DECK CLEANING
Deck sealing can be performed during good weather conditions almost year round here in the South East. Most deck stains and sealers require a string of dry days for proper application and drying. Mannion Custom Painting,LLC offers professional deck cleaning and sealing.

Pressure Treated Wood?
When pressure treated lumber was first introduced, we were told it was "maintenance free". Over the years we have found that decks can become ugly without periodic cleaning and sealing.
Whether it's the bleaching effect of the sun's ultraviolet rays in full sun, or the unsightliness of algae growth in full shade, our high-pressure power washer will clean your deck surface.


Key Benefits
Protect a major investment

Improve aesthetics for your everyday enjoyment

Add to the value of your home with good maintenance
We are offering our service for $1.35 per foot for our stain and seal treatment.



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In the blog I discuss one reason why an unprotected deck can lead to problems. The problem is Carpenter Bees. These guys get their name from the fact that they bore perfect round holes in wood. They bore the holes in untreated wood make a right turn and keep on boring and laying eggs.Some times they do some much damage that wood replacement is needed. Take a look at the short video as it may help!









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Labels: advice, carpenter bees deck underside staining

                     

Please watch the short videos below to give you and idea of the correct way to pressure wash a deck. This deck had many coats of a solid stain and was over bleached. We treated the deck with a stripper and let it work in. We then washed the deck on low pressure, doing board by board. After your pressure wash any wood surface the grain will be raised. We always apply a wood conditioner to counter act the raised grain. We also apply the conditioner to balance out the PH in the wood.
When then follow up with plenty of rinsing to to ensure a clean deck. Then we apply by hand never a sprayer high quality decking stain for a great and lasting finish.




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Our Ultimate Goal is Satisfied Customers

When you entrust your property to Mannion Custom Painting, we go out of our way to create a positive experience. We offer free estimates, consultation for coating and color selection, detailed proposals, excellent craftsmanship, and a written
warranty and guarantee on every project. Here we discuss our deck treatments:


A deck is an extension of your living space. It needs to be taken care of for
long lasting use. That's why we at Mannion Custom Painting, LLC go to great
lengths to do a top quality job. From start to finish we do it right the fisrt
time. With our years of experience we have perfected a process that covers most decks.
It consists of
Preparation, Product and Application!


These three steps done correctly will
Result in the best finish for your deck.Short changing any of these steps will only make for a poor quality job.




1) Prep- Deck got to be clean! I don’t care how old or new it is, it needs to be washed. In the hands of a pro the pressure washer is the ideal tool. In the hands of a novice it will damage your deck and shorten it’s life. Never I mean Never use bleach!!! Bleach only damages the wood’s fiber and does not I repeat does not kill mold. Bleach only make mold look like it is gone, but it’s not. Bleach actually spreads mold. Bleach can also void your terminate contact around your home if you have one. Got mold use a mold killer. There are other means of cleaning your deck, but if you pressure washed it you have raised the grain. The deck needs to be conditioned, check for a product in the home improvement stores.





2) Product- Can’t say enough here, but I will say you get what you pay for! I prefer oil semi transparent for most applications. Oil feeds the wood, draws out moisture and tends not to scuff off like latex. It’s water repellant and mold/mildew repellant as well. The semi allows the grain of the wood to show through too!



3) Application- Hands down got to brush and roll. Spray just don’t cut it! Spaying does not allow for energy transfer, it kind of just sits there. Hand brush and roll really presses the coating into the fiber for better protection and a long lasting finish.

