Artillery Fungus Solutions from Kevin Palmer Painting

April 21st, 2017

As a power washing and painting contractor, Kevin Palmer Painting is often called by homeowners and businesses to solve problems involving unsightly and irritating surface blemishes, stains, and discolorations. Commonly, our power washing technicians deal with mold, mildew, algae, heavy oxidation, and chalking. One of the more common problems we encounter is the presence of artillery fungus.

Artillery Fungus pic 1

Artillery fungus has marred the appearance and finish of the siding on this home.

Artillery fungus, or as it is sometimes called, shotgun fungus, grows and thrives in wet, deteriorated mulch. The mulch can be fresh, recently installed, or years old. Mulch often contains artillery fungus which shoots spores that look like black pellets the size of the head of a pin onto a surface. The unfortunate victims of this attack can be almost anything: wood, aluminum, vinyl, glass. Exterior wood siding and trim that were freshly painted, vinyl siding and trim recently installed, even windows that were recently washed are all possible targets of artillery fungus.

Artillery Fungus pic 2

Beware! Mulch is often the host of artillery fungus.

As a power washing and house painting professional, we routinely see problems involving artillery fungus. The first questions we are asked by our exterior painting and power washing customers whose homes and businesses are inflicted with artillery fungus is “what is this mess” followed “by how do I fix it?” The short answer is “artillery fungus” and “hire Kevin Palmer Painting.”

Once artillery fungus spores are on a surface they are very difficult if not impossible to remove. However, Kevin Palmer Painting has options available which will leave your home beautiful and in perfect condition once again.

Artillery Fungus pic 3

Decomposed mulch is often the source of artillery fungus.

When painting surfaces afflicted with artillery fungus that are scheduled to be painted, we mechanically remove artillery fungus by scraping and sanding. A skilled application of a fresh topcoat of premium quality acrylic stain or acrylic house paint applied by the professional painters of Kevin Palmer Painting make the surface look as good as new.

The problem arises when artillery fungus has attached itself to a prefinished item such as vinyl clad windows, prefinished trim, or factory finished siding. Although we commonly paint these items, it is discouraging for the customer to realize that a finish that was supposed to be “maintenance free” for 20 years will either remain unsightly or will need to be painted. Fortunately, we are also able to paint aluminum and vinyl siding, achieving excellent, long-lasting results.

Artillery Fungus pic 4

Pachysandra and myrtle offer an attractive ground-cover alternative to mulch. Artillery fungus problems will disappear.

Kevin Palmer Painting recommends eliminating the source of artillery fungus. The first step to eliminating artillery fungus is to remove decomposed mulch from around the afflicted area. Replacement with groundcover such as pachysandra and myrtle is worthy of consideration. These plantings are an attractive alternative to mulch, and once established, require less maintenance than mulch. Some people replace mulch with decorative stones which is another alternative. Others use fungicides in an attempt to kill artillery fungus. Kevin Palmer Painting does not recommend the use of chemical alternatives to eliminate artillery fungus due to health, safety, and environmental concerns. Our painting and power washing customers appreciate our expertise and honesty and are relieved to have solutions and options.

Kevin Palmer Painting has delivered professional painting, power washing, and roof cleaning services to customers in Avon CT, Canton CT, Farmington CT, Granby CT, Simsbury CT, and West Hartford CT for over a half-century. We offer the finest interior painting and exterior painting available. We have an unrivaled commitment to painting and pressure washing excellence. We strive for 100% customer satisfaction, and we will do everything possible to make your experience with Kevin Palmer Painting the best ever. We hope you will consider us for your next painting or power washing project. For additional information please visit KevinPalmerPainting.com or better yet, give us a phone call at 860-658-2441.

Getting Ready for Exterior House Painting 2017

March 29th, 2017

With spring around the corner, it’s time for Kevin Palmer Painting to transition from interior painting projects to power washing, roof cleaning, and exterior house painting.

 

All of our professional painters are anxious to once again be able to work outdoors. Sunshine and fresh air do wonders for the spirit. Before we can begin our exterior work, however, there is much to do to get ready.

 

One of the first orders of business is to make sure all of our equipment is ready to go.

