Product Details

Loaded with "how-to" information you'll use every day to get professional results on any job:

-the best way to prepare a surface for painting or repainting; selecting and using the right materials and tools (including airless spray);
-tips for repainting kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets, eaves and porches;
-how to match and blend colors;
-why coatings fail and what to do about it.

Includes how to start a painting business, including the paperwork you'll need to keep. Lists 30 profitable painting specialty jobs that offer you profitable business opportunities. Also includes how to estimate prices, sell yourself, and present bids.
br> Table of Contents

An Introduction to Painting, 5
History of Paint, 5
Where Do You Fit in the Picture, 6

Chapter Two
Creating a Profitable Paint Contracting Company, 8
Types of Business Structures, 9
Does Your Area Need Another Paint Contractor, 10
Establishing Your Business, 13
The Contractor's License, 15
Buying an Existing Business, 17
Start-Up Expenses, 18
Insurance, 19
Cost of Doing Business, 20
Hiring Employees, 22

Chapter Three
An Accounting System for Your Business, 24
Accounting to the IRS, 26
Business Expenses, 29
Cost of Materials, 32
Taxable Income,
The IRS Audit, 35
Paying Taxes and Getting Bank Loans, 35
Self-Employment Drawbacks, 35

Chapter Four
Accounting, Inventory, and Management Control, 36
A Typical Company Budget, 36
The Realistic Budget, 37
Job and Quote Forms, 42
Expense Logs, 50
Profit and Loss Statements, 53
Inventory Control, 57
Computer Accounting, 62

Chapter Five
Finding Your Gravy Train, 64
Specialty Painting, 64
Low Cost Specialty Painting, 66
"Specific General" Contracting, 72

Chapter Six
Selling, 74
Proposal and Contract, 77
Contractor Warranties, 80
Presenting Yourself, 81

Chapter Seven
Estimating, 83
Estimating Labor Costs, 83
Rules for Good Estimating, 86
Estimating Materials, 86
Paints for Different Surfaces, 87
Surface Area Calculations, 87
Paint Coverage Charts, 95
Paint Remaining Charts, 95
Estimating Worksheets, 98

Chapter Eight
Painting Safety, 103
Building Codes, 104
Safety Precautions, 109

Chapter Nine
Choosing Paint, 112
Paint Quality, 113
Paint Life, 114
Paint Failures, 115
Specific Paints and Coatings, 119
Primers, 126

Chapter Ten
Color, 128
Residential Exteriors and Color, 128
Industrial Colors, 131
Interior Colors, 131
Color Choice Problems, 133
Color and Estimating, 135
Mixing Your Own Colors, 137
Touch-up Work, 138
Color Properties, 139

Additional Details

Chapter Eleven
Surface Cleaning and Preparation, 143
Cleaning Surfaces, 144
Stain Removers You Can Make, 145

Chapter Twelve
Common Paint Problems: Prevention and Cure, 151
Paint Handling/Storage Problems, 152
Reason for Paint Failures, 152
Paint Application Problems, 153
Poor Coverage, 154
Moisture Problems, 164
Peeling, 165
Plaster, Wallboard and Cement Problems, 167
Poor Adhesion on Wood, 172

Chapter Thirteen
Water and Fire Damage, 183
Looking for Water Damage, 185
Sources of Water Leaks, 186
Repairing Fire Damage, 195
Chapter Fourteen

Selecting and Using the Right Tools, 198
Brushes, Pads and Rollers, 199
Spray Equipment, 202
Paint Removal Tools, 203
Ladders and Scaffolds, 212

Chapter Fifteen
Surface Prep and Painting, 215
Mixing Paint, 215
Preparing Interior Surfaces, 217
Painting near and on Wallpaper, 223
Wallpaper Removal, 224
Preparing Exterior Surfaces, 226
Staining vs. Painting, 232

Chapter Sixteen
Painting New Construction, 234
Building with Painting in Mind, 237
Scheduling the Painting, 238
Doors, Jambs and Trim Painting, 239
Redwood and Cedar Staining, 242

Chapter Seventeen
Spray Painting, 245
Conventional Spray Equipment, 245
Types of Spray Guns, 247
Thinning Paint Properly, 247
Airless Spray Systems, 248
Controlling Spray Patterns, 250
Cleaning Equipment, 250
Correct Tip Selection, 252
Exterior Surface Spraying, 254
Electrostatic Spray Painting, 255
Spray Painting Tips and Precautions, 255
Troubleshooting Guide, 256

Chapter Eighteen
Cement Products and Texturizing, 261
Masonry Paints, 263
Texture Coatings, 265
Spray-On Textures, 275
Repairing Texture Coatings, 278

Chapter Nineteen
Alternate Wall Coverings, 279
EPA Rulings, 279
Wallpaper, 281
Murals, 283
Wood and Paneling, 284
Tile, 286
Plastics, 290
Brick, Marble, and Rock, 293
Fabrics and Carpet, 295
Sound Control, 296
Charging for the Job, 301

Appendix
Paint Chemistry, 302
Why Paint Adheres, 303
U/V Radiation, 305