Pro Spotlight: Nick Slavik
May 11, 2021KILZ® Brand products have been trusted by professional painters for over 40 years to deliver quality, long-lasting results. But you don’t have to just take our word for it! Today on The Perfect Finish, we’re excited to share a Q&A with professional painter Nick Slavik. He’s been in the business from a young age and if anyone knows about how to properly prep for and complete a paint job, it’s Nick. Born into a painting family, Nick is on a mission to improve the industry one painter at a time. His company is built on mentoring new painters with five core beliefs: Trust, Constant Improvement, Putting Forth Effort, Discipline Equals Freedom, and Quality Always Wins.
Novice painting professionals and DIYers alike, get ready to up your painting knowledge with this primer-focused interview. Let’s get rolling!
Why is KILZ your go-to primer brand?
It’s one of those things, if it doesn’t fail, keep using it. And it’s been 13 years of my own business. We just don’t stop using it. The only thing I need to think about is, “Will they have enough at the store?”
Where do you use KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer the most?
Exterior on barns and some historic homes that are wood. It almost feels like it amalgamates the wood and goes deeper than a super heavy-bodied primer. For interiors, one of the best uses is for breaking color, going from a deep color to a light color or vice versa.
How does KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer spray?
So, because of its consistency, very well. Honestly, I would be perfectly comfortable with buying a five-gallon bucket, putting a sprayer in it and just spraying without straining, just because the chance of it clogging is going to be very, very small. But as a standard operating procedure, we strain all our coatings before spraying anyway.
How fast or slow should you move with a sprayer?
Spraying is filled with variables that are personal preferences. Knowing that nobody is going to use a wet mil thickness gauge: don’t get a sag and make sure you cover the surface. Somewhere in there lies the truth.
What sprayer settings would you recommend for KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer?
The two main tips that we use are sort of double tipped tips where it goes through one orifice, atomizes it, and then hits another and atomizes it again. And those are magic tips. They produce the best efficiency, the least overspray, the best finishes you’ve ever seen in your life. Everybody always asks, what pressure do you put your sprayer? And the answer is super unsatisfying, most of my sprayers don’t have a dial indicator on them, so we actually don’t know what pressure it’s at, but if you spray and you get those kinds of little tails, or arms, or feet on the outside edges, you just bump the pressure up until they come in [to the main line] and you get a nice fan. And that’s it.
*This post is a paid partnership with Nick Slavik.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
Magnolia Home: Bold Kitchen Colors
May 11, 2021While a bright white kitchen is a timeless and classic look, sometimes adding a dash of dark color in your space can be the secret ingredient to achieving an elevated design style. In this kitchen, the open and light-filled layout was ideal for a bold color choice on the walls or cabinets.
“Going with a dark paint color for a space might feel intimidating to some, but when you find deep, rich tones like these that beautifully elevate the space, the risk is worth it.” – Joanna Gaines
The brick walls in this kitchen had a beautiful natural texture that combined with the light pouring in from the large open window, made for an ideal surface to hold a darker paint shade. The chosen color, Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint in Coffee Nook, offered the depth desired (a dark, smoky gray) with a softness that comes through in the blue undertones.
To complement the deep and dark walls, the cabinets were coated in a paint color with a similar gray hue but in a much lighter shade. The chosen color, Clean Slate, brought together a perfect pairing of cement gray and blue undertones. A white farmhouse sink and bright white countertops added airiness to the space, while minimalist open wood shelves added interest to the dark, brick wall.
This resulting kitchen is a design and culinary masterpiece, and proof that bold and dark color choices can be just the thing to take a design from simple to decadent. If you’re looking to explore using bold colors in your space and aren’t sure what to pair them with, explore the palette below of shades that complement Coffee Nook and Clean Slate.
Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint is available at select Ace Hardware store locations, and online at AceHardware.com and Magnolia.com.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
Magnolia Home: Modern Breakfast Nook
April 19, 2021Gathering with family or friends for a meal is one of the best ways to connect, and the experience is made even richer with a cozy and inviting environment – like this beautiful breakfast nook. A combination of modern tones and natural textures, this space proves that neutral colors can still make a design statement. The muted browns and golden grays in this eating area are a perfect recipe for a relaxing space.
“These grays bring a warm, grounding color to the walls, giving this breakfast nook a modern yet natural feel.” – Joanna Gaines
The impact of neutral paint colors is often determined by their undertones. A white shade with cool undertones might evoke a feeling of renewal or energy, while a neutral hue with a warm undertone can instill a welcoming coziness to a space. In this breakfast nook we used Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines® paint in Gatherings, a golden gray with warm amber undertones, for the walls.
The built-in bench was coated in Reclaimed Wood, a muted smoky brown that added just the right amount of depth to the dining space. Looking for more neutral paint pairings? Explore the palette below of six shades, all picked to coordinate with Gatherings and Reclaimed Wood. And for additional color inspiration, explore all 150 colors in the Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint line on kilz.com/magnolia.
Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paint is available at select Ace Hardware store locations, and online at AceHardware.com and Magnolia.com.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
Ask the Pro: Primer Makes a Paint Job Better
April 19, 2021
It’s no secret that here on The Perfect Finish we’re advocates of proper prep work, and for us that conversation always includes priming before you paint. Primer can do a lot for your paint job, and the professionals know it’s worth the extra step.
To share all the reasons why and how primer makes your paint job better, and answer some often asked primer questions, we brought back Product Manager John Golamco. He’s been on the KILZ team for over six years and has a wealth of primer knowledge. Ready to learn more? Let’s get rolling!
Is primer only necessary when your paint does not have primer in it?
Applying primer is an essential prep step when you apply paint or a topcoat coating. As such, it is important to apply primer first and then (once it’s dry) apply the topcoat/paint over the primer coat. Primer is engineered differently from paint – primer has more resin/binder in the formula, which is the “sticky stuff” that helps with adhesion and other additives that give the primer its ability to solve a variety of problems. Paint, on the other hand, has more pigment in the formula in order to deliver color.
How does primer make my paint job more durable and long-lasting?
Primer helps the paint or topcoat stick to the surface better and prevent problems like peeling and cracking – ensuring the topcoat lasts longer on the surface. Depending on the type of primer (there are several types), it can solve a variety of surface related conditions and problems that could ruin your topcoat paint if you didn’t apply primer first. Primers can evenly and uniformly seal porous surfaces; hide previous colors or marks and stains; block and seal in bleeding stains (like tannin, grease, nicotine, water stains… just to name a few!); seal in unwanted odors; enhance adhesion and help bond the paint/topcoat to the surface; and prevent mold or mildew on the primer film surface, and other special features. There are even primers formulated for different spaces in the home, like KILZ Kitchen & Bath Primer.
How many coats of primer do I need?
Typically, you only have to apply one or two coats of primer to achieve optimal results for which it is intended. One common misconception is that you need to continue to apply coats of primer until you completely cover the surface in a white finish or hide every area possible like you would do a paint. It is not the primers job to provide the final complete paint finish – that’s the paint’s job. Even if it doesn’t look completely covered, one or two coats is all you need as long as it is evenly applied. For blocking water stains or tannin from a “fresh” red wood surface, more premium stain blocking primer is recommended.
Does primer work on all previous paint sheens?
Just like most things you can buy, there are different types of primers ranging from the simpler ones that are made to just seal porous surfaces to the more sophisticated ones that offer additional features and benefits. Typically, the higher performing, more premium primers have better adhesion performance that allows it to stick to more surface types. Typically, the denser/harder the surface and the more sheen (higher gloss), the more difficult it is for paint or primer to adhere to. We recommend using high adhesion bonding primers for dense, glossy surfaces. Sometimes it is also necessary to perform a light sanding of the surface to help the primer bond to it. A high-performance primer such as KILZ 3® Premium Primer or KILZ® Restoration Primer will work with most paint sheens.