 

We thoroughly check our trucks and vehicles for safety. We make sure that everything is mechanically sound, inspecting the tires, brakes, and all mechanical systems. We check the ladder racks to make sure everything will be secure. All doors must latch properly and the vans must be loaded with the necessary equipment, sundries, and supplies.

KBPINC vans on the job

Kevin Palmer Painting work vans on the job – safe, maintained, and ready to work!

We check the drop cloths to ensure they are clean and will protect our customer’s property. Old drop clothes are discarded as necessary and replaced with new canvas drop cloths. Plastic, masking tape, roof brackets, specialized primers, and tools are all loaded aboard and ready to go.

KBPINC spraying in progress

Kevin Palmer Painting covers and protects our customers homes during painting.

We check our power washing equipment, hoses, and attachments for leaks or any sign of disrepair. Old equipment Is replaced as needed and any necessary repairs are undertaken to ensure our customers will receive the ultimate results on their power washing project.

KBPINC power washing

Kevin Palmer Painting power washing. Pressure washer and hoses in perfect condition. This beautiful home will be CLEAN!.

Our roof cleaning equipment is likewise thoroughly inspected. Roof washing is tough on equipment so it is particularly important to thoroughly examine all pumps, hoses, and connections. Only after our thorough and exacting examination has been completed will equipment leave the shop. This attention to detail will pay off when our roof cleaning projects are undertaken. There is nothing more transformative than cleaning moss, mold, and mildew from a roof and giving our customers a totally new look to their home.

KBPINC roof washing before

Kevin Palmer Painting roof washing transformation before. Now is not the time to hope your equipment works!

KBPINC roof washing after

Kevin Palmer Painting roof washing transformation after. Voila! A new home!

Ladders are carefully and thoroughly inspected. All ladders must be structurally sound and in perfect operating condition. Extension ladders are examined to ensure they are straight. Any ladder with a bow or structural imperfection is discarded. Stepladders are checked for stability including close inspection of the ladder rungs. Step letter trays must be secure and in good working condition.

 

Each of our painters will be issued a set of new brushes. Kevin Palmer Painting has always used only the finest brushes available. Nylon bristle brushes are used for acrylic paint and China bristle brushes are used for oil-based products. Close attention to the condition of our brushes ensures that we can give our valued painting customers the finest finish possible.

 

Attention to detail and exceptional customer service make Kevin Palmer Painting the #1 choice of West Hartford, CT and Farmington Valley homeowners seeking the best in interior and exterior house painting services.

Attention to detail and exceptional customer service make Kevin Palmer Painting the #1 choice of West Hartford, CT and Farmington Valley homeowners seeking the best in interior and exterior house painting services.

Our airless spray equipment is likewise closely inspected. All high-pressure hoses are examined for signs of deterioration or excessive wear and tear. Hoses not in perfect condition are replaced. Spray guns are inspected for leakage and any deterioration.

KBPINC airless spraying finish

Kevin Palmer Painting airless spraying in progress. This home is getting a beautiful, long-lasting finish made possible using premium tools and equipment in the hands of a professional.

New spray tips are used on all projects. This ensures that every paint and stain finish Kevin Palmer Painting applies will be uniform in thickness, sheen, and color value. It is not coincidental that our paint and stain finishes are the best in the business. Not only do we have most skilled professional painters, but they undertake their work using the best equipment possible. This attention to detail, coupled with our trained and experienced painters, guarantees the top quality paint job the customers of Kevin Palmer Painting expect and deserve.

 

So whether you need to power wash your siding, clean your roof, or paint and stain the exterior of your home, you can be assured that the professional painters of Kevin Palmer Painting will be ready when you are. We hope you will choose us to complete your pressure washing and house painting needs.

 

At Kevin Palmer Painting, we have serviced the interior painting, exterior painting, house staining, power washing, and low pressure roof cleaning needs of fine homes in West Hartford CT and the surrounding Farmington Valley towns of Avon CT, Bloomfield CT, Canton CT, Farmington CT, Granby CT, and Simsbury CT for a half century. If you are considering investing in the finest painting work possible and want to discuss your next residential painting, commercial painting, or power washing project you can reach us at (860) 658-2441 or visit us on the web at www.kevinpalmerpainting.com .

