Insurance Painters Brisbane & Gold Coast

Posted on February 22, 2013 by freebody

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Freebody Painting is a painting contractor serving Brisbane, the Gold Coast and surrounding regions for more than 10 years. We specialise in treating interior and exterior water damage, including professional plaster repair.

Water damage can be very costly to the home owner if not fixed correctly the first time. There are plenty of shonky cowboys out there, many of who are not trade qualified, not fully insured and not even liscensed to carry out business. These guys will come in, give a cheap quote and promise the world. Unfortunately many home owners fall victim to these cheap and nasty painters. The job looks good just long enough for them to collect there money and run off never to be seen again. If not sealed using the correct paint, waterstains will bleed straight through once the paint fully dries. Adhesion tests should also be performed to ensure the integrity of the paint film has not been compromised. It also pays to inspect the plasterboard as excessive water damage may mean total replacement of the plasterboard.
With all the recent rain throughout south east Queensland there have been plenty of cases of water damage, some more severe than others. Insurance companies are being inundated with major damage claims. So much so that they are understaffed to assess all claims and are actually telling their customers to obtain there quotes and if repairs are under $5000 they can go ahead with rectifications and they will re imburse the bill. With no intervention from the insurance company, the choice of contractor lies totally with the home owner who often does not have the technical knowledge to assess whether they are getting adequet repairs that will last.
Freebody Painting will offer a free assessment and quote for any insurance work resulting from water damage. Our experienced assesor has 20 years experience in the painting industry and will give you an honest asessment of your damage. It may not always be what you want to hear, but rest assured it will be the correct way. We have the people qualified to carry out Plaster repair and paint, which will ensure your home is returned to its former glory.

Posted in Gold Coast Painting Services, Interior Painting, Painting Tips and Advice | 1 Comment

Waterbased enamels v Oilbased enamels

Posted on January 27, 2013 by freebody

“Should I paint my trim and doors in enamel or water based gloss”.

This is a question that often comes up, and one that I can not always give a definitive answer too without getting to know a customers expectations and preferences.

Oil Based paints have all but been eliminated from your common house paint product line, with the exception of oil based undercoats and oil based enamels (used for trims and doors). The later of the two being the final frontier for paint manufacturers in there quest to bury the use of oil based paints.

The reason for oil based gloss enamels have not been edged out by the water based variety is because water based enamels have not yet achieved the same self leveling qualities of oil.  Meaning oil based gloss enamels will show less clues to what applicator method was used to apply. If you used a brush, then the brush lines will have levelled out and are less obvious. When this happens we achieve a smoother, glossier look. Flat panel doors are where this can be really evident.  With Water based gloss enamels , a glossy sheen can be achieved but the self levelling is not the same, hence you will see evidence of your chosen applicator. On a flat panel door, if you were to roll it on and tip it off with a brush, then brush lines will be more evident. (Ways to minimise this can be use an acrylic paint conditioner like Floods Floetrol– this extends dry time allowing paint more time to self level) Better results will be achieved with water based gloss enamels in the cooler months.

So that is one up to oil based gloss enamel, but from here on in its all For water based.  Oil based enamels will yellow in time, this is a fact. Manufacturers know it, painters know, but most of the time the client doesn’t. The severity of this discolouration will be determined by the environment in which the painted surface is. Areas of poor lighting (eg cavity sliders, inside robes etc)will cause enamels to yellow more, and quicker. Cleaning products with ammonia will accelerate this as well. Water Based paints do not do this. They will stay the same colour throughout there whole life, meaning the paint job (especially when using whites) will look fresher, longer.

Last but not least is the smell factor. Oil Based enamels use solvents, these solvents are evaporated into the atmosphere when drying creating a strong odour which some people can really struggle with. This can cause discomfort (dizziness, headache and poor co ordination) to a home owner if they are living in the home or workplace while the work is being done.  Water Based paints do not have these solvents and therefore are far less harmful. All paint manufacturers are heavily into the Low VOC water based paints. Low VOC is Low Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs are the nasties that cause the problems. There are no oilbased paints that are low VOC.

So at the end of the day its what the individual regards as important to them as to which paint they would use on there homes trims and doors. When i repainted my home, I chose the water based option. I wanted to use white, and I have small children in the house whom i didn’t want to be exposed to fumes, as well as a quicker dry time (lessens the time for those little hands to touch  wet paint) I used “Taubmans water based trim” and found it to be excellent with great results. Dulux also make “Aqua Enamel”, Wattyl make “Aqua tough”.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Interior Painting | Leave a comment

How often should you repaint your house interior and exterior in South East Queensland?

