Noob Painter Impressed...Has Question - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

eeCurtis · 12-03-2006, 01:56 PM

1st of all...I am not great painter, but a general contractor trying to learn more. We have never had troubles in our homes, but I recently went to a friends house that had a remarkable finish to it.

He explained that before the primer was even on, the finisher went in and completed the molding and trim (glued of course). The seams were all caulked and then primer was sprayed over everything. After this, the 2 coats of paint were applied. For a 5 year old house, it looks spectacular. No seperation of the trim from the walls anywhere. It also has a glossier sheen than what I am used to...it looks like a new car!

Is this a 'premium' way to paint? Do you get a way better finish by spraying vs. rolling/brushing? I'm just wanting to get the bigest bang for my client's buck. Right now, we prime everything, then have the finisher come in, and then call the painter's back.

Richard · 12-03-2006, 03:04 PM

I caulk after I prime. And I'm confused--did they spray every coat or just the primer? In my experience the walls always get finish coated with brush/roll.

but, yes spraying the primer on all surfaces will result in a better finish coat, as long as the person finish coating does a proper job.

**slickshift** · 12-03-2006, 03:04 PM

I'm not really sure what your question is, or what you are looking for

If it's new const. or unfurnished remodel, a lot of guys spray

If it's occupied, you'll see more brush'n'roller

Sounds like your neighbor had a good painter
If you want your houses to look like that, hire that guy

If you want to learn how to paint that way, work for that guy for a few years

AAPaint · 12-03-2006, 03:08 PM

Spraying can produce a very smooth finish. What kind of substrate are we talking? Depending on what type of paint is used, a finish like that is not very hard to achieve. I'm sure that they are also sanding in between both primer and finish coats. How glossy of a sheen is it? The highest sheen I usually apply to walls is a satin/eggshell.

Sounds like it would have to be a level 5 finish on the drywall to start with if that's the substrate. This look would be easier achieved over plaster though.

Joewho · 12-03-2006, 08:22 PM

Welcome noob.

Are you talking about the car-like finish on the doors, trim etc?

For us, it's standard pratice to caulk, fill nail holes etc. In new construction, there are "contractor" paints and finishing techniques to fit the budget of the builder. It wouldn't be hard to improve on the basics by using a different paint and a stright gloss on the trim. Usually, semi-gloss is used. This might explain the shine.

Also, if the trim is sprayed, it will come out smooth, however a short nap roller will produce a slight pattern that will reflect light.

As far as walls, they get sprayed, sometimes only primer, and then come back to finish it. But on just about every new home, a painter will have to come in with a roller before final walk through to touch up.
This explains why we use a roller on the walls to begin with.

Hope this helps.

eeCurtis · 12-04-2006, 12:27 AM

Thx for the replies guys. I'll try to be clearer:

- This is new home construction
- Primer and finish paint was sprayed and not rolled
- I noticed the "car-like" finish on the trim and the very smooth transition to the walls
- not sure about the brand or type of paint

It is being suggested that the spraying of primer on the caulked trim and onto the wall gave the great look. This meant the caulk was actually sprayed with the primer. Again though, I don't know what's 100% true...just hoping you guys can help me know the BS when it hits.

I LOLed at the suggestion of hiring the guy who did the job. It appears that you get what you pay for as well. Sometimes the easiest solution is the best one

**slickshift** · 12-04-2006, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeCurtis

...It is being suggested that the spraying of primer on the caulked trim and onto the wall gave the great look....

Mmmm.....I'd have a tough time with that
I would find it difficult to believe priming the caulk would make that much of a difference in how it looks
I'd think that caulking un-primed walls and trim would merely have a greater risk of failure
The SOP would be prime, then caulk

donb1959 · 12-04-2006, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeCurtis

Thx for the replies guys. I'll try to be clearer:

- This is new home construction
- Primer and finish paint was sprayed and not rolled
- I noticed the "car-like" finish on the trim and the very smooth transition to the walls
- not sure about the brand or type of paint

It is being suggested that the spraying of primer on the caulked trim and onto the wall gave the great look. This meant the caulk was actually sprayed with the primer. Again though, I don't know what's 100% true...just hoping you guys can help me know the BS when it hits.

