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You Can "Ask Mike" Any Painting Question & He Will Answer it On This Blog! All You Have to Do is Email Mike at mike@ezpaintinginc.com. Expect a Response On This Blog Within 1 -2 Business Days!
What is GREEN Painting?
Q: What's wrong with traditional paint?
Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variety of solvents or VOC’s which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint. Some of these VOC’s are benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and formaldehyde which serve as "spreadability" enhancers, biocides, and fungicides. During and after painting, these VOC’s outgas and can cause adverse health effects such as headache, nausea, dizziness and eye, throat, and lung irritation. Exposure to airborne formaldehyde, for example can cause eyes to water and burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat. It can cause chest tightness and wheezing. The EPA has classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen.
Q: What are the benefits to using more eco-friendly paints?
There are many benefits to using eco-friendly paints and stains such as: coating flexibility, better gloss retention, better face resistance, reduced health risks, little to no VOC's, less pollution, low odor, easier clean-up, safer environment, reduced waste, and improved durability.
Q: What are exactly are VOC's?
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are harmful gases that are emitted by paint as it dries. When you apply wet paint to a wall or any other surface, that paint usually dries within a few hours. As the paint dries like glue to the wall it releases gases from its liquid form, and continues to for years thereafter. In unventilated areas, those gases over time can be harmful to human lungs. Most higher quality level paints now dry with very low gases that enter the air. So, with E-Z Painting using "green" paint, you can be assured that the air you breathe before and after applying paint is safe. Paints with low or no VOCs also allow families to quickly enjoy their freshly painted homes without having to wait for strong odors to fade away.
Q: Are eco-friendly paints more expensive?
No. Due to ever increasing demand within the paint industry for healthier alternatives, the price difference which was once significant has now substantially dropped and is usually a match for the traditional paints.
Q: Will I be sacrificing quality by choosing eco-friendly paint?
No. In March, Consumer Reports released an assessment of 57 interior paints currently on the market, including low-V.O.C. ones, that evaluated their "hiding performance, surface smoothness, and resistance to staining and scrubbing, their gloss change, sticking, mildew and fading." Benjamin Moore’s Aura was ranked third among 21 paints in the low-luster category, which included conventional latex and oil-based paints.
For more information about Going Green visit contact us at:
E-Z Painting Inc.
Green Division
1-800-935-9520
Serving Chicago, Miami & New York
How Many Coats Does it Take?
QUESTION:
When painting an exterior door, the more paint you paint on will make it darker?
I am painting an exterior metal door the color clay pot. I am wondering if the more coats I paint on it will the color get darker. I have painted two coats on it already!
ANSWER:
On exterior metal, you should use a bonding primer first since the paint may not stick well or adhere appropriately.
The color should be what is advertised – it does not matter how many coats you apply. However, if it is a deep base color you are using you may need several coats to cover the door properly.
Ask your paint store for the bonding primer and if the color you are using is considered deep base.
If you need any other help, you can ask me any questions you’d like for free by going to my blog at blog.ezpaintinginc.com and clicking on “Ask Mike”.
Sincerely,
Mike
E-Z Painting Inc.
Generational Paint Colors
Here’s a very interesting article from Sherwin-Williams regarding generational paint color choices:
Generations of Color
Choosing appropriate colors for the right audience is an important part of the equation. While color preference is often highly personal, research has made it possible for color experts to make general observations about the color preferences of the major demographic age groups.
Here is a look at the four major age demographic groups and their color preferences:
The Mature Market
The colors that surround people have a profound effect on mood and well-being. Individuals over 65 compose the Mature Market, and because they may be retired or less active, they often spend a great deal of time indoors.
To meet the needs of the Mature Market, it’s important to seek out color combinations that are functional, enjoyable and comfortable. Instead of muddy colors like khaki, fresh and cheerful ones such as buttery yellows, clear blues, fresh pinks and warm whites are preferred.
Don’t avoid all greens, though. Studies show that people report less stomach upset when surrounded with lush foliage colors even while under stress. For the Mature Market, cleaner hues of green jade, for instance, are preferable to avocado.
The Baby Boomers
Leave it to the Baby Boomers — the 76 million people born between 1945 and 1964 — to seek self-expression and spirituality from their color choices. For Baby Boomers, home is a sanctuary, a place for artistic expression and relaxation as well as inspiration. Baby Boomers are drawn to soothing colors that cool and refresh the spirit: sky blue azures, cleansing blues enhanced with purple tones, and intense, iridescent blues with the slightest tinge of green.
Favorite neutrals are chameleon shades that take on the undertones of colors around them. These could be grays married with plum or green, or perhaps yellow-green undertones that bridge the gap from gray to beige.
Generation X
Generation Xers — those born between 1964 and 1980 — are old enough to remember the fall of the Berlin Wall, but have primarily lived in a global economy. So it’s not surprising, as they experiment with styles from around the world, that Gen-Xers show strong acceptance of the global color palette.
For this age group, popular colors include violet and indigo hues, or exotic greens from the Australian landscape. Asian reds also add drama to neutral spaces awash in contrasting textures.
Generation Next
For teenagers, cool sophistication is the design goal. Faux finishes can be useful in teen rooms to hide a multitude of sins and add drama and sophistication to the décor. Children delight in rich, tropical hues and neon-like colors, especially green, yellow and purple. Sports team colors and flower garden shades are always popular for children’s spaces, as are murals and other whimsical color and decorating ideas.
There has even been research on the visual preferences of babies. High-contrast colors and simple patterns that encourage scanning, focusing, orienting and pattern recognition are not only favorites, but also help to stimulate physical and cognitive development. Studies indicate that reds and blues are the colors preferred by infants.
Though reactions to color are psychologically and culturally induced to some degree, age does make a difference in how people respond to color. That’s one reason why color preferences change over time as people move through the life cycle.
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