Author Archives: Dan Hansen

Color Me Home Episode 6: Decorating Kids’ Rooms

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This week, Betsy and Dan talk about decorating kids’ rooms. These are great projects and can be a lot of fun: you’ll get to use colors you might not typically use and you really get to put your creativity on display! But how do you create something that the kids will love–with all their favorite colors–without having the whole thing turn into, quite literally, a circus? That’s what we talk about in this episode, so give it a listen!

View our Pinterest Board for Episode 6!

Episode Outline

  • Involve Your Kids With the Decorating! (0:30)
  • What Do We Do When the Kids Pick Crazy Colors? You Compromise! (4:32)
    • My Son Embarrasses Me In Public (5:00)
    • Pick a Lighter Version of the Color (8:02)
    • Pick a Muted or Muddier Version of the Color (10:11)
    • Paint an Accent Wall (13:43)
    • Doors, Window Frames, Ceilings . . . (15:0o)
    • Accessories (16:30)
  • Choose the Right Paint and the Right Finish (17:30)
    • The Right Paint (17:57)
    • The Right Finish (21:46)
  • Our First Email Question! (23:06)

Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint56295-9030107

In the podcast, we mentioned ceilings as a potential area to bring in some color. If you’re going to give that a try (and you should, because it’s a very cool idea that’ll payoff with great results!) then you should definitely be using Benjamin Moore’s Waterborne Ceiling Paint. It’s specifically formulated for ceilings, and provides an ultra flat finish that easily hides common ceiling imperfections. It’s easy to work with, has minimal spatter and dries very quickly for fast recoats.

  • Superior hide for a flawless finish
  • Flattest finish offered by Benjamin Moore
  • Conceals common surface imperfections
  • Easy application with fantastic results
  • Formulated for minimal spatter

Recommended Paints for Kids’ Rooms

We covered 4 different products that would be perfect. Here’s a quick summary in case you didn’t have a note pad to jot all the good ideas down while the podcast was playing:

Hallmark Ceramic Paint by RepcoLite

Hallmark is our Premium interior paint. It’s created with Ceramic microspheres and provides exceptional washability and durability even in our matte finish. Hallmark is available in a Matte, Eggshell, Satin Sheen, and Semi-Gloss.

Aura by Benjamin Moore

Aura delivers remarkable durability and offers the most advanced way to bring color to life. Using Benjamin Moore’s exclusive Color Lock® technology, Aura paint brings you discernibly richer, truer color. Aura is ideal for kids’ rooms whenever you’re using colors with poor coverage or if you’re covering over other bright and bold colors. The reason? Aura’s specifically formulated to cover and hide better than any other paint out there. If you don’t want to fuss with 3 or 4 coats, choose Aura!

Regal by Benjamin Moore

Regal paint stands up to today’s active lifestyles in colors and finishes that create the home you’ve always imagined. A premium quality coating featuring Advanced Particle Technology® which includes our proprietary 100% acrylic resin. This makes the finish itself more durable, providing for superior uniform coverage as well as easier touch-ups. Additional benefits include spatter resistance for easier clean-up, and superior coverage for a flawless finish in fewer coats.

Natura by Benjamin Moore

Natura Waterborne Interior Paint continues Benjamin Moore’s commitment to providing the most environmentally friendly paint. Natura goes beyond zero VOC* to offer zero emissions** and no harsh fumes***, making it a safer paint for your family and the environment, all without compromise to performance or color selection. Natura is truly “Green Without Compromise®.”

Carefree by RepcoLite

While we didn’t mention Carefree in the podcast, we certainly should have! Carefree is a tremendous product for walls, will give you great washability and durability, and will price out below all of the other products here! If you’re working on a budget, Carefree might be a great option to consider.

Recommended Finishes for Kids’ Rooms

When it came to finishes, we strongly recommend either Satin Sheen or Semi-Gloss for your trim, doors, and furniture. Semi-Gloss finishes hold up well and wash up readily.