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Labels: advice, conditioner, deck, semi-transparent, solid color

                     

Answers to some Frequently asked questions about Deck & Fence Staining. 1. What is the cost to stain my deck?
Pricing varies from location and condition of the deck, the product used and labor needed. On average to wash a deck properly cost around .50¢ per foot and to stain it runs about $1.35 per foot by a pro.
2.Can you stain a weathered wood deck or fence without pressure washing?
Wood grays naturally over time. The black that you may see is most likely mold/mildew. In order to protect the wood and have good absorption the surface must be cleaned. New wood may not need to be washed, and sometimes you will shorten the life of the wood if your pressure wash it. In the hands of a pro you should be ok. Never use bleach, as this is harmful to the wood.
3.Why do some people say it’s better to sand my deck rather the pressure wash it?
Sanding should be done only as a last resort and left to a flooring professional. When you sand you are removing a layer of the wood, and possible releasing harmful poisons into the air. Pressure treated wood is injected with insect replant and rot repellant. Pressure washing if not handled correctly can damage the wood. Even after a Pro washes your deck the grain of the wood is raised and needs to be conditioned.
4.Should I spray or hand apply stain to my deck?
Opinion differs greatly on this subject, being a Pro for over 15 years I prefer hand application. When you hand apply stain you build up friction and there is a transfer of energy that equates to a lasting finish. Spraying can get messy it uses a lot more product but is quicker then hand application. Also, the over spray will travel far, and it is not good for the environment to have these chemicals floating around.

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Labels: advice, deck, pressure wash, semi-transparent, wood

                     

Advice for Painting Your House
Have you been thinking about repainting your home’s exterior? Here are seven tips that will make your work easier, safer, and more likely to produce pride-inspiring results.

1) Evaluate doing it yourself
Painting is one of those jobs that requires only a moderate level of skill and a few basic tools. But should you do the work yourself? That depends on a number of factors, including your experience, fitness, available time, and the difficulty of working on your home’s exterior walls.

2) Buy quality paint
Choosing high-quality paint is critical to a long-lasting paint job and can make the work far easier. Not only will quality paint weather the years durably, but it is also easier to maintain, and it covers the walls more quickly and easily in the process. Just think about the effort and expense of painting your house—this should make it clear that you don’t want to have to do the job again in four or five years.

3) Repair and prepare
Even high-quality paint won’t guarantee a lasting paint job if you don’t prepare the
surfaces properly. Start by repairing damaged siding. Peeling, blistering, wrinkling, and flaking paint must be removed from wood siding by scraping and sanding, ideally with a power sander. Be advised that this is difficult, tiring work, and you must do it carefully so as not to gouge the wood. Always wear a dust mask, gloves, and protective goggles.

4) Mask off
Avoid painting roofing and other surfaces by masking with plastic sheeting and 3-inch masking tape. Use dropcloths to protect walkways, shrubs, and other surfaces from dripping paint. You’ll be painting the siding first and then the trim; after the siding is painted, mask the siding around the trim. Be sure to remove the masking tape immediately after painting, before it forms a stubborn bond.
5) Paint surfaces from the top down.
Begin with the gutters, fascia, and eaves and work your way down the main surfaces, painting in 3- to 4-foot-square sections. Use a high-quality 4-inch brush. If your home has lap siding, first draw the bristles along the bottom edges of three or four boards and then paint the surfaces in line with the boards. Regularly check for and correct drips and streaks; they are much more difficult to clean up after the paint dries.
6) Paint trim in the proper order
Use a 2-inch angled trim brush to paint trim, always working in line with the wood’s grain. With a window, begin with the muntins and then paint the stiles, rails, head casing, side casings, and the sill. Sometimes it’s easiest to paint a door on sawhorses, after removing it. Otherwise just paint it in place, over a dropcloth. Start with the inset panels, panel moldings and recesses, horizontal rails, and then vertical stiles and mullion. When painting along glass, don’t bother to mask it if you have a steady hand. Just let the paint
lap onto the glass by about 1/16 inch and then remove the wet paint from the glass with a rag wrapped around the end of a putty knife. Use a razor blade to remove any residual paint after it dries.

