Well here comes another summer. Make sure your a/c filter is clean. Replace or clean every 30 days if you can. Good time to clean your windows and oil all the moving parts.
Remember Watkins Home Repair serves all of Central Fl., Orlando,Sanford, DeBary, Deland, Orange City, Lake Mary, Dr. Phillips, Cassleberry, Winter park and more...
See ya soon.

Welcome Spring
Spring forward fall back, and don't fall back cleaning those gutters. If you use an extension ladder take that extra safety precaution and tie it off.


Besides gutter cleaning spring time is a good time to do a couple other annual chores. I chose spring so that each year its easy to remember its time.
1. Change the batteries in all your remotes and don't forget the garage door opener.
2. Batteries in your smoke detectors, change em.
3. Lubricate your door locks and hinges
4. Fertilize your lawn
5. Change your oil in the lawn mower and general maint of all your lawn equip.

Hope this helps and thanks for checking out my blog......

Want to share this recommendation with you.

Please use me for a reference as I am extremely pleased with the quality of you work.  Sandra Moore

Thanks Sandra For the nice note, Mitch

BEFORE           AFTER

WATKINS HOME REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVING ALL OF CENTRAL FL.

• ORLANDO
• LAKE MARY
• CASSELBERRY
• DEBARY
• DELTONA
• DELAND
• DAYTONA
• ORLANDO AREA

Custom painting, interior exterior, pressure washing and complete handyman services for central florida including Deland, Daytona, Sanford, Deltona and more.

Keep checking this blog for do it yourself tips and ideas.........

Looking for that custom paint job or how bout some home repairs and general maintenance give me a ring at 386-848-8880

Just a note to wish all my neighbors in Deland, Orange City, Deltona, Sanford and Lake Mary a Happy New Year.

Be sure and check out this blog for information and tips on home repairs, Painting and general home maintenance tips from Watkins Home Repair

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Prep and Paint Instructions: Part 3

We left off last time with getting ready so now its time to paint.
If you decided you need primer or your going right to the top coat the steps are the same for your application of paint. (Remember I always recommend priming)

1. If you are doing a large room and your job requires two or more gallons of paint be sure to mix them together to keep your colors consistent. The pros call this boxing in...

2. Always do your cut ins first  I always start at the top and work down. I also work from left to right but there is no rule on this it is just one of my obsessions. Be prepared to apply at least two coats so don't try to be absolute on this first coat but the better you do do the better the final result.

3. OK roller time. I always use a pole on my frame I keep a short one for close work and a long one for reaching. I fill my roller with paint as much as I can and I apply in a w or v pattern then fill in. Again I go from top to bottom. And of course I go left to right...This is no time to take a break complete each coat in one continuous session. If you must stop do this at a corner.

4. OK you need a second coat. No, well do it anyway you'll be glad you did after you clean those kids hand prints off a couple times. Be sure and wait until that  first coat is completely dry before attemting the next coat. Latex at least 4 hours.oil next day.

Well that should do just be sure and clean those tools up really good and keep them in good shape for next time.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask me I am glad to help.

Part two of proper painting
I left of last time with the prep work so now lets continue .

Getting ready for your finish coat.

1. Get your paint and don't cheap out here. Go for the good stuff its more than with the few extra bucks. I always recommend Sherwin Williams or Ben Moore. Not sure of your color get a sample and put it on your wall.

2. Use drop clothes and cover any furniture in your room. Then tape off any moldings windows baseboards anywhere you have to cut in a clean edge. A skilled painter can cut in without tape.Its up to you.

3. The right tools and supplies. Get a good brush. I like a 2 inch tapered brush for cutting in. Also be sure you get one specific to your paint. IE latex or oil. Roller cover also good quality I use the sheepskin. The length of the nap depends on your walls surface. A smooth wall use a short nap textured walls a thicker nap.

4. Try not to work out of the paint can get yourself a cut in pot and a tray for your roller. A short handle will make rolling a lot easier. Use your ladder as little as possible for safety reasons.

Next time we will start painting later Mitch paint

Prep and Paint Instructions:  Part 1


Thinking about getting some painting done around your home?
I can prep and paint for you, but if you prefer to DIY, here are some tips!

That's great and you have most likely heard a lot of tips. Well, some of the basics are still so very important and be sure to follow some basic rules.

Step 1 is Prep Work:
Under most circumstances, it shouldn't take you longer to do the prep than the actual painting.

1.  Remove those switch plates. Fill  holes and voids with spackle.

2.  Sand as needed and clean those walls and woodwork.

3.  Test the surface.  A very important step if your not a pro is to find out if the surface you're going to paint was previously painted with latex or oil.
You will need some denatured alcohol to test. Just put some alcohol on a rag a rub it on the surface you are going to paint.
If the paint comes off on the rag you have latex. and you can now use a latex primer.
However, if you have a oil finish you will need to use an oil base primer. Do not leave out this step!

    Note: You can put latex over latex but never latex over oil. This goes only for the finish coat. The reason you use an oil based primer over oil is that either oil or latex made be applied as your finish coats.    

Here is an exterior job I did not long ago:


Check out my blog next week for step two of your paint job....
If you have a question you can check my web site at www.watkinshomerepair.com or email at watkins.mitch@gmail.com

Thank you for viewing your Orlando and Central Florida Handyman blog and website!