Women in Paint / Article
TOP TIPS FOR SMOOTHER REPAIRS
TOUCH-UP VERSUS REPAINT
Whether you’re a paint contractor, facility manager or property owner, few things are as satisfying as a freshly finished paint job. Now if only it could stay that way! Unfortunately, even the finest coatings succumb to wear and tear, as well as the inevitable nicks, scratches, and other unsightly imperfections. In addition, sometimes flaws appear shortly after a repaint — suggesting that more than one type of paint and/or application method were used.
No matter how it occurs, damage affects a rental unit’s appeal. Therefore, the question isn’t whether or not these defects can be corrected. Rather, it’s a matter of which option — a paint touch-up or a full repaint — provides the best solution.
Touch-up
“Touch-up” describes the recoating of very small, localized areas of a newly painted surface in order to conceal minor repairs or to cover up minor surface defects – such as scuff marks – that can occur shortly after a painting job is complete. While touching up offers a quick way to achieve an acceptable appearance, it is important that all parties understand that it is not a cure-all. Yet – if done right – touching up is a practical alternative to repainting the entire surface.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BEST PRACTICES:
- Plan ahead: Make a point of keeping extra paint and storing it in fully sealed containers. Then label each one with the date and colour so you can easily find them next time.
- Use the best tools: First, utilize the same type of applicator previously used to paint the wall you’re touching up. This helps the touched-up area blend with the surrounding surface. If you used a roller, use a roller again (a small-sized roller offers better control). If you used a brush, use a brush again. This will help replicate the surface texture.
- Technique: The goal of a touch-up is to blend the new paint with the old — creating a consistent appearance, despite the application method. Ideally, all areas should be fully coated and texture-matched to avoid applying too much paint.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE OLD PAINT?
When a property is in the painting process, the paint types, colours and sheens are top of mind — but the last repaint may have been a while ago. Knowing that touch-up colours must perfectly match the painted surface’s current hue, hopefully, someone tucked away extra paint or noted the exact name, brand, and texture of the original coating.
If not, the Behr team is here to support you with its array of valuable, professional services — including Custom Colour Matching. Bring in a colour sample from any source — scraped or peeled paint from the job site, a favorite fabric colour, or even a competitor’s paint chip. We’ll match it and create a digital colour representation.
And don’t forget about sheen! Remember that you need to repaint with the same gloss — flat with flat, high gloss with high gloss, and eggshell with eggshell — otherwise unwanted spots will be noticeable. And, just like colour, if you don’t know the original sheen, let us help you find it!
WHEN TO TOUCH UP
Typically, if a unit has been painted in the last year; the damage is confined to a small area or if the flaws are minor — such as nicks, scratches, dings, chips, scuffs, etc. — it makes sense to touch up rather than repaint. Touch-ups are effective for spot-filling walls on flat or low-sheen paint. In contrast, it can be difficult to blend touch-ups into aged, faded and high-sheen coatings such as satin.
Note: Sometimes a job that starts out as a touch-up ends up a full repaint/colour change, which dramatically affects time and costs. Therefore, bids should include a clause that addresses this possibility, with an approval signed by all stakeholders before work begins.
WHEN TO PERFORM A FULL REPAINT
While touching up provides a speedy fix for mild issues, some units exhibit severe and extensive damage. That’s when it’s time for a repaint. Yes, it’ll increase costs, but the Return on Investment (ROI) makes it worthwhile, as a full paint/colour refresh not only lasts longer but keeps the property looking up to date.
This is the logical choice when:
- The paint is peeling, flaking, stained, or showing obvious signs of deterioration
- Damages are large and cover a wide area
- Changing the current colour
- The paint is more than five years old
- The surface is painted with a higher sheen
- Flaws are highly visible
REPAINT SCHEDULE
Deciding how often to repaint isn’t an exact science. It depends on a range of factors, including unit location, paint age, and visual ambitions. To maintain a rental’s appeal, many professional painters recommend painting walls every five to 10 years.
High-traffic areas — hallways, corridors, stairways, entryways, bathrooms, and kitchens — receive more wear and tear and, therefore, need to be refreshed fairly often. To keep these spaces beautiful, clean, and up to date, schedule a repaint every three to five years. On the other hand, paint in low-traffic areas — such as living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms — perform longer, requiring fewer repaints.
Consider BEHR ULTRATM SCUFF DEFENSE® Interior Paint for high-traffic areas. It delivers advanced burnish, scuff and mar resistance to keep your painted surfaces looking newer longer.
