The Painter's Handbook will help you improve your skills to get the job done

An Introduction to Painting History of Paint Where Do You Fit in the Picture Creating a Profitable Paint Contracting Company Types of Business Structures Does Your Area Need Another Paint Contractor Establishing Your Business The Contractor's License Buying an Existing Business Start-Up Expenses Insurance Cost of Doing Business Hiring Employees An Accounting System for Your Business Accounting to the IRS Business Expenses Cost of Material Taxable Income The IRS Audit Paying Taxes and Getting Bank Loans Self-Employment Drawbacks Accounting, Inventory, and Management Control A Typical Company Budget The Realistic Budget Job and Quote Forms Expense Logs Profit and Loss Statements Inventory Control Computer Accounting Finding Your Gravy Train Specialty Painting Low Cost Specialty Painting "Specific General" Contracting Selling Proposal and Contract Contractor Warranties Presenting Yourself Estimating Estimating Labor Costs Rules for Good Estimating Estimating Materials Paints for Different Surfaces Surface Area Calculations Paint Coverage Charts Paint Remaining Charts Estimating Worksheets Painting Safety Building Codes Safety Precautions Choosing Paint Paint Quality Paint Life Paint Failures Specific Paints and Coatings Primers Color Residential Exteriors and Color Industrial Colors Interior Colors Color Choice Problems Color and Estimating Mixing Your Own Colors Touch-up Work Color Properties Surface Cleaning and Preparation Cleaning Surfaces Stain Removers You Can Make

Common Paint Problems: Prevention and Cure Paint Handling/Storage Problems Reason for Paint Failures Paint Application Problems Poor Coverage Moisture Problems Peeling Plaster, Wallboard and Cement Problems Poor Adhesion on Wood Water and Fire Damage Looking for Water Damage Sources of Water Leaks Repairing Fire Damage Selecting and Using the Right Tools Brushes, Pads and Rollers Spray Equipment Paint Removal Tools Ladders and Scaffolds Surface Prep and Painting Mixing Paint Preparing Interior Surfaces Painting near and on Wallpaper Wallpaper Removal Preparing Exterior Surfaces Staining vs. Painting Painting New Construction Building with Painting in Mind Scheduling the Painting Doors, Jambs and Trim Painting Redwood and Cedar Staining Spray Painting Conventional Spray Equipment Types of Spray Guns Thinning Paint Properly Airless Spray Systems Controlling Spray Patterns Cleaning Equipment Correct Tip Selection Exterior Surface Spraying Electrostatic Spray Painting Spray Painting Tips and Precautions Troubleshooting Guide Cement Products and Texturizing Masonry Paints Texture Coatings Spray-On Textures Repairing Texture Coatings Alternate Wall Coverings EPA Rulings Wallpaper Murals Wood and Paneling Tile Plastics Brick, Marble, and Rock Fabrics and Carpet Sound Control Charging for the Job Appendix Paint Chemistry Why Paint Adheres U/V Radiation Glossary Index