Farrow & Ball -The World’s Best Paint

November 18th, 2016

At Kevin Palmer Painting we recently received an invitation from Mr. Tom Mach to work with him on a residential painting project. The work involved updating 2 bedrooms for a valued residential customer using Farrow & Ball paint.

Farrow & Ball -The World's Best Paint, pic 1

Having been in the painting business for 50 years, we have used many products from virtually every major paint manufacturer. Farrow & Ball, however, was new to us. What would this “new” paint be like? Would it be easy to work with? How would the coverage be? Most importantly, would it meet the high discriminating expectations of our client?

As it turned out, the new paint was a hit with the painters and a home run with the customer.

Our 1st order of business was to thoroughly prepare the rooms for finish. We began this job by carefully covering all the floors and protecting the homeowner’s possessions. We sanded down all of the areas to receive finish, cleaned everything thoroughly, and used a tack rag to remove all dust. Open holes were filled, cracks were repaired, and all woodwork and trim were carefully caulked to ensure a seamless foundation.

Farrow & Ball -The World's Best Paint, pic 2

We then began painting. First we completed the ceilings. We checked our work carefully and thoroughly to make sure that the color and finish were uniform. The Farrow & Ball paint worked perfectly. Easy to use, no dragging of the brush, and a beautiful, even finish. Next the woodwork received 2 finish coats. The finish on the Farrow & Ball paint was extraordinary. The leveling and beautiful sheen gave the woodwork a beautiful, luxurious finish that was better than any latex paint we have ever used. Finally the walls received 2 coats and the room simply radiated beauty.

Farrow & Ball -The World's Best Paint, pic 3

The depth of the colors and the quality of the finish of the Farrow & Ball paint were beyond superb. The painters of Kevin Palmer Painting applied 2 coats to the ceilings, walls, windows, doors, and trim, and using the Farrow & Ball paint we were able to transform the bedrooms into a beautiful, warm elegant, environment.

Working with Tom of Thomas Mach Interiors was an absolute pleasure. Tom is supremely knowledgeable, helpful, and wonderfully talented. Tom’s business is located at 10 Gallagher Way, Simsbury, Connecticut. Upon entering the doors into his shop, In The House & Through The Garden, one immediately knows they are in for a treat. Tom carries a full line of Farrow & Ball paints as well as Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint.

Tom Mach goes out of his way to be customer friendly and stand by his work. His interior home design business offers specialty paints unavailable elsewhere locally. In The House & Through The Garden carries a complete line of interior and exterior specialty products, and Tom is always there to help. Tom offers wonderful advice and leads decorating workshops for customers who are DIYers. Tom is a talented color consultant and can assist clients in their selection of colors, wallpapers, finishes and furniture. His taste is impeccable, and combined with his knowledge and skill, he is able to provide his customers with extraordinary results.

We hope you will consider Kevin Palmer Painting for your next interior painting project. Consider, also, making an investment in Farrow & Ball paint. You will be beyond happy with the results, and your home will thank you.

Kevin Palmer Painting is proud to service the interior painting, exterior painting, house staining, and pressure washing needs in West Hartford CT and the surrounding Farmington Valley towns of Avon CT, Bloomfield CT, Canton CT, Farmington CT, Granby CT, and Simsbury CT. For further information or to discuss your next residential painting project you can reach us at (860) 658-2441 or visit us on the web at www.kevinpalmerpainting.com .

How to Choose An Exterior Paint Color

July 5th, 2016

When painting a home, selecting a color for the exterior can be a daunting experience. The painting professionals at Kevin Palmer Painting have been helping customers choose the perfect color for their homes for decades.

Color Collections

Colors, colors everywhere. Which to choose?

 

The best approach to exterior painting color selection is to choose the siding color first. Do not concern yourself with the color of the shutters or the front door until after you have selected the main body color.

 

We recommend driving around your neighborhood and locally to find house colors that are appealing to you. Try to differentiate what it is about the house you like from the houses that you don’t like. Sometimes it’s the color, sometimes it’s the combination of colors, sometimes it’s the roof and how it blends with the siding color, sometimes it’s how the house is sited or its relationship with the landscaping.