For your walls, however, our favorite choice is an Eggshell Finish. It’s dull enough to hide wall imperfections (Betsy kept referring to the dings and dents made by someone bouncing a ball of the wall . . . perhaps something she was guilty of long ago) but it also has enough of a finish to be washable.

Further Reading

We drew from a lot of articles and posts when we gathered info for this podcast. Here are just a few of them if you’d like to read further!

 

How Do I Clean an Old, Gray Deck?

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old_weathered_deck_web2“We just bought a new house and the deck looks terrible!  It’s gray and faded. How do we get it ready for a new coat of stain?”

This is a question we hear all the time–in one form or another. Sometimes, it’s about a deck that’s never been stained or protected. Other times it’s about a deck that has been stained, but so long ago that you can barely tell.

In either situation, people are concerned about how to get the deck looking good again. Some even wonder if they can.

Well, the good news is that yes, in most cases, you can completely revitalize your old deck. It’s just a matter of knowing the right steps and using the right products.

So, here’s the scoop:

Step 1: Check for Rotten Boards

The first step in any deck project is easy: look at your deck. Very carefully. Check the wood over. If it’s rotting, splintered, falling apart, or full of knot holes you’ll have to ask yourself a tough question: is it even worth trying to save this?

Stains will protect your wood and give it some water repellancy, but they won’t turn something that’s rotten into something that’s sound! The hard truth is that some decks just aren’t worth trying to save. It’s better and more expedient just to start over.

So check your boards over. If some need to be replaced, do it. If more need to be replaced than not, then consider building a new deck.

Step 2: Sweep it Off

Once you’ve looked it over and either have replaced the boards that needed it or decided that the deck is sound (even though it’s currently gray and ugly!), then it’s time for step 2: Sweep it. Yes, it’s that simple. Brush off the leaves, buds, acorns, branches and whatever else has collected there.

Step 3: Apply the Cleaner

Next, it’s time to start the actual work of cleaning the deck. At RepcoLite, we recommend two different cleaners depending on your situation:

RESTORE from Benjamin Moore:  This cleaner’s for old, weathered wood that either has no stain on it or so little as to be completely negligible. This cleaner will restore your old wood to a nearly new look.

REMOVE from BENJAMIN MOORE: This cleaner’s for decks that still have a noticeable amount of stain on them. REMOVE will . . . remove . . . that stain. Now, we want to clarify that REMOVE will work well on transparent and semi-transparent stains. It’s not designed to remove solid color stains from your deck.

Whatever cleaner is appropriate for your situation, the application is the same:brighten_remove_web

A.  Mix it with water according to the label instructions.

B.  Mist your landscaping and siding (near the deck) with water to protect them.

C.  Spray the cleaner onto the deck with a garden sprayer.

D.  Wait 10 – 30 minutes depending on the condition of your deck. And be sure not to let the cleaner dry out in this step! If necessary, mist more cleaner onto the deck to keep it wet.

E.  Scrub the boards with a good scrub brush in the direction of the grain. This is an important step! The better you do here, the more effort you put in, the better your end results.

F.  After scrubbing the deck, rinse it clean with a power washer or a garden hose. Be sure to give your plants and siding a quick rinse as well!

Step 4: Apply Brighten

Once you’ve rinsed the deck, you’re likely going to be very excited at the results you’re seeing. And you’ll be tempted to quit and wait for the deck to dry. But don’t do that–not just yet. There’s one more step: you need to apply BENJAMIN MOORE’S BRIGHTEN to the boards. This will neutralize the cleaner that you just rinsed off and will also brighten the boards considerably.

Application is essentially the same as the cleaner and should be done immediately after cleaning the deck.

Mix it according to label instructions, mist the landscaping and siding, spray it onto the deck, let it sit, scrub it around, and then rinse it off.

Step 5: Let it Dry

And you’re done! With the cleaning step, that is. All that’s left before you apply a stain is to let the deck dry. We recommend waiting at least 3 good drying days. And by “good drying days” we mean days without rain. Stain needs to be able to penetrate into the wood of your deck to perform. If the deck is damp, the stain can’t penetrate as well . . . and problems usually follow! So let it dry.