Can I apply primer on wallpaper?
When it comes to painting over old wallpaper, the best practice is to remove it completely, remove any old wallpaper glue and dirt residue, ensure the surface is clean and smooth and then apply primer and then topcoat with new paint. However, if painting over old wallpaper is needed, we recommend ensuring the old wallpaper is not peeling and adhesion to the wall is still sound. Then use an oil base primer such as KILZ® Original Primer to prime the surface before applying paint. Using an oil base primer will make sure there is less chance the adhesive of the wallpaper (which may be exposed at the seams) is compromised.
Is there a primer with a clear finish?
Most primers will adhere to wood however there are special primers that will apply in a clear transparent finish. We recommend KILZ KLEAR® Clear Sealer & Bonding Primer – a high performance fast-drying, multi-surface clear primer developed to seal highly porous surfaces inside and outside your home. It is also recommended for use when painting the same topcoat paint color on top of an existing paint coat.
Can primer be applied to peeling paint?
Applying primer or any additional topcoat coating to already peeling paint is not recommended. The adhesion or bonding of the paint to the surface is already compromised. Adding more layers of primer or any coating will add weight to the compromised paint and might cause it to peel off completely. We recommend removing the peeling paint and starting fresh with a clean surface.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
Transforming a Boring Bedroom into a Relaxing Oasis
April 8, 2021Nothing dulls the spirits more than a boring, dated bedroom design. That’s why we couldn’t wait to lift the spirits of this depressing bedroom with new colors and textures to make it sparkle with freshness.
Color has a huge impact on mood and energy levels; and especially given the stresses of the past year, it’s more important than ever to promote a healthful, stress-free atmosphere in all areas of your home — and most particularly, your bedroom. That’s why we chose creamy off-white colors that create a soothing atmosphere of calm and relaxation, while opening up the space visually so it doesn’t feel as stuffy and confined.
We began our project with the most valuable tools for any DIY makeover — primer and a coat of paint. For this makeover, we chose KILZ 3® Premium Primer, which did an amazing job of covering the old, drab olive-green paint and creating the perfect foundation for the new fresh white paint. KILZ 3 Premium Primer offers excellent adhesion and durability, allowing the new paint to glide on smoothly and adding to the longevity of your paint job.
Next, we added a coat of KILZ® Tribute® Paint in Collector’s White (TB-31). This is a creamy, barely-there white with subtle undertones of greige (gray/beige) to take the brightness down a notch, making it ideal for reflecting the sunlight filtering in from the glass doors in this master bedroom. Because of its cool undertones, we were able to use Collector’s White throughout the entire bedroom, creating a soothing, gently glimmering sparkle without a hint of harshness.
Our keynotes for this makeover were airy, simple, calm and relaxing, and we accomplished these with a streamlined Contemporary Swedish-Meets-Coastal California theme. For the focal point, we chose a modern four-poster bed in gray-toned brown natural wood. We added matching lacquered wood bedtables in a similar brown/gray shade, styled in keeping with our Scandinavian/Danish Modern theme.
We kept the attractive, natural hardwood floor, but added a cozy off-white rug. Other furnishings and accessories — including an armchair, lamps and bedding — were chosen to reflect the creamy white of the walls.
One interior designer’s tip: Pillows and other textiles are a great, affordable way to underscore your design scheme. We choose plump, oversized woven natural-fiber pillows in shades to tone in with the rest of the room, with handcrafted touches such as pom-poms and fringe. We finished the look with two attractive white ceramic lamps, styled in the Danish Modern tradition and topped with pale ecru linen shades.
