How Do I Clean My Walls?

When your walls begin showing traces of dirt and grime, it can be unnerving to begin scrubbing your beautiful walls, not knowing if you’re using the best method for cleaning interior paint.

In this blog, we will give you a quick how-to for cleaning your walls, to put you at ease when you tackle the job. Recently we wrote a blog about how walls get sratched; what you should know when you clean your walls is that there are two types of scuffs: residue and abrasion.

For cleaning away residue scuffs and grime:

• If you have a high-gloss or sheen, it should be relatively easy to remove dirt. You should use a clean rag, dampen it with soap and water, and apply low pressure in a circular motion to remove the dirt. You can also try using a Magic Eraser for the tougher spots.

For getting rid of abrasion scuffs:

• Scuffs from abrasions are a bit harder to remove, since usually abrasions break the paint film, leaving a permanently dark spot. But you can try cleaning away the scuff with soap and water and a clean cloth. If that is not successful, you can paint the wall again from end to end or corner to corner.

Let us know in the comments if you have any tips for cleaning scratched walls.

If you have any questions, give Hallco Enterprises a call at 301-831-3679.  

How Are My Walls Getting Scratched?

It can sometimes be puzzling how scratch marks seem to always appear on walls, even recently painted ones. There are two most common reasons for scuff marks:

• Surface residue. Most objects have surface residue that transfers when rubbed or bumped against a wall. Things like chairs, shoes or broom handles can easily mark a wall when they come in contact with it.
• Surface abrasion. Many people don’t know that with a flat or low paint sheen (these are the paints most commonly used on home interiors), the paint has microscopic hairs that stand up to capture the light. When something hits or abrades the surface, it makes these hairs lay flat, which causes the paint to appear darker in that spot. 

There are no universal tips that will guarantee preventing scuffs on your walls, especially when you have little children or many people in your household. But any conscious effort you make to avoid objects coming in contact with your walls reduces the chances them getting scratched.

You can also use a scratch-resistant paint to reduce wall scuff-marks. Call Hallco Enterprises at 301-831-3679 to ask about recommended paint products. For those in the Howard, Montgomery, or Frederick counties of Maryland, call us to schedule a free estimate for repainting your damaged walls.  

Christmas Lighting Services in Gaithersburg

Holiday Lighting Services in Gaithersburg, MD

Christmas Decor by Hallco provides complete holiday lighting services to the communities in Gaithersburg and the greater DC areas. Our office is located in Clarksburg, so we service the Gaithersburg area often during the Christmas season. If you are tired of hanging lights yourself, too busy or just want a very professional and elegant design, check out our portfolio and schedule a free design consultation today. We typically begin estimating and selling Christmas Lights in Mid September and sometimes sell a few lighting jobs the week before Christmas. We do everything: design, install, service the lights, removal and store the equipment. 

Typical Cost of Lights

The one question we get asked the most is, "How much does it cost?" A fair question. We have nothing to hide. The answer depends on how excited you get about Christmas and the size of your holiday budget: but of course! Lets just say that the average Maryland client really loves Christmas and spends an average of about $2,500 on their displays. We have customers who do a very simple display: garland around their front door and some lights on their gutters and gables. This might cost $1,200-1,600. Then we have customers who love lighting their trees and shrubs as well and spend a bit more than $2,500. The reason the cost is more than your thinking (and we know it is) has to do with the following. First our company does everything and you do nothing. We will also be making a minimum of 4 trips out to your home during the season. So you are definitely paying for our professional staff to maintain your lighting display. The cost is in the design, the install, servicing and the removal. If a couple bulbs go out, we come out and replace at no charge. Why? Because you are renting our displays. We own and service the lights. In a sense, it is like hiring an event company that sets up chairs, tables and tents for a special event. 

The house pictured in this blog post cost was a little over $2,000. Doesn't it look amazing? The cost would have been less if they did not put up our commercial-grade garland and wreaths. If you've never hired a professional lighting company, I'd definitely recommend starting with at least lighting up your roof line and gables. It is more affordable and really makes your home stand out. I'd also recommend that if you have a mature Crape Murtle, Japanese Maple or Cherry Tree, to light it up. 800-1200 lights. 

Visit our website: Christmas Decor or call 888-95-DECOR

How To Dispose of Old Paint/ Cans

After a painting project, most of the time homeowners will put aside their extra paint into closet storage or their basement, but over the years we accumulate more paint cans than we will eventually use.