Posted on January 14, 2013 by admin

We commonly hear the question as to how often a home interior and exterior should be painted, especially in the Gold Coast to Brisbane region where harsh weather and coastal conditions apply.

There is no set timeframe. It doesn’t tick over to 5 or 10 years and automatically mean everyone must get out the paintbrushes. There are a variety of factors that contribute and set an individual timeframe for your home:

  • Paint quality – If your home started off with a good quality paint finish and multiple coats there is a good chance it will last longer than one with a thin coating or low quality paint finish.
  • Wear and tear – How many people live in your home? More traffic usually means more wear and tear and this can require a tidy up far sooner. Homes with younger children or indoor pets can also suffer far more wear and tear, in fact, the lines of destruction tend to grow as they do!
  • Smoke or contaminates – Are there smokers in the home? A fireplace? This can cause build up on the paint finish and deteriorates the finish faster.
  • Location, Location – The closer you are to salty sea air the sooner your exterior paint will require replenishment. Inland, rainforest and rural areas don’t suffer the same weather and atmospheric conditions.
  • Surrounds – Is there anything rubbing up or connecting to your paint finish? Trees, shrubs, plants outside? Furniture, toys, high traffic areas inside? This can deteriorate the finish quicker than zones where the paint remains untouched.

At the end of the day each home tells a unique story. Typically with a professional finish you can expect your current paint job to last anywhere between 6-10 years on the inside and 4 – 7 the outside. With external factors at play this can diminish slightly.

Please contact us and we can evaluate your particular situation and offer you a more precise answer. We understand that repainting your home is an investment and it is important to get the best value for money.

Posted in Exterior Painting, Gold Coast Painting Services, Interior Painting, Painting Tips and Advice | Leave a comment

Choosing the best colour for your home – Gold Coast and Brisbane regions

Posted on January 14, 2013 by admin

When it comes to painting your home the toughest decision you will make is the colour. Choosing the right tones that compliment your decor will bring each room together making it feel inviting and comfortable.

Here are a few guidelines that will assist in narrowing down the selection process.

While very few people consider the psychology of colour it can sway the mood and elicit certain emotions. At a glance here are some basic colour options and elements to ponder as you choose what’s right for you:

Red is the most emotionally intense of all the colors and is known to raise the heart rate, increase blood pressure, and speed up breathing. Because it is so strong and easily draws the eye it is best used sparingly as features, flares and highlights. Strong colours can make a room look far smaller than it really is. Red is also known to stimulate the appetite so use in kitchen and dining zones is ideal.

Yellow and orange speeds the metabolism, enhances concentration, and inspires optimism and happiness. Again, tones that should be used sporadically to avoid overwhelming the senses.

Blue Known for the calming and relaxing effects, most blue tones inspire tranquility as well as suppressing the appetite. It pays to be cautious not to select tones that push a room towards dull, dark or depressing. This can be avoided by adding bright highlights and neutral tones to offset especially in rooms with limited light sources.

Green is a highly versatile colour and can be cheerful and relaxing.

Purple/Violet is one of the trickier tones to work with. Some view it as artificial and intense while others see a more stylish and romantic setting. A colour scheme best used in bedrooms.

White is bright, fresh, neutral and enhances natural light. It can open up a room making it feel far more spacious. On the flip side without any accenting tones an entirely white room can look a little too sterile (just fine if you are aiming for a hospital room feel).

Brown is earthy, warm, and calming. It can make a room feel warm and cozy. Pair up with a variety of complimenting tones it is a great base to work with.

Neutral tones are timeless and ever popular. Off-white, eggshell, tan and cream all work towards a modern atmosphere and the best choice if you are prone to changing your interior colour scheme frequently. Neutrals allow your decor to set any tone and mix in seamlessly. Some call it the ‘safe’ option but if you like variety and want to avoid repainting each time you want a new look this is the way to go.

Still confused? Take it back one step further and help narrow down to at least one half of the spectrum.

Warm or cool tones?

All colours are divided into two groups: warm and cool. Red, yellow and orange are warm while blue, green, and purple are cool colours. If you like light, warmth and vibrancy warm is the way you want to go. If you prefer a darker, breezier and more serene room the cool tones are for you. Yet again, neutrals can go either way and fall right in the middle.

Typically high traffic areas such as kitchens, lounge and office/study rooms work well with warmer tones whilst cooler colours are more appreciated in bedrooms and bathrooms where relaxation and calmness is the aim.

Long gone are the days where homes had one colour throughout so don’t be afraid to mix it up a little. If you are still at a total loss please don’t be shy and contact us. At Freebody Painting we pride ourselves on the ability to suggest colours and finishes that keep our clients happy for years to come.

Posted in Colour Selection, Gold Coast Painting Services, Painting Tips and Advice | Leave a comment