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FAQs2021-06-15T20:14:10+00:00

ELITE PRO PAINTING
FAQs

ELITE PRO PAINTING
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Indianapolis Painting

Providing Information to Help Our Neighbors Make Better Decisions

When choosing a paint company in the Indianapolis area there are quite a few considerations you should take into account. The more you know, the easier it will be to choose the right local, family owned Indianapolis painters for your job.

BeforeAfter

Things to Consider

What if it rains or storms between the pressure wash and my start date?2021-04-19T14:58:24+00:00

It does not matter if it storms after the pressure wash.

The weather forecast says that it could rain this afternoon. Are you still going to paint my home?2021-04-19T14:58:19+00:00

It really depends on the % of rain, the radar, and when they are predicting the rain. In Indiana, if we only painted on days with 0% chance of rain, we would never paint. Every day has the chance of precipitation. We watch the radar on a constant basis. Paint only takes a couple of minutes to tack. Rain will not affect it after 8 minutes.

In what weather conditions can you paint exterior?2021-04-19T14:58:14+00:00

It has to be at least 40° or above and stay above freezing for 6 hours in order for the paint to go on and stay on properly. There are products available when painting as low as 38°, but we prefer the weather to be a little bit warmer to ensure a reliable and long-lasting paint job.

What materials are the painter using?2021-04-19T14:58:09+00:00

Many companies will take shortcuts on the materials they apply to your home to save money. The truth is materials are a fraction of the painting cost. Make sure that a high-quality line of paint is used during the painting process. This will add life to your paint job.

Are there benefits to painting the exterior of my house?2021-04-19T14:58:04+00:00

Exterior house painting helps protect certain materials used in the construction.

How do I find the right professional to paint my house?2021-04-19T14:58:00+00:00

Find the right house painter can be a difficult and confusing task.

What should a painting estimate entail?2021-04-19T14:57:56+00:00

A crucial part of hiring a painting contractor is getting painting estimates.

Why use a painting contractor?2021-04-19T14:57:49+00:00

Professional painting contractors will have the expertise to identify and correct problems before the job even begins.

Is the company local?2021-04-19T14:56:49+00:00

Elite Pro Painting is a local, family-owned business that you can trust!

Does the company actually do two coats of paint on my house?2022-06-29T15:30:01+00:00

Many companies advertise two coats of paint, but how can you be sure if you received that or not? When you return from work, the contractor tells you he already did two coats…Did he? Some companies put on one coat of paint, then back-roll it and call that two coats. This is wrong. Elite Pro Painting’s process ensures two coats like this: First, we check the surfaces we are painting for any peeling or flagging paint from the existing coat. Then, we scrape and prime those areas to make sure the new paint adheres properly. Once the primer has dried, we will go ahead and apply the first coat of paint. After we spray and back-roll the first coat of paint, we will go back and apply a second coat (the top coat) to your home. This will protect your paint from failing. We work on one side of your home at a time, and we do this for every project, no exceptions. By priming, spraying, back-rolling and applying two coats of paint, you are guaranteed to receive what you paid for.

Does the company offer a warranty?2021-04-19T14:56:17+00:00

Make sure that the paint contractor you pick offers at least a one year warranty. There is something to be said for peace of mind. Painting is not a perfect process. Different variables can cause different results. Make sure that you are covered. Do not believe in companies that offer lifetime warranties. The truth is all paint fades. If it sounds too good to be true…it is. Shy away from companies that mislead you with “lifetime warranties.” Choose an honest and transparent contractor.

Does the painting company Indianapolis take a deposit?2021-04-19T14:56:08+00:00

Paying a contractor a deposit to start your project can be risky. I have been approached numerous times by homeowners that need their project finished because their painter ran with their deposit. It is a risk that does not have to be taken. We are Indianapolis painters that you can trust. Count on us to get the job right the first time, every time!

Does the company “Guarantee” their work?2021-04-19T14:55:48+00:00

At Elite Pro Painting, we offer the only all-inclusive warranty in the industry. What that means is we warranty ALL painted surfaces on your home. While other contractors use tricky phrases written by lawyers to exclude them from any liability, we at Elite Pro Painting believe in integrity. Our warranty includes horizontal surfaces and previous coating failure. We also call you just before the warranty is up to make sure that you are still satisfied with our work. See our warranty page for more details.

Painting Services

Why hire a residential painter?2021-04-19T15:06:22+00:00

Residential painters will have the right tools to complete the job.

What should I know when looking for a painting company?2021-04-19T15:05:58+00:00

Look for one that has years of experience and a reputation for quality workmanship.

My house was built 5 years ago. Why do I already need to paint again?2021-04-19T15:05:54+00:00

Different builders use different methods to initially paint a new home. Many builders (not all) use the quickest, cheapest method possible. Their contractor’s name is not at stake, so they are not responsible for the job. On average, new homes need to be painted between 4-6 years after they are initially built. Even more importantly is that new homes almost always need re-caulked.

