,

A Successful Exterior Paint Job Depends on Exterior Paint Preparation

Preparing a surface for paint makes the difference between a quality, lasting exterior and a shoddy one.  The result of an unattractive, short-lived painted exterior is not the fault of the paint itself but rather the failure of the paint to adhere to the surface.  The paint had no chance of adhesion because it was applied over a dirty, greasy, peeling surface.

Before starting preparation, a major consideration in preparing and painting an exterior surface is when the work should be done.  When painting an exterior, the temperature of the surface to be painted should be greater than 50°F and less than 90°F.  This means that homeowners in areas of the country such as New England have a rather slim window of opportunity to carry out the exterior paint preparation and repainting project.

Preparing the Environment for Exterior Paint Preparation

Surrounding landscape plantings, barbecue grills and other nearby objects must be protected from paint chips and PaintPreparationspatters as well as the chemicals in cleaning solutions and paint strippers:

  1. Turn off all electrical power and gas fuel suppliers that connect to outside objects.
  2. Cover them with canvas.
  3. Pull any tall bushes near the home away from the structure with ties.   Stake the ties so that the foliage does not touch any exterior surface.
  4. Remove exterior fixtures such as lighting, mailboxes and shutters.
  5. Patch, repair and repaint any trim that is to be reaffixed to the home’s exterior when the new paint is dry.

Removing Loose Paint

This chore will always include hand scraping and sanding.  A power washer can also be used, but should only be PaintScrapeoperated by an experienced operator, as this tool can cause serious damage to an exterior if misused.

 On a dry surface, beginning with the loosest part of the peeling paint, scrape it off using one tool or a combination of a paint scraper, putty knife, heat gun, sandpaper and sanding block.  On wood siding in particular, careful attention must be paid when scraping with any tool to avoid gouging the wood.

Sanding the Surface

Once all loose paint is gone, the surface must be sanded wherever the paint was removed, blending the harder edges with the sandpaper to make the surface as smooth as possible.

Cleaning the Surface

Now that all the scraping, sanding and environmental protection has taken place, it is time to thoroughly wash PowerWashingthe exterior.

Remove screens, storm doors and windows and whatever is not to be painted.

With a solution of TSP and water, thoroughly wash the exterior with either a power washer set to the lowest pressure or a hose with a car wash brush attachment. Work from the top down.  Rinse each cleansed section as completed with clean water.

At this point, homeowners residing in the New England states with the short span of weather conditions conducive to the proper paint preparation and repainting might want to consider getting help for this extensive project.  The professional, experienced home remodeling team at United Home Experts has been doing quality work in the New England area to the satisfaction of many homeowners.

The Final Paint Preparation Stage:  Drying and Caulking

  • If the paint to be applied is latex, allow the exterior to dry at least a day.
  • If it is an oil-based paint, allow at least a week before painting.
  • Caulk any gaps around windows, doors, between siding, moldings; anywhere moisture can seep in.

With completion of these steps in paint preparation, the exterior paint that is finally applied will have a smooth, attractive appearance and will keep that look for many years with minimal maintenance.

0 Comments/by
,

Best Types of Indoor Paint

PaintedRoom

When it comes to interior decorating, one of the most important questions any homeowner or designer can ask is, “How should I paint the inside of my home?” Indoor paint adds depth and character to walls and ceilings and changes the atmosphere of any overall living or working space. For this reason, it is important to know how to select the best indoor paint for your purposes.

Use flat (matte) paint for ceilings. One of the best reasons to use flat paint is that it readily adheres to rough surfaces. Because it adheres so well and is non-reflective, it tends to minimize imperfections, whereas glossy paints highlight imperfections.

Have a textured ceiling that needs to be covered over? Flat paint can help with that. It actually decreases the amount of texture that is present, giving a smooth, finished look than can instantly update a room’s style.

It should be noted that flat paint is very hard to clean and tends to attract dirt and stains more than glossier paints do. Flat paint, then, is perfect for use on ceilings because stains are less likely to occur there.

Satin and eggshell paint is optimal for dens, adult bedrooms and other areas children don’t usually frequent. Both swpaintcansatin and eggshell paints are good choices for these areas because they are much easier to clean than the matte version of indoor paint. Satin finish works best on walls because it is more reflective, while eggshell works better on ceilings because it does not emit as much glare.

Eggshell paint is slightly more difficult to clean than satin paint, and it is not as readily available. It should be noted that neither of these types of paint will hold up to any serious scrubbing.

Semi-gloss paint for family rooms, children’s bedrooms, and window and doorway trims. This type of paint is perfect for very high traffic areas because it is very resistant to dirt, grease, and grime. It is also very easy to clean, more durable, and comes in more color varieties than the other types of indoor paint; however it also costs more than the other types, with the exception of high-gloss paint, which is the most duration homeexpensive paint type as well as the most difficult to find.

Gloss paint for bathrooms, kitchens, and other highly humid areas. This paint is very useful in areas that are prone to moisture and staining. It is even more durable, dirt-resistant, and easy to clean than its semi-gloss cousin. It does, however, tend to show more imperfections than any other of the indoor paint types, so walls should be very carefully sanded down before the paint is applied.

All of these paints come in a variety of colors, although some (especially the glossier paints) tend to be offered in more color choices than others (especially the flat paint).  Sherwin-Williams has a wide variety of all of these types of paint, available at a great value to the consumer. Whether the desired paint type or paint color is decided upon first, individuals should consult with the professionals at United Home Experts for more ujwkmam6detailed recommendations.

0 Comments/by