for future needs.
I rate them No. 1."
Wet-sanding and dry-sanding each have pros and cons. Dry-sanding is less messy, so it’s a good option if you’re trying to minimize dust (for example, if you’re sanding an occupied home or working with particularly dry or dusty drywall mud). However, dry-sanding is quicker because you don’t have to keep rinsing a sponge or wait for it to dry before painting.
Staining pressure-treated wood is a recommended practice. While inherently resilient, it's not impervious to moisture and UV exposure. Staining treated wood is feasible and recommended for enhanced protection and longevity. Applying stain and sealant safeguards against degradation, prolonging its life span. These measures shield the wood from environmental threats while augmenting its aesthetic appeal, ensuring your investment endures the test of time.
Wood stain is not flammable after it dries. The solvent in wood stain is what causes the liquid form to be highly flammable, but the stain drying process involves the solvents dissolving, which leaves behind a non-flammable product on your wood project. Wood stain is, however, flammable before you apply it, so you should always store partially full cans and used wood stain rags away from sources of heat and open flames.
There are deck restoration products and oil-based wood stains that can help bring back some of the color and shine to your faded Trex decking. However, if your boards are suffering from serious fading due to UV rays or chemical cleaning products, don’t expect miracles. Also, these products are only suitable for use on the older Trex boards, not the capped, second-generation Trex products.
Limewash and whitewash are two techniques used to give brick a light, matte finish, but they differ in composition, application, and permanence. The best choice depends on your aesthetic goals and the specific surface.
Composition
Limewash: A natural and environmentally friendly option made from limestone, water, and sometimes pigments. It is breathable and soaks into porous surfaces like brick.
Whitewash: Traditionally made from lime, water, chalk, and binders, but a similar look can be achieved with watered-down white paint. It is paint-based and sits on top of the surface.
Appearance and Finish
Limewash: Provides a natural, textured appearance that allows the brick's character to show through. It offers a more traditional finish.
Whitewash: Creates a softer, more opaque finish, often used for a rustic or shabby-chic style.
Application and Permanence
Limewash: Is semi-permanent and can be removed, making it a good choice if you might want to change the look in the future. It requires more skill to apply and cannot be used on previously painted brick.
Whitewash: Is a more permanent solution. It is more forgiving to apply and can be used on painted brick. However, because it sits on the surface, it can trap moisture.
Ultimately, if you want a breathable, natural, and reversible finish for unpainted brick, limewash is a great option. If you need a more permanent, opaque coating that can be applied over painted surfaces, whitewash is the better choice. Whitewashing may also be more economical, costing approximately $1.40 to $4.20 per square foot.
The Hellertown, PA homeowners’ guide to deck staining services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The best time to stain a deck is when it’s dry but not too sunny. How often you restain a deck depends on climate and wood type, but every two to three years is normal.