Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about our residential or commercial painting services, explore our range of frequently asked questions below, or feel free to contact a friendly member of our team, and we’ll be more than happy to help! 

Is your work guaranteed? 

Yes. All of our workmanship is guaranteed for 5 years. The paint itself is guaranteed by the paint manufacturer.

At Brilliant Coatings, we only use premium paints. If a defect in workmanship appears and is reported to our company within the warranty period, we will inspect the affected areas and make any necessary repairs to the painted area.

The guarantee from Brilliant Coatings shall be for repairing the defective paint area and not any consequential damages to substrates or anything else. Some issues, for example peeling, may be due to influences other than workmanship and are not covered by this warranty. When we are finishing your job we ask you to take a walk around the property with our foreman, to take care of any touch ups required.

How do your prices compare to other contractors? 

“You only get what you pay for” - We all want to get excellent value for our money, the cheapest price and the best price are very seldom one in the same. A “cheap” job can become very expensive when you need to call in another painter, such work has little and in some cases no preparation, so it would require a complete repaint after a short time. This would in fact cost you substantially more than getting the job done properly in the beginning.

We focus on detailed preparation in order to make our job last. We only use top quality premium paints from established paint companies. Our prices are very competitive when you are comparing the same preparations and procedures as others. When you combine this with our guarantee and compare us to other contractors, we know you will find us to be excellent value.

How soon can you start painting & how long does it take to complete? 

Once the job is scheduled, you will be given an approximate starting date. We will call you to confirm the start date a day or two before work begins. In most cases we can begin within 1 to 2 weeks. Even at peak seasons, lead-time is never more than 3 weeks.

If it is necessary to get your property painted immediately, we can probably make special arrangements to paint right away or on the weekend. We are available for both commercial and residential customers who need work done during weekends.

How long do the jobs normally take to complete? 

Once Brilliant Coatings begins work on your job, a team will be there on consecutive days until your job is completed. Team sizes and product drying times will determine how long each project takes to complete.

Exteriors - What should we do before the painters arrive? 

If possible, please walk around your home before the painters arrive. It will be helpful to us if you can remove any items that are against or near the house. This would include woodpiles, potted plants, lawn furniture, tools etc. All plants, trees and flowers will be covered to protect them from paint. Some branches may need to be trimmed to provide access to surfaces.

Interiors - What should we do before the painters arrive? 

If not previously arranged, please prepare rooms for us by doing the following:

• Remove all pictures and paintings (leave nail holes if you plan to re-hang pictures in the same spot).
• Remove unwanted nails so the holes can be filled.
• Remove all small and fragile objects – tables, shelves and floors should be left empty.
• Remove all window treatments.

By providing clear access for our crew it will allow Brilliant Coatings to do a more complete job. It would be helpful also to make arrangements to have any pets looked after during the job. If you need help with heavy or high items please ask.

We will do the following:

• Move all furniture into the centre of the room
• Cover furniture and lampshades with clear plastic.
• Remove and replace all switch plates.
• Cover all floors with drop sheets
• Tape skirting boards to prevent paint from dripping.
• Clean the room upon its completion.

After we leave, we recommend that you do the following:

• Open and close all windows every other day for 1-2 weeks to prevent sticking.
• Wait 2 weeks before paint is fully cured for aggressive wear and tear.

I have received a number of estimates from different painting contractors and there seems to be a wide variance in prices, why is that? 

There are a number of good painting contractors to choose from and what you will normally find is that the established companies are usually fairly close in price. However at times you will get an estimate that is a lot lower than others and at times you may get one that seems excessively high. There could be many factors here. Some factors include:

• Is the company licensed and insured?
• Do the painters work for the company, therefore being subject to all of the additional expenses? or are they daily labour?

How thorough is cleanup?

Cleaning up is a very important part of our job. All materials used in the painting of your property will be removed. Paint scrapings and sanding dust will be swept from the walkways, driveways, decks etc. Any spills are immediately and thoroughly removed.

Although we do clean-up rooms after we are finished, this clean up is no substitute for a cleaning service. It is recommended that you have someone do a thorough cleaning after we have left.

How will my property be protected from paint? 

