FS Construction Services Paint Contractor

Choosing the Right Paint Contractor

When it is done right, there are few things more satisfying than a quality paint job. For a relatively small amount of money, a fresh coat of paint can drastically improve the look of your house, room, barn, etc. Brian Garleb, our Paint Expert here at FS Construction Services, knows this as well as anyone with over 25 years of experience in his role as a certified paint contractor and industrial coatings consultant.
 

Chose the Right Paint Contractor for a High Quality Paint Job

 
Because we do a significant amount of work so close to where we are located, we find it particularly important that we always provide professional, quality services. It doesn’t help our clients and it doesn’t help us if we do a bad job. When you contract us for our paint services, there are a few things we do that we think makes us stand out above other paint contractors.

One of the most important parts of any paint service is getting the color right, which is why we use X-Rite color matching. We can get you the exact color you want time and time again. We use high-quality interior and exterior paint and have the ability to get to especially hard-to-reach locations. But we also know that getting the color and quality of the paint right and in the right places is only part of it. We will not only work with you to meet your deadline, but our goal, on every job, is to leave it exactly as we found it (except for the new paint). Taking care of the paint site, cleaning up materials, and making sure paint doesn’t go where it’s not supposed to are very important standards for us.

So if you are looking at an upcoming paint job and you’ve decided you want to bring someone in to take care of it, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services choose paint color

The Best Way to Choose a Paint Color

It often feels like there are few things that can bring as much joy and frustration as a paint project. On the one hand, you have an opportunity to update and transform the look and feel of a space in a relatively inexpensive way. On the other hand, you have pretty much everything else. Whether you like painting or find it a huge hassle, there’s one thing that everyone can agree on: finding the right paint color matters. It can be pretty deflating to find out that there’s a lot more green in the gray paint you bought than you realized. Or that the blue paint you bought is way darker once it’s covering an entire wall.

Let Us Help Find the Right Paint Color

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. At FS Construction Services, we use the X-Rite Color Matching system. And while this may just sound like a fancy name, it can actually keep you from the headache-inducing problems that go hand-in-hand with so many paint projects.

For instance, matching an exact paint color can be a nightmare, and having to look every day at something that’s close, but not quite right, is frustrating. That’s why we use a tethered spectrophotometer. Again, it sounds fancy, but this mobile tool allows us to come to you and scan any surface you like. After the scan, we are able to generate the exact color you want to match.

If you need some help deciding on accent colors or are looking for a complimentary color to what’s already in place, our Color Harmony tool can help find the optimal color to match what you have. And of course, sometimes you just need to see what it’s all going to look like before you can decide, which can obviously make deciding a difficult task. With our Home Visualizer tool, we can take an image of your space, and digitally paint it before your eyes so you can determine which color or which shade you want to go with.

With our X-Rite Color Matching system, our goal is to take the frustration, headaches, and unexpected surprises out of your painting experience.

 

If you need any color matching help, or if you are looking for someone to come and paint your space for you, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Putty vs. Spackling Gateway FS Construction Services Paint Services

Putty Vs. Spackling: What You Need to Know

At FS Construction Services, we know that when it comes to painting, there are always dozens of things to consider. Color, texture, priming, cutting, taping, etc. Along with those considerations is the ever-present issue of repairing the holes, dents, and scratches that always seem to show up. For many people, “putty” and “spackling” are words that can be used interchangeably, however there is a significant difference between the two and when you should use them.

Putty and Spackling Have Different Purposes

Putty
Putty is made from oil-based compounds that are used to fasten glass panes, seal pipe drains, and fill cracks in woodwork. For that reason, putty is often used for windows, plumbing, and for outside applications. Putty is user friendly, doesn’t require sanding, and can be painted over almost immediately. Painter’s putty is also oil based, and can be easily kneaded like dough to fill nail holes and to cover cracks and splits in wood trim before painting. Additionally, putty comes in a variety of colors to match the wood trim that is to be painted or stained. However, basic putty is not made to be used on drywall.