 

Recognize that shingles, shakes, and clapboard siding will appear differently even when painted with the exact same color and sheen. Stucco and brick will also influence the way a color appears. Determine what you like about a color. Isolate the color from the structure. Try to look at houses with siding similar to your house.

Colored house ideas

Beautiful home in a picture perfect setting.

 

Look at magazines. There are many pictures of houses which may have color combinations that might be what you are looking for. Apps are another excellent option to consider. Houzz and Pinterest have many examples of different houses and will offer ideas about color possibilities.

 

Paint manufacturers offer computer programs allowing you to take a picture of your house, upload the image, and paint your home in a virtual manner. This process will give you an idea of what your home will look like with varying colors and you can switch your options with a click of your mouse. My website offers many of these tools to help you with your color selections.

Sherwin Williams snap-it-banner

Apps are a big help when choosing colors.

 

A visit to your local paint store is helpful. There you will find color decks, larger color samples, and color collections. You will find groupings of historical colors, trending colors, contemporary colors, and everything in between.

Color fan deck

Color fan decks show many color options.

 

Once the primary color for the body of the house has been narrowed down, Kevin Palmer Painting makes samples for our customer’s consideration. We make samples on different exposures so our clients get a good idea of what the color looks like on different areas at different times of the day.

Entry door

A beautiful, gracious home. Perfect color choice!

 

Perception and reality are not always the same. If you don’t like the sample color on the house after a sample is made, no problem. We will not rush you on color selection and will make as many samples as you need to assure that you love your home’s new color.

Charlie painting door trim

Charlie putting on the finishing touches.

 

When you finally determine the body color that you like the best, move on to the shutter and door colors. Often times it is very helpful to use color cards for this process. What we typically advise is to look at coordinated color cards that show compatible and complementary colors. Look for one of the colors in the group that is the same as or close to your siding color, and then look at other colors in that grouping to see professional decorator’s recommendations. There are also apps available that will help facilitate the selection of compatible and complementary accent colors. Again, KevinPalmerPainting.com offers many tools to help you with this process.

Sherwin Williams color families

So many options, so many possibilities!

 

Choosing your house color should not be a threatening or worrisome process. At Kevin Palmer Painting, we do everything necessary to help you find the perfect color for your home. We spend the time necessary and assist you in every way possible to help you select the perfect color for you.

Dream house

Perfect colors on a gorgeous dream house. So beautiful!!

 

Kevin Palmer Painting services the interior painting, exterior painting, house staining, power washing, and roof cleaning needs of exacting homeowners in West Hartford CT and the surrounding Farmington Valley towns of Avon CT, Bloomfield CT, Canton CT, Farmington CT, Granby CT, and Simsbury CT. For further information or to discuss your next residential painting or commercial painting project you can reach us at (860) 658-2441 or visit us on the web at www.kevinpalmerpainting.com.

Yelp & Angie’s List Rate Kevin Palmer Painting 5 Stars

April 27th, 2015

We love YELP*! We love Angie’s List! We love all consumer-based referral sites that help people make intelligent, informed decisions. At Kevin Palmer Painting we believe customers are our best form of advertising. To be successful, businesses today have to go beyond ordinary and give consistently superior service and results. The painting professionals of Kevin Palmer Painting deliver! Thank you to all of our many customers for their kind words.

 

Beverly W. of Granby, CT had this to say about Kevin Palmer Painting:

 

“Kevin Palmer and his crew were wonderful to work with recently. I hired him to have the first floor of our condo painted and they did a excellent job. The crew was there at 8 a.m. on Monday to start and were finished on Tuesday at 11 a.m. I was amazed since Kevin said it would be one to three days at the most. I couldn’t believe it when they were finished so fast and did such a beautiful job. Did a great clean-up and put any furniture they had to move – especially the TV, stereo and CD – back in place and hooked up. This was very helpful as I would not have been able to do it myself. I’m already making plans for staining of new windows that will be installed. Kevin Palmer Painting is now my painter to call.”