7) Clean up properly.Use soap and water for latex paints or paint thinner for alkyd paints to thoroughly clean your brushes and gear right after painting. Don’t pour paint thinner or excess paint down the drain or onto the ground—this is a serious source of ground water pollution. Keep it in an old sealed paint can and dispose of it at a toxic waste collection site.
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Labels: advice, exterior, prep exterior house home, pressure wash

                     

Our Ultimate Goal,Satisfied Customers When you entrust your property to Mannion Custom Painting, we go out of our way to create a positive experience. We offer free estimates, consultation for coating and color selection, detailed proposals, excellent craftsmanship, and a written warranty and guarantee on every project. Here we discuss our deck treatments: A deck is an extension of your living space. It needs to be taken care of for long lasting use. That's why we at Mannion Custom Painting, LLC go to great lengths to do a top quality job. From start to finish we do it right the first time. With our years of experience we have perfected a process that covers most decks.It consists of Preparation, Product and Application! These three steps done correctly will Result in the best finish for your deck. Short changing any of these steps will only make for a poor quality job. 1) Prep- Deck got to be clean! I don’t care how old or new it is, it needs to be washed. In the hands of a pro the pressure washer is the ideal tool. In the hands of a novice it will damage your deck and shorten it’s life. Never I mean Never use bleach!!! Bleach only damages the wood’s fiber and does not I repeat does not kill mold. Bleach only makes mold look like it is gone, but it’s not. Bleach actually spreads mold. Bleach can also void your terminate contact around your home if you have one. Got mold use a mold killer. There are other means of cleaning your deck, but if you pressure washed it you have raised the grain. The deck needs to be conditioned, check for a product in the home improvement stores. 2) Product- Can’t say enough here, but I will say you get what you pay for! I prefer oil semi transparent for most applications. Oil feeds the wood, draws out moisture and tends not to scuff off like latex. It’s water repellent and mold/mildew repellent as well. The semi allows the grain of the wood to show through too! 3) Application- Hands down got to brush and roll. Spray just don’t cut it! Spaying does not allow for energy transfer, it kind of just sits there. Hand brush and roll really presses the coating into the fiber for better protection and a long lasting finish. Roswell,Alpharetta.John's Creek,Dunwoody,Sandy Springs,Gainesville,Painter, Paint Contractor,Fulton,Forsyth, Atlanta, Pressure Wash, Deck Stain Seal House Painter, Free Estimates, Pressure Wash, Wood Rot, Exterior Painter, Painting Contractor, Cumming, Forsyth,Fulton

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Exterior Prep House Painting

One of the most important steps in prep work needed for an exterior house painting is pressure washing your home before applying the new home painting. Pressure washing will help clear your home's exterior of any debris and anything else that can negatively affect the exterior house painting. Any mildew and loose paint will also need to be taken care of before the painting is completed. Stay away from using bleach to clean as this can lead to problems.

A home is a major investment and you probably don't want to do anything that would damage that investment. If you have been putting off a badly needed paint job however, you may be unknowingly risking damage to your home's exterior that could be easily avoided. So, when you notice that your exterior house painting is looking faded and weathered, it is probably a good idea to call your contracted painter to schedule that home painting.
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Because casual dining areas are so often open to other rooms, neutral colors (see The Hidden Power of Neutrals feature) tend to be the best choice for these spaces. Neutrals blend well with other colors, helping to create a complete, unified look.

Warm neutral colors—like red-toned or yellow-toned neutrals—work especially well in dining rooms. From warm rosy taupes to golden honey beiges, these colors are calm and comforting, creating a very pleasant dining atmosphere.

Open dining areas tend to look best when continued in the color schemes of the rooms that surround them. If cool colors (see The Creative Power of the Color Wheel feature) are used in these rooms, try to use warm accent colors—such as touches of red, orange or yellow—to help stimulate the appetite.


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Dining rooms don't necessarily have to be formal, especially if they're connected to a living room or kitchen, as is common in many contemporary homes.

In these more open and casual dining areas, the decorative style usually follows that of the surrounding environment. Your dining room should look as if it's a natural extension of the rest of your home. For example, putting an ultra-modern dining area into a country-styled home might make the room appear off-balance with the rest of your home.



Tip: Be open-minded. Don't limit yourself to thinking that meals must be restricted to a formal table. A kitchen island, or even a countertop fitted with stools or high-sitting chairs, can also make for a fun dining experience.



