[greensboro84]

Wow, there is so much info in these forums. I'm saving alot of the older topics to notepad for future reference and reading for fun. But are there any comprehensive books about painting that I could get so I have something in the house? I've seen some at lowes that didnt impress me much, some good info but nothing as comprehensive as the old one i found online, called "higgins housepainter" or something like that. Its really old but id like to get a copy but i dont know if it was ever really in print, but you can read it online(which i hate). But any books you know of about painting, history and technique, old school, or current, id just like to read more. thanks

 

[ProWallGuy]

2 good basic ones to start:

Painter's Handbook

 

[greensboro84]

Those look good. I'm not a business owner but do try to do a little bit of freelance for family and neighbors and every bit I can learn about business is good. I'm also thinking of getting the 2008 estimater. I wont use it with my job much, but I figure if I start now, I'll be better prepared for when I'm on my own. Does anyonwe know of any books dealing mainly with technique? Especially old school manuals, things like, brush making, color mixing, and things dealing with processes like how to and when should you skim with mud, glazing windows etc.. i think you get the idea. See at my job, I paint 20-50 percent of the time, the rest is cleaning or repairs, carpentry minor electrical maintenance for empty rental units, every once in a while they will be occupied. I'm going to get a job with a strictly painting company as soon as I feel like I can half ass hang it with the old timers around here. I'm getting there, but still not as good as the guys i work with. I mainly cut-in and do trim, not much rolling or patch work. We don't do much scraping or priming thats why I want to read some books, try out the stuff i read on my families and neighbors houses and learn from experience. thanks

 

[ProWallGuy]

Look on eBay. There are a ton of old reference-type painting books to be found there. But remember, a lot that you read in those will be obsolete now.