What technique do you use to paint? (Spray or Brush & Back Roll)2021-04-19T15:05:49+00:00

Siding – we spray and back roll the first coat. Then we come back and spray the second coat. This will give you the best of both worlds. You are getting the smooth finish of a spray, with the adhesion of rolling. Trim – we normally brush and roll trim. It just depends on the situation. Gutters/downspouts – we normally spray gutters and downspouts. It really just depends on the job. We will discuss with you the plan of action during the pre-job walk through before we begin painting.

What is included in the Prep Work?2021-04-19T15:05:43+00:00

The crews will caulk holes, cracks, seems, siding, and seal up the house. Next, they will tape off windows, scrape and prime all areas where needed. They will wipe down the house with a rag, removing any spider/cob webs, hornet nests, etc.

What is the purpose of the pressure wash?2021-04-19T15:05:03+00:00

The purpose of the pressure wash is to rinse away the chalky residue, removes dust, mildew and some loose paint; may be performed up to a month prior to painting. If the washer happens to miss something or could not reach something on the house, during the prep time, the painters will wipe down the house removing all cobwebs, nests, etc. No one has to be home for the pressure wash; we only need access to your back yard and to your water spigot. Please be sure that your animals are not loose. Although we love dogs, we do not want one of your pets escaping because we were not aware of them being there.

Do you remove old caulk?2021-04-19T15:04:56+00:00

Yes and no. If the caulk is coming off of the windows or cracks, we will pull it off. Most caulk that is failing still sticks to the substrate. We caulk right over that. This is normal practice and is the best practice. Removing older caulk can cause gaps that cannot be re-filled. If you insist on caulk being removed, we can do that for an additional charge. (not recommended)

What kind of caulk do you use?2021-04-19T15:04:51+00:00

We always use the best. We use an elastomeric caulk. It moves with the material more than your normal latex caulk. More elastic = more moveable = less cracking = less wood rot. Great math in our opinion.

Can mildew be permanently prevented by a painting contractor?2021-04-19T15:04:46+00:00

Not completely. A Painting contractor cannot prevent mildew recurrence. However paints can be formulated to inhibit mildew growth, but under some conditions, mildew eventually will reappear on any type of paint. We use additives from time to time with a lot of success.

I see paint labels that say “Alkyd” and “Acrylic” What does that mean?2021-04-19T15:04:11+00:00

ALKYD – technically means a synthetic (man-made) resin. Alkyd is OIL PAINT using a manmade oil. ACRYLIC – is Synthetic latex.

What are the different sheens of paint?2021-04-19T15:04:06+00:00

FLAT PAINT reflects little light. It looks rich and velvety, especially in deep colors. It doesn’t show all the imperfections in plaster or drywall. It’s great in a living room or a room frequented by adults who do not damage or touch their walls. It’s the least washable. Most builders use flat paint when you buy a new home.

SATIN PAINT is a step shinier than Flat. It’s one of the less common sheens. A lot of paints jump right up to eggshell from flat. It’s usually pretty close to eggshell.

EGGSHELL PAINT is a little shinier still. It is very popular as an all-around sheen. Not too shiny but still pretty washable. Good for offices, bathrooms, and public areas and rooms with kids in them with dirty little hands.

SEMI-GLOSS PAINT is good for doors and trim. It’s not super shiny but still gives a nice glow to the painted surface. Bathroom and kitchen walls do well in semi-gloss because it is even more washable than eggshell. The problem with semi-gloss is it shows drywall imperfections.

GLOSS/HIGH GLOSS/PLASTIC GLOSS are very shiny paints. They often look good on older traditional woodwork. The flaws really show with this paint but that can also be part of the beauty.

How long will the paint take to dry?2021-04-19T15:04:00+00:00

Acrylic (latex) paint dries much faster than Alkyd (oil). Paint tacks in only a couple of minutes. If we can see rain coming, we will stop. It only takes a few minutes for the paint to be tacked enough to not affect the job.

I have tried everything I can think of to keep paint on exterior window sills. What do you suggest my painting contractor do?2021-04-19T15:03:57+00:00

The painting contractor should prepare and repaint the entire window unit. The painting contractor must remove all loose paint with a wire brush or scraper, this includes the ends and underside of the sill, as peeling or cracking often begins there. Then, finish the surface prep by removing all loose particles from the sill. Now the painting contractor must apply one coat of exterior wood primer, again paying special attention to the end grain and underside of the sill. After the primer dries, apply an acrylic latex caulk to the joints. The painting contractor must follow with one or two coats of a top-quality acrylic latex flat or satin house paint. Window sills are a perfect reason as to why you should take advantage of our home maintenance program. Every exterior painting job comes with the first year FREE. Horizontal surfaces are the hardest areas to keep up.

I am experiencing a great deal of peeling under the eaves of my house. Is moisture the culprit or do you think my previous painting contractor failed to properly prepare the surface the last time that my house was painted?2021-04-19T15:03:53+00:00

The eaves (soffits) of a house are a frequent location for paint problems, with peeling and rotting topping the list of concerns. Moisture is drawn out of the house sometimes is the source of the problem, but usually, the issue is a lack of adhesion. This occurs when painting contractors apply paints to failing coatings. It also occurs when dirt and contaminants are not properly removed prior to painting. Our power wash process takes care of this.