Color
Because casual dining areas are so often open to other rooms, neutral colors tend to be the best choice for these spaces. Neutrals blend well with other colors, helping to create a complete, unified look.

Warm neutral colors—like red-toned or yellow-toned neutrals—work especially well in dining rooms. From warm rosy taupes to golden honey beiges, these colors are calm and comforting, creating a very pleasant dining atmosphere.

Open dining areas tend to look best when continued in the color schemes of the rooms that surround them. If cool colors (see The Creative Power of the Color Wheel feature) are used in these rooms, try to use warm accent colors—such as touches of red, orange or yellow—to help stimulate the appetite.

Many choices are available, and a professional painting contractor should be able guide you through the process..


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A formal dining room is an excellent place for entertaining. Elegant and refined, these rooms can make even the most casual get-togethers seem impressive.



Tip: Next time you visit a favorite restaurant, take note of the colors and décor being used—often, these spaces are professionally designed to maximize the dining experience.



Color
Here are some color suggestions that will enhance your formal dining area:

Warm colors (see The Creative Power of the Color Wheel feature) such as reds, oranges, and yellows, work especially well in more formal spaces. Psychologically, these colors help to stimulate the appetite, making them an excellent choice for rooms where the primary purpose is food and entertaining.

For the best dining experience, use warm hues that are muted or shaded (see The Creative Power of the Color Wheel feature)—such as golden or creamy yellows, spiced oranges and terracottas, wines, burgundies, and dusty roses. These colors help stimulate appetite, while encouraging diners to linger at the table for pleasant conversation.

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Dining rooms can range from stately and formal to very relaxed and casual in their décor.

Most often, formal dining areas are in a separate room, while informal dining areas are more commonly out in the open—frequently attached to the living room, family room, or kitchen.

Before decorating the dining area, you should first determine the level of formality you'd like to achieve. This decision will have an enormous impact on the colors you'll choose, and the overall look of the décor.

Be honest with yourself! Most people who have very formal dining rooms use them only occasionally. If you want to use this room on a daily basis, consider decorating it more informally than you would if it were used only on special occasions.
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The Perfect Deck Stain/Seal Procedure

We call it the three step for the best deck finish.

It consists of Preparation, Product and Application. These three steps done correctly will
Result in the best finish for your deck. Short changing any of these steps will only make for a bad job.
1) Prep- Deck got to be clean! I don’t care how old or new it is, it needs to be washed. In the hands of a pro the pressure washer is the ideal tool. In the hands of a novice it will damage your deck and shorten it’s life. Never I mean Never use bleach!!! Bleach only damages the wood’s fiber and does not I repeat does not kill mold. Bleach only make mold look like it is gone, but it’s not. Bleach actually spreads mold. Bleach can also void your terminate contact around your home if you have one. Got mold use a mold killer. There are other means of cleaning your deck, but if you pressure washed it you have raised the grain. The deck needs to be conditioned, check for a product in the home improvement stores.
2) Product- Can’t say enough here, but I will say you get what you pay for! I prefer oil semi transparent for most applications. Oil feeds the wood, draws out moisture and tends not to scuff off like latex. It’s water repellant and mold/mildew repellant as well. The semi allows the grain of the wood to show through too!
3) Application- Hands down got to brush and roll. Spray just don’t cut it! Spaying does not allow for frication/energy transfer, it kind of just sits there. Hand brush and roll really presses the coating into the fiber for better protection.
Tags: advice quality deck stain seal bleach pressurewash oil wood-conditioner painter exterior alpharetta wool professional grain wood finish contractor

Labels: advice, conditioner, exterior, green friendly paint, mold, semi-transparent, solid color, stain, stain seal

                     

Exterior Prep House Painting

One of the most important steps in prep work needed for an exterior house painting is pressure washing your home before applying the new home painting. Pressure washing will help clear your home's exterior of any debris and anything else that can negatively affect the exterior house painting. Any mildew and loose paint will also need to be taken care of before the painting is completed. Stay away from using bleach to clean as this can lead to problems.