All items and/or surfaces that are not to be painted are covered with clean drop sheets and/or plastic sheets, or moved from the area (and later replaced), or otherwise protected as a normal part of our preparation process.

I have some cracks that always reappear, is there anything we can do?

Cracks can always be repaired and regardless of the preparation done some may reappear. However, your best chance at successfully repairing those cracks is to dig out the crack, fill it, tape it with a fibreglass mesh tape and sand it smooth. Then prime over your patched area before repainting.

What effect does weather have on painting? 

It really has no effect. This is because Brilliant Coatings will only paint on days that are suitable for painting. Your job is fully warranted and we will not do any painting in conditions that may jeopardise this warranty

What kind of paint do you use? 

We use many products from all companies because each job is different. Which paint company we use on your project is determined by customer preference, location of project, nature of work to be accomplished, and length of warranty required. This way, we are able to provide the best products for your job.

Does someone have to be home during the painting process? 

Not necessarily, but we do recommend it. We prefer that you watch our work in progress so we may answer any questions. We do require access to electricity and water. All doors will need to be open during the painting process and left open 3 to 5 hours to dry properly. If you are unable to be home, we can make special arrangements for you.

Is oil-based paint better? 

Improvements in acrylic, waterborne paint technology have improved substantially. The result is a quick drying acrylic-latex paint which levels well, cleans up with water, and can stand up to severe wear and tear.

In addition, latex paints do not yellow. Because of the nature of their composition, oil based paints (particularly whites and off-whites) begin yellowing almost the moment they are applied. Not only does this result in a gradual discoloration of the paint film, it makes touch-up increasingly difficult as time passes. Oil-based primers, interior enamel and industrial grade enamel are still available in their original formulation and perform well.

Flat, Semi or Full Gloss? 

Full-gloss is superior for cleaning and durability, so it is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, high-traffic hallways, on ceilings, walls, and woodwork.

Semi gloss is ideal for woodwork in most other rooms apart from wet areas.

On the other hand, semi-gloss will not show as many imperfections as full gloss on surfaces.

Low sheen is mainly used in general rooms on walls because it's washable and has a slight sheen to it, it goes well with woodwork which is painted with a semi gloss finish.

Flat does a superior job of hiding slight irregularities in the wall surface, so it is frequently used in living and dining rooms. It also scatters light falling on it, preventing glare. However, its more porous surface is not easily cleaned.

These same characteristics are also true of exterior paint. Flat paints tend to attract dirt more readily, and do not clean as well as paints with some sheen. However, high gloss paints also magnify defects in the surface.

A satin finish provides clean ability without the negative characteristics of higher gloss paints.

I have oil-based paint on my woodwork, can I change it to an acrylic enamel?

Yes! However there are necessary steps that must be taken first in order to assure success. Only use a contractor who is knowledgeable about those steps and one who is willing to explain the proper procedures for your particular substrate to you.

My house is only three years old and it is covered in mildew. Should a paint job last longer than that?

Yes, a paint job should last longer than three years. However, exterior paint requires regular maintenance, (especially in areas with volatile weather patterns) to maintain its appearance and extend its life. The mildew growth you are experiencing is not uncommon, particularly on newer homes. Builders frequently use paints which do not contain a mildewcide.

Your paint may be in fine condition. I would recommend cleaning the exterior of your house, and then inspecting the paint. In addition to being unsightly, mildew can also destroy the paint film. Regularly cleaning the exterior will not only improve the appearance but extend the life of your paint as well

My house is about 50 years old and has been painted many times. Some areas look fine but others are peeling terribly. What causes this?

There are probably a number of causes. Areas exposed to the afternoon sun, generally in the West, can take a real beating. The intense heat causes the paint film to expand. If the paint film cannot expand sufficiently, cracks will develop and moisture can get under the paint film and cause even further damage. In an older home, it is most likely that oil based paint was used at some time. Because oil based paint continues to harden over time, these layers of paint will be extremely brittle. Each layer of paint will expand at different rates which will contribute to the stress on the paint film.

In areas where the old paint has been removed down to bare wood, adhesion is probably much better than those areas with multiple layers of paint. This too can cause problems as the edges of the old paint curl, allowing for moisture penetration.

The most effective long-term solution is to completely remove all old paint. However, with a good job, this will be time consuming, and consequently, an expensive process.

