Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Five Star Painting Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity

Five Star Painting of Utah County had the opportunity to paint a Habitat for Humanity home. It was a great experience to participant in and to serve others.

Here are a few captured shots while painting:

If interested in getting a FREE estimate on residential homes or commercial buildings, please call Five Star Painting at 1-866-965-STAR.

Monday, May 10, 2010

How to Avoid Roller Marks

When there are roller marks on the wall, it is from the unintentional textured pattern left in the paint by the roller. This can happen from using the roller incorrectly or having the wrong roller cover. This is what it can look like:

The following are appropriate roller cover types and nap sizes to use for specific paints:

  • Latex paints use synthetic fiber covers
  • Alkyd/oil paints use lambs’ wool, mohair, or other natural fiber covers.
  • Smooth surfaces: flats and satins use 3/8″ covers; semi-gloss and gloss use 1/4″ covers.
  • Textured surfaces: (depending on the texture) 1/2″, 3/4″, or longer.

Good quality rollers ensure adequate film thickness and uniformity. When using latex paints, pre-dampen the rollers with water and shake out any excess water. Condition the paint by soaking it in the paint for about five minutes prior to painting. Try not to let the paint build up on the ends of the rollers. Also, be sure to sand and buff out any rough areas before painting.

For more questions regarding how to avoid roller marks, please visit Sherwin Williams website or give Five Star Painting a call 1-866-965-STAR.

Starting a Business

Starting a business with nothing can be intimidating. Those who can relate to this will agree that having support helps you succeed. But, how can we succeed in the face of recession and VCs laughing at the very idea? Bootstrapping it – making smart decisions and never lose focus on the end product and the buyer. Find clever ways to bootstrap, no matter what your business is. Running a business is all about believing in yourself. Check out a previous post about the motivation of an entrepreneur.

If you think something is a good idea, don’t let yourself get talked out of it. Apply common sense and try not to let naysayers get to your head. If you feel something is a bad idea, keep your eye on it. To keep your business goals on track, you need to research your business idea to the max. Try not to plow ahead without taking the time to thoroughly plan and research. Be sure to trust your instincts when you want to succeed because you don’t want to overlook that first feeling of discomfort.

There are three different customers you will need to think about in relation to your idea. Purchasers – those who make the decision. Influencers – the organization who decide on the purchasing decision. End users – the person who directly interacts with your service or product.

Starting your dream company with nothing can be frightening, but it is possible with a few crafty moves and keeping your eye on the prize. Figure out where to save and how to bootstrap can mean the difference between the smell of success and the sourness of defeat. Let your natural instincts lead the way to success.

To learn more about starting a business, go here or give Five Star Painting a call at 1-866-965-STAR.