A home is a major investment and you probably don't want to do anything that would damage that investment. If you have been putting off a badly needed paint job however, you may be unknowingly risking damage to your home's exterior that could be easily avoided. So, when you notice that your exterior house painting is looking faded and weathered, it is probably a good idea to call your contracted painter to schedule that home painting.





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Labels: advice, color, exterior.faux, paint, pressure wash

                     

Painting your home is not just something you can check off a list. It is something you’ll live with everyday. It is a lifestyle choice. Working with a contractor who understands this can make all the difference. Mannion Custom Painting.LLC is one of those contractors. “Remember, painting your home, whether interior or exterior, is a statement about who you are and your personality. Choose colors wisely. Take the surroundings into consideration, but do not be scared to try new things. Remember, it is only paint and it is not permanent. One last thing, choose better quality paints and your project will always come out the way you want it.”

If you select earth tones, the overall feel is warmth, tranquility, peace, and quiet. “In my opinion, bringing these qualities into your living environment, lowers stress and gives a lived-in feeling to the home,” Peter says. “It makes others feel invited and comfortable to be at your home.”

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Painting both the interior and exterior of your home can add much to your property value and the overall attractiveness of your house. One of the ways to really set-off the paint job is through the addition of accentuating trim colors. These accent colors can be used on trim around corners and windows, on shutters, post caps, and on doors. Choosing the right color is the key to completing your look, and some of the following tips will assist you in choosing those colors.

When choosing your color scheme it helps to see it exemplified beforehand, either in a painting brochure or on a neighboring home. Before choosing your paint, become more observant of popular color trends that you encounter in your day-to-day travels. If you notice a color scheme that you like, you can always contact the owner for the colors or try to match it as closely as possible. No matter how sure you are of your selection, it is recommended to paint a test patch to see how your colors tie together before purchasing all of your paint. Some paint stores can even electronically match a color chip if you can obtain it.

When selecting exterior trim colors, try to choose a color that is simply a darker shade in the same spectrum as the base color. If you are going to choose a drastically different color, it is better to use that one more for small accents. An example of this would be if you have a beige house color, a brown trim, and a deep green accent in key areas.

Choosing interior colors is quite simple as white is the most commonly used color. It even can be used in combination with wood. Most interior trim colors are semi-gloss or satin finish. This allows them to stand out from the wall color which is typically a flat finish, unless in a bathroom or kitchen.

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Exterior Paint
Whether you prefer neutral colors, earth tones, or more dramatic splashes of color, it's critical to get your exterior paint job done right the first time. The choices are many and decisions often hinge on ideas taken from visual images, whether from a remodeling magazine or your local paint store's fan deck. And now, here's another option. Enjoy the photo gallery of completed exterior paint projects on our web site.

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Painting Your House — Increase Your Curb Appeal


Definition of Curb Appeal: the visual attractiveness of a house as seen from the street


Potential home buyers WILL decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal. They’ll make a decision if they even want to see it, from how it looks on the outside.


One of the most important things you can do to enhance curb appeal is to make the outside sure the paint looks good and is appealing.


When deciding on what colors to paint your house, keep the following in mind:





Neighborhood Context
Make sure that your colors are compatible with the houses next door

Existing Colors
New paint doesn’t need to match existing colors, but it should harmonize.

Is there mortar or other siding that will not be painted? Do you have brick or stones on parts of the house?

Will doors and railings remain their existing colors?

Accents
Select accent colors for trim and details such as shutters, moldings and columns.

Too many colors will overwhelm your house and too few will make it seem two dimensional.

Dark and Light Colors
Light colors will make your house seem larger.

Lighter tones will highlight details which project from the wall surface.

Dark siding or dark bands of trim will make your house seem smaller

Darker shades are best for accenting recesses,

Harmony and Contrast, and Balance

Contrasting colors will draw attention to architectural details.



Extreme contrasts will clash and actually detract from details.

A burst of a single color on just one part of your home may give it a lopsided appearance.

Strive to balance colors over the entire building.

Durability
The more intense a color, the more likely it is to fade.

