OBX Land Property Listings

ACTION PAINTING - Serving the Outer Banks Since 1987

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
? About waterproofing		? About painting & waterproofing in general
What is elastomeric paint?		Does your company paint wood buildings?
What is its dry film thickness and millage rate?		What are best specifications for concrete decks & walkways?
When is a masonry conditioner or primer needed?		What about metal railings and windows?
What is "Pinholing"		Is there a difference between brush and roll and spray application?
How should rust and corrosion be prepared?		Is my contractor's workers compensation exemption form OK?
Can wood surfaces be waterproofed?		Why should I require a manufacturer warranty and inspections too?
What should be caulked and what shouldn't?		What is the best way to set up the "draw schedule" for work completed?
		How can I be sure that the finished project is what I expected?
ABOUT WATERPROOFING
*What is elastomeric paint?*	A thick, rubberized paint product relatively high in acrylic content. Generally water-based, it creates a waterproof membrane between stucco or masonry substrate and outside elements. With 300% elasticity, this coating can bridge cracks up to 1/8" wide when applied properly.
*What is its dry film thickness and millage rate?*	Warranty requirements on the label of each product can include dry film thickness and millage rates. If you go back to the manufacturer for a warranty at a later date, they will require that the dry film thickness and millage rate was to their specifications. It is very important to apply elastomeric paints very heavily for them to do what they're designed for to protect surfaces and seal them from the elements
*When is a masonry conditioner or primer needed?*	A masonry conditioner, or bonding sealer, is used over a chalky surface to help paint adhere. Bonding sealers have a very thin viscosity compared to normal paints, allowing them to penetrate chalky surfaces. After drying, the surface has a smooth finish, allowing paint to adhere properly. A primer is used on wood or bare concrete when there is not an adhesion concern.
*What is "Pinholing"*	Pinholing can appear when very small air pockets, or bubbles, develop during elastomeric application. As the surface dries, these bubbles work their way out, leaving pinholes. Left unchecked, pinholes can fill with water, which can penetrate the coating and cause "ballooning" of the coating. The surface should be thoroughly inspected after coating and pinhole areas re-coated Usually with two coats of elastomeric, pinholing is eliminated. But if only one coat is specified in your contract, pinholing can be a problem.
*How should rust and corrosion be prepared?*	If there is a rust stain on wood or stucco, it should either be drilled out at least 1/4" - 1/2," primed, filled and then coated over. Simply treating the stain or rusted fastener with osforic acid and spot priming is not adequate and the rust stain will come back in a short time. On iron brackets, electrical conduit, hinges, etc., if the rust cannot be removed by either cutting it out or sandblasting, the rust will come back. There are some coatings that offer years of protection against bleed-through, but if the rust is not properly removed, it will come back eventually.
*Can wood surfaces be waterproofed?*	It is difficult to completely waterproof wood surfaces because the very nature of wood causes it to swell and contract. Wood surfaces can, however, be made water-repellent. Caulked and sealed properly, they will adequately repel and shed water. Exterior wood must be allowed to drain so water doe not become trapped behind the siding and cause damage.
*What should be caulked and what shouldn't?*	A good painter will leave a surface uninterrupted by cracks. Have your bid and contract clearly specify all areas that will be caulked or left uncaulked, with reasons for not caulking. Generally speaking, window openings, wall to deck joints, expansion joints and any visible cracks in the surface wood or masonry should be caulked. If they aren't, the contractor should provide you with a valid reason for not caulking and it should be spelled out in the contract.
ABOUT PAINTING
*Does your company paint wood buildings?*	Action Painting does many different types of projects, ranging from condominiums, apartment buildings and office complexes to single family homes. Many of these properties have wood siding that requires high-quality specifications, applications, and knowledgeable personnel to deliver a first-rate job and provide good warranties.
*What are best specifications for concrete decks & walkways?*	This will depend on what, if anything, has been previously applied to the surface. Bare concrete that has never been coated must be etched with muriatic acid and given two coats of the appropriate product. The coating will depend on your choice of "sheen level." Products we recommend include concrete stains and catalyzed urethane deck paints. If the surface has been previously painted, new coatings must be compatible for best adhesion.
*What about metal railings and windows?*	Metal surfaces require different specifications and primers, depending on the type of metal. For instance, galvanized will require a different preparation and coating than aluminum. It is important that all metal to be painted and warranted be properly identified, and the specifications, primers and finish coatings be clearly specified in the contract so you can be assured that it is being handled properly.
*Is there a difference between brush and roll and spray application?*	Usually brush and roll is superior to spray application. Most surfaces wood, stucco or masonry will have small cracks and crevices that only brush and roll application can effectively fill and cover. With spray application, the coating tends to just lay on the surface. It is also difficult to get adequate millage because it must be sprayed so heavily it will tend to sag and run. Also, with spray application a good portion goes into the air. When selecting the right specification, be very clear with the contractor as to how he will apply the coating. One contractor may be more expensive than another due to the application method. Brush and roll application is slower than spray, but is of much higher quality.
*Is my contractor's workers compensation exemption form OK?*	Generally, no. Only small companies with three or fewer employees are allowed to claim exempt status. If you decide to accept the exemption, the contractor must provide you with an exemption form for each of the workers on the job. One form will not cover all of the workers.
*Why should I require a manufacturer warranty and inspections too?*	A contractor's warranty is only as good as the contractor's ability to honor it. If you require a manufacturer's warranty as well, you can require the manufacturer's representative to inspect the project at predetermined intervals to assure that procedures are done properly. We recommend the representative inspect the pressure washing, chlorinating and cleaning first, then the surface preparation and bonding sealer, first finished coat, and second finished coat phases. This holds two separate companies responsible for the work and gives you additional comfort that the work is being done according to specifications.
*What is the best way to set up the "draw schedule" for work completed?*	Action Painting Services compartmentalizes the project into predefined sections. Draws are made when each section is completed to your satisfaction all the way through to the finish coat. This allows you to see finished phases and avoid nearing the end of the project to find the contractor has insufficient funds to properly complete the project. By compartmentalizing and requiring the contractor to complete phases from beginning to end, you can better gauge what you're paying for.
*How can I be sure that the finished project is what I expected?*	Once the contract is signed, require the contractor to complete a sample wall a small section that is representative of all or most of the project surfaces.

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