Professional painting

Professional painting

At The Painters Ames Painting Company, we treat “professional painting” as a disciplined, end-to-end process; not just a new color on the wall. It’s careful surface diagnosis, a prep sequence that sticks, the right primer for the substrate, premium coatings applied to spec, and a tidy job site from start to finish.

If you’re searching for painters near me in Ames or Story County, read this article to find out exactly what we do, how we do it, what it typically costs, and how we protect your home or business while we work.

Why “Professional Painting” Matters

At The Painters, we build projects around four outcomes:

  1. Durability — Correct prep and primers mean coatings bond and resist early failure.
  2. Cleanability — Washable finishes and enamel systems make routine maintenance easy.
  3. Aesthetics — Crisp cut lines, consistent texture, and steady sheen elevate rooms and curb appeal.
  4. Predictability — Honest schedules, daily updates, and a clear punch-list closeout.

Professional painting reduces lifetime cost of ownership: you repaint less often, spend less time touching up, and avoid the headaches of peeling, flashing, or mismatched sheen.

What “Professional” Looks Like (Our Standards)

At The Painters, we:

  • Diagnose surfaces, don’t guess. We check for chalking, moisture, incompatible coatings (old oil/alkyd), and failing tape or caulk so we can spec the right repair and primer.
  • Specify systems, not single products. Substrate-matched primers + topcoats; urethane-reinforced enamels for trim/doors; breathable masonry systems on brick and stucco.
  • Respect cure windows. We paint within temperature/humidity ranges and observe dry/recoat times so you get a hard, long-lasting film.
  • Protect your space. Floors, furniture, and landscaping are covered; dust is contained; site is cleaned daily.
  • Document everything. Written scope, options (good/better/best), colors, sheens, schedule, and a clear punch-list.
  • Stand behind it. Residential repaints include a written workmanship warranty and labeled touch-up paint at handoff.

Services We Offer (Residential & Commercial)

At The Painters, we tailor scope to the surface and the way you use the space.

Interior Painting

  • Walls, ceilings, trim, doors, windows, stair parts, railings, built-ins
  • Drywall repair & texture blending (nail pops, stress cracks, small patches)
  • Stain blocking for water, nicotine, or tannin bleed
  • Accent walls and specialty looks (upon request)

Exterior Painting

  • Siding (wood, fiber cement, engineered), soffits, fascia, shutters, doors
  • Masonry coatings (brick, stucco) with breathable systems
  • Metal doors/rails: rust-inhibitive primers + durable topcoats
  • Caulking/sealants selected for joint movement and paintability

Cabinet Painting & Refinishing

  • Kitchens, baths, built-ins, vanities
  • Degrease → degloss/sand → bonding prime → cabinet-grade enamel finishes
  • Hardware hole fills, hinge upgrades on request

Staining & Clear Coats

  • Deck and fence staining: transparent through solid systems
  • Fine finishing: doors, mantels, and wood features with stain + clear (water- or oil-borne)

Garage Painting & Floors

  • Walls/ceilings in bright washable finishes
  • Doors/trim in scuff-resistant enamels
  • Epoxy or polyaspartic floor coatings with optional flake and anti-slip

Commercial Painting

  • Offices, retail, restaurants, and light industrial spaces
  • Low-odor products, after-hours/weekend scheduling, safety-first practices

Color Consultation

  • Palette and sheen planning for your lighting and maintenance goals
  • Physical samples on your walls before we finalize

Our Step-by-Step Process (What to Expect)


1) On-Site Assessment & Written Estimate (Free)

At The Painters, we walk the property, measure areas, check for moisture/chalking, review previous coatings, and talk through goals. You receive a written scope with inclusions/exclusions, good/better/best coating options, a target schedule, and a fixed price.

2) Scheduling & Pre-Job Guide
We confirm start dates, arrival times, and daily site routines. You’ll get a short checklist (move small items, pet plan, parking).

3) Day-One Setup & Protection
We protect floors, furniture, and landscaping; stage materials; validate color & sheen room by room; and post site safety notes.

4) Surface Repairs & Priming

  • Wash dusty or greasy surfaces.
  • Scrape and feather sand failed paint; set and patch fasteners.
  • Skim/texture to match.
  • Caulk open joints with paintable elastomeric or urethane-enhanced sealants.
  • Spot prime bare, repaired, or stained areas; bond-prime glossy or previously oil-painted trim/doors.

5) Professional Application

  • Walls: premium acrylics (eggshell/pearl) for hide and cleanability.
  • Ceilings: true flat for light diffusion and defect forgiveness; moisture-tolerant flat in baths as needed.
  • Trim/doors: urethane-reinforced or advanced acrylic enamels (satin/semi-gloss) for hardness and leveling.
  • We maintain wet edges and specified mil thickness; back-roll where texture consistency requires it.

6) Daily Cleanup & Updates
We consolidate tools, vacuum/mop work zones, and share next-day plans—no surprises.

7) Final Walkthrough & Handoff
We complete a blue-tape walkthrough with you, address punch-list items, label touch-up paint, provide a care/maintenance sheet, and review your workmanship warranty.

Interior Painting, Deeper Dive

Repairs that Make Paint Look Better

At The Painters, we don’t cover problems – we fix the surface so paint has something worthy to show. That includes:

  • Nail pops and fastener setting in drywall
  • Hairline cracks with flexible patching compounds
  • Water-stained ceilings spot-primed with stain blockers
  • Texture blending so patches disappear under new light

Sheen Strategy that Matches How You Live

  • Walls (family/living/bedrooms): eggshell/pearl balances washability and glare.
  • Kitchens/baths/laundry: moisture-tolerant acrylics stand up to steam and wipe-downs.
  • Trim/doors: satin or semi-gloss enamel for durability and easy cleaning.
  • Ceilings: flat; moisture-tolerant flat in high-humidity rooms.

Color Planning (In Your Light)

Paint behaves differently morning vs. evening and under LED vs. daylight. We sample directly on your walls so undertones don’t surprise you later. High-LRV neutrals expand space; bolder tones anchor accent walls, built-ins, or doors.

Exterior Painting for Iowa Weather

Central Iowa’s dew point, UV exposure, and freeze-thaw cycles are tough on paint. At The Painters, we plan work around substrate temperature, humidity, and recoat windows so coatings cure correctly.

Substrate-Specific Prep & Primers

  • Wood: wash, scrape, feather sand; spot-prime bare wood with alkyd or hybrid primers; seal end-grain and caulk open joints.
  • Fiber cement/engineered: low-pressure washing, correct caulks, acrylic topcoats with movement tolerance.
  • Brick/stucco: breathable primers/topcoats that let vapor out—never trap moisture behind film.
  • Metal: remove rust to sound substrate, use rust-inhibitive primers, finish with a durable enamel.

Caulks & Sealants

We choose paintable sealants based on joint size/movement and expected temperature swings: elastomeric or urethane-enhanced where it counts (horizontal trim caps, window heads, butt joints, fascia corners).

Scheduling Around Weather

We avoid dew, rain, and sub-spec temperatures. On marginal days, we stage sheltered faces, then return for second coats at the correct recoat interval so you don’t get premature failure.

Materials & Methods (Why Product Choice Matters)

At The Painters, we match coatings to the substrate and use case:

  • Acrylic wall paints with strong hide and scrub resistance for everyday living.
  • Moisture-tolerant formulas for kitchens/baths and high-humidity rooms.
  • Urethane-reinforced/advanced acrylic enamels for trim, doors, and cabinets—hard, smooth, and cleanable.
  • Masonry systems that remain vapor-permeable on brick and stucco.
  • Bonding primers on glossy/unknown coatings; stain blockers for water, smoke, or tannin.
  • Paintable, movement-tolerant sealants for joints that expand/contract.
  • Low/zero-VOC options for sensitive occupants and workplaces.

Application methods include brush/roll for control and profile retention, back-rolling to even texture, and controlled spray where a fine finish is desired and conditions allow (with proper masking/containment).

Local Factors in Ames & Story County

  • Freeze–thaw & humidity: Iowa’s seasons stress coatings; we schedule and specify products accordingly.
  • Sun exposure: South and west elevations degrade faster—early touch-ups or higher-resin systems may extend life.
  • Mixed substrates: Older homes with wood trim and newer fiber-cement neighborhoods require different primers and caulks.
  • Water management: Paint cannot fix an active leak; we flag flashing/drainage problems before coating.

Care & Maintenance (After We Leave)

  • First 30 days: Coatings are curing; avoid tape on fresh paint; clean gently with mild soap/water.
  • Interior upkeep: Spot clean scuffs; we leave labeled touch-up paint for easy fixes.
  • Exterior upkeep: Light annual rinse; watch sun-facing elevations; small touch-ups prevent bigger repaints.
  • Cabinets: Non-abrasive cloths and neutral cleaners; limit prolonged moisture at edges.
  • Garage floors: Sweep and soft-mop; avoid harsh solvents; consider anti-slip where winter slush is common.

FAQs: Professional Painting in Ames, IA

How much does it cost to paint a house in Ames?
Most single-family exteriors fall between $2,000–$5,500, depending on size, substrate, prep, and color. Interiors average $250–$650 per room for walls; trim/doors are additional.

Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. At The Painters, we provide free, no-pressure on-site estimates with a written scope, options (good/better/best), and a target schedule.

How long will my project take?
Interiors (several rooms): 1–3 days. Exteriors: 3–7 days (weather permitting). Cabinets: 3–5 days + gentle-use cure period.

What prep is included?
Protection of floors/furniture/landscaping; washing; scraping/feather sanding; patching; caulking; spot/full priming; and daily cleanup—all spelled out in your scope.

What paint brands do you use?
We specify premium architectural coatings (including low/zero-VOC options). Product selections appear on your estimate, matched to your surfaces and goals.

Can you help with color selection?
Yes. We offer color consultation, on-wall samples, and sheen guidance based on your lighting and maintenance needs.

Will you work around my schedule?
At The Painters, we coordinate start times and sequence rooms so you can keep living/working. We also offer evening/weekend options for commercial projects.

How do you handle weather on exterior jobs?
We plan around dew point, temperature, and humidity; stage sheltered faces when possible; and pause if conditions would compromise adhesion or cure.

Are you licensed and insured? Do you warranty the work?
Yes—licensed & insured, with a written workmanship warranty on residential repaints.

Do you fix drywall or minor carpentry issues?
We perform typical paint-related repairs and will flag structural issues or rot that require other trades.

Ready to Get Started?

At The Painters, we make projects straightforward: schedule a free on-site estimate, get a written plan with options, and watch your space transform—cleanly, predictably, and built to last.

Call: 515-290-0421
Visit: 725 E Lincoln Wy, Ames, IA 50010

At The Painters, we prep like it matters – because it does. And we stand behind the work long after the brushes are cleaned.