To get rid of all of these paint cans: first decide which colors you still might need for touch ups in your home. Consider donating the full cans that you won’t use. Then let all of your useless paint dry. There are a couple ways to expedite drying paint:

• Paint hardener (which is about $4 to treat one gallon.)
• Add kitty litter or some absorbent material to the paint and stir it around.
• Get some old cardboard boxes (that also may have been collecting in your home), break them down flat and then pour the paint out and let it dry in the sun.

When the paint dries out you can dispose any Latex, Water and Acrylic products at a normal landfill. Oil and Alkyd products must be disposed of at specialized collection areas. To get rid of these, simply call your local refuse center to see what their collection schedule is. Oftentimes they will schedule a local drop off at a community center or school.

It’s as easy as that! Don’t let those old paint can pile build up in your house.  

Playground Painting Project in Ocean City

The past several years, Hallco Enterprises has been restoring old playgrounds throughout Maryland, D.C. Delaware, and other surrounding states. Hallco is awarded the projects for several reasons: affordable cost, using quality playground paint and getting the project done in 1 day. Our owner, Ted Hall, manages the projects and makes sure that each project is well staffed and completed in a timely manner. 

We are located in Clarksburg, Maryland but recently were hired to complete a playground painting project in Ocean City,. Our painters left our paint shop early in the morning, completed the entire project and drove back home that evening. Below is the testimonial and a few before and after photos. 

"The 4^th Street project in OC turned out great and I thought you might enjoy some of these pics. You guys do excellent work." James R.

How to Preserve Your Exterior Wood

Before

After

Oftentimes we don’t consider ways to sustain the life of exterior wood, such as gates, until after damage has been done. Instead, with some thorough preparation work and several solid coats of paint, you can significantly increase the life expectancy of your gates and exterior woodwork right off.

These pictures are an example of a situation where the homeowner decided to revamp their gate after it started showing signs of aging. Originally it had stain and a clear finish, and while this looks nice, it also requires more maintenance. The refinished product is an application of quality primer and several coats of solid paint.

Do this quick process on your exterior woodwork to save from having to frequently repaint. If you live in Frederick, Montgomery or Howard county and have wood gates, fences, decks, etc., Hallco Enterprises specializes in proper preparation and painting of these items. Give us a call at 301-831-3679. 

How to Choose The Right Paint Shine

Before you paint any room, it’s important to know what paint sheen (or amount of shine) is best for the room. It’s actually very easy to figure out, you just should first know a little bit about different sheens and which rooms they are best suited for.

1. Flat or Matte

• Provide a smooth, elegant finish. They tend to absorb dirt and camouflage imperfections. Although they are somewhat difficult to clean, flat or matte paints are also very easy to touch up, so keep some extra paint on hand for touching up nicks and scratches. Flat or matte works best for ceilings, foyers and other low-traffic areas. 

2. Eggshell (Low-luster)

• Presents a smooth and warm surface, and is easier to wash and more resistant to stains and scuffs. Eggshell paint works great for bedrooms, family rooms and hallways.

3. Satin

• Satin sheens are extremely versatile and provide an elegant finish that softly reflects light. Easy to clean, Satin finishes work well for higher-traffic areas. Since a satin sheen offers depth and warmth, it is great for Living-rooms, Dining-rooms and Hallways. It also works well for kitchen and bathrooms.

4. Semi-gloss

• A semi-gloss sheen reflects light and brightens a room. It shows dirt easily but is also very easy to wash and highly moisture resistant. Semi-gloss sheens are most typically used in Kitchens and Bathrooms. 

5. High-gloss

• High-gloss sheens reflect light and are easy to clean. They also present an almost plastic-looking finish and are typically just used for cabinets, trim and out-door purposes. 

Take all of this into consideration, and choosing a sheen for your room should be quite simple. If you have any more questions, feel free to call us at 301-831-3679. 

Caulking Windows Frederick Maryland

It has been a very dry and hot summer in the DC metro area. You know what that means! A dry summer means a wet winter or even a wet fall. When it is this hot out, sometimes caulking can dry up and crack. A quick tip, make sure you clean out any old caulking around windows and doors and put fresh and quality caulking down before the wet weather begins. This will help prevent moisture problems, which typically enter from a roofing or window leak. Caulking around windows by a professlonal painting contractor is an efficient and inexpensive option. In our opinion, painters are the best at caulking!

One final thing, if your windows are wood or PVC, it is best to put a fresh coat of paint over the caulk as some caulks tend to attract dust and dirt. A good coat of paint can help keep the caulk from cracking and keep the window trim looking its best.

