LEADING EDGE
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING

Need some rooms painted in your home or office? Call Leading Edge! Our team of experienced interior painters have the skills and equipment to get the job done right - the first time, every time. We have access to certified color experts who can help you with your color selection needs. Whether you need just the trim painted or the entire inside of your home, our professional painters will be there from start to finish. Our end goal is to make sure your home looks exactly the way you envisioned it to be. At Leading Edge, we know how valuable your home is to you. We take the time to prepare and set up properly to make sure your home is painted the way you expect and that nothing is damaged in the process. To experience Painting Done Right, just call 231-613-5440.

At Leading Edge, we have the experience and know how to turn your exterior painting project into a reality. Our exterior painting professional will transform the exterior of your home or office on time and within budget. We'll take the time to clean and prepare the surface of your home to ensure the best paint adhesion. Actually, we often spend more time preparing to paint than actually painting – this is critical to long lasting paint jobs! We'll work side-by-side with you to choose the proper colors and corresponding finishes to ensure your home turns out the way you envision. Also, we can work within your budget and help ensure that your color selections fit the architectural style of your home. When you're ready to experience Painting Done Right, call 231-613-5440.

Before we begin our exterior house painting project, we keep these steps in mind. First, we remove as many items as you can (planters, mailboxes, shutters, house numbers, hoses, outdoor furniture, light fixtures, etc.). Then we protect any bushes or items that can't be removed by covering them up with drop cloths. We also put drop cloths under the areas you plan to paint. Next, be sure to clean (an option is to power wash), repair (fill in holes or cracks with caulk), and prime all surfaces before painting your house's exterior. Once the primer coat has dried and all your preparations are complete, you're ready to paint. Then we mix our paint thoroughly before you start painting–and continue to stir it during use. Start with the Body of the House ("Fascia") When tackling the exterior house painting project, we can paint with either a brush, a roller or a sprayer and many times all three. Spraying and rolling can save you time, but many times you will need to use a brush for corners, trim, and doors. To load your paintbrush, immerse the first third of the bristles into the paint and tap it lightly against the inside of the can. Try not to drag the bristles across the lip of the can, as this will remove too much paint. When you apply paint, use long, smooth strokes with your brush. On clapboard surfaces, if paint gathers along the horizontal edge, it has been applied too heavily or not brushed out enough. Remember that for a well-spread, even coat, you should brush oil-based house paints back and forth several times. Latex paints, however, require less brushing. Because they dry out quickly, excessive brushing can cut deep brush marks into the paint film. When you use latex paints, apply the paint generously with one or two back strokes and then leave it to dry. Applying paint with a roller works well with porous surfaces like masonry and stucco. Ideal for flat surfaces, rollers will not fit into inside corners, and will often deposit too much paint on the edges of outer corners. To use a paint roller, dip your roller in the paint tray, rolling it back and forth to remove any excess paint. If it drips when you pick it up, it is overloaded. Use long, even strokes, and roll in different directions to coat the entire surface. Finish painting with strokes in one direction. The trim should be the last area you paint. Begin by coating your window sash and door paneling first, and then paint the window frames, sills, and door trim. If paint gets on the window's putty line, it will serve to protect the puttied surface from water. To create a clean edge, scrape off any excess paint with a razor blade. If shutters can be removed, paint them separately and replace them when the rest of the job is finished. Then it's time to admire the work!