And that’s pretty much it. Cleaning an old deck and getting it ready for stain may sound like a complicated process or a long project, but it’s not! The work goes quickly and, on the right day, can actually be a great 2-3 hours spent outside. And the results you’ll get will be more than worth it.

If you’re still not convinced, check out this video we made last summer when we sampled the Benjamin Moore cleaners. And if you’d like more information about decks and what’s required to get them ready for summer, why not give a listen to our Color Me Home Podcast all about decks! You can listen on your computer or download it and listen to it later on your phone or any mp3 player. Check it out!

And here’s our video:

Color Me Home Episode 5: Clean and Protect Your Deck

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This week, Betsy and Dan talk about the quintessential Spring/Summer project:  cleaning and protecting your deck! Deck projects may seem complicated, but they’re really very straightforward. You just need to arm yourself with a little information. Lucky for you, that’s almost entirely what’s contained in this episode. (Actual information content is roughly around 85%. The other 15% is stuff we have a tough time categorizing…)

Episode Outline

  • How long do I have to let a new pressure-treated deck dry before staining? (2:30)
  • My deck’s gray and faded! How do I get it ready for stain? (6:37)
  • Why is cleaning the deck important? Can’t I just skip this step? (15:00)
  • Do I have to protect my wife’s plants around the deck? Or will they be OK? (18:00)
  • I don’t understand all the different deck stains that are out there! Can you help? (22:38)
  • What tools do you recommend for applying the stain? (30:02)
  • How do I apply the stain to my deck? (37:52)
  • Is there a best time of day to apply the stain? (43:20)

Pressure-Treated Lumber

Pressure-treated lumber has been chemically treated to resist rot, decay, and termites. And really, it’s an interesting process by which this is all done. See, the lumber is rolled into giant pressurized tanks where the preservative is forced deep into the wood’s fibers. Here’s a video for those of you who want the full “deck experience”!

Getting the Deck Ready for Stain

OK. In the episode, Dan talked about having video of a co-worker, Dave Williams, falling down the stairs while cleaning the deck. As is usually the case, Dan’s memory of the event and the reality depicted in the footage, aren’t necessarily the same. While in his mind, the event was long, drawn out, and utterly hilarious, the video is much less so. Still, it’s someone falling down who’s not Dan. So, that’s cool. And, best of all, Dave was just fine! The big takeaway here is this: these deck cleaning products can create a very, very slippery surface! So be careful!

Other than the video of Dave falling, we also mentioned a very quick video that demonstrates a sample of what Benjamin Moore’s Restore and Brighten can do for a deck that’s old and weathered. The results are remarkable! Check it out:

OnFloor Machine

Here’s a demo of the OnFloor Machine we discussed in the podcast, though we want to note that the situation in this video shows the OnFloor Machine removing nearly 5 layers of freshly applied stain (yikes!). As a result, the speed is dramatically reduced. Still, you can see a great example of how clean the OnFloor Machine will get your deck. It’s a very quick way to get your wood ready for stain without having to do any cleaning or introduce any water to the deck at all. This means you could clean it and stain it on the same day!

We have an OnFloor Machine for rent. You can contact us at 616-396-5213 to check availability and rental rates!

Which Tools are Best?

In the podcast, we discuss 3 recommended tools for staining your deck. For a more in-depth look complete with video of how quickly (or not!) the tools work, look below:

Summary

And that’s it for all the information we covered in the podcast. We knew this was a long one and we debated about the best way to present it. In the end, we decided to present it in it’s entirety and let people pick and choose what parts they wanted to listen to more closely! We hope the information’s helpful. And don’t forget, if you have any questions at all, you can stop out at any RepcoLite Paints, Port City Paints, or Snyder Paints location and let us help! Or, you can email Dan and Besty directly at colormehome@repcolite.com!

Color Me Home Episode 4: Curb Appeal on a Budget, 2

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This week, Betsy and Dan continue their discussion regarding simple exterior projects designed to help you increase the curb appeal of your home without breaking the bank!

