If you’re a millennial, chances are you are familiar with once-trendy popcorn ceilings. Once a popular feature in many homes, they began to fall out of fashion around the turn of the century. Many homeowners remove the popcorn texture entirely, while others choose the wallet-friendly approach of applying a fresh coat of paint. 

When it’s time to revitalize your ceiling, call Tuscon’s top-rated house painters at Wiese Painting at 520-327-3200.

If you are more of a DIY kind of homeowner, you may want to repaint the ceiling yourself. But how do you paint a popcorn ceiling if you have no prior experience? Let us help you prepare.

Test For Asbestos

Prior to 1978, many home constructions used asbestos, including popcorn ceilings. Stay safe by testing your popcorn ceiling for asbestos and lead. If either is found, it is not wise to proceed with painting the ceiling yourself. 

Gather All Equipment

Once you know your ceiling is asbestos-free, make sure you have all the tools you need for the project. These include: 

• Safety glasses to keep paint splatter out of your eyes
• Tarps or drop cloths
• Painter’s tape
• Broom or duster
• Ladder 
• Small Angled brush for the edges
• Paint roller (an extension handle makes it easier to reach)
• Ceiling paint 

Prepare and Protect

How do you paint a popcorn ceiling without making a mess?

Use drop cloths or tarps to cover anything that you don’t want the paint to splatter on. You can use old sheets and towels to protect your furniture and anything else that you can’t remove from the room.

Additionally, use painter’s tape along the top edge of each wall to prevent rogue paint swipes while you work. 

Chase Away Dust Bunnies

Popcorn ceilings are dust magnets. Before you paint, use a broom or duster to rid the ceiling and surrounding walls of dust, dirt, and cobwebs. If you skip this step and paint over the dust, it could mix with the paint and alter the color. 

Neaten Ceiling Edges 

To ensure a neat, crisp ceiling edge, use a small, angled brush to paint along all textured ceiling edges. Once you paint all the edges, you won’t have to worry about getting paint on the smooth surface of the wall while using a paint roller. 

Move On to the Middle

With your ceiling cleaned, the edges prepped, and the furniture in the room protected, there’s nothing left to do but paint! This is the fun part. Use your paint roller and ladder, if necessary, to apply a fresh coat of paint to the entire ceiling.

When learning how to paint a popcorn ceiling, you can choose from several types of paint. Decide what you want the finished product to look like and how much paint you need before going to the store.

How do you paint a popcorn ceiling if you don’t have the time? Let professionals do it for you!

If painting your ceiling is more than you want to take on, don’t hesitate to call our experts at Wiese Painting in Tucson, Arizona, at 520-327-3200 to get an estimate.

Choosing the right type of paint is the first step in any painting project, and one of the most common questions we get as Tucson’s trusted house painters is, “Will acrylic paint stick to metal surfaces?” The short answer is yes, but a successful paint job requires thorough surface preparation. 

As the top local painters with a long history of high-quality residential and commercial painting work, our experts at Wiese Painting Contractors, Inc. are your local experts for all things paint. Call us at (520) 327-3200 for more information about commercial painting, and keep reading to learn more about how to successfully paint metal with acrylic paint. 

The Basics of Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is a comparatively new, water-based paint made from color pigments suspended in acrylic polymer mixed with binders and stabilizing agents. This composition not only makes the paint easier to work with than oil-based paint, but it also makes it an ideal choice for painting metal. Whether you want to paint metal doors, fences, railings, furniture, or decorative items, acrylic paint will adhere and give the finished piece a long-lasting coat of color. 

Preparing Metal Surfaces for Acrylic Paint 

The most important factor when considering the question, “will acrylic paint stick to metal?” is surface preparation. After stripping any existing paint or rust from the surface, use a wire brush or fine sandpaper to “rough up” the surface, so the acrylic paint sticks better. Wash the surface with soapy water and a soft cloth, allow it to dry, then sand it lightly once again before moving on to primer. 

Priming Metal for Painting 

Most metal surfaces benefit from a coat of primer before a paint application, but metals that don’t oxidize (like stainless steel) don’t require primer. Otherwise, choose a primer made for acrylic paint on metal surfaces, and apply two coats. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second. 

Painting Metal with Acrylic Paint

Once the primer dries, apply at least two coats of paint, allowing them to dry between coats. An acrylic spray paint designed for metal typically provides the most even coverage and dries quickly. You can also apply acrylic paint with a brush or roller, but doing so will require additional coats of paint for full coverage. 

