Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012 - (Page 26)

Eko Painting Inc. Serving Hawaii Since 1993 SBA 8(a) & DOT DBE Certified Bonded/Insured License No. 25219 Life of Paint Light, ongoing maintenance will keep your paint bright. COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL & INDUSTRIAL By Scott Kikuyama ne of the quickest and most cost effective ways to improve the value and desirability of you property is by painting. Whether it be interior or exterior work, it will go a long way in making your property more appealing to residents, leasers, renters, buyers, customers and the like. But after spending all that hard earned money on your project, how do you get the most out of your investment? The simple answer is maintenance. With proper maintenance of your new paint job you can expect to have a good 5 to 7 years on exterior jobs, and longer on interior work, before having to even think about painting again. Below are a couple of steps to extending the life of your paint. To help keep your paint vivid, it is important to “wash” it down periodically. Just like the exterior of your car, if left on its own it will eventually look like a beater. Washing smaller walk-ups and townhouses could be as simple as shooting down the exterior surfaces with a garden hose. It will go a long way in keeping your investment clean and bright. Areas with overhangs or shady areas should be treated with a simple 3-to-1 water-to-bleach solution in order to minimize the growth of mildew. Just spray it on with a garden sprayer, let sit for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off. Always use proper personal protective equipment, such as gloves and goggles when doing this step. Washing removes the dirt and grime that are the foundation for colonies of microbial organisms. A quick wash—even once a year —will make a big difference in the lifespan of your investment. For larger buildings, consider hiring a professional pressure washer, with specialized water brushes and controlled levels of power and pressure. Many companies can O Our well-trained and knowledgeable staff provides excellent workmanship with a particular focus on safety and customer satisfaction We specialize in Painting Concrete Spall Repair Wall Coverings Various Special Coating Systems • • • • painting Phone: 808-591-9882 Fax: 808-591-9872 info@ekopainting.com FREE ESTIMATE 26 June-July 2012 remove all surface dirt and grime from vertical walls, windows and walkways, making your exterior clean and fresh. Pressure washing can also be used in parking garages, sidewalks and front entrances, which are some of the first things people see when arriving at your property. Paint touch up is another easy way to help add longevity to your investment. Nicks or cracks in your interior or exterior paint film will allow moisture to penetrate under the protective paint coatings. Once moisture gets in, paint failures such as peeling, blistering and flaking are sure to follow. Simple touching up of any nicks, scuffs or damages that you see as you move around your property will extend the time period to your next repainting date. People tend to make touching up a drama-filled chore, which is why it is rarely done. When touching up, all you really have to do is add paint to where it is missing. If you have a spot that is an inch long, add paint to that inch of area. Most touch ups that I see are big blobs that someone did over a very small damage. Keeping the touch up small will add the necessary protection while still keeping the surface visually pleasing. That trick I learned from my dad, a very smart and wise man. Simple steps are all you need to do to extend the life of your paint job. Of course using painting contractors that are reputable and quality oriented go a long way, too. Scott Kikuyama, Project Manager/Estimator for M. Shiroma Painting Co. Inc., has been in the painting industry for 25 years, specializing in commercial, medical and residential, new and renovation projects. BMH www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012

Contents
Editor’s Note
When the Winds Blow
Why Waterproof? Keep your building watertight & upright.
Get Watertight Water is the greatest solvent in the world ... keep your building dry.
What Drains Your Building?
Asbestos Exposed How to safely recover from mold and flood damage.
Mold Misunderstood
Water Leaks—from Bad to Worse
The Power of Paint
Life of Paint
It’s Best to Test A paint test can detect lead, and be the trick in finding a paint that will stick.
Industry News
Movers & Shakers
Association Updates
Resource Guide: Waterproofing & Painting

Building Management Hawaii - June/July 2012