Dark colors also pose more maintenance problems.

Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades.

Dark paint fades, it’s difficult to touch up.

Sheen
Glossier surfaces show imperfections, brush strokes and touch up marks.

Glossy surfaces are easier to clean.

Preview your Color
Many paint stores and computer programs offer computer imaging to give you an idea of how a particular color will look

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Labels: advice, business, exterior, exterior.faux, home, interior, One Coat.Paint

                     

Washable Flat Paint.

Through the years I am constantly asked what is the best finish to put on my walls?
The answer is, it all depends on what you the client is looking to achieve.
A majority of my clients all want washable walls. Most have the misconception that and eggshell or semi-gloss is the best choice. Both eggshell and satin have there pro’s, and con’s. These finishes always enhance wall imperfections, things like nail pops and plastered joints. This can be a nightmare especially on large walls and entry halls. To circumvent this problem flat has been used, but flat does not wash! You only make a bigger stain.
Recently paint manufactures have been rushing to develop washable flat paint.
Some brands have done real well, as I can attest from professional use. Please understand
That these paints are not dead flat, they do have a very slight sheen, but they work real well. If you are interested in brand recommendations please contact us, we would be happy to share our experience.
Peace
John

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Labels: advice, flat paint, green friendly paint, paint, washable

                     

Cracks, dirt and mold and mildew are clear signs that it is time to refinish your deck. But signs of an unsafe deck are often less obvious. If yours was built before 2004 it was most likely made of chromate copper arsenate (CCA) lumber. These chemicals need to be sealed as to be effective and non-hazardous to people and pets. There have been cases of people getting a splinter in their hand or foot and having an allergic reaction, some needing hospitalization. CCA lumber is no longer used due to these hazards. In order to keep you and yours safe, your deck needs to be properly sealed. Not all sheens of stain or stain themselves will seal in CCA. If you are unsure please contact a professional or better yet drop us a line.

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Labels: advice, mildew, mold, semi-transparent, stain seal

                     

Do You Give Free Estimates?
Yes We still Do!!! Don't get Upset!!

With the economic conditions today a lot of contractors are starting to charge for estimates. Though we understand being a professional paint contractor firm the
Expense involved chasing down leads; we have decided to maintain our long standing
Practice of FREE estimates. Being in the painting business for as long as we have, we have made provisions and instituted certain guidelines to enable us to keep estimates FREE. So, no matter if you live in Alpharetta, Roswell, and Johns Creeks Sandy Springs. Gainesville, Duluth, Dunwoody, Sugarhill the city of Atlanta or Buckhead when you need a professional Interior or Exterior Painter, or are in need of expert deck staining or sealing, you can count on us. We will give you a detailed estimate for FREE.

Peace
John

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Finished Deck Before & After


Hi There- Discussed here is the before and after of a quality deck refinishing job. This deck you see was neglected. It was let to weather without any coating. The before
Picture you see is after a pressure wash, cleaner and conditioner. The deck should look somewhat like this before you stain it. The after shot speaks for it’s self; we used a semi transparent oil stain by Cabot. You need to ensure the stain you use on your deck floor is walk able.

Peace
John

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Labels: advice, conditioner, deck, pressure wash, seal, stain

                     

What to do with a problem deck.

Some decks require extra prep work to achieve a quality finish. I will discuss how to finish a deck that has multiple problems. Use this link to go to my Youtube page. "http://www.youtube.com/user/MannionCustomPaintin"


Here you will see a deck that has about three coats on it two of stain and one with a clear sealer. Also present was mold and mildew. What we did was to use a chemical stripper and allow it to sit for about thirty minutes, we then pressure washed it off using as little pressure as possible and a wide tip. After the wash we soaked deck cleaner on all areas, let it sit for about five minutes and then followed up with a wood conditioner. The conditioner is needed as the grain is raised during the pressure wash. As you can see the
Deck came out great.

Peace
John

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Deck Preparation.. The Key Ingredient to a Beautiful Deck!