Spackling
Spackling is a water-based, wall-repair compound used to patch holes, dents, scratches, and other imperfections in drywall or plaster. Spackling works best after a wall has been primed, but before it has been painted. After applying spackling, you will have to wait for it to dry. Spackling will dry rough and lumpy and will require sanding to become even with the wall. Once it has been sanded, it can be painted over, and if done right, the hole, dent, or scratch will no longer be noticeable.

If you have any questions about painting, or if you don’t have the time or equipment and need someone to come and do that painting job for you, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services update painting services

Six Signs It’s Time to Update That Old Paint

For many people, painting is like a trip to the dentist. You know it needs to be done, you know it will be good for you in the long run, and yet you just don’t really feel like doing it. Some paint jobs have the added complexity of hard-to-reach places, lots of surface area to cover, or simply too much time negotiating a ladder. And yet despite all the work, eventually, it will need to be done. Because it’s a task that can require a lot of up-front effort, it’s one of those things that’s easy to put on hold, but holding out too long can cause long-term trouble. So we thought we would point out some signs that it’s time to finally update that old paint.

  1. Dry rot. Dry rot is caused by fungi that essentially eat away at wood, causing a loss in durability and strength. There are many types of protective paint that can be applied to protect your exterior wood to prevent this from happening.
  2. Cracking or breaking. When cracking or breaking of the base material is visible at the bottom of a structure, apart from being a sign of some other issues, it’s also a sign that it’s time to apply some new paint.
  3. Chipping or peeling. This one’s pretty obvious, but chipped or peeling paint is no good. Especially when it comes to outdoor structures, the more paint that chips away, the more exposed the material is to weathering and degradation.
  4. Color fading. It’s easy to forget just what color something used to be until you see it compared to its old self. Sunlight and a well-defined four seasons will slowly dull the color of your paint over time.
  5. Cracked or dried caulk. High-quality caulking is made to last ten years. If the caulking around doors and windows is starting to crack, dry, or peel, it could be a sign it’s time to also revisit the paint as well.
  6. If you have no idea when your structure was last painted, then it might be time to give it some fresh paint.

If you have an overdue paint job and don’t have the time, equipment, or desire to tackle it yourself, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. You can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Metal Building renovation

Breathing New Life Into an Old FS Building: Part 2

This is the second of two articles covering the extensive updates done to an old FS structure this past February as it transformed into something that looks like it could have been built yesterday. While it is always fun to build a brand-new structure from the ground up, sometimes it is equally satisfying to take an old structure and make it feel new again. Sometimes this is the renovation or preservation of something historic, and other times, it’s simply a matter of efficiency and cost, as it was with this great older building.

New Ceiling and Metal Walls Transform This Building

In the quest to ensure this old FS building would continue to serve its purpose, we added new sliding doors and a new roof over the smaller, office portion of the structure. After these first two changes were complete, our team went about a couple more major renovations. The first was the installation of a new ceiling in the 32 x 54’ shop area of the building. This new ceiling was filled with blown-in insulation to significantly increase the structure’s thermal efficiency.

With doors, roof, and ceiling all updated, there was one major update still left to tackle. The original building featured large polymer panels, effectively turning the building into a type of greenhouse. Similar to the doors, we replaced those polymer panels with red metal walls to match the rest of the structure and create a more unified look.

Relying on the solid bones of the original building, our team was able to make some key updates to ensure our client will have many, many more comfortable, functional years with this structure. If you are looking for steel or wood building work, whether it’s new construction or updating existing buildings, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

paint problems solved paint services Gateway FS Construction Services

5 Common Paint Problems and How to Fix Them

It’s incredible what a fresh coat of paint can do to a space: liven it up, make it seem bigger, highlight best features, etc. With that being said, there a number of small problems that can derail an otherwise professional-looking paint project.