The bricks on the exterior of our house have been painted. We would like to remove the paint and restore the house to its original appearance. How easily can this be accomplished

Most likely, not easily! If the bricks were prepared properly, it may be virtually impossible to return them to their original appearance. This is one of those rare situations in which you will be better off if the quality of the original work was inferior.

The porous nature of brick requires the application of a primer/sealer to the surface. The primer should penetrate the bricks and seal the surface. If the paint is applied directly to unsealed bricks, the bricks will absorb the paint unevenly, resulting in a spotted appearance. Because the primer is absorbed into the brick, removing it without damaging the bricks might prove impossible.

There are several methods for removing the paint. A pressure washer can be used, though care should be exercised. High pressure water can damage mortar and soft bricks. Sand blasting, in either a wet or dry form, can also be used, though again, damage to the bricks can easily occur. A chemical stripper can be used to soften the paint film, which can then be removed with a pressure washer or a scraper. However, if the stripper softens the primer, it could cause further absorption into the bricks. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to your question. Each method can be effective, though progress will be slow, tedious, and messy. Some property owners in your situation have elected to remove as much of the paint as possible, and leave the remainder on the bricks. The result can be attractive. My suggestion would be to experiment on a small area. This will allow you to identify the method which will be most effective, as well as determine if the appearance you seek is possible.

Primers and sealers, are they necessary?

Yes, primers and sealers are very important. A sealer, with its high degree of resin, seals the porosity of the substrate. Without it, the substrate would soak up the finish coat like the ground soaks up rainwater. Primers are used in preparing surfaces for painting, resulting with a finish coat that looks better and lasts longer.

How do I select the right colour for the exterior of my house?

Your home’s exterior is the first impression visitors have of you. You should want it to look good. First, be sure to take into account the fixed colours of your home – brick, stonework and the roof colour. You may want to consider choosing a paint colour that will pick up the colour from one of these non-painted areas such as, for example, a brown that appears in your brick. In addition, the style of your home may play a role in the colours you select. If, for example, you have an architecturally accurate reproduction of a colonial-style home, you may want to use authentic exterior colours from that period. Or, if you have a Victorian-era home you may want to use a number of colours to accentuate the architectural details on your home from that era. Another way to set your home off is to create an interesting welcoming entrance by painting your front door in a bold colour scheme. A fool proof way is to buy sample pots of your chosen colour and paint a small area, do not forget to look at the area at different times of the day as lighting plays an important role.

How is payment handled?

Depending on the size of the job, a deposit is required upon signing of contract. With smaller jobs, payment is due in full upon completion of work. Please make arrangements to pay when the job is complete. In the case of larger jobs a progressive payment schedule will be set up.

How often should I repaint the exterior of my property?

If paint is starting to peel, the sooner you repaint the better. The longer you wait, the more preparation time will be necessary and the higher the cost will be. Some businesses and homeowners paint every 4 to 6 years. Why? It keeps the home or business looking its best at all times, they stay ahead of deterioration, and it’s very cost effective because there is very little prep time - just sand and paint. Having to spend 4 or 5 days scraping peeling paint can add a tremendous amount to the cost of a new paint job. A fresh paint job can help the value of a property!

How will the paint on my project be applied?

We use brushes, rollers and spray equipment. The specific method of application is determined on a job-by-job basis, by customer preference, timeframe, and location.

What do I do if I have a complaint?

If you have any problem at all with your paint job, please give us a call! We will take care of it!

What if I don’t like the colour I picked?

We want you to be happy upon the completion of your job.

But regardless of the quality of work done, if at the completion you are unhappy with the colour you chose, you most likely will not use our company again.

Every painting contractor has had a job where the customer liked the quality of work, the crew and everything about the company but they were unhappy with the colours used and now their whole perspective is clouded and they view the job as a bad experience.

After selecting a painting contractor, the selection of colours to be used are the next most important decision you need to make. Take your time on colour selection. Ask for colour charts ahead of time and buy a sample pot of paint to try it on a couple of different areas of your home as well as in different types of lighting if you feel you need to.

The cost of a few sample pots of paint is much cheaper than repainting a room or entire house if you end up unhappy with the colour chosen.