 

Sharon G. of West Hartford, CT had this to say about Kevin Palmer Painting:

 

After researching several available service providers, we chose Kevin Palmer painting to work on our property.  It was an excellent decision!  From the first visit to assess our home’s painting needs, to the very fair and detailed work estimate, to the impeccable completion of the work, we were thoroughly impressed and completely satisfied.  Drew arrived on time as promised and power washed our entire home.  It sparkled!  Rusty, Jonathan and Jeff did a beautiful job painting. All work was done so professionally, using the highest quality products, with great attention to detail.  Each day the cleanup left the area immaculate and spotless.

I recommend Kevin Palmer Painting to anyone who appreciates great craftsmanship performed by a dedicated and well-trained crew.  Their work is meticulous and it is clear they take great pride in their work.  Since our home was painted last month, I have received calls from neighbors complimenting how beautiful our home looks, and Palmer Painting has painted 4 additional homes on my street!

I highly recommend Kevin Palmer Painting to any homeowner wishing to restore the original beauty of their home.”

 

John G. of Avon, CT had this to say about Kevin Palmer Painting:

 

“Spring of 2014 we sought to have our house in Avon power washed.  We liked the fact that Kevin was quick to respond (email and on the phone), and that their quote was competitive when compared to other estimates we obtained.  The power washing, which took approximately 4 hours, was professionally done – on time – on the day we agreed upon.  We found Kevin Palmer Painting to be an excellent choice and would not hesitate to recommend him to others.”

 

Kevin W. of Bloomfield, CT had this to say about Kevin Palmer Painting:

 

“This is the second time we have used Kevin Palmer Painting (the first was for my father’s house). I am extremely pleased with the work his crew provided: detailed preparation, a clear explanation and recommendation on what paints to use, maintaining a clean work area, not rushing the job and a strong focus on safety. They are professional in all ways and in the end we received a beautiful result.

In addition, we used Kevin to clean our roof shingles – it came out looking like new!

We give Kevin Palmer Painting our HIGHEST recommendation.”

 

Doug E. of West Hartford, CT had this to say about Kevin Palmer Painting:

 

“Kevin and his team exceeded our expectations in every way.  There was no comparison to any other organization.  He’s very responsive, professional, and the quality of work was perfect.

His team was very pleasant, we barely knew they were here and they left no sign of their presence when they left except that the house looked great!

Next time we need someone to do any painting, we will be calling Kevin.”

 

Anne S. of Granby, CT had this to say about Kevin Palmer Painting:

 

“Kevin Palmer Painting first painted the exterior of my home in Simsbury and most recently painted the interior of my new apartment in Granby. The quality of the work (and workmanship) was excellent. His painters were professional, thorough, knowledgeable about the paint products they were using and the application process. From start to finish they kept their work area neat and paid great attention to leaving my house in the same condition as it was before they started the job. His painters, and Kevin Palmer, took pride in their painting and the finished product highlighted their standards. I thank them for the long lasting, beautiful painting they did for me.”

 

We would like to thank our painting customers for the wonderful reviews. They are much appreciated and hopefully will help others make an informed decision.

 

At Kevin Palmer Painting we promise to give you a paint job that looks better, lasts longer, and offers the ultimate in beauty and protection. We have been servicing the interior and exterior painting,  power washing, and roof cleaning needs of fine homes in West Hartford CT and the surrounding Farmington Valley towns of Avon CT, Bloomfield CT, Canton CT, Farmington CT, Granby CT, and Simsbury CT for nearly a half century. For further information you can reach us at (860) 658-2441 or visit us on the web at www.kevinpalmerpainting.com .

Extreme Deck Refinishing

August 22nd, 2014

Nowadays everything is extreme… extreme sports, extreme weight loss, and if you can believe it, even extreme pizza!

 

Not to be outdone, the exterior house painting professionals at Kevin Palmer Painting recently undertook an extreme deck refinishing and restoration project.

A beautiful setting. Deck restoration done by the house painting professionals of Kevin Palmer Painting.

A beautiful setting. Deck restoration done by the house painting professionals of Kevin Palmer Painting.

