San Ramon, Pleasant Hill and Concord Painting FAQ

The following is a Frequently Asked Questions section containing questions that we regularly receive from our clients in the San Ramon. If you cannot find the information that you need in the Painting Tips section of our web site, you will likely find it here. If you have any questions that are not addressed in this FAQ, you can always feel free to email the friendly Eagle Eye Painting customer service team by clicking here or call Mike Cramer, (painting since 1986), at (925) 260-6194.

What colors are the best colors and why?

Simply put, color affects mood. Red, yellow, and orange are considered the warm colors which incite happy, excitable moods and stimulation. They're great for offices for that reason. Blue, green, and purple are called the cool colors because they're relaxing and peaceful. Think bedroom and den. The light colors, like beige or any off white are spacious and uplifting. Perfect for the Doctor's office.

Dark colors make rooms look smaller and can be depressing. Bold colors are appealing while whites reflect light, but beware, they get dirty pretty easily.

Can I paint over wall covering?

Yes, You should prime first.

Can I paint over my vinyl siding or do I have to take it all down?

Yes, you can paint over vinyl siding. Not only is it cheaper and easier than replacing vinyl siding, painting over vinyl siding can look great too if you use the right paint. It can change the whole appearance of the house, you can do it more than once. And it provides quite a unique look if done properly.

How do I choose a tasteful paint color for my home or business exterior?

You can choose a great color for your home or business exterior by considering a few elements about the property and how your paint can contribute to them. For example, if your home contains a great deal of brick that are not painting, look closely to find some of the hues in the brick and consider some of those colors. You can also consider the type of property. For example, if it is a Victorian era house, you might choose some colors that were popular in that era to add to the aesthetic appeal of your property. If you want to express a calm and collected environment, choose warm colors. On the other hand, for a bright and busy environment a brighter color might be necessary.

Does paint expire?

Yes, paint does expire eventually. However, the specific life of paint depends on how well you store it, among other factors. When you are ready to store your paint, make sure you thoroughly clean the can's rim so that the lid can form a proper seal. Too much paint around the rim can build up and crack - letting air into the can. If you are using latex paint, you can pour a tiny amount of water around the edge to make sure it seals properly. You can also use plastic wrap over the top of the can before securing the lid. You can then store the can upside down after making sure that it is securely shut. This will almost guarantee a tight seal.

When you take out paint to complete a job, simply use common sense to determine whether it is still good. If it still has that paint smell, it is probably still acceptable. However, if it smells stale or off, it is likely expired. You can also try painting a small test amount on a surface to see how it dries before covering the whole wall. If it looks good when it dries, the paint is likely still acceptable.

Painting Tips

Keeping Track of Paint Colors - Some paint colors are so close that it can be difficult to match your previously painted San Ramon home or business with the paint at the store when you need to repair scratches or touch up the surface. If you keep track of the color in a notebook or on the paint can, there is still a danger that you will lose your note keeping device in the months that it can take before repainting is necessary.

Using Paint Primer - One of the reasons that many San Ramon amateur paint jobs end up looking dull or listless once they are dry is that the painter fails to use a primer before applying the first coat of paint. Primer is actually one of the most important parts of the process. It keeps stains or imperfections from the deeper layers of the wall from showing through your paint, helps your paint to spread evenly to the wall without significant blisters and increases the time between paint jobs.