FAQ’s

Do you accept credit cards?

YES. You can also pay with cash or a check at the time of your service.

I want to have a professional paint my house. How do I find a good house painter? What information should I require in the quote?

dt painting services colors in paintcans

These are good questions. To find a good painting contractor, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. We at Dutch Touch, Inc. work with many excellent independent painting contractors. We can supply their references if you contact us at www.dutchtouchpaintingservice.com

or e-mail us at service@dutchtouchmaids.com

When we give you a quote, you receive a firm price and both a start and finish date. We can detail the quote by area and by paint type. You can choose not only the color, but the brand of paint you wish the contractor to use. We will give you the contractor’s name, their license and insurance information.

A bid or contract also should include:

1. A list of the work that is to be done.

2. How many coats for each surface.

3. The type of paint to be used for each part of the job.

4. The preparation work that will be done.

5. Who will furnish the paint and other materials.

DT painting services FAQ Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I figure out how much paint I need ?

Simply calculate the square footage of the surfaces to be painted and divide by the number of square feet that the manufacturer indicates can be covered by a gallon of your selected paint.

Estimating Example:

For example, if a room is 10 feet by 20 feet with 8-foot ceilings, your square footage is 480 (the circumference times the ceiling height). If you have a number of windows and doors, subtract the square footage of those openings (standard doors are about 21 square feet, standard windows about 15 square feet). For many paints, including primers and stains, a gallon will cover about 400 square feet (the product label will show the coverage). Since two coats are normally recommended for most projects, two gallons would be needed for the 10-by-20-foot room example. (This assumes there are one or two windows.) Remember, it’s always a good idea to have a little leftover paint for future touchups.

DT Painting Services paint trayWhen purchasing paint, I’ve been asked if I want flat, high gloss, satin and even an eggshell finish. What do these terms mean?

The terms refer to the sheen or gloss level of the paint. The sheen or gloss level simply means the degree of light reflectance of the paint. The terms describe the shininess of the paint.  The following chart explains what each term means and where paint with that type of gloss should be used. Your local independent paint retailer also can recommend the type of gloss you need for your particular paint project.

High gloss paints DT painting services san diego north countyHigh Gloss Paints (70+ on a 60 degree gloss meter)

•    Where to Use: For kitchen & bathroom walls, kitchen cabinets, banisters, railings, trim, furniture, door jambs & windowsills.
•    Comments: More durable, stain resistant & easier to wash. However, the higher the gloss, the more likely surface imperfections will be noticed.
 
Semi gloss (35 to 70 on a 60 degree gloss meter)
•    Where to Use: For kitchen & bathroom walls, hallways, children’s rooms, playrooms, doors, woodwork & trim.
•    Comments: More stain-resistant & easier to clean than flat paints. Better than flat for high-traffic areas.
 
Satin or Silk
 
 (Range overlapping eggshell & semi gloss) – Similar characteristics to Semi gloss & Eggshell.

contractor rolling eggshell paint DT painting services san diego countyEggshell (20 to 30 on a 60 degree gloss meter)
•    Where to Use: Can be used in place of flat paints on wall surfaces especially in halls, bathrooms & playrooms. Also may be used in place of semi gloss paints on trim for a less shiny appearance.
•    Comments: It resists stains better than flat paint & gives a more lustrous appearance.
 
Flat or Matt (less than 15 on a 60 degree gloss meter)

•    Where to Use: For general use on walls & ceilings.
•    Comments: Hides surface imperfections. Stain removal can be difficult. Use for uniform and nonreflecting appearance.  It is best suited for low-traffic areas.
 
paintcan roller brush DTpaintingservice.comWhat is the difference between $10 to $25 or more a gallon of paint?
 