Hallco Enterprises provides caulking, full service painting and related services. We service up and down the 270 areas including Gaithersburg, Potomac, Urbana, Frederick and beyond. We'd love to assist you if you do not have the time. 301-931-3679 or email us.

How Long Should My Exterior Paint Last?

The average homeowner in the Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland area needs to repaint their home exterior every 4.9 years. However the length of time a paint job lasts depends on a variety of factors. 

Some factors that contribute to paint failure are: weather conditions, temperature fluctuation, direct UV rays, and also the quality of paint used. One other main factor that affects the longevity of a paint job is the quality of the previous application. If the prior application has had adhesion issues, it could continue to fail, and take the new paint with it. The essential preparation steps include: scraping, sanding, filing, caulking, and priming properly.

It is easy to do a slack-job when painting your home exterior. While it may look good for a year or two, if the surface hasn’t been prepared properly, it will quickly lose it’s fresh appearance. It is very important to choose a quality contractor who you can trust to do the best job possible. Also, while the cost of paint may seem too high, the price directly corresponds with quality. Without a doubt you should choose a good-quality paint, regardless of the price. The best exterior paints are primarily 100% acrylic latex products.

Older homes that have previously been painted with oil-based paint tend to be painted every 3-4 years. However, if the surface is scraped well and primed properly, and if a good quality paint is used, the paint job should last 6 years or more. Of course when darker colors are used for trim, it might need repainting every couple of years to maintain their original brilliance.

At Hallco Enterprises, we are dedicated to doing top-quality work for our customers. If you have any questions about exterior painting or if you would like a free estimate, give us a call at 301-831-3679.

Dining Room Painting Project in Frederick MD July of 2011

Before (wallpaper removed)

I recently moved to a new home in the Frederick area. My "new" home had a formal dining room with off white wainscotting and khaki color walls. It was rather boring. I like classic and traditional colors. Therefore, I am a fan of the traditional red dining room and white trim, but this time, I decided to do something a bit different. I wanted to pick a color that was warm, inviting and got a lot of positive feedback from my family and friends. My wife and I like entertaining people and love making specialty coffee drinks too. So...read on.

I went through the Benjamin Moore fan deck and picked a warm golden yellow color. The closest paint store to my home was Sherwin Williams, so I found a close match called Torchlight (SW 6374). I used the Duration Home product in a satin finish. When it was complete, even with no wallart up, it was stunning. I have had a number of friends, family, and neighbors stop by to take a look at the colors I selected for my home, and the dining room was the big hit. One friend liked it so much she wants to use it on her new home! All in all, people loved the golden color rather than the traditional red because it is different.

So, if you have some natural light and a fair amount of wood trim, see if Torchlight and Pure White work for you? You can finish decorating the room several different ways. I decorated using Italian Villa and Coffee wallart. 

Hallco Enterprises, is located in Clarksburg MD and services all of Howard, Frederick and Montgomery County. If you are not up to tackle this job on your own, Hallco would love to help. Call or email us anytime. 1-301-831-3679

- David C. Marketing Director

Can I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets Instead of Replace Them?

Painting instead of replacing your cabinets is the easiest, quickest and most economical way freshen up your kitchen. Not only does this change the overall look of your kitchen and make it look more modern, but it also is 80%-90% less than the cost of actually replacing your cabinets. Typically, repainting increases the life expectancy by 5-6 years. Subsequently, you can always do just another coat of paint to refresh your cabinets.

Where do you start?

First of all you have to remove the gloss from your cabinets, since most cabinets have already been stained and sealed with a glossy polyurethane. There are a couple of options for how to go about this:

• Sand the gloss off and then prime and paint.
• Use a de-gloss liquid to break down the gloss and then paint.
• One other possible method is to seal the cabinets directly with a pigmented shellac with a product such as Zinsser BIN. (This method is probably the least time consuming and least messy.) 

A pigmented shellac is similar to a primer. But it is designed to stick to glossy surfaces (such as cabinets) while simultaneously changing color. Also, it dries very quickly (in about 45 minutes or less), so you can apply 2-3 coats in a short length of time. Typically this shellac is white, but you can tint it which aides in changing the cabinets to a darker color. 

After you either sand and prime or use the pigmented shellac, you can apply a finish coat of paint. We recommend using oil-based paint for the following reasons:

• It has a harder finish and lasts longer for typical kitchen use.
• Oil-based paint has a smoother finish which will give the cabinets a factory-finished look.

