Catchlight Painting Blog
The Curse Of The Plastic Drop Cloth
One of the tasks we take very seriously when we are welcomed in a customer's home to paint is cleanliness. For my part I am on the OCD end of the spectrum when it comes to cleanliness - my weekends involve exercise, trail running with my dog Huey, and vacuuming my...
Differing Surface Conductivity, Fireplaces and Old Homes … A Paint Nerd’s Dream Project
Exhibit A: the ceiling of a parlor in one of JFK's childhood homes in Brookline. A well-loved room, filled with books, comfortable chairs and a working fireplace - this is my idea of nirvana. The clients obviously enjoy the fireplace, as evinced by the accumulated...
What the Heck Is Moisture Bagging?
I had no idea either, until I moved to New England from San Francisco and encountered a multitude of paint failures that are unique to old wood houses and Old Man Winter. The above photo is of an elevation on the Fitch Inn in Bedford, the start of Paul Revere’s famous...
Boston’s Best House Painters
We're known for being discriminating, and also for being more expensive than most Boston painting companies. We pride ourselves on superlative finishes of course, and also on meticulous prep. So it's often a surprise to our clients when they hand us the keys to...
A Front Entrance Remodel In Newton, MA
A call came from a Newton homeowner, referred by one of our customers; an exterior painting project in need of estimating and consulting; a strange issue with sidelights around the front door that couldn't be explained. A home inspector, a general contractor, and a...
A Boston Painter in South Korea
One of our past foremen, Joe Voigts, now teaches English in Korea, and he sent along this photograph of an elaborately painted and decorated eave. We've worked on plenty of Painted Ladies in our time, but nothing quite so detailed! Joe's last photo we posted a few...
The Transition from Military to Civilian Life – Part 2
If you missed Part I, you can read it here. The Transition from Military to Civilian Life - Conclusion By Mike Glowacki Oliver Stone once said something about being in war that was one of the few things about being in war that made sense to me. He said something like,...
The Transition from Military to Civilian Life – Part 1
We're an eclectic bunch here at Catchlight; no knuckledraggers amongst us, nor mouthbreathers. We hire for aptitude, attitude and presentation; our people spend a lot of time in our clients' homes, interacting with kids, pets and in-laws. We like to make sure every...
Lead-Safe Exterior Painting in Greater Boston
Each month seems to bring a new EPA clarification on how we are supposed to implement the RRP protocols while working on homes coated in lead-based paint. The article below introduces a new wrinkle, arguing that the current 10 foot rule is still inadequate in keeping...
Boston’s Dog Days of Summer
The Friday before last, all craftsmen and women were given a paid day off to escape the heat. Even those who were working inside Boston's older homes were without A/C and when the conditions were exacerbated by the need for respirator use and other personal...