Brian “Boomer” Garleb, Paint Services Specialist at FS Construction Services, has put together a list of five common paint problems (and their solutions) to watch out for when painting a new space.

  1. Fish eyes. Fish eyes happen when paint is applied over oil, dirt, silicone, or other incompatible coatings. These small, crater-like imperfections can be frustrating, but their fix is pretty straightforward. Before painting, use a cleaning solution to clear away any grease or oil stains. The best available solutions are bleach, paint thinners, and trisodium phosphate (TSP). After the area has been cleaned, it can be sanded and painted.
  2. Cratering/pitting. This happens when air pockets get trapped in wet film. The best fix is to sand down or smooth out the current finish and then apply a second coat.
  3. Uneven gloss. Uneven gloss can happen a few different ways: when film thickness is not of equal parts, when there is moisture in the coating, or when paint is applied over a primer that hasn’t fully dried. The fix for this problem is simply, patience. It’s tempting to try and rush a paint job to be done with it, but everything must be allowed to properly dry before painting over.
  4. Fading color. When moisture gets trapped behind paint, it usually causes the paint to fade. The solution to this problem is in the kind of paint you buy. Purchasing paint with a powder tint, rather than a liquid tint will prevent this issue from occurring.
  5. Paint wrinkling. Paint wrinkling happens when too much paint is applied. If this has happened, the too-thick coat will need to be removed and then painted again with the proper amount of paint.

Painting is not only a detail-oriented process, but also one that many people would rather finish as quickly as possible. A little bit of patience and extra attention can solve most issues you would run into while painting, however, if you are interested in our painting services, or would like a free estimate, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services Residential Painting

Hassle-Free Painting With FS Construction Services

Over the years we’ve found that many people have had an experience that goes something like this: You decide its finally time to paint but realize you don’t have the time, patience or skill to make your new home maker look like it could be a featured product on those home makeover / fixer upper programs on TV! Not to worry.

Whether you’re looking for professional painters to do a job you simply don’t have the time or energy for, or it’s a job that’s too difficult or complicated, FS Construction Services has you covered. Interior, exterior, big, small, our paint specialists can handle all kinds of jobs.

Recently, Brian “Boomer” Garleb came to the rescue of a family who knew what they wanted but wanted to make sure it was done right. While some projects are only room or two, this project was much more involved and included a family room (with a 22’ vaulted ceiling), foyer, kitchen, two hallways and laundry room.

In the client’s own words, the experience was as simple as this, “We reached out to Boomer and he came by the house to look at the rooms we wanted done and provide a quote. He even helped us figure out how much paint we needed to buy. They showed up with all the tools, brushes, drop cloths, tape, and everything needed to get the project started.” One of the many benefits of hiring the FS Paint Service paint team is the experience they bring to every project.

“Honestly, we couldn’t be more pleased with the work. They finished on schedule and even a little under the quote they provided. Now we can get back to enjoying our home and we are loving it.” The home owner even told us, “This would have taken me WAY longer to complete and wouldn’t have looked nearly as good as what Brian and his crew did.”

With FS Construction Service’s paint services, painting never has to be complicated again. If you are in need of a fresh coat of paint, whether interior or exterior, residential or commercial, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services paint experts

2 Keys To A Paint Project That Stands The Test Of Time

Paint is a funny thing. When it’s done well, it’s one of the easiest things in the world to ignore. But when it’s done poorly, or when it’s in need of some serious updating, it makes even the nicest buildings look unsightly, old, and ugly. We know how tempting it can be to want to finish a paint job quickly, which can lead to improper prep work and ultimately, shortened paint longevity.

Our paint team at FS Construction Services understands exactly what a good paint job can do, which is why we take great pride in making sure every paint project we complete is handled with the greatest care and attention to detail. The first key to a paint project that stands the test of time is ensuring prep work is done properly. Our prep work involves scraping existing paint, power washing, using a cleaner like TSP or chalk remover, and applying a primer. We’ve always believed that primer is the key, not only providing adhesion for the top coat, but providing overall protection for your building.