When you purchase paint you usually get what you pay for. Purchasing paint strictly on the basis of price will end up costing you more in the long run. Here’s why. As long as you’re comparing two similar types of paint (i.e. interior wall paint, exterior trim paint), price differences usually reflect a difference in the quality and/or the amount of the key ingredients. Since it’s the ingredients that affect such important qualities as durability, flow, hide and leveling, the better the quality of the paint the easier it will be to apply and the longer it will normally last. In fact, top-quality paint can last up to twice as long as a low-grade paint. This lowers the cost per year of service which saves you not only money, but also sweat if you do your own painting. If you use a professional painter, you save even more by insisting on high-quality paint. That’s because the paint represents only a fraction of the cost of repainting; most of the expense is for the contractor’s labor.
By spending a little more upfront on your paint, you avoid frequent repainting. However, remember to purchase the best paint you can afford. It will always be your best value in the long run. Consult your local independent paint retailer for the proper paint for your project.
 
I know that I shouldn’t paint in the rain or the mid-day sun, but otherwise does the weather make any difference?
 
 Paint when the temperature is above 60 and below 90 degrees F. Otherwise the drying time will be adversely affected. Avoid not only rain but also wind. High winds not only can cause your paint to dry too quickly, they can also blow dirt and other debris onto the wet surface. You should also try to paint in the shade. In other words, if you can avoid painting in direct sunlight, do so. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions on the paint can label and get advice from your local independent paint retailer.
 
house paint swatch DT painting services san diego countyThe paint is coming off the exterior of my house even though I used an expensive paint and applied two coats. Why is this happening, how can I correct it, and what will it take to prevent it in the future?

Without taking a look at your specific situation, it’s very difficult to give a specific answer. There are simply too many different types of problems that involve paint not adhering to exterior surfaces. For example, there are terms such as, blistering, checking and cracking to describe different problems that can occur. However, almost all paint failures are due to poor or improper surface preparation. Another cause is improper application. The use of quality paint is also important, but, as in your case, will not ensure against adhesion problems if the surface is not properly prepared and the paint is not applied correctly.
To briefly answer both your second and third questions, yes, you can correct your problem and by properly doing so avoid the same problem in the future. Remove all loose, flaking or peeling paint, clean, spot prime where necessary, solve any moisture problems you may have and repaint with a quality paint using correct application procedures.
That’s the brief answer. For a complete and authoritative answer to your specific paint problem, see your local independent paint retailer. In many cases they have a publication and/or CD-ROM disk entitled Paint Problem Solver which illustrates many common exterior and interior problems and explains the cause and solution.

Should I use a water-based latex paint or an oil-based paint?paintbrushcolors DT painting services san diegocounty

That depends. Both will do an excellent job under most circumstances. Water-based paints have a number of advantages especially for do-it-yourselfers including ease-of-clean-up and general ease-of-use. In addition, top-quality latex paint generally has excellent adhesion to most surfaces and generally exhibit superior resistance to bleaching and fading when compared to oil-based paints. However, to determine which type of paint you should use for your specific project, consult your local independent paint retailer.

Is it always necessary to apply two coats of an exterior paint?

Actually, if you are painting new siding or where all of the previous coating has been removed, you should first apply a coat of primer followed by two coats of paint. However, if the surface was previously painted and that old paint is still sound, a single coat of a quality paint will probably suffice. Your local independent paint retailer can advise you as to whether two coats will be necessary for your particular situation.

How do I select a good color for the exterior of my house? I want something to set my house off yet that is in good taste.

Your home’s exterior is the first impression visitors have of you. Dutch Touch, provides color consulting for a very reasonable fee.

Contact us at 760-603-0567 or service@dutchtouchmaids.com

Take into account the fixed colors of your home – brick, stone work and the roof color. You may want to consider choosing a paint color that will pick up the color from one of these non-painted areas. For example, a brown that appears in your brick. In addition, the style of your home may play a role in the colors you select. If, for example, you have an architecturally accurate reproduction of a colonial-style home, you may want to use authentic exterior colors from that period. Or, if you have a Victorian-era home you may want to use a number of colors to accentuate the architectural details (gingerbread) on your home. Generally, you can’t go wrong selecting a light color for the body of the house and a darker, complimentary color for the trim. Another way to set your home off is to create an interesting welcoming entrance by painting your front door in a bold color scheme. Your local independent paint retailer can help you select just the right color scheme for your exterior project.