Last of all
Remember that when a manager or owner invests the time and money to restore and reinvigorate a property’s look and feel, the number of prospects increases, and happy residents stay longer. That’s some solid Return on Investment (ROI) that will also help increase your property’s Net Operating Income (NOI)!READY TO GET STARTED?
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BEHR® Paints, Stains & Primers.
About Interior Paint Sheens
Get the look you want and the protection you need for any room in your home.
FLAT
A flat sheen has a non-reflective finish that touches up well and hides minor surface imperfections.
Applications:
Low-traffic areas; interior walls and ceilings
Areas:
Ceilings
Durability:
Medium-Low
MATTE
A matte sheen has a low-luster, reflective finish that is durable, easy to clean, touches up well and also hides minor surface imperfections.
Applications:
Low-traffic areas; interior walls
Areas:
Family rooms, living rooms, kids' rooms, bathrooms, dining rooms, ceilings
Durability:
Medium
EGGSHELL ENAMEL
An eggshell enamel sheen has a soft, velvety appearance that resists dirt and grime, as well as mildew.
Applications:
Moderate-traffic areas
Areas:
Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, dining rooms
Durability:
Medium
SATIN ENAMEL
A satin enamel sheen has a pearl-like finish that's easy to clean.
Applications:
All interior surfaces; moderate- to high-traffic areas
Areas:
Family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture
Durability:
Medium-High
SEMI-GLOSS ENAMEL
A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant resisting mildew, moisture and wear.
Applications:
Cabinets and trim; high-traffic, high-moisture areas
Areas:
Kids' rooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters
Durability:
High
HI-GLOSS ENAMEL
Hi-Gloss enamel sheens provide have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.
Applications:
High-use surfaces
Areas:
Kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows, trim, cabinets, shutters, interior furniture
Durability:
High
About Exterior Paint Sheens
Set the right curb appeal with exterior painting efforts that last.
FLAT
A flat sheen is non-reflective, and easy to apply and touch up. It will minimize the appearance of minor surface imperfections.
Applications:
Wood and vinyl walls and siding; brick and other masonry; fences
Durability:
Medium-Low
SATIN ENAMEL
A satin enamel sheen creates a pearl-like finish that's durable and dirt-resistant. It will also resist moisture, fading and stains.
Applications:
Virtually all exterior surfaces
Durability:
Medium-High
SEMI-GLOSS ENAMEL
A semi-gloss enamel sheen is sleek and radiant with a hard, durable finish. It is formulated to withstand wear, and will also resist moisture, fading and stains.
Applications:
Doors, trim and shutters; Exterior furniture
Durability:
High
HI-GLOSS ENAMEL
Hi-Gloss enamel sheen have a brilliant, shiny appearance and a durable, glass-like finish that allows dirt and grime to be wiped clean.
Applications:
High-use surfaces
Durability:
High
PAINTING CONTRACTORS
PAINTING CONTRACTORS
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FREE SAME-DAY, NEXT-DAY DELIVERY*
is here to help professional painters, contractors, and property managers with all their paint needs. We offer:
- Free Same-Day, Next-Day Delivery*
- Call, Text, or Email Your Paint Order
- Will Call & Schedule Deliveries
- Custom Color Matching
- Product & Record Order Management
- Expert Paint Knowledge
*Where available. Limitations may apply.
is here to help professional painters, contractors, and property managers with all their paint needs. We offer:
- Free Same-Day, Next-Day Delivery*
- Call, Text, or Email Your Paint Order
- Will Call & Schedule Deliveries
- Custom Color Matching
- Product & Record Order Management
- Expert Paint Knowledge
*Where available. Limitations may apply.
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Contact your BEHR PRO® Paint Specialist.
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Contact your BEHR PRO® Paint Specialist at your local Home Depot for help with all of your paint needs.
Your BEHR PRO® Rep:
PRO PAINT SPECIALIST
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- Call, Text or E-mail your orders to your dedicated BEHR PRO Paint Specialist
- Arrange will call & Schedule Deliveries for pick-up at your Home Depot location or for delivery to you
PAINTING CONTRACTORS
JOIN THE HOME DEPOT® PRO XTRA LOYALTY PROGRAM AND
Contact a BEHR PRO® Paint Rep for details or sign up at homedepot.com/ProXtra
Your BEHR PRO® Paint Rep
BEHR PRO PAINT REP
,
THE HOME DEPOT® OFFERS SPECIAL SAVINGS, SERVICES AND TOOLS FOR PRO XTRA MEMBERS.