We know how easy a great paint job is to overlook. We also know just how much of a difference it can make when it’s done well, especially in ways that can’t be seen. This leads us to the second key factor to ensuring your paint project looks great for years to come, a team of experienced professionals with a dedication to detail and quality. Over the past year, our paint team has been hard at work on the 60+ projects. From sheds to grain bins to roofs to trim to entire homes and buildings, we have had great support and feedback from the communities we serve. We appreciate your trust and know none of this happens without you.

Brian “Boomer” Garleb and the team of paint professionals are thankful to all of you who have trusted your special projects to our team over the years. 2018 was a great year and are looking forward to the many opportunities and challenges 2019 will bring.

So, if you have outdoor structures that could use a touch up, whether they are residential, commercial, or agricultural, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists provide you with a free estimate and help you achieve the fresh new look your project deserves. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services interior exterior painting services

5 Common Paint Problems and Their Quick Fixes

Summer is a great time to finally get around to all the paint projects that have been building up over the year. With this in mind, our paint expert, Brian “Boomer” Garleb has come up with his top five problems that most paint projects will run into at some point and how to fix them.

  1. Fish eyes: Fish eyes occur when paint has been applied over oil, dirt, silicone, or incompatible coatings. Luckily, fish eyes are an easy fix. First, you’ll need to remove the grease or oil stain with a cleaning solution. Usually bleach, paint thinner, or trisodium phosphate (TSP) will work. After the area has been cleaned, the area can be sanded down.
  2. Cratering/Pitting: Another common problem is cratering or pitting. This occurs when air pockets get trapped inside wet film. The solution, however, is easy enough, and just involves sanding or smoothing out the existing finish and applying another coat over the sanded area.
  3. Uneven gloss: Uneven gloss is when film thickness is not equal, when there’s moisture in the coating, or when a topcoat is applied over wet primer. Solving this problem simply means allowing more drying time.
  4. Fading paint: Moisture trapped behind paint is more likely to cause paint to fade. Purchasing paint already colored for factory, which has a powder tint rather than a liquid tint, is an easy way to fix this common problem.
  5. Paint wrinkling: This happens when too much paint is applied. To fix it, remove the bad paint and recoat the affected area.

So there you have it, five common problems and five simple solutions. If you ever have a paint project or other service projects you don’t feel up to tackling, you can let Gateway FS Construction Services know. You can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

The FSCS Team – Our Experience is Your Advantage

Recently, we posted an article that showcased the equipment FS Construction Services has at its disposal. This equipment, obviously, is fundamental to the projects in the Ag, Suburban and Commercial applications we work on and allows us to tackle everything from the complete construction of a new pole barns and steel building to smaller ’handyman’ jobs.

And while we are indebted to this equipment and what it can do, the reality is that FS Construction Services wouldn’t be able to do anything at all if it wasn’t for the highly skilled team that we have on staff. Their individual and collective expertise is easily the greatest advantage that our company has, so we wanted to take a moment to highlight these professionals.

  • Operations Manager – Greg Birchler
  • Grain Systems – Nathan Koester
  • Building & Construction – Tom Marcheski
  • Inside Sales & Support – Nathan Bleem
  • Paint Services – Brian “Boomer” Garleb
  • Praxair & General Inquiries – Alicia Easter
  • Service Manager – Jarret Herzog
  • Concrete Finishing – Brandon Oglesby

In total, our crew is made up of:

  • Carpenters
  • Service/fabrication & maintenance workers
  • Construction & service laborers
  • Parts & service manager
  • Inside sales/service representative
  • Administrative & customer support
  • Buildings/construction support
  • Grain systems/structures support
  • Grain systems/USC sales support

The extraordinary staff we have at FS Construction Services and the wide-ranging knowledge and capabilities they bring is what allows us to say that there really is no project too big or too small for us to tackle.

As always, if you have any questions, let Gateway FS Construction Services know, you can give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.