Apply Sealant 

A coat of varnish or sealant preserves the finish of painted metal objects against damage from moisture, UV rays, extreme temperatures, and abrasion. You don’t need to apply sealant if you use acrylic paint designed for outdoor use.

Get Answers to All Your Painting Questions 

Now that you have the answer to “will acrylic paint stick to metal?” you may have additional questions about painting, like the advantages of oil-based vs. water-based paint. Our residential and commercial painting experts at Wiese Painting Contractors, Inc. are here to provide knowledgeable insights along with reliable, professional painting services for homes and businesses in Tucson, AZ, and the surrounding area. Call us at (520) 327-3200 to reach one of our painting experts and get all the information you need. 

When choosing colors for your living room, you might shy away from contrasting pigments on the color wheel. But some unusual color combinations hit just the right note of quirky and chic. Tucson’s trusted house painters offer a few ideas you might want to try. 

As a general rule, warm colors often clash with bright tones. Sometimes, a bright color breaks the rule by working artfully with a deeper shade. Discover a few examples below. 

Light Gray and Black

Charcoal gray softens the edges of any room, providing a clean, cool aura. As gray becomes lighter, it offers a more delicate ambiance. Enter the unforgiving, unapologetic shade of black. 

While black tantalizes homeowners with a minimalist but gothic aesthetic, it overpowers most colors. However, you can combine black with light gray, its gentler cousin. Gray softens the room; black sets boundaries. Few color combinations have such surprising harmony. 

Navy Blue and Light Gray

Much like black, navy blue provides the perfect partner to subdued shades of gray. While navy blue has more give than solid black, it boasts a regal and uncompromising presence on living room walls. Gray brings it down a couple of notches while keeping the aura cool and refreshing. 

You could create similar unusual color combinations by combining royal blue with gray or charcoal gray with softer shades of blue. These pairings bring out the diverse, eclectic nature of your family and home through rich, vivid colors.   

Pea Green and Dusty Rose

If you want a more neutral color combination, go for pea green and dusty rose. Many people avoid pea green due to its perceived obstinance. It hasn’t worked well with much of anything since 70s fashions paired it with rusted orange. 

Still, it makes a classy, high-spirited comeback as an earthy tone when paired with bubbly dusty rose. Dusty rose has a neutral but open character. Thus, it works fluidly with insistent colors like pea green. 

Crimson and Lavender

As we learn more about how a bright color can soften uncompromising ones, let’s delve into regal colors that dress up casual, more cheerful hues. One of many such unusual color combinations is crimson and lavender. Lavender has a noncommittal, fun-loving feel that resembles a spring breeze. 

Crimson imbues the room with fiery passion and depth. When you combine the two, you have an unexpectedly elegant palette. However, you should use crimson in a more understated way to avoid overpowering soft lilac tones. 

Orange and Turquoise 

You could liken a combination of orange and turquoise to a marriage between earth and sky. Though artists frequently employ this unusual color combination, homeowners rarely use it in their living spaces. Together, these colors lend a carefree Southwestern aesthetic to any living room. 

Find Unusual Color Combinations for Your Home With Wiese Painting Contractors

At Wiese Painting Contractors, our skilled professionals can help you every step of the way as you paint your home’s interior. From learning how to pick paint colors to the finished product, we’ll ensure you achieve the desired ambiance. Call us at 520-327-3200 today.

New paint jobs are an easy way to transform one room or your whole house. But when you’re planning your project, how do you choose between oil-based vs water-based paint? Each type of paint consists of different ingredients and has advantages and disadvantages.

Hiring the right professional painter is as important as using the right paint. Wiese Painting Contractors is a family business of house painters in Tucson, AZ. Our in-depth knowledge and professional attitude set the tone for every project. Call 520-327-3200 for a quote, and keep reading to learn everything you need to know about oil-based paint and water-based paint.

Pros of Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paints contain oils that produce a high-coverage and durable product. Oil-based primers lay the foundation in heavy-use areas like floors and baseboards. They can create a variety of smooth, high-gloss finishes that leave few brush strokes.

Due to high coverage, one coat is enough to cover a surface with your desired color. This durable paint is less vulnerable to environmental factors such as heat and moisture. Oil paint is a reliable option for a variety of projects.

Cons of Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based paint releases hazardous VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air during the painting process. Additionally, removing it requires a specific paint remover that contains mineral spirits. These paint strippers have an intense smell that can be hazardous, so you should always air out the space during and after you apply oil-based paint or paint stripper.

