A Simple Guide to Repairing Chipped Paint

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

Indianapolis Painting Contractors 317-454-3612

When trim, walls, and woodwork have several layers of old paint on them, they are more prone to chipping and peeling. And with so many layers, old paint doesn’t just chip, it leaves behind craters and pock marks. To repair such blemishes, you need more than just a paint brush and a few minutes of time for touch ups. But that doesn’t mean that you need to strip down walls, sand them smooth, and start over entirely with fresh paint.

By using the right process, you will save time and ensure that your results are even, unblemished, and long-lasting. Continue reading for a simple guide to fixing chipped paint.

Preparation and Products

When shopping for supplies, be sure to buy the proper spackling compound. You can get spackle for drywall or for wood. Ask a store attendant to point you in the right direction. Also purchase the right grip sandpaper. Too fine won’t be effective or efficient, while too course can be damaging. Stick between 120 and 150 grit sandpaper. One or two patches is all you need unless you have a large-scale project. As for the rest of your supplies, you will need them to first level out the surface surrounding the chip, and fill it back in without any visible seams. Let’s get started!

What You Need:

• Putty Knife
• Spackling Compound
• 120 – 150 Grit Sandpaper
• Latex Primer
• Paint Color
• Paint Brush
• Drop Cloth

Step 1

Lay down your drop cloths to protect surrounding floors and furnishings from paint splatter. Then clean the chipped area and the areas surrounding it with clean warm water and a little dish soap. Allow it to dry completely before moving forward with the next step.

Step 2
Using your putty knife, scoop out a moderate amount of spackling compound and smooth it over the chipped area and its outer perimeters. Be sure to slightly overfill the area (you’ll be sanding it down later) and use multiple stroke directions to fill in all the nooks and crevices.

Step 3
Once the spackle is smoothed down adequately, allow it to dry completely. Depending on the size of the area and the amount of spackle used, drying times can range anywhere between a few minutes and a few hours. Generally, smaller projects will dry within 15 to 20 minutes, while larger patches will take at least an hour.

Step 4
Check to see if the spackle has dried completely. When wet, spackle resembles a gray-like color, but when dry it is bright white. If it is dry, you can begin the sanding process. Lightly sand down the spackled area until the surface is entirely level and smooth.

Step 5
Using a small or medium-sized paint brush, apply a coat of latex primer on the patch. This will help the paint color blend perfectly into the surface.

Step 6
Apply just one coat of paint color onto the patch, smoothing it out until well-blended and even with the rest of the surrounding surface color.

Indianapolis Painting Contractors

Home Remodeling and Painting

Home Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional painting services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Lee Elliot, and his team of drywall and painting contractors, have decades of experience in the home remodeling and restoration industry. They offer a wide range of interior and exterior painting and drywall services for commercial and residential properties. Call 317-454-3612 to schedule an estimate for Indianapolis painting service, today.

How to Improve Curb Appeal for Under $50

Are ready to sell your home? Or perhaps your home has been listed for quite some time and you haven’t had many leads? For situations like these, curb appeal can truly make a difference in the real estate market. And did you know there are many ways you can improve your curb appeal without spending your entire paycheck? It’s true, and you can find out how it’s possible right now! Continue reading for some easy, DIY tips for instant curb appeal upgrades that won’t break the bank.

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

Home Remodeling and Repair 317-454-3612

Property Value is the Goal

It is a simple fact that curb appeal plays a major role in the buying and selling of homes. Having attractive exterior landscaping and decor makes a home more inviting and bright, and appear more valuable. It shows buyers that the home has been a source of pride for the previous or current owners, and is most likely very well-kempt. These attributes can certainly motivate buyers.

There are various ideas that can instantly upgrade your property’s curb appeal. The possibilities are endless, and mostly depend on your budget and time frame. But when you want to improve curb appeal without paying a fortune, start with simple additions like these:

Fancy Steps

For homes with front yard steps or stairs, it is a great idea to dress them up since they are often a main focal point. You can purchase decorate rubber tread stair mats at any local garden or home store for a reasonable price. They come in a variety of colors, designs, and sizes, so finding a match for your home is easy to do. They also collect excess dirt from guests’ feet while providing a slip-resistant pathway.

Colorful Foliage

It is both economical and effective to enhance your property’s appeal by adding some front yard foliage for color and contrast. Consider using window ledge planters, hanging baskets, potted plants, and more to create a colorful, lively, and inviting décor to the front of your home. For example, horse trough planters are popular choices and highly-recommended for all home types.

Solar-Powered Address

A new and popular trend for home addresses is to use solar-powered light-up numbers and letters that can be seen in the dark. They can be directly mounted to a home’s siding, used on top of mailboxes, or even staked in the yard. And even better, these solar-powered address numbers and letters are under $50 for 4!

Driveway and Sidewalk Illumination

While on the subject of lights, another great cost-effective way to improve your property’s curb appeal is to add driveway and walkway stake lights. These stake directly into the ground, making them easy to install. They are very inexpensive, durable, and come in a wide variety of colors, designs, finishes, materials, and more. You can choose solar-powered lighting, or you can use battery-operated LED lights. You can purchase them at any local garden or home improvement store in sets or individually.

Porch Mats

Porch mats are usually not a point of interest for most home buyers; but why not spruce this area up to make your property more unique? Using a creative or interesting front porch mat can not only make your home look more refined and appealing, it can be a great conversation starter that leads to more leads and makes your property memorable among buyers.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

Home Remodeling and Painting

Home Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for home remodeling in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer your questions about home remodels and upgrades that will fit your budget. We specialize in a wide range of home renovation, remodeling, and restoration services, and guarantee to beat any competitor’s price. We use a comprehensive approach to designing, planning, and constructing remodeling projects and developments, so you can trust our teams for quality results. Call 317-454-3612 to request an estimate for Indianapolis home restoration services, today.