PAINT MASTERS
TO HIRE OR NOT: TIPS FOR THE DIY TYPES
By Joan Christensen / Photo by Carter Photographics

“How Hard Can It Be?”
For do-it-yourself (DIY) types who relish tackling home improvement projects, painting an interior room or the entire house seems, well, simple. Pick a color, buy brushes and rollers, throw around some old sheets to protect the furniture and floors and start slapping on the paint. Easy, right?

Not So Fast
As it turns out, selecting the color of paint and finish is only the beginning of what can be a tougher-than-imagined project. Not impossible, certainly, but not the “slam-dunk” project many hope for and imagine.

The Moore Brothers, Steve and Bob, have been in business for 36 years in Grand County and they know how to estimate, plan, prepare, visualize, set up, review and finally paint virtually any interior or exterior wall, surface, deck or railing.

They had a solid background in construction when they arrived in 1974, but painting was new. They were working for local contractor, Tom Burge, who had built and already sold a condo unit that was unpainted. Burge needed painters fast and the Moores said yes, knowing they had the ability and determination to do the job well.

Both men give credit for their skill development in those early days to a well-established painter named Al Reingener, a paint rep for a Denver company. He took them under his wing and taught them all of his secrets for a professional paint job. Reingener helped launch their business, but continuing education is still invaluable.

“We attend manufacturers’ shows where they show you all the new products,” reports Bob. “If you have good rapport with these reps, and we do, they share a wealth of useful information.” There is a lot to learn and understand about painting in the high country.

“Up here, it’s so diverse because the ultraviolet degradation on paint is 11 times faster since we don’t have the airborne particulates that filter out UV,” explains Bob. “Protective coats have to do a lot more at this elevation.”

Preparation
According to both men, some prep tasks are tough, some are easy, but meticulous preparation is crucial.

“No one likes a wire brush or scraper so we’ll pick a wall and we’ll all gang up on it and do it,” says Steve.

In general, exteriors are more challenging and more likely to require a professional. “Primarily, it’s because of terrain issues and height issues,” explains Steve. “You have to be careful of landscaping, and sometimes there isn’t any place to put a ladder, or you need scaffolding to create a secure platform to get both hands on the job.”

Interior prep is also time-consuming depending on the project and scope.

“We are fastidious in our preparations and protecting the floors where we work because we don’t want there to be any scratches,” says Bob. “You have to clear all the furniture out of the room, then vacuum or mop as needed so grit and debris won’t scratch the floor. Then we put down a vinyl protective cover and then drop cloths.” Steve chimes in, “Sometimes walls have to be washed, and sometimes they need to be sealed, especially when smoke is involved. Plus, you have to tape off all the wood and trim.”

If the DIY seems like too much, do the homework before hiring a professional painter. The Moore’s suggest that you talk to friends and the local paint store. They insist that before hiring anyone, ask for references and then check them. And, be sure they are fully insured.

The Secret To Their Success?
“It’s simple – we give 100 percent when someone hires us to do a job,” concludes Steve.

DIY? Here’s what the MASTERS recommend:
• Invest the time needed to do it right. Be dedicated from start to finish or you will have a half- baked job.

• Start early in the day and do the hardest task first when you are fresh and have energy.

• Invest in quality products. High-end brushes and rollers are often more user-friendly and deliver better results.

• Add a second coat to get the protection, color durability and depth of color.!

READ MORE STORIES FROM THIS ISSUE:
• Winter 2011 Articles