My new stucco house was just painted by a painting contractor and now has unsightly stain streaks. Do you know what possibly could be causing this?2021-04-19T15:03:49+00:00

Stucco and mortar joints contain hydrated or lime, a dry compound added to improve the workability of these materials. If the high alkalinity of the mortar, cement mixes and concrete is not addressed prior to painting by your painting contractor, a reaction can occur when moisture is present, resulting in peeling and burning stains.

After a new home is painted by a painting contractor and the wood shrinks along with the caulk, is it normal to need to re-caulk and/or repaint before the first year?2022-04-28T19:07:26+00:00

With the settling, you get in a new house and as the wood dries and shrinks, you’re bound to have some places that will need to be touched up with more caulk and paint. Usually, after the first year, you won’t have any more shrinkage. Make sure your painting contractor uses a good elastomeric caulk that is flexible and will withstand some movement in the joint.

What usually causes a coating to fail?2021-04-19T15:03:40+00:00

The most frequent causes for premature paint failures are due to a painting contractor failing to do sufficient surface preparation; not applying enough paint; using an improper coating; not applying the product as directed; lack of scraping.

Why is it so difficult to keep paint from peeling off of exterior wood decks?2021-04-19T15:03:36+00:00

There are two reasons: moisture and horizontal surfaces. Anywhere that snow can sit, or rain can puddle is a trouble area. Decks are all horizontal surfaces that snow can sit on. Strike two! Latex does not hold up well on horizontal surfaces. Moisture gets behind the coating and pushes is away from the wood. Decks are the only thing that we cannot warranty.

How long does it take to paint my house?2021-04-19T15:03:32+00:00

Typically the whole painting process takes 2-3 days, depending on how big the project is and weather permitting. It takes a few hours of a day to power wash before we begin painting.

What type of finish do you typically use on Exterior paint?2021-04-19T15:03:27+00:00

For Exteriors, we typically use flat on siding and Satin Finish on the home’s trim. This gives a nice contrast of sheen.

What brand of paint do you use?2021-04-19T15:03:22+00:00

We use Sherwin Williams and Porter Paint. We find that their coatings hold up the best to Indiana’s punishing weather.

Would it be cheaper to buy the paint myself with my HOA discount?2021-04-19T15:03:18+00:00

No, it is typically cheaper for Elite Pro to supply the paint with our volume discount.

How many coats do you use on Interior Jobs?2021-04-19T15:03:07+00:00

As many coats as it takes to get a consistent finish. We are not protecting your walls from wood rot on the interior as we are on the exterior. It is just important that we get the desired color and that the color is consistent. Whatever it takes!

Do you take off shutters before painting?2021-04-19T15:03:02+00:00

Typically the shutters will be taken off the house to paint EXCEPT if they are attached to the brick mortar. Elite Pro does not want to be responsible for any damage caused by taking shutters off of brittle mortar.

Can you paint my house while I am out of town?2021-04-19T15:02:58+00:00

Yes, we can paint exteriors while homeowners are not present. The homeowner will meet with the John or Mikeal before leaving to confirm the details of the estimate. Once the homeowner returns they will coordinate a final inspection with John or Mikeal to ensure everything is up to their satisfaction. We will then discuss payment. There is nothing better than returning from a trip to a newly updated home.

Does the warranty still apply if I move and there are new homeowners?2021-04-19T15:02:54+00:00

Yes, the warranty goes with the house, even if there are different homeowners.

Is your company insured and can you provide me with documentation?2021-04-19T15:02:36+00:00

Yes, Elite Pro is insured with a $2 million in Liability and Workers Compensation.

Do you use Oil Base Primer?2021-04-19T15:02:31+00:00

We use water base primer but will use Oil base if needed to prevent bleed through, and/or on surfaces that would require an oil based primer. We use oil on new wood.

Can you help me find contractors in other home improvement categories?2021-04-19T15:02:27+00:00

Yes. We work closely with at least one contractor in every home improvement category. Call us anytime or send us an email.

How do I find out what color/colors are currently on my home?2021-04-19T15:02:20+00:00

Look for old paint cans in the basement, storage or garage. Look for a color name or code or formula on the paint can. If not take the can to the nearest Sherwin Williams store and have them match it for you.

  • You can contact your HOA to see if they have them on file.
  • You can contact the builders to see if they have them on file.
  • Take a paint chip off the siding, trim, accent take to the Sherwin Williams paint store and they can match it for you. Taking a paint chip off of the home will match the existing color.

Sherwin Williams and SW store can match other brands of paint to their brand. If they do not have a specific color name to match exactly they will do a custom match which will have a formula instead of a color code.

Keep in mind that your existing paint color may have slightly faded due to time, the sun, and the harsh elements that comes along with the Indiana climate. The color was probably darker than what is currently on your home.

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