Poor UV resistance causes oil-based paint to turn yellow and crack over time. When this happens, it needs stripping and repainting to look new again. When it comes to upkeep and comparing oil-based vs water-based paint, water-based may be the better option. 

Pros of Water-Based Paint

Water-based paints, also known as latex paints, are less expensive than oil-based paints. Their light coverage allows them to dry fast and apply many coats. The high UV resistance of water-based paint means they won’t crack or fade in the sun.

Additionally, water-based paints contain reduced, if not zero, amounts of VOCs. Short drying times and no chemical odors make them ideal for indoor applications. 

Cons of Water-Based Paint

Water-based paint struggles to dry in a moist environment. It is prone to chipping and not as durable as oil-based paint. Low durability makes it a poor choice for high-traffic areas.

To use water-based paint, you may need to apply a primer and many coats to paint certain surfaces. Water-based paint is thin and takes several coats to cover surfaces such as wood or concrete. It also has difficulty sticking to smooth surfaces like fine-sanded wood or metal.

The Next Step

A professional will help you decide whether to use oil-based vs water-based paint. We know how to analyze your project to find the best route. When you call the professionals at Wiese Painting Contractors today, you choose the best painters in Tucson. It can be difficult to find the best route for a project and gather the resources it needs. Read our guide on painting stucco or visit our website to find more resources for your next project.

Planning a home improvement project as a pet owner can be challenging as it’s essential to ensure your animals are safe throughout the process. However, it can sometimes be unclear to homeowners whether a specific project is unsafe for their pets.

In this article, we’ll answer the question, “Are paint fumes bad for dogs?” and explain how you can ensure your animals are safe during your next painting project. Choosing an experienced contracting company that knows how to interact with and work around pets is essential to a safe and successful painting project.

If you live in Arizona, you can always count on Tucson residential painting by Wiese Painting Contractors. Our team of expert contractors loves pets and always takes the time to ensure every person and animal in the home is safe before beginning the project.

Can Paint Fumes Harm Dogs?

The simple answer to the question, “Are paint fumes bad for dogs?” is yes. Dogs and other pets have a much more acute sense of smell than humans, which can make the smell of conventional paint overwhelming for them. In addition, different types of paints can impact animals in different ways, so read the following sections to learn about the issues paint fumes can cause.

Dizziness

One of the most common symptoms animals develop after breathing paint fumes is dizziness and confusion. This symptom is usually temporary, but moving the animal somewhere with plenty of fresh air is essential to their recovery.

Nausea

Some paints contain latex, which can enter animals’ digestive systems and cause nausea and bloating. This condition can lead to vomiting in smaller dogs and be particularly dangerous to even smaller pets like rabbits or hamsters.

Respiratory Issues

The most severe danger of paint fumes for dogs is the potential for causing respiratory issues. When a dog breathes in excessive paint fumes, they can develop breathing issues or pneumonia, posing a severe health risk. If you think your dog may have breathed paint fumes and is displaying breathing problems, taking them to the vet is the safest option.

How to Protect Your Pet When Painting

If you want to paint your home while ensuring your dog’s safety, there are some strategies you can use. First, water-based paints are an excellent option for pet owners, as these paints do not pose the same dangers as others. If you still want to use conventional paint, taking the dogs elsewhere for a few days and thoroughly ventilating the area is also sufficient.

Get Expert Painting Services in Tucson

Now that you know the answer to the question, “Are paint fumes bad for dogs?” it’s time to start planning your painting project. Feel free to explore our website to learn more about if painting a house exterior can add value to a home and find answers to other commonly asked questions. Then, call Wiese Painting Contractors at 520-327-3200 to discuss your project with a friendly representative and schedule service.

Contact Tucson’s top-rated painting contractors today at 520-327-3200.

Painting your property’s exterior is one of the best ways to increase curb appeal. However, you must decide what to do with the existing paintwork.

Is painting over old exterior paint advisable? It depends.

Painting Over Old Exterior Paint: How to Decide

You should only paint over old exterior paint if it’s not loose and flaking. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a shoddy paint job since the new  paint won’t stick to the surface.

Use the paint adhesion test if you’re unsure about the state of the paint on your exterior wall.

Here’s how to carry out the test:

1. Cut a small X into the surface with a sharp blade
2. Cut out some sticky tape
3. Press it firmly across the marked surface
4. Rip off the tape
5. Check the results

Painting over old exterior paint is not a good idea if the old paint comes off with the sticky tape. Be sure to test different parts of the wall for best results.