Above you will see two pictures of a deck we did recently. The one to the left shows the
Deck after we pressured washed it and conditioned it. Notice the bright color with darker grain show through? We do not use bleach. This oicture shows how the deck should look prior to staining. The after picture shows is almost done. Please notice how we brush between each board, an important step to ensure a good quality job. Yes, there is a lot of labor involved, but the fruit is well worth it.

Peace

John


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Labels: advice, conditioner, deck, mildew, pressure wash, semi-transparent, stain, wood

                     

Why you should not use bleach on your deck.

We never recommend using household bleach, because it only kills mildew and does not clean other contaminates on the deck that lead to pre-mature coating failure. Fact is that labotory tests have shown that decks cleaned with bleach suffer from a coating breakdown 60% sooner then that deck that has not bleach. Think about it, do you wash your cloths with bleach only? Of course not! Bleach also can damage the celouse fiber in the wood especially if a pressure washer is used. There are plenty of good deck cleaners on the market and we recommend using one of them.

Peace
John (2011)

Tags: advice free deck stain seal bleach pressurewash georgia lamb painter exterior alpharetta wool professional grain wood painting contractor

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How to Paint your Walls by Mannion Custom Painting, LLC

· The next step is to cut in around the ceiling, baseboards, moldings corners, light switches, sockets and any doors/windows.

· To cut in to the ceiling use a good quality 2.5 to 3 inch brush. Paint along the top of the wall keeping the edge of the brush tight to the ceiling, use firm steady strokes to give yourself a nice straight edge.

· Then turn the brush and go over the paint again with a steady stroke to smooth the previous coat, this time there is no need to get too close to the ceiling but close enough to smooth the paint out.

· You can use this technique to cut in around the horizontal runs of any windows, doors, sockets and light switches.

· To cut in to the baseboards boards use a similar technique holding the brush at a 90 degree angle to the skirting board, then turn the brush and go over the paint again to smooth the coat.

We will continue with the process on our next blog.

Peace
John
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How To Paint Your Walls. By Mannion Custom Painting
1. First remove curtains, shades and pillows and sheets, place them in a closet or out of the room. Paint has a way of finding them! Remove all switch plates and outlet covers. Place all furniture in the center of the room and cover with old sheets or plastic drop cloths.

2. Wash down the wall with TSP or a suitable detergent to remove all dust, smoke stains if applicable. Inspect the wall surfaces for painted over dirt and hair and such. If present take 250 grit sandpaper and sand area. I highly advise wearing a proper mask and open windows to allow fresh air to enter the room.

3. For small cracks use suitable crack filler, for larger cracks and holes use a more suitable filler (see manufacturer's instructions).

4. To check for any loose plaster, tap the wall around any suspect areas and remove any loose flaky plaster.

5. When filling cracks or small holes leave a nice smooth finish, it is better to leave the filled area slightly proud of the surrounding area and then sand down with fine sandpaper until flush.

6. Certain plaster will “flash” if not primed before painting. Shellac base spray is best can be purchased for around $3.

7. Caulk around all woodwork, baseboards, window and door trim and moldings.

On my next blog I will continue discuss the process.

Peace
John

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Mannion Custom Painting: Is One Coat of Paint Enough?

We are asked all the time is one coat of paint enough? Both interior and exterior customers ask the same question. It’s a difficult question to answer because circumstances differ from job to job. We generally recommend that you use two coats of top quality paint. The best time to try for one-coat coverage is when you are painting a darker color over a lighter hue. Apply the first coat and let it dry. If the coverage is acceptable, one will do, if not a second is called for. Most instructions and for warranties to be honored paint manufactures require two coats.

Peace

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The first reason that comes to mind is that a "professional paint job" will increase the homes value! There are many other reasons for painting before listing your home for sale. Another reason is damage repair, when the sellers have children or pets and there are loads of hand prints, scuff marks and wall marks that need more than a touch up. All those hand prints add up, especially when you see them all by the light switches, and doors. If you try and touch them up, they usually look worse, the professional term is flashing. Ever try spot removing on cheap flat paint?..You end up with a bigger mess! Nothing cheapens the look of a room when you see "touch-ups" or stains. Another reason to paint is due to the wrong color. Those reds or lime green or baby blues need to go. Nothing makes a room look smaller then these colors, neutral is the name of the game. A fresh coat of paint can hide a multitude of sins, most notable those of the smelly category.

