Questions about professional painters - Bay Area Painting FAQ

If you look online for painting tips, you are sure to find lots of “professional” opinions and advice. But do you ever wonder whether the actual pro’s really use those techniques and live by that advice? If you do, you’re not alone! Google tells us that many people search for answers to the following house painting questions:

Do professional painters…

• Use masking tape?
• Wash walls?
• Use rollers?
• Use sprayers?
• Use primer?

Since people are asking, we’re happy to answer! As a professional painting company in the San Francisco Bay Area, we can give you some “inside information” to help with your research!

Do professional painters use masking tape?

Yes! But not that pale yellow stuff. Painting companies typically use blue painters tape, or more recently, Frog Tape. Using painters tape is a very effective way to achieve clean, straight lines along trim and borders, or anywhere that two colors meet.

There are some situations when a skilled house painter will skip the tape, if he judges that for some reason the space is too awkward for tape, or she believes a better result can be achieved by hand. But for this to be done with good results, it takes a true professional: a steady hand and a sharp eye for detail.

Do professional painters wash walls?

Yes! For exterior painting, we usually power-wash the surface, or sometimes hand-scrub, to make sure it is free of surface contaminants. Inside, pressure washing is not an option, but in many cases the walls need to be washed prior to paint application.

Washing a wall before painting it will make sure the paint can adhere properly. It will also remove dirt or other materials that may show through the paint. A real professional painter knows the value of washing a wall before painting.

Do professional painters use rollers?

Absolutely! We usually keep an assortment of rollers for all sorts of jobs. Heavy nap rollers are for textured surfaces, like block or stucco, while short nap rollers are for smooth walls. We have long-handled rollers for ceilings and tall interior walls, and sometimes we even use tiny rollers for detailed areas like doors or cabinets.

Of course, professional painters don’t use rollers exclusively. We will usually use a brush for “cutting in” along the edges of a wall, and then use the roller for the big open spaces. We also use brushes for molding, trim and other detailed spots. Finally, we also use sprayers, which leads to our next question…

Do professional painters use sprayers?

It’s no secret that professional painters want to get their work done as quickly as possible, but without sacrificing the results. Often, a paint sprayer is a great way to do this. It just depends on the dynamics of a particular room or structure. If the room can be protected in such a way that no overspray will get on any surfaces, then a paint sprayer is a great option. This is often the case in new construction or if a house has been emptied for the painting. Also, exterior painting is often a great time to use a sprayer, since there are fewer concerns with overspray, and the surrounding areas can be more easily protected.

A paint sprayer is a good option for professionals, since it can apply paint to a large area more quickly. It also gives a beautiful, even coat. It isn’t always a great choice for do-it-yourselfers, however. First, the equipment can be too expensive for those who don’t use it every day like we do. Second, it takes skill and practice to get good at using it.

Do professional painters use primer?

That’s a definite affirmative! There are two main reasons why we would use primer:

• To reduce the number of topcoats. Primer is a cheaper form of paint, so if multiple layers of paint will be needed, it makes perfect sense to use a primer for the undercoats. This is especially the case if you are painting new drywall or making a drastic change in color.
• To prepare a surface for proper adhesion. Some surfaces will simply not hold paint well if they are not primed first. Primers are made specifically for the purpose of sticking to the substrate and giving the topcoats something firm they can grip tight to!

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area and you have any more questions about professional painters, please don’t hesitate to contact us at MB JESSEE. We have a reputation for excellence and quality, and we gladly serve Contra Costa, Pacific Heights, Hillsborough, Oakland Hills and the nearby communities.

Photo credits: Paint roller, Paint Sprayer.