| Questions & Answers | ||
|
We know we've barely scraped the surface of questions you may have. We haven't even touched the issues involving exterior stain, or anything concerning the Sikkens brand, or the best way to cover water stains, or what to use on your patio furniture, or how to paint your kitchen cupboards, or what to do if your Great Aunt Matilda smoked for forty years and now you need to cover the smoke and nicotine, or... whew! Too much to list! Tell you what, come on into Colormart, and we'll just answer your questions in person. Okay? Q: Why should I come to you guys, instead of a bigger store? A: Vancouver Island Colormart is locally owned and operated, and has been in business in Victoria since 1976. We know the area. We know the weather. We only stock products that are proven to work in Victoria's climate, and we know how to use them! We employ knowledgeable staff who aren’t afraid of questions, are always easy to find, and who are willing to go a little farther and do a little more for you(within reason!). Not only that, but we're open seven days a week, and late on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights! Q: Where did you guys go? Your old store is empty! A: In June of 2008, we bid a sad farewell to our old storefront on Scott St. We moved two whole blocks over to our new location on Hillside for a brighter store, better parking, and great food smells from Romeo's! Q: I think the paint on my walls is oil. How do I know for sure? A: Colormart carries an inexpensive product called The Paint Detective. Unlike the questionable results of various "home remedies", this little tester package is easy to use and understand and gives reliable results. Simply rub the cloth provided on the surface to be tested. If its oil paint, the surface will appear polished and very little colour will come off on the pad. If it's latex; the layers of paint will dissolve, become gummy and come right off! Q: What do I do if my walls are painted in oil? A: You have a few different options. You could use oil paint. Oil paints will adhere to either oil or latex. You could prime with a reliable oil primer, or you could purchase a super-adhesive latex. Para's Super Stick or Pratt & Lambert's Multi-Purpose Primer which are well-priced "conversion" primers designed to make the transition from oil to latex. Keep in mind- areas of high moisture such as bathrooms with little or no ventilation; it's best to stay with oil! Q: What's the difference between oil and latex paints? A: Without getting bogged down in too many details, the simplest way to explain the difference is this:
Q: My can says it's "Alkyd" paint. What's that? A: That's another word for oil. Q: Is there a special paint for bathrooms? A: There is, but you may not need to use it. Para carries a Kitchen and Bath paint which has a pearl finish and contains additional mildew resistance. This is terrific for bathrooms that have a high level of usage, or good ventilation. If your bathroom is well ventilated, or has no shower, then a simple pearl, satin or semi-gloss would be fine. If it’s a powder room, and has very little use, some people may prefer to use a regular eggshell or even a high-end flat paint. Sixty percent of Victoria homes were built before showers, so be careful with your choice of product! If you're not sure what's best for you, come ask our staff! Q: There are so many different sheens of paints, what are they all for? A: When it comes to sheens, everyone has their own preference of what they like. Yet sometimes some finishes aren't recommended. The higher the sheen, the more durable the finish. Here is a basic guideline for interior use:
Q: How warm does it have to be to paint outside? A: Most paint manufacturers recommend not painting until you have 24 hours above ten degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). That means a consecutive day and night. Also, watch out for rain! You need two to three good drying days before painting. Don't forget it needs to dry before dew falls. Q: What type of brush should I paint with? A: That depends on the type of product you're painting with. If you’re painting with oil paint, then natural bristle brushes are the best. If you’re painting with latex paints, then synthetic brushes, such as polyester or nylon are preferable. If you're not sure, come in to talk with our staff! Q: What type of roller should I be using? A: For most interior surfaces, a ten millimetre lint free roller is suitable. If your surface is very rough, then a deeper pile may be advisable. Alternatively- if you want a very shiny effect, then a shorter pile is better. For more information, ask us! Q: What are the current popular colour trends? A: Well, that changes! Feel free to come into our store and pick up some pamphlets of this year's hottest colours. Or check out the websites of our suppliers: www.para.com or www.prattandlambert.com – they always have the newest trends and the top tips! Q: How do I figure out how much paint I need? A: Come in to the store with the square footage of your walls (length multiplied by height), and your colour choice, and we'll be happy to help you work