We know, from completing thousands of projects, that following
our 21 steps will give you a lasting paint job.

Here are the 21 steps we take before we even lift a brush. 

1. Survey entire project. At this time the foreman and crew will determine exactly what has to be done and how it will be executed. Any priming will be performed as soon as they are prepared.  Read More

    

2. Check with customer to find out what rooms they need completed first. Some customers want certain rooms to be completed first or to hold off on others until later in the job.  Read More

    

3. Verify colors, products and sheens. These have a big impact on how the overall project will look when completed.  Read More

    

4. Move large furniture away from walls. We ask the customer to unplug computers and televisions, remove breakable items, glassware and books from the inside of the furniture being moved.  Read More

    

5. Set up shop area and put down runners from shop area into house. This ensures the majority of foot traffic going through your home will be clean and organized.  Read More

    

6. Mask off floors, cover furniture, protect anything that is not being painted. Make sure to go over these items with your foreman so that we can take as much care of your valuables as possible.  Read More

    

7. Remove light fixtures and plug/switch plates.  Read More|

    

8. Remove blinds and curtains and place in a safe area. Now might be a good time to think of cleaning your curtains since they will be removed.  Read More

    

9. Patch cracks in walls/ceilings, fill holes. Any minor cracks and holes will be filled and smoothed over. Be sure to speak with your estimator about larger damages to the drywall.  Some areas may need some extra care.  Read More

    

10. Check for mildew and remove it. Any mildew should be removed before El Gato paints the surface. This ensures the mildew will not seep through the paint after we are done.  Read More

     

11. Prime water stains and new patches. Any water stains and patches should be primed over with the proper primer before painting.  Read More|

     

12. Check for oil base paint and prime. Water based paints do not adhere to oil based surfaces unless a hybrid coating is applied to the oil based surfaces.  Read More

     

13. Caulk around door casings, window casings and baseboards. Any gaps between the wood and the walls should be property filled in before painting.  Read More

     

14. Full sand all doors, casings and baseboards. A light sanding prepares the surfaces for a proper adhesion with the new coat of paint.  Read More

     

15. Light sand all walls to knock off high spots and debris. This will create a smooth workable surface for painting.  Read More

     

16. Dust off walls/ceilings and remove cobwebs. Surfaces should be as clean as possible before painting over them.  Read More

     

17. Degrease heavily soiled doors/jambs, walls and cabinets (if the cabinets are being painted) Grease prevents a proper adhesion between the surface and the new coat of paint.  Read More

     

18. Remove door handles and mask off hinges prior to painting. We will not remove doors unless that has been specified with the estimator.  Read More

     

19. Clean up each day to allow access to all rooms at night. We make sure to keep our working surfaces cleaned at the end of each day.  Read More

     

20. Clean up all plastic, paper and debris at the end of the project. Your house should be as clean as when we arrived.  Read More

     

21. Leave touch up paint for customer. Any leftover paint will be left with you. We can provide a quart of paint for any products that were completely used.

If it sounds like a lot of work…it is. Following these 21 steps completely is what makes you a satisfied customer and gives you a paint job you will be happy with. And that’s our goal.