On the exterior of a home, probably the most important, especially the front entrance way. While the realtor is trying to gain access, this gives the most important first impression to the buyers. Nothing more embarrassing then a poorly painted entry door. Rotten wood, peeling paint, mold and mildew is not exactly a selling point, in actuality it can cost you at closing. Home inspectors always point these things out.


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Hi there- John Mannion here from Mannion Custom Painting, LLC. I'm a professional contractor with over 20 years of experience. We are continuing to discuss what to look for when hiring a professional painting contractor. On our last discussion we talked about finding a contractor and what to look for. We will continue on. So, you have a few referrals and have checked out the contractors web site is applicable. Now you need to make contact, and I recommend a phone call to speak to the pro in person versus sending an e-mail. Speaking directly to the contractor or their office will speak volumes about the professionalism. Most pros will try and qualify the estimate by asking a few basic questions when you first make contact. We do this to qualify the lead. Some leads are price shopping, this is good for the consume, not so well for the contractor as it can be a big waste of time and money for us. So if you are price shopping tell the contractor this. So, we always try to qualify or leads, this is the norm and should be expected. You should be cautious of any contractor that does not ask questions about your project. Some basic questions you can expect are your expectations and time frame, how big a job, interior or exterior. If you both feel comfortable with each other, then it is time to set the estimate appointment. When the contractor shows up at your home or office you need to be on the look out for certain things such as signage. Does the contractor show up in a company vehicle, a clean well marked van or truck? Or are they in an unmarked car, with their friend driving?As professionals we are proud of our work and our company, and we like to show off our company name, so look for signage. Next look for the business card, is it professionally done, with matching logos from the truck? It should be, if not you need to ask why not? The contractor should be neat in appearance, groomed and have some basic estimating equipment with them. If not. why not? Ask! After a few pleasantries the estimate begins, most pros will take a physically measurement of each room or building, not just an eyeball. Some pros are real good at eyeballing but still exact measurements are your best bet. The contractor should discuss all aspects of your job from type of paint and finish to exactly what preparation will be preformed. They should inform you of how long they think the job will take, how many workers will be on site and the exact brand and grade of paint used along with how many coats. It is most important to understand brand and grade of paint being used, because they vary widely. The brand my be top notch but the grade could be sub par. So ask and make sure it is included in the estimate. I will mention here that some customers want to buy their own paint, as they think they will save money. Sometimes for the customer this is not always the case. As professionals, we have a vast knowledge of coatings and their applications and what is the best product to use when and where. A customer buying their own paint usually tends to try and save a few dollars by purchasing a cheaper paint. A cheaper paint does not cover as much area, does not cover as well and tends not to last long. So if additional coats are needed or painting is needed more frequently, it will cost the consumer more money. So my advice, let the contractor supply the paint, or at least direct you where and what to purchase. Oh, one last thing on the customer supplying the paint, most pros will not offer the material warranty unless we purchase the paint. Ok next installment we will continue on discussing what to look for when hiring a painting contactor.
Peace

John



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Hello there, My name is John Mannion and I own and

operate Mannion Custom Painting, LLC. We are a complete

professional paint contractor company and have over

fifteen years experience in both commercial and

residential re-repaints. The mission of this

blog to bring both informative and current information

pertaining to the many aspects of the coatings industry.

We will also give you the opportunity to "

Ask The Contractor", any of your paint

related questions. With over 25 years residential

handyman repair experience, I can yeild and answer most

any questions you may have.

We will discuss and give “pro tips and how to info” on a

regular basis. So, please bookmark our web page and stop

by often.

Thanks

John M. Mannion
Mannion Custom Painting,.LLC

http://www.mannioncustompainting.com

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