The EPA has issued a new law, in affect 2010, requiring all contractors to undergo training and certification for removing lead paint. Without this certification, contractors and their builders will not be allowed to work on any property built prior to 1978, the year when lead paint was banned for use in private residences in the USA. However, this new regulation will not affect homeowners doing small DYI projects.

Whenever painting outside be sure to follow a few prepatory steps. First, be sure to clean the surface of whatever you paint, like a garden shed. Fresh paint won’t coat nicely if it is trying to stick to dirt and grime rather than to a a cleaned and primed surface. Also, sand down any rough areas to help prevent your new coat of paint from peeling. Lastly, seal up any cracks or holes in your surface. If you’ve already put this much work in you might as well finish the job right.

Now you are ready to apply a new coat of paint.

When you want to repaint a room it’s not enough to just buy some paint and get started. You need to prepare the room, and yourself, for painting, or otherwise you can have a very messy job ahead of you.

The first thing you want to do is mask off any windows, doors or woodwork that will not be painted. Taking this precautionary measure is much easier than trying to take paint away from areas that should not have been painted later. It will also give your paint job a clean and professional look. Next, you want to cover all the furniture in the room as well as the floor. Remember, paint can drip and splatter. Use drop clothes, old sheets, newspapers, or cardboard to protect furniture and flooring from these paint droppings.

Finally, don’t forget to prime the walls before painting. Trying to paint over old, dark and peeling paint will make your new paint job look messy. Take the time to sand down the walls and use a white colored primer to give your walls a neutral finish, perfect for applying a fresh coat of paint. And of course, don’t forget some special painting clothes for yourself. You probably will get dirty by the end of this job–so don’t wear any good clothes.

For more tips on preparing a room for painting, check out www.paintsplashes.com

The big interior paint job is coming up and you need to figure out what to do with the kids. How will you ever get the new coat of paint up on the walls with the little ones running under foot?

The best way to get the job done while keeping the kids entertained is to get them involved in the project. Find a way for your kids to contribute on painting day. Explain to them how to use a brush or roller and set up an area in the room for them to help paint. Show them the right motions to use for applying paint to the walls and then give them a designated square on the wall which will become their area of painting. (Just be sure to cover the floor under that area as you can’t count on your kids being very neat with the paint).

By providing a role for your kids to play in the painting of the room you will not only keep them busy and entertained, allowing you to complete your painting project, but you will provide your children with a sense of self-worth allowing them a chance to have some fun while at the same time helping you to finish the job.

For more ideas on getting your kids involved, check out this great article on painting with kids.

Feeling Angry? feeling Sad? Feeling Happy, Calm or Energetic?

It seems that paint color plays a role in mood. At least that’s what house painters are saying. My friend Adi G has been painting for years and specializes in home/wall murals. “Color choice is critical as it sets the tone for the home’s atmosphere as well as the home owner’s mood”, says Adi.

I’m pretty sure I agree. I look back and think about the different colors I’ve painted my room over the years.

age 6- I was a happy-go-lucky girl. I loved dancing, singing and playing with my millions of dolls. Predictably, my room was Pink.

age 11-This was my tomboy stage. I wanted to play sports and hang with the guys. I forced my mother to change my paint color and so-my room was blue.

age 16- This was my most rebellious year. I was a somewhat angry tiny-bopper obsessed with Blink 182 and Alanis Morissette. My room reflected my mood and was a dark shade of gray. Yes, believe it or not I had my room painted gray.

Currently, as a young adult my room is a soft beige. The color suggests peacefulness and creates a calm. There’s nothing more soothing than coming home after a long day of work to my beautiful beige walls.

And there you have it. The colorful story of my life.

http://www.paintsplashes.com/the-psychology-of-color-and-effect-upon-the-body.shtml