[m&jinne]

I can't help but make this comment. I hope you all understand what I'm trying to say.

I'm getting ready to re-paint our home's interior after doing it very poorly the first time. I acknowledge our mistakes, and I want to do it the right way this time around. I came back to this site becuase I got lots of help in the appliance forum a few months back. I've looked through hundreds of the painting posts here trying to draw from the wisdom of those here and make good decisions about technique, picking the right paint, etc.

It seems like ego's run large around here among the experienced and people who are less experienced and seeking sage advice are subject to snarky - and sometimes rude - comments.

Is this a DIY forum for people of all skill levels - or is this just a professional painters clique that kicks sand in the face of the true DIY'er?

 

[RippySkippy]

Well since this is the internet, you get all sorts of people here.

Though the site is moderated...there's a great deal of latitude in the posts...but by-in-large there's an OVER WHELMING positive comrade here. Sure you're going to get snarky comments every now and again, that's the nature of the internet. From what I've seem many times, the OP sets the tone by the way the original question is asked and followups are replied to. So, jump in and see what happens...your fate is in your hands.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I see all sorts of posts & replies

I posted on another site pics of the 24x36 addition I am building
I was told that there was no way I was building it by myself
I offered to post some of the 200+ pics I have taken as work progressed :whistling2:

 

[DUDE!]

Maybe you just happened to read a couple bad threads. Hit the delete button and start fresh. There are plenty of good folks ready to help out with any prodjects or questions. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[DangerMouse]

Is this a DIY forum for people of all skill levels?

it sure seems to be.... painters are an odd bunch though, they're highly opinionated (when it comes to brands especially.) but can you blame them? if you sling paint for a living, you want it to go fast, stay ON, and LOOK good. egos run rampant here sometimes, and discussions can be heated, but i certainly learn from them, as we all can. just read some and you'll find people that have good advise, and others that are not too on the button. (and yeah, that's me sometimes) and then there's that idiot that always has silly comments to make on the odd thread.... kind of a smart alec... (oh crap, that's me too)
but overall, if you need an answer to how to fix/build/plumb/wire/etc/etc/etc/
then this is the best place to be. SOMEone will have the right answer.....

DM

 

[Matthewt1970]

You have some valid points. I think you might be referring to threads like the Behr paint thread. I will just put it this way. Someone who used a product once or twice and did not have any of the problems that gets mentioned by people who have used the same product a lot really should not chime in and say that that product is fine.

Along the same lines everyone, even the professionals need a good lesson in eating crow once in a while. And the stubborn ones are usually the last to come aboard with a new product or technique. I used to use Latex primer for exterior bare wood just because that was what the first company I worked for used. I didn't see a problem with it when I was using it, but I wasn't inspecting these jobs a year later to see the paint peeling and wood bleed. You couldn't have told me any different and I thought latex Primer was the thing to use.

I can understand brand loyalty, but I also know there are a lot of good brand of paint out there.

This is a Do-It-Yourself forum, but you usually need pro advice or at least advice from a knowledgeable DIY'er. You wouldn't want to get medical advice for the pain you have in your leg from just someone who once had a similar pain, you want advice from a Doctor who has treated that symptom countless times.

 

[DUDE!]

M&J, I followed your posts and understand your frustration, as with everything , take it with a grain of salt, even my comments here. If you weren't happy with your painting results and want to repaint, do so. You only have to please yourself. Your own happyness is all that matters. Sometimes we get our feelings hurt reading others comments, we get over it and life goes on. There are a lot of good people on here willing to help out.

 

[jms]

Experience

Real value of a paint job is in the painter. Experience is still the most important factor. With experience come detail. Good results are in the details of the job and how it is used, and the products used. I am not sure there is any way to teach experience as of yet. After doing thousands of paint jobs, every one is a little different from the others. So the paint job may not be perfect unless you have done thousand or so jobs, but you have the satisfaction of knowing you did it your self and probably pretty darn good.
jeff

 

[m&jinne]

I think I'm the one to eat crow here...while I'm still a little irritated about the things people wrote in some of the posts I read previously, I reached out for painting help and while I managed to get one snarky comment, I also got some very valuable help and advice. I started my project today using those recommendations and I'm THRILLED with the results. I appreciate all of you and also this site. You and the others who stepped up to help me are well worth stepping over a little doo once in a while.