The overall look is one of natural textures — crisp linens and woven cottons — giving this master bedroom a clean, fresh, inviting look of soothing freshness. When coupled with the bright sunlight filtering in from the glass doors, the impression is of a gleaming, glistening oasis for rest and relaxation — the kind of ambience you would look for in a luxury spa or hotel. And with quality primer and paint, the good news is that this pristine, fresh clean look can be easy to maintain as well.
Anyone can achieve a room transformation like this at an affordable price. The key is to choose colors that reflect the mood and ambience you want to create — whether it’s light and airy or warm and nostalgic. That’s why paint and primer are your greatest tools in any DIY makeover. They’re not only affordable, but they’re also so easy to apply that even a newbie can do it without any help, and with spectacular results.
With primer and a coat of paint, you can transform a dull, outdated room into a showplace. The primer will enhance all your painted surfaces, while protecting them from household dust, dirt and mildew. Likewise, a fresh coat of paint will lift a room into a new dimension of beauty and vibrancy. Just add a few pieces of furniture and accessories within your budget — and voila! You’ve created an affordable, elegant room makeover that will stimulate your sense of color and beauty, while relaxing your mind and spirits.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
Fun & Functional Home Gym Makeover
March 23, 2021The way we live has changed in the last year and we are doing more at home than ever before. Instead of time spent at yoga studios and gyms, many are streaming workout classes online and rolling out their yoga mats on the living room floor. Not everyone has an extra room waiting to be transformed into a boutique fitness studio, but if you do have an unused guest room, why not convert it into a custom home gym? That’s what we decided to do with this unused bedroom, and the results are stunning. The secret to our success was our quick and easy wall transformation — executed with a layer of primer followed by a vibrant coat of paint in an energizing color. It’s yet another example of how primer and interior paint can make a big impact and transform just about any space.
Here’s a look at exactly how we revamped this dull-looking bedroom into a sparkling home gym, using only primer, a coat of paint, a fun square of carpet and a few essential pieces of equipment. First, we tackled the walls, starting off with a coat of KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer, which was especially ideal for our project because it created a perfect base layer to ensure the new topcoat color would be vibrant and vivid. This all-purpose primer is known for its durability, so you can trust that your paint job will last longer.
Next came the fun part — choosing a color. We opted for something invigorating, encouraging you to go for that extra 20 minutes on the bike or treadmill. A bold and bright aqua, KILZ® Tribute® Paint in Tropical Escape (TB-56) is so vivid, it almost has a neon vibe. It was the perfect shade to wake up our gym space. As we layered it over our KILZ® Primer, we noticed immediately that the color seemed to pop from the walls, giving an amazing vibe of energy and vitality.
With a color like this, we knew that the flooring had to be something special. This bold geometric pattern caught our eye, and best of all, the colors matched our beautiful paint to perfection, proving that no matter how exotic your paint choices, there’s always going to be a bit of gorgeous flooring out there to match. We think that the combination of patterns and colors really adds a lot of character to the room — something you don’t always think of when creating a gym, but why not make your exercise space as attractive and appealing as the rest of your home? (Hint: The nicer it is, the more time you’ll want to spend there, which might even mean that you’ll exercise more). Another advantage to this carpet is its durability. For a home gym — or any type of space that gets a lot of physical impacts or foot traffic — it’s best to choose a durable, short-pile carpet that’s specially treated to resist stains, odors and moisture.
When renovating a room, you’ll want to first look for its advantages and figure out how to make the most of them. We recognized immediately that this room’s biggest assets were its two rectangular windows, so we made them into focal points by refreshing them with a coat of durable primer, followed by a coat of white paint. A good primer will give you that extra added adhesion you need for superior coverage when you’re painting — always a plus when you’re working with light colors because superior coverage will prevent the old colors from seeping through.
Nothing opens up a narrow space better than a full-length mirror (always a great accessory for any home gym), and we found one that added the perfect amount of depth to the room.