Episode Outline

  • Is Your Front Porch Inviting? (1:06)
  • What Does Your Landscaping Say About Your Home? (17:10)
  • Have You Ever Considered Painting the Whole House? (23:50)
  • A Simple Cleanup Can Make a Tremendous Difference! (28:14)

Haint Blue

One of the interesting discussions we had in this episode revolved around an old tradition in the South where porch ceilings were painted blue. There were a number of reasons why people did this, but one of them revolved around the ability of blue paint to ward off or deter spirits, or “haints”. You can read one of the articles we referenced right here!

The Porch on the Grand Hotel (or, Dan’s Wrong Again).

grand_hotel_webDuring the discussion about porches, Dan suggested that the famous porch on the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island was painted blue. He was adamant. Betsy was, of course, skeptical. She offered to check with a “reliable source”, who turns out to be her father. Who turns out to be the supplier of much of the paint that’s used on the Island. Who confirmed that Dan was indeed wrong. The actual color on the huge covered porch of the Grand Hotel is called “Grand Hotel Porch Green”.

Now, technically, it’s a bluish green. But it’s also, technically, called “green”. So, Dan (though he was really close and would get an A for effort if he would accept a grade based solely on effort) was wrong. Betsy, as seems to be her tendency, was right. Oh well, tomorrow’s a new day…

Vinyl Safe Colors

We mentioned this in our previous episode as well, but here’s the link to Benjamin Moore’s Vinyl Safe Colors. Check out the full palette!vinyl_safe_colors_revive4

Painting Your Vinyl Siding

Painting your vinyl siding isn’t typically a project we’d consider “low-budget”. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it really is. Here’s why: painting the vinyl siding of your home will produce a remarkable change. In fact, not many outdoor projects (if any!) are going to produce as profound a change in the curb appeal of your home. So, the project produces amazing results. And to get those amazing results, you typically only have to spend anywhere from $300 – $600 on paint. Add some supplies and figure in your time to do the work and you’re still talking about a relatively low expenditure to produce the biggest change possible without remodeling or re-siding your home. So, relatively speaking, it’s inexpensive when you consider the results!

And, it’s not a difficult project. We’ll go into greater detail on a future blog post, but for now the basics are these:

CLEAN THE SIDING: Before you apply any paint, the siding needs to be cleaned and free from any surface contaminants. The paint you will later use bonds to the surface of the vinyl. If that surface is not clean and ready for paint, you can end up with the paint bonding to whatever contaminant was there (dust, dirt, etc). So, make sure you clean the siding. We recommend a cleaner called Jomax. It’s designed to clean vinyl siding and if you use this in conjunction with a scrub brush and a power washer, you’ll be able to get the dust, mildew, and any other surface contaminants off the siding to make it ready for paint.

PICK YOUR PAINT: Once the siding’s ready for paint, it’s time to get the paint! We recommend Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select Revive. Revive provides excellent color retention, is resistant to mildew and can be applied in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s designed specifically for vinyl siding and comes in a wide palette of vinyl-safe colors. As we mentioned above, to avoid warping caused by colors that absorb heat, be sure to select vinyl safe colors for your project!

Below, we have a gallery showing you why you want to use vinyl safe colors! In the photos, the paint on the vinyl was simply regular exterior paint and a vinyl safe color wasn’t chosen. The new color was darker than the original vinyl and, in the sun, heated up so much that the actual vinyl siding warped, creating a problem that can only be fixed by replacing the siding. The lesson? Always choose vinyl safe colors!

APPLY IT and ENJOY: After cleaning and picking your paint (and vinyl safe color!) all that’s left is to do the work. Apply the paint on the cool side of the house, working out of direct sunlight. You can use a roller (we have various sizes), a paint pad, a brush (generally just for trim work), or even a sprayer (if you can safely do that without having overspray drift throughout your neighborhood!). Painting the whole house is labor intensive. It will take you some time and it’s definitely a work out (you’re going up and down ladders all the time!). But, the good news is that once you’re done, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits for many years to come!

