Jay and Sandra Wideman on their front porch. Exterior: Benjamin Moore Stingray 1529, Flat Duration exterior paint. Trim: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17, Duration Satin exterior. Ceilings: Sherwin Williams Bouyant Blue, SW6483; Duration Satin exterior. Handrails, pickets, columns, and decks: Superdeck hybrid solid stain “Jay Wideman Brown,” a special mix.
Jay Wideman never imagined that he would become a painter, but it was love at first brushstroke. His first big break came when someone asked him to paint an entire house. He bid on it, got the job, and business has snowballed ever since. Jay founded his eponymous company, Jay’s Island Painting, in 2004.
Happy to “talk paint” with Elegant Island Living for this Q&A, Jay was game to share some tips and dish on trends. The first: say goodbye to gray and tan (so 2010), and hello to white.
Jay: We’re out of the gray trend. For a while there [in the 2010s], we saw a lot of tan and gray. I see a lot more whites now, especially pure white. It is a very popular color.”
EIL: But—the most challenging question for any painter—what shade of white?
Jay: Tough question. I see a lot of Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17), if you're going with a warmer white on trim and walls. But if you want to go cooler, I see a lot of pure white. Pure white is very popular right now.
EIL: Do you prefer to spray or use a brush?
Jay: It depends entirely on the application. We do a lot of spray for new construction, especially if it doesn't have finished floors or cabinets. That’s easier for resale as new owners like to come in and choose their own color palette. For cabinets, we usually spray unless they want that brush and roll finish, then we use specialized naps and brushes. On doors, we do a lot of the Fine Paints of Europe—that uses a brush finish, but it lays down real slick and looks great.
EIL: Flat, semi, or high gloss?
Jay: For walls, we recommend either flat matte or eggshell (those are the most popular). Flat is easier to touch up, and you see less imperfections in the sheet rock. Eggshell is a little easier to clean. It looks beautiful when done right. Personally, I think high-gloss is the fanciest look, and semi-gloss is the best of both worlds.
EIL: How long does it take for you to paint a room?
Jay: If we do ceilings, walls, trim, doors, and windows, it can take up to three days. Walls in one day. Ceilings in one day. Trim takes more time because you have to prep it. It also depends on the size of the wall. I've walked into bedrooms that have 16 ft ceilings!
EIL: What about the physical part of the job?
Jay: It’s a very physical job, because we move heavy ladders and equipment. As required by law, you must have safety meetings with your company. We teach proper lifting techniques for ladders and paint: lift with your legs, not with your back. We train our crew how to balance ladders and proper scaffolding building techniques. We just try to take the most precaution we can with lifting items and other safety.
EIL: What single job are you most proud of?
In the kitchen with Jay & Sandra Wideman. Kitchen Walls: Urban Putty SW7532. Sherwin Williams Duration, Interior Flat. Craftsman style trim around doors and windows is Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17.
Jay: The most recent big job that we did on 42nd Street on Sea Island comes to mind, but we love what we do and take real pride in everything we do – all jobs. We've done multiple sets of cabinets. Some doors we did in the Fine Paints of Europe turned out spectacular. My wife and I built a house in German Village two-and-a-half years ago, and it turned out great. We're just very grateful and proud of everything we do. It’s hard to pick just one!
Jay has a couple tips for DIYers and one caveat. 1) get the right equipment, and 2) it pays to use good paint.
“Everybody thinks they can be a painter, but it’s not that easy. The guys that I'm working with all have 20-25 years of experience, just like me.”
For more information on Jay’s Island Painting, call 912.399.3439.