You can also acrylic/latex paint, but it should be a high-gloss finish. 

The pigmented shellac and top coat of paint can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer; however, spraying always gives the nicest finish. 

If you have any questions, or would like help with this project, give Hallco Enterprises a call at 301-831-3679. We would be happy to help! 

Which Room Color Do You Pick First?

If you are repainting the entire house, of course it’s important that all the colors you choose blend together nicely and don’t give a disjointed feel to the house.

Whenever possible, it is a good idea to pick the foyer and hallway colors first to make the color-scheme flow well throughout the house. After you pick the connecting room colors, you can choose the main room colors and have them all tie together better. The color used for the foyer, stairwell, or hallway is called the primary or foundation color; typically it is better when this is a light and neutral color so that the main room colors blend better with it.

If you pick the distinct room colors first, such as the Living Room and Dining Room, it will be difficult to come up with a color that would look good with both the Living and Dining Room colors. Whereas if you select the connecting room Primary color first, then it will help you decide what color to pick for the adjacent rooms.

The color you choose for the hallways serves as a common thread that weaves the entire home color-scheme together. You can always choose more than one color for the hallway-type spaces, but this should be done with care so that you don’t limit the color selection for the main adjacent rooms.

Follow these tips and your home should look exceptionally elegant. Call Hallco Enterprises for a free estimate at 301-831-3679. We would be happy to help you!  

Can I Paint My Ceiling A Different Color Than White?

Not many people realize that it is completely acceptable to paint your ceilings a color that is not white. Although ceilings are typically painted in either a white or off-white, they do not need to be. Applying a color to the ceiling can create a unique and elegant look.

There are a couple of things to consider when looking at options for the ceiling.

If your ceiling has mouldings or other architectural features, it presents a nice possibility for applying an accent color. Examples include:

How To Give Your Composite Deck a Second Life

Although composite decks are some of the lowest maintenance and best quality deck systems available, they still aren’t wear and tear proof. Composite decks fade over time and receive damage from the abrasive elements in Maryland.

With composite deck, you can get by without an annual staining, but after the material is 2 to 3 years old, a simple staining or repainting can go a long way in beautifying your deck.

Here is an easy 4-step process that will surely freshen and bring your deck back to life.

1. Remove mildew.

• Make a solution of one part bleach to three parts water and apply it to the entire deck surface. Wait 20 minutes and scrub the deck thoroughly to remove all mildew. After you’ve scrubbed the deck, rinse it thoroughly to remove all the solution and mildew residue.

2. Remove gloss.

• Gently sand the entire deck surface with a fine #220 sandpaper. When you are finished, wash the deck with an all-purpose detergent or deck-cleaner to remove all dust and debris, and then rinse it away thoroughly.

3. Take a quick break and let the deck surface dry completely.

4. Decide whether you want to paint or stain your deck and finish up the job.

• If you want to paint your deck: First apply a quality exterior latex primer. Then apply a good quality latex deck paint (a higher-gloss finish is recommended because it will be easier to clean and will have better mildew resistance).
• If you want to stain your deck: Simply apply whatever stain you wish to use. The PQI recommends a quality acrylic latex solid color stain for composite decking. 

One last tip: make note of whatever type of paint or stain you use. Since this process should be repeated every 3 to 5 years to keep your deck fresh, the results will be much better if you use the same type of finish.

If you have any questions, or would like any help with this project, give Hallco Enterprises a call at: 301-831-3679. 

Maryland and DC Nursery Painting Ideas

More and more people have been becoming aware of the pollutants and chemicals in paint that are harmful for humans and for the eco-system.

Already 80% of paints sold in the residential market are water-based latex paints rather than the more toxic oil-based paints. Although using water-based paint does reduce the number of toxic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released in the air, it still emits harmful inhalants even years after the paint drys.

You can make your home toxic-free with the eco-friendly paint, called Zero-VOC paint. Benjamin Moore carries a great line: Natura®. It's virtually odorless and meets the green seal standards.

If you are about to paint or repaint your nursery, consider using the child-safe paint. Each child likes to be unique, so in order to inexpensively create a special room for your child, you can use creative stencils or decals.

If you would like help with your project, call Hallco Enterprises for a free estimate.

Hallco Painting is pleased to serve the Maryland area, including the communities of Bethesda, Maryland, Brunswick, Maryland, Clarksburg, Maryland, Frederick, Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland, Germantown, Maryland, Howard County, Maryland, Potomac, Maryland, Rockville, Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland, Takoma Park, Maryland.