 

[wishicould]

Too bad you have been frustrated with this. It can seem like a waste of time when you just need the information. I've been on other discussion forums (I don't chat) and I've seen snarky on all of them. sometimes people can actually be trying to inject humor into their posts, or being sarcastic, but it might be taken wrong by another... before you know it you are totally off the original topic, or its obscured by egotistical comments, someone taking offense rather than sticking to the topic (I'm sure this happens less here than, say, a family-oriented site where there is emotional stuff involved).

I've read several posts, and happened to read the Behr paint thread mentioned,just a little while ago.

As far as one pp said regarding "experience" being a factor ---this will vary between individuals, depending on how you learn(some people need tactile, hands-on, some people are visual, needing pics, some people can do great with text, diagrams). Someone who knows you well, may be the better teacher than a bunch of strangers, as they will use familiar terms, language you can understand, and will more easily understand your responses...

Some people can do a perfect, professional-quality job IF they have detailed instructions (covering ALL variable factors; not likely to be covered in most discussion threads), AND if their reading comprehension is good. And if they have time. No way will you do as good a job in close to the same time as a pro. But a great job can be done with care and attention to detail. My reasons for wanting to do things myself are that I do have the time, I don't have the money to pay someone else to do everything, AND there are things I know I will be happy to learn no matter how frustrating. Some terminology may be foreign, so time would be required to find definitions and explanations for things.

Regarding the exhanges on the other painting thread previously mentioned...I totally "got" what the guy was saying about Behr being OK....he wanted to contribute to the discussion. Although pp made a good point that those who have worked with a particular product would be better to give advice...here on the forum, who knows who has which type of experience if the poster does not share that information? AND SO....your average joe, such as myself, and the other guy who was OK with the Behr, might think he's just as qualified as the other guys. I have to admit I'm not even going to try to give anybody advice. I came here to learn...maybe I'll be able to post some pictures someday.

Perhaps when posting, you guys with tons of experience, professional or personal, might want to share your "qualifications" at the beginning of your post; maybe even put it in your signature, if you have a particular knack, passion or expertise for something. That might not discourage others from posting, especially if they think they also have lots of knowledge to share. But perhaps would keep minimally-experienced posters from commenting, dragging the discussion into snarky territory.
God only knows why anybody would think 6 coats of paint is OK to cover. In my inexperience I would probably take it back after 2 or 3 coats, to the store and tell them there's something wrong with the paint. LOL. The guy who posted that said that he was no expert, did not try to convince anybody of anything, nor did he try to speculate.

But that goes to show you, the guy had good intentions....also, people naively assume since a product has been around, is sold in major retailers, that it must have some redeeming qualities. Someone thought that the Behr paint does...many thought not; and thankfully this forum is here to share all this valuable information. The guy innocently posted comments and got some flack...which is what this thread was started for. It happens that sometimes people misunderstand. some people crack jokes at someone else's expense. some people criticize a product or technique when others on the same thread have nothing bad to say about anything...different strokes for different folks.....

My first and only original thread I wasn't sure what kind of response I would get. I'm a total newbie, to everything. I thought I would get insults or nothing. My post was greeted with encouragement, making me want to come back. I'm sure that was lucky; I could have unluckily been met with some snarky, discouraging comments making me want to fork over the money to a contractor.

Though I haven't personally posted much here (I really haven't got much to share), what I have read is the reason I come back. Lots of KUDOS, shared information, pictures, insightful tips. All kinds of personalities here, but overall its worth wading through the waste, in my opinion.

 

[yummy mummy]

If it wasn't for this forum and all the wonderful knowledgeable people, both diyers and pros, I would NEVER, have come this far with my project.
And for that, I am truly grateful.

I have also come across some not so nice remarks, but the great help really out-weighs those remarks.

There are some great folks here. :yes:

 

[StarsOnly]

There are DIY'rs and there are DIY'rs. Everyone has different capabilities and there is never any reason to belittle or be condescending to someone who is asking for help.


The nature of all forums is that there are people who need hand-holding and those who just need direction. What would be the use of a forum where everybody knows everything?


When I've come here for help it's been great. And even though I haven't done this very long I already know I'm super great at painting because whenever I get done I'm completely covered in the stuff.


Some of us are just naturals.:jester:

 

[johnnyboy]

Everybody wants to feel special and unique... they want to feel they possess a skill set unknown to anyone else. When they discover someone else is as capable, they feel insecure....

Besides the more homeowners that go DIY, the less these people are employed.