Old and flaking paint shouldn’t stop you from giving your property a new look. You can still complete the painting, but it requires  an extra step.

How to Paint Over Exterior Wall with Old and Flaking Paint

Prepare the Work Area

The first step to painting is to clear the area. Remove any furniture or exterior fixtures to avoid getting paint stains on them. Protect the floor around the area with canvas sheets and tape over any sockets, handles, etc.

Scrape Off the Flaking Paint

If you’re in any doubts about the durability of your old exterior paint, get a scraper and get to work. It’s better to scrape off old paint unnecessarily than to make the mistake of painting over peeling paint.

This extra step will increase your project timeline by a few hours, but it will also save you many hours in repeat work!

Fill Out Holes and Cracks

Filling any cracks on the surface will give a smooth look after the project. Use some putty and a filling knife to cover up all holes. Areas with deeper holes may require multiple applications.

Sand down the filled areas to get a flat surface.

Clean the Surface

Vacuum up any debris and wipe down the surface with a cloth and some detergent to remove dirt and grease. Complete the cleaning process by wiping with clean water.

Use a Primer

A primer will increase the paint retaining capacity of your surface. It’s even more important if there’s no flaking and you intend to paint over old paint.

Old dark colors on previously painted surfaces may ruin the appearance of lighter colors, forcing you to apply multiple coats of the new color. A primer prevents this problem by covering up the old color.

Apply Your New Paint

Apply two coats of the new paint. Wait for a layer to dry thoroughly before applying another.

Get Professional Help with Exterior Painting

Painting over old exterior paint is a time-consuming home improvement project—especially if you need to remove flaking paint first. You also need to learn about the best time to paint a house exterior for the perfect results.

Call Wiese Painting Contractors Inc. at 520-327-3200 for all your exterior painting projects in Tucson, AZ.

Contact our painting experts in Tucson by calling 520-327-3200.

Freshly painted walls can make the difference between a boring interior and exterior design and a stylish design that catches people’s eyes. 

Unfortunately, most people do not invest in cleaning painted walls. On average, you should clean your walls at least once a year. 

With over 65 years in Arizona, Wiese Painting Contractors Inc. has the experience to handle any painting job you put in front of us. We run a smooth operation that makes your home feel refreshed and stylish. Whether you own a commercial or residential property, our licensed and insured contractors are here for you. 

Here are some of the best methods for cleaning painted walls. 

Preparation 

Before you begin the cleaning process, you must rid your walls of dust or debris. You can dust the walls with a cloth, vacuum, or brush to prepare for cleaning. 

We recommend a foam craft brush for getting into corners and around edges. Also, make sure that you place a towel below the walls you plan to clean. Drips and spills are common when cleaning painted walls. 

Select a Cleaning Solution 

Next, you must select a cleaning solution to remove dirt from your walls. Your choice should center around what kind of paint you have on your walls. 

For matte, eggshell, or flat paint, you should use a mild cleaning solution. To create a mild wall cleaner, you can combine dye-free soap with dishwashing detergent. 

If you have a glossy paint finish, we recommend using a degreasing agent with your cleaner. These finishes are more durable than matte or eggshell coats, allowing you to use a stronger soap in your cleanser. 

If the paint job on your walls is oil-based, you may use an even stronger cleanser. A popular recipe for an oil-based cleaner is to mix a teaspoon of liquid dish soap with a tiny amount of ammonia. 

Washing 

When you wash your walls, you want to do it gently. If you are too abrasive, the paint will chip or peel off. Make sure you use the soft side of the scrub to rub the cleaning solution onto your walls. 

To achieve the best results, clean the wall in circular motions and work from the top down. Be careful to keep water away from electrical outlets to prevent dangerous sparks and electrical issues. 

If your regular cleaning solution did not do the trick, try spot-treating the walls using a mixture of baking soda and water. 

Drying 

If your sponge did not absorb all the water from your washing session, you should use a dry towel to mop up any extra liquid from your walls. Wait for your wall to dry before hanging pictures back up. 

Invest in Commercial and Residential Painting 

Having clean painted walls can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home or business. Wiese Painting Contractors Inc. proudly serves the Tucson, AZ, community with top-notch paint cleaning services. Our skilled team can clean your painted walls quickly and efficiently with the highest quality equipment in the industry. 

If your home or business requires cleaning painted walls, you can call the Wiese Painting Contractors Inc. office in Tucson, AZ, at 520-327-3200. Read about our process to learn more interior painting preparations.