As for equipment, we kept it simple with just an exercise bike, along with a balance trainer ball and a few hand weights. The beauty of a bedroom-sized gym is there’s enough space for several pieces of equipment, so you’ll have enough space to add more items later on. We streamlined things even more by adding space-saving floor and wall racks (for equipment, helmets, and shoes) and a versatile gym bench for extra seating as well as storage.
Once we were finished, we decided hands-down that the paint color made all the difference and was the real winner here, proving once again a layer of primer and coat of paint can transform a room from a dull dud into a sizzling firecracker.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
PRODUCTS
Creative Ways to Carve Out Functional Spaces
March 23, 2021The home office is becoming as standard as the laundry room. With more people working from home than ever before, often alongside children who are distance learning, people have been forced to get creative with their living/working/study spaces. Rather than trading in your dining table for a desk, try one of these ideas that empower multifunctional spaces and add some design flair to your home at the same time.
Here’s how you can fit everything in your life comfortably into your home.
Carving Out Office Nooks
The “corner office” has taken on new meaning. If you feel like your office is quite literally crammed into the first corner made available in your home, it’s time to take a look around and see if you can give yourself an upgrade.
For some households, having a workspace in the main living area isn’t a big deal — especially if you have a laptop that you can easily fold away to make room for other things when work is over. However, if you need more room to spread, out or you just work better at an actual desk, there are creative ways to fit it in and make it look great. Take this small-space office nook for example – with KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer, a fresh coat of paint and built-in shelves, we converted a neglected nook into a pretty WFH space. See the full transformation here.
Building in Organization
Building organization into your house is essential for reducing all clutter that inevitably comes with spending more time at home. When things have a place at the end of each day, they’ll be out of your way. You might decide to relocate things around the house as you find new storage spaces, whether it’s under-the-bed, behind the couch, on top of the kitchen cabinets, or in the hall closet. The key to avoiding the look and feel of clutter is to have some rhyme and reason behind what you put where.
Adding some storage to your entryway or mudroom is a practical (and pretty!) way to keep the mess at bay. For this entryway storage center, KILZ Primer was the essential first step in transforming a boring wood bench into a statement piece. After priming the bare wood with KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer, a fresh coat of pretty gray-green paint (KILZ Tribute® in Typewriter TB-70), completed the look.
Pretty baskets and bins, like the boxes in our entryway project, keep things aesthetically pleasing. Consider going the extra mile with labels to help everything find its way back to its rightful place.
Visually Divide Multipurpose Spaces
If you’ve found yourself using words like “multifunctional” more than you ever thought you would, you’re not alone. Putting up walls and partitions may be infeasible and is less than preferable. So, when it comes to squeezing more living (and working) out of the living space you already have, there’s a trick: divide them visually instead of physically.
One of the best tricks to keep things pleasing to the eye and mentally in their place is to visually divide your spaces with the use of intentionally placed paint colors. These can be in the form of a full accent wall or a smaller arch or geometric design. The visual definition from a pop of color helps you define a space a within a space.
We’ve partnered with a few design savvy influencers in recent months who used primer and a coat of paint used to define their workspaces, and they are sure to inspire. Kathryn, from the blog Up to Date Interiors, used KILZ 2® All-Purpose Primer and KILZ® Paint to create a soothing blue arch behind her desk. Another fun and functional workspace came from Lindsey at Repurpose and UpCycle. Her ombre accent wall/desk combo came to life with the help of KILZ 3® Premium Primer and KILZ® Paint.
These visual dividers are pleasing to the eye and can even make your home feel larger when done right. Plus, it’s something you can do yourself. With primer and a coat of paint, KILZ can help you get more out of your home and make use of the space you already have.
Always remember to refer to our website kilz.com or product back labels for additional information on which primer is right for your project and detailed instructions on how to apply our products.
RELATED ARTICLES
get inspired:
FOLLOw us:
@kilzbrand
SHOP
join the conversation:
SHARE this post: