Paints vs.Stains

 First thing to know-

 Water-based stains can adhere to water or oil-based coatings already present on the wooden surface. Water-based stains can be cleaned up with water.

Oil-based stains will only adhere to wood previously stained with an oil-based product. 

So which one is the best? The answer is not as simple as one over the other, but the conditions and exposure of the surface that determines the best application.

When dealing with wood decks, you have to consider it's direct exposure or enclosure of the wood. paints are coatings and they do not penetrate the substrate like stains. they are a thin adhesive film that can wear down or off over time. Stains penetrate into the surface and also condition the wood. The airflow beneath a deck can also be a big factor. A deck that can absorb moisture can rot quicker. If water can constantly sit on the surface, then stain is better than paint. In damp moisture prone climates wood will be absorbed under the paint and trap in the moisture and rot. If the deck is enclosed, paint will provide a more uniform appearance to the surface. 

The same can be said for sealers and coatings for concrete. Coatings float on top whereas sealers actually penetrate. The coatings are more eye appealing but require heavier maintenance long term. sealers penetrate the pores rather than covering them and relying on the adhesive nature of a coating to protect the finish....

For more Fast Tips and tricks from Fast Finish, subscribe to our blogs and channels.... 

Concrete Cleaning made easy

Concrete cleaning has always been a male doninated industry. With the invention of great tools and even better chemistry, cleaning concrete has been made easier than ever and more female business owners have taken notice. One such owner had made it her bread and butter in Salem Oregon. The owner of Fast Finish in Salem Oregon is female. Although she shares the business with her husband and partner she is the genius behind the curtain with innovation in concrete cleaning. 

Although the business is usually booked out two to three weeks, residents and business  alike are willing to wait for the cleaning service that Fast Finish delivers

Fast Finish Oregon: Best Roof Cleaning in Salem Oregon

Fast Finish Oregon: Best Roof Cleaning in Salem Oregon: When you drive around Salem have you ever noticed the heavy moss, mold, and lichen, on the roofs in your neighborhood? Some look like carpet...

Sealers - what you need to know

It is that time of year once again! Pressure wash that driveway, patio and sidewalk. But dont stop there, and forget to seal it afterwards. Why go through all the work then leave that clean exposed aggregate or concrete unprotected? That exposed surface is now more-vulnerable than when the oil and dirt were on it. But what sealer is best?  There are a couple things to consider. Looks and longevity are usually at the top of the list. What most people dont know is that most who want that nice shiny sheen on their exposed  aggregate sacrifice longevity. There is no way around it. In order to get that look, acrylics are used in the mixture. Acrylics are not sealers! Acrylics are coatings. The Difference between a coating and a sealer is the penetration they have to the surface. Acrylics have either a water or solvent base as a carrier. The thinner the mix or percentage of acrylic to the carrier the more penetration it has. Acrylics need a build up on the surface to create the sheen. 25-30% acrylic is typically standard to achieve that desired result. So everything is coated and looks great, but the catch is coming. In Oregon and high moisture, rain fall or humidity states, moisture gets trapped underneath these coatings. Coatings do not breath and trap thst moisture. The result is white haze, premature failure, flaking an chipping in some extreme cases. The fixes are only temporary at best. The coatings also need to be re freshed every couple years to maintain the desired shine as well. This is evident by areas that are less exposed to the elements under the eves and shaded areas.

Sealers on the other hand, penetrate into the pores and create a vapor type barrier but allows moisture to escape, depending on the carrier types. You can even attain a moderate sheen but nothing like acrylic coatings. The sealers also come solvent and water based as well and have a much longer wear life if they are not just topical in nature. Coatings and sealers both have their place. It is good to understand the pros and cons of each before making a decision...

Home cleaning services

Most people think of janitorial type services when the words home cleaning are advertised. The typical dusting, vacuuming, window cleaning and mopping of hard floors.  These type of services are plentiful in most areas like Salem Oregon and surrounding communities. They have their place in every city. For the moment, let's consider a couple steps up from those run of the mill services. The kind of service providers who have invested thousands of dollars in the latest high tech steam equipment with a deep knowledge of chemical compounds.... Oh wait... There are not many of those type companies you say.  There is one such company that has taken 25 years of industrial experience and redirected that experience to a consumer level benefit. Fast Finish of Salem Oregon is one such company that has provided a residential/ commercial system of services.

Very few companies have such a diverse offering of cleaning services and if they do, they are not as highly ranked as Fast Finish.  They have been business of the year three years in a row for their exceptionalism in services and customer relations regarding those services. One of the main reasons for this is they never get into jobs or projects that would not finish well. If they take on a job it is always above expectation and satisfaction. This insures a greater return of satisfied customers. The customer base may be a bit smaller than some larger companies that rely on volume, but they are always top notch in relationships when finished with a long list of potential repeat clients and great references.

Check out their Angies list profile and Google fast finish for yourself. You will see that they are very popular for searches on pressure washing, sealing concrete, roof cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, natural stone cleaning, polishing and surface restorations utilizing polymer concrete overlays and epoxies.

Fast Finish one of Oregons best start up companies of the decade when it comes to cleaning.