that out! The average gallon of paint will cover 350 – 400 square feet. A gallon of our higher grade paints will cover up to 580 square feet per gallon. BUT the depth of colour, quality, or the roughness and preparation of the surface will change that answer drastically! Q: Is it true that preparation is 60% of painting? A: Yes! If you don't put in the work to properly prepare the surface, you won't be happy with the result. Also, you'll end up having to paint more frequently. This is especially true outside with weathered surfaces, in kitchens where grease comes into play, and in bathrooms where mould and mildew may be present! Q: What's the best advice you can give to me when it comes to preparation? A: Don't rush it, and properly clean and rinse your surfaces before painting! Don't clean with cleaners that say "shiny and clean", they can leave a filmy residue that paint may not allow the paint to adhere. The best thing to wash your walls with is a degreaser like T.S.P. (tri-sodium phosphate). Q: I have mildew on my walls! How should I clean it? A: In situations where mildew is present, there are many biodegradable cleaners available, but read the instructions carefully! Our manager recommends this old, reliable family recipe:
Q: What's the best advice you can give me when it comes to make painting easier for me? A: Buy quality products! Trust us, try it once and you’ll never go back to el-cheapo products. If you're going to invest in top quality paint, then applying it with a two dollar brush really defeats the purpose. You'll spend more time trying to undo what you've done with lesser quality applicators. Q: Why do I see people buying clean cans, or special containers to pour their paint into? Can't I just save money and dip my brush directly into my paint? A: You wouldn't double- dip your chip, so why would you double-dip your paintbrush? We all know that we spread germs and bacteria when we delve into the dip twice; the same thing happens when you put your paintbrush back into a can of paint! Anything that your paintbrush picked up off of the surface you painted can contaminate the remainder of your paint. The same result comes from pouring your leftover paint from your tray back into the can. Over time, mold and mildew can build in the can, wasting the rest of your paint! It's best to use up all of your paint at one time, otherwise save your paint and use a cutting can! Q: Can I paint my vinyl siding? A: Yes, but don’t paint it darker than it already is! Vinyl is formulated to deal with a specific degree of heat. If you paint it darker, it may warp or even pop off! Q: Help! I'm partway through painting and I’m running out of paint! What should I do?! A: Don't panic! Colormart is open seven days a week, and on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, we're open until 9pm! Pay attention to what you're doing, and try to stop before you reach the bottom of the can. That way you can mix in your next can with what you have, and alleviate any discrepancies between batches. Also, don't stop in the middle of the wall. Try to end the old can in a less noticeable corner, or at the end of one coat. Q: I've chosen my colour chip, but I'm nervous I won't like the colour! What should I do? A: Para Paints has come out with a great new product: quart sized paint samples! It's an interior/exterior flat that can be tinted to any of Para's colours! It's an inexpensive way to test the colour at home. Plus, on the label of each sample is a coupon that can be used towards your next gallon of Para paint! With Pratt and Lambert, we really like to recommend trying a quart of paint on a section of wall to ensure you like the colour. It's spending a little extra to gain confidence in your choice. Also, sometimes lighting and surroundings can effect a paint colour in an unexpected manner. It's better to find out with a quart then to invest in a whole gallon! Q: I've been looking everywhere for wallpaper! Does Colormart carry any? A: We don't have any in-stock wallpaper, because that limits the choices you have. Instead, we carry a wide selection of wallpaper books full of the best colours and patterns to help you find your dream. We carry every style of wallpaper from country to contemporary, from kitchen to kid's and everything in between! Q: How long does it take for wallpaper to arrive? A: Usually, it takes about a week to ten days. If it's otherwise, we’ll let you know as soon as we do! Q: What's the best way to start a wallpapering job? A: Start by assuming your walls are not straight! Start with the least noticeable wall, and measure out ½" less than the width of your wallpaper. Make a plumb line and use that as your guide! Q: Is wallpaper really coming back into style? A: It really is! The trend started building a year or two ago and has been growing steadily! Designers seem to be our biggest wallpaper buyers. Q: Isn't wallpaper just a big pain in the... A: It doesn't have to be! Most of the pain people associate with wallpaper is from trying to remove improperly installed jobs. Make sure your walls are prepared properly; clean them, prime them, and take your time with application. |
||