If you decide to tackle a project like this, stop out at any RepcoLite, Port City Paints, or Snyder Paints location and let us give you the full rundown regarding method and tools!

A Simple Cleanup

jomax_400We ended this episode discussing the importance (and ease!) of simply doing a little cleanup around your house. Sure, this is pretty obvious, but we wanted to highlight a couple things that might make this easier for you. First off, as we mentioned above, when it comes to cleaning your vinyl siding, we recommend Jomax. It’s a concentrate you mix with water and it’s designed to help you easily remove tough dirt and stains. Mix it with a little bleach and it will kill mold and mildew fast! (Just watch out for your plants and landscaping . . . or you’ll be in big trouble. Remember: we warned you!)

A second note we wanted to convey is that RepcoLite, Port City Paints, and Snyder Paints all rent out power washers. So if you don’t own one or have a friend or neighbor with one, be sure to call your nearest store and reserve one! It speeds up the cleaning process dramatically and will help you get your house looking beautiful in no time!

 

 

 

Color Me Home Episode 3: Curb Appeal on a Budget, 1

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This week, in honor of the beautiful weather we all experienced over Spring Break, Betsy and Dan discuss some simple exterior projects that will help you increase the curb appeal of your home without breaking the bank!

Episode Outline

  • Front Doors (1:55)
  • What If I’ve Got a Storm Door? (7:34)
  • Careful With Your Color, Though! (12:12)
  • Garage Doors (12:39)
  • Shutters (13:40)
  • Vinyl Safe Paint and Colors (15:20)
  • How to Paint Your Shutters (18:20)
  • A Quick Miracle Fix to Revive Faded Shutters (21:51)
  • Mailboxes (25:40)

Before and After Homes with Shutters!

As we mentioned in the podcast, adding shutters to a home can make a tremendous difference. And while I’d love to share a large gallery of photos making our case, I don’t have the rights! So, I’m doing the next best thing: Here’s a google image search that will allow you to see exactly what we’re talking about!

Check it out! And we’re betting that if you don’t already have shutters on your home, after seeing those photos, you’ll move that project to the top of your list.

Vinyl Safe Colors

Benjamin Moore’s Revive is available in a wide variety of vinyl safe colors. Check out the full palette!vinyl_safe_colors_revive4

Penetrol Fix for Shutters

We talked about this at the 21:51 mark on the podcast and if you didn’t hear it, you should listen in to know exactly what these notes refer to. At any rate, I was able to dig up the photos that I took when I applied Penetrol to my shutters early last Spring. The first photo shows the shutter before application–faded and chalky. The next two obviously show the shutter in process. The final photo of the house shows the shutter finished and the surrounding trim cleaned up.

It’s definitely a project to try if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to restore the color of the vinyl. Just be aware, it’s not a long-lasting fix. You’ll typically get anywhere from 6 months to a year out of it. A full paint job is going to last much longer!

 

Color Me Home Episode 2: Choosing Colors You’ll Love

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Welcome to Color Me Home! This week Betsy and Dan discuss how you can make sure that the next colors you choose are colors you love! See, in our first episode we talked about ways to find inspiration for your next color scheme. That’s all well and good, but finding interesting, intriguing color schemes is one thing . . . finding colors you LOVE is a little different. Today, we’re going to discuss some concepts that you can use to make sure that the next gallon of paint you purchase looks perfect in your home.

Episode Outline

  • The Color Folder/Portfolio (0:50)
  • Online Tools  (7:00)
  • Schedule Yourself Time so You Don’t Have to Rush! (10:40)
  • Brush Out Some Larger Samples (16:24)
  • Don’t Forget About Your Lighting! (24:46)
  • The Danger (and Importance) of Asking for Opinions (35:30)

Some Great Blog Posts That Delve Into the Topics Discussed Today!

Start With a Color Folder
Start With a Color Folder
Paint Colors and Lighting
Paint Colors and Lighting
A Little Color Here...
A Little Color Here...
The Eyebrow Incident
The Eyebrow Incident