The deck we were contracted to restore was actually a stunning wooden bridge spanning a flowing brook. Refinishing and preserving the wood decking and railings presented a number of issues which our exterior painters had to address.

Paint preparation is the key to a long-lasting exterior painting project.

Paint preparation is the key to a long-lasting exterior painting project.

The bridge was built prior to 1978 which presented concerns about lead paint. Kevin Palmer Painting is a Lead-Safe Certified painting contractor with long-term employees who are Lead-Safe Certified Renovators. Our painters are trained and understand the necessity of completing all work, including power washing and preparatory work in an appropriate manner.

 

Attention to detail. The house painting experts at Kevin Palmer Painting work as a team. Good work Dru and Jeff!

Attention to detail. The house painting experts at Kevin Palmer Painting work as a team. Good work Dru and Jeff!

Power washing was the first order of the day. The fact that this pressure washing had to be done on a wood deck suspended over water required experience, expertise, and more than a little bit of ingenuity. Our power washing experts used a wash system that thoroughly cleaned the wood surfaces of all mold and mildew all the while protecting the ducks, fish, and brook below. A containment hammock was suspended above the water and beneath the bridge to collect all chippings, residue, and debris.

 

Painting preparation takes time. Jeff makes sure everything is ready to go (and the fish are protected)!

Painting preparation takes time. Jeff makes sure everything is ready to go (and the fish are protected)!

Next came the preparatory work. All scrapings were safely collected, contained, and ultimately disposed of properly. The house painters of Kevin Palmer Painting have always taken great pride in giving our customers a properly prepared surface that creates the foundation for a beautiful long-lasting finish.

 

Deck refinishing in a picture perfect setting. The gazebo received some TLC too.

Deck refinishing in a picture perfect setting. The gazebo received some TLC too.

As part of the preparation work, the painters used their experience and expertise to remove stains and discolorations. Rust from nail heads was removed and the rusting nail heads were treated with a rust inhibitive coating. Wood stampings and markings were removed as part of the painting preparation process.

 

Exterior preparation and painting pays off  - a well protected and preserved deck and railings, expertly restored. Kevin Palmer Painting. An Avon CT exterior painting project of which we are very proud!

Exterior preparation and painting pays off – a well protected and preserved deck and railings, expertly restored. Kevin Palmer Painting. An Avon CT exterior painting project of which we are very proud!

Once the bridge was power washed and preparatory work was complete, a protective deck coating was applied. The painters had done such a nice job power washing and preparing the deck floor and railings that the homeowner wanted to preserve the natural look with the best wood preservative available.

 

From every angle this deck restoration looks beautiful. The house painting experts at Kevin Palmer Painting collectively had 75 years painting experience on this project  to draw from!

From every angle this deck restoration looks beautiful. The house painting experts at Kevin Palmer Painting collectively had 75 years painting experience on this project to draw from!

Using our experience with different manufacture’s products, Kevin Palmer Painting chose and applied a clear wood finish that protected the wood and enhanced its character and beauty. The finish results were spectacular!

 

The fish are safe - can you see them? The deck preparation and preservative application preserved and protected this beautiful bridge.

The fish are safe – can you see them? The deck preparation and preservative application preserved and protected this beautiful bridge.

Wood decks need regular maintenance to preserve and protect the beauty and integrity of the wood. For your next deck refinishing, staining or exterior house painting project call the professional painters of Kevin Palmer Painting. We will give you a paint job that looks better, lasts longer, and offers the ultimate in beauty and protection. Now that’s extreme!

 

Exterior  house painting. A picture is worth a thousand words. The house, gazebo, and bridge all carefully and professionally painted by Kevin Palmer Painting.

Exterior house painting. A picture is worth a thousand words. The house, gazebo, and bridge all carefully and professionally painted by Kevin Palmer Painting.

At Kevin Palmer Painting, we have been servicing the power washing and deck staining needs of fine homes in West Hartford CT and the surrounding Farmington Valley towns of Avon CT, Bloomfield CT, Canton CT, Farmington CT, Granby CT, and Simsbury CT for nearly a half century. For further information you can reach us at (860) 658-2441 or visit us on the web at www.kevinpalmerpainting.com .