Summer Paint Projects: Olympic ONE Has You Covered

Featured Clients,

August 10, 2011

On August 10, 2011, celebrity DIY guru Eric Stromer – HGTV host and father of three – joined a crowd of women on TheMotherhood to share some of his best tried-and-true DIY painting tips via live video feed.

Read on for his advice!

Eric Stromer’s Paint Prep Tips

“With any DIY project, prep work is key!” said Eric, adding that although it may take you a few extra minutes, it will ultimately save you time in the end.

Prior to starting a painting project, put blue or green painter’s tape around windows and doorframes, or where walls and ceilings meet. This will create nice clean lines, and the tape is designed to come off easily.

Eric also suggested moving furnishings and collectibles to the center of the room and covering them with plastic. This will protect your valuables from splashing or drips.

But before you even think about painting, Eric said to “find your own sense of design” – rather than decorating your house based on what’s trendy or what’s in the magazines, figure out what you love and go from there.

Added Deborah, “Paint is the easiest and most cost effective way to change a room. Choose colors that you love–not just because it *goes*, you know? Recently I’ve been lightening our home–from stuff and from darker colors. I love it and the artwork just shines.”

Eric Stromer’s Painting Tips

According to Eric, if you make a mistake like splattering paint on the windows or getting the wrong color on the wall, wait until it dries. Then you can easily scrape the paint off the window with a straight-edged razor blade or paint over the wall in the correct color.

“BUT be sure to clean up wet paint off your floors ASAP with water!” noted Kayla S.

Eric also recommends lightly sanding all glossy surfaces before painting to help the paint stick much better. And when he advised that painters should “hold your paintbrush like a pencil for more accuracy when cutting a line,” it resonated with a number of moms.

“I have learned something already!” said Jen, The Suburban Mom.

And another popular tip from Eric described the best way to clean paint brushes and rollers – using a wire brush to comb out the paint.

“Loving this so far! I never knew about the wire brush thing … cleaning is always the part that annoys me most,” said Jennifer, Jen Spends.

“Yes, seriously, I will be trying the wire brush for cleaning!” added Janel, A Mom’s Take.

Olympic ONE Paint

“Not only is prep work important, but I’m always stressing the importance of using quality products,” Eric noted. “However, quality doesn’t always mean products have to cost more.”

Olympic ONE Paint is formulated to give you a complete DIY solution with extreme hide and stain and scrub resistance and starts at $24 – a great value for budget-conscious consumers.

The scrub-resistance of Olympic ONE is “perfect for a playroom!!!” said Jen, The Suburban Mom, and Jennifer at Mom Spotted laughed, “This is a great feature for my kitchen!”

In addition, Olympic ONE is a paint and primer, all in one can, which can save both time and money. “I love the fact that ONE has primer in it…I have wasted so much time priming over the years,” said Jennifer, Jen Spends.

Olympic also has a great ColorClix tool (and it’s FREE!) to help you color match.

Enter to win $10,000 on Facebook!

Eric has partnered with Olympic Paint to launch the “Simply Done” Facebook promotion.

Now through August 26, consumers can visit www.olympic.com or “Simply Done” on Olympic Paint’s Facebook page to upload a photo of their paint project. Eric will choose a winner the week of September 5, and that lucky person will win $10,000.

Enter here: http://www.facebook.com/olympicpaintandstain?sk=app_233075190059768

Q&A

Deborah: What is your recommendation for covering RED walls–specifically what primer? I really don’t want to HAVE to spend all of September doing this.

“Red and orange are tough colors to paint over because they require so many coats to cover – primer is key,” said Eric.

Olympic ONE Paint is a great option, because it’s a paint and primer in one for just $24 per gallon, which will save time and money on the paint project.

Andrea, Lil’ Kid Things: We plan to paint our 1960’s hardwood cabinets rather than replace them. Is this something we can DIY without it looking tacky or should we hire out?

“Sanding and primer are your friends,” suggested Kelly, Kansas City Mamas.

Olympic Paint added, “You can definitely DIY!”

Jennifer, Mom Spotted: I heard their paints are fume free and safe for pregnant women- is that all of Olympic Paints or just a certain one?

Olympic Paint replied, “Our Olympic Premium is ZERO VOC including colorants… our new Olympic ONE paint & primer in one is low VOC! Both found exclusively at Lowes.”

Shannon, The Mommy Files: I’ve rented many places where the owners have painted the windows shut! How do you prevent something like that from happening?

“Well, you could ask them not to do that,” joked Eric, before suggesting that, when encountering windows that are painted shut, you can wrap a towel around your hand for safety and slide a broad knife or putty knife into the sealed crevices to unstick them.

“Great advice for unsealing windows using a broad knife/putty knife! So simple!” said Anjanette, Raising the Barrs.

Michelle, Burgh Baby: Any tips for covering textured paint or paint that is thicker in some spots than others? I once had to deal with trying to cover the texture from sponge painting (which, NIGHTMARE).

Eric suggested two approaches: sanding the walls until the paint is an even texture, or using a broad knife 6-8 inches wide to coat the walls in a thin layer of drywall to even out the wall surface.

Thanks to Olympic Paint for sponsoring this incredible Talk, Eric Stromer for hosting, and our talented and creative blogger co-hosts!

Andrea, Lil’ Kid Things

Anjanette, Raising the Barr

Janel, A Mom’s Take

Jennifer, Mom Spotted

Jen, The Suburban Mom

Jen, Jen Spends

Joey, Real Mom Media

Kelly, Kansas City Mamas

Michelle, Burgh Baby

Shannon, The Mommy-Files

See the original Talk here: http://tmotherhood.wpengine.com/talk/show/id/62241