I LOLed at the suggestion of hiring the guy who did the job. It appears that you get what you pay for as well. Sometimes the easiest solution is the best one

I've painted well over one hundred new homes in a like manner. The walls can all be sprayed with an airless, then spray all the trim with an HVLP Turbine....of you could just pay me $1000.00 weekly to educate you on the process. I'll fly to Canada for couple weeks, just send the roundtrip tickets.

**Teetorbilt** · 12-04-2006, 02:03 AM

Here, I notice that spraying everything is becoming more prevelant. Great finish, if it sticks. They spray the trim first and that is usually not a problem. Walls can come unglued with purple tape, usually a primer problem.

Joewho · 12-04-2006, 04:16 AM

I notice it too teeter, but that's how things work these days.

One thing, I do know of some new constuction guys who don't use hvlp's for trim. Regular spayers with smaller tips. And it comes out nice.

Miniroller · 12-04-2006, 06:12 AM

I dont know about others, but I try to NEVER prime caulking. I am of the opinion that primer hardens over caulking and results in cracking even if you are very neat with the caulk gun. Therefore, it is extremely unlikely the primer and caulking were sprayed together as one.

As far a LOLing at the painter's cost- well, it's no suprise to me you haven't seen many nice quality paint jobs.

Richard · 12-04-2006, 06:21 AM

No one is using hvlp's up here. Airless is all that gets used. The standard way is spray prime trim/walls/ceiling, spray finish ceiling, spray finish trim, cut and roll walls.

I'm sure a few out of a thousand use hvlp's but most hate the hassle and have no idea how to dial it all in anyway--plus, if you're good you can make a finish coat look just as good with an airless.

I'm curious noob, what colors were used in the house?

...and ditto to minirollers caulk comment--caulk after prime is painters standard.

eeCurtis · 12-04-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miniroller

As far a LOLing at the painter's cost- well, it's no suprise to me you haven't seen many nice quality paint jobs.

Hehe. You misunderstand me, Miniroller. I was chuckling to myself because of the obvious answer, not the cost. We often pay our trades more and hire the best because we are a small builder and can't afford to come back to homes for service calls all the time. Plus, everytime a client pushes us for a cheaper job, or to let their 'friends' do it, we end up with a nightmare. Our painters do a thorough job, but are roller/brush professionals. I'm just trying to get some feedback on different techniques

eeCurtis · 12-04-2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintguy26

I'm curious noob, what colors were used in the house?

...and ditto to minirollers caulk comment--caulk after prime is painters standard.

Trim was white, while most of the home was a light taupe color. There were a few accent walls that were a taupe-maroon color.

Ya, caulk after prime is what we have always done, so I'm hesitant to ask the painters to do otherwise. Cracking etc... would be terrible. Maybe I'll experiment on a rental property I have

donb1959 · 12-04-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

I'm sure a few out of a thousand use hvlp's but most hate the hassle and have no idea how to dial it all in anyway--plus, if you're good you can make a finish coat look just as good with an airless.

One you get the hang of it it's really not a hassle. I spray alot of kitchen cabinants with the HVLP, and I know for fact I couldn't come close to the finish with an airless.

Joewho · 12-04-2006, 08:38 PM

The airless comment applies to new construction, trim. Not cabinet finishes.

quality app · 12-09-2006, 06:49 PM

I never had a problem with priming over caulk,The idea is to bury all the prep work with as many coats as possible, if you notice when people try to pre paint shoemolding,caulk and puddy then put a single coat on it, Its not as good a finish. Caulk will produce spiderweb looking cracks when painted over before its dry.