paint 
Here I have updated and revised a blog I put down in 2020- remarkably, three years ago now. Just so you know; we are still working away painting houses in London, because what else can one do but what one does. But we do a lots of things besides painting. Things like cleaning out gutters … Read more
I was looking forward to this spring with hope that all the talking and lack of decision lingering around Westminster would be over. Well at least the big decisions done with and we could return to more a varied array of bad news. Alas, the decisions we were all hoping for this spring haven’t come. … Read more
In many instances the replacement of old sash windows can be a tragedy. Here’s why: The original sash windows are usually constructed of softwood but softwood not like the softwood produced today. The old softwood was slow-grown and properly seasoned. It was then treated by those early twentieth century decorators with care and skill using … Read more
February is not a month to wish away, longing for Spring, it’s a month for preparation, so when time speeds up, as it’s wont to do with the year’s progression, you are ready. The word ‘prepare’ by the way comes from the Latin ‘praeparare’ meaning -make ready. Another similar use of the word is getting … Read more
Exterior painting is probably the most important part of home maintenance and November (as I write) is not too early to be thinking about having this work done in the spring. But when painting and particularly if a scaffold is involved it’s a good idea to look at any other maintenance that can be done … Read more
The question is: If Exterior paint is cracking, blistering or peeling should I paint now? And what harm will it do if left over the winter months? And what causes these defects to happen? Ok that’s three questions. The answer to the first question is yes, especially if it’s doing all three -cracking, blistering and … Read more
An exterior paint job using the Dulux Weathershield System or similar high quality paint such as Sandtex should last 7-8 years or longer; the assumption being that preparation has been thorough. if you are likely to leave it longer between paint jobs, go for a two undercoat and one gloss coat, finish, or a one … Read more
If the windows on your property look anything like the double hung sash windows in the picture the cost per window to include preparation and painting in 3 coats would be £130 each. A little less if in good condition and more if really poor condition. The £130 doesn’t include the surrounding stonework which can … Read more
Back in the 80’s we hung a lot of wallpapers-Osborne and Little, Designers Guild, Colefax and Fowler. But my favourite and the more difficult to hang was Coles. Cole and Son’s hand block printed colours were and are fabulous. Sadly I haven’t had a call to hang a Coles paper for a while and though … Read more
Before I get onto the subject of cleaning paintwork as part of painting preparation I’d just like to make an appeal to cleaners. When mopping floors with soiled water keep away from the white painted skirtings. You might not have noticed but the build up of mucky water residue on the skirtings over several years … Read more
If a painting contractor charges less than £25 per hour he will cover his labour cost but not vehicle costs, parking, travel, insurance, unforeseen additional materials, after sales, occasional freebies and delays. An average room or a 4m x5m living room would cost about £450 Add materials £80 and Vat. That’s an average price. If … Read more
Should you be painting in such hot weather as we are having in London this July 2018? The short answer is yes. Just try to paint in the shade. This is better for both paint and painter. The temperature has to get above 32c as in Australia or Spain before you need to think about … Read more
PAINT BLISTERS, BUBBLES, CRACKS AND FLAKING PAINT This article acknowledges the possibility of painters’ shortcomings but deals mainly with the mysteries behind the above. First, the most common causes of PAINT BLISTERS, BUBBLES, CRACKS AND FLAKING: lack of preparation Moisture and salts below the surface Excessive heat A combination of 2&3 A combination of 1,2&3 Preparation … Read more
If your brickwork isn’t painted already, don’t do it. Personally I don’t like the look of painted brick. It has the look of indulgence, like someone just discovered paint and couldn’t stop themselves. Bricks are beautiful if they can be seen. Most of them are, at least. But there are reasons other than aesthetics not … Read more
The answer to the question; “Is there a difference between satin and eggshell finishes?” is-not much. (that sentence was a real punctuation challenge and not sure I have it right) Dulux says their satin is a bit shinier than their eggshell, which is more like an eggshell. Eggshell is a good term for it and … Read more
I just wanted to say how glad I feel sometimes to have my own property maintenance business. Glad too, to control it’s ups and downs using creativity and bright ideas, and of course, old proven methods (like promoting to old clients) to make it rise up and flourish from a slump. It’s like a live … Read more
I once read that an organisation will always try to spend more than it makes. In several decades of working in Central and South West London I’ve found this to be true. It happens because the business needs another van, or the office needs a faster photocopier or more pay for the receptionist. It happens … Read more
I posted a blog earlier today called “Happy as Louis” which was not about paint at all, and I hope no one reading here thinks this change in topic does in any way reflect a diminishing enthusiasm for paint. Indeed I have recently thought up numerous very paint-relevant topics that I am eager to relay, … Read more
HAPPY as LOUIS Like many women my wife can create something out of nothing, and such an ability can be good and bad. This morning for example, while listening to Louis Armstrong as the guest on the Desert Island Discs replays that she loves, she decided her life (and consequently mine) was boring in comparison. … Read more
Much is said of regular maintenance, but what is the actual cost of neglecting the upkeep of a property? For example: Does it cost more to carry out repairs and painting 3-4 times over a period of 25 years, or leave the property to rot for those 25 years and then carry out one big … Read more