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Low Hassle Exterior
Painting
Fortunately, painting the outside of most homes is easier today
than ever. Easier... not easy. When the average cost of a
professional paint job runs several thousand dollars (though
they do earn it), you may want to tackle it yourself.
Get started right by investing in one of the many home design
software packages available. You can't judge color and finish
on a computer monitor. But, it will help you estimate the
amount of paint needed, provide a list of materials and assist
you in budgeting.
Unless you know the effect of a particular paint on your home,
try some inexpensive and quick experiments. Buy a pint of your
proposed color and finish and try it on a small, out-of-the-way
section of the house.
Prepare the surface as you would for the whole job, by cleaning
and sanding, if necessary. Scrape off any chips or cracking
sections. Apply and let dry for a week and, if possible,
observe in different weather conditions (cloudy, sunny,
overcast). Take into account the amount of shade in your test
area. You may have to try it in more than one spot to get a
realistic idea.
You can repeat the experiment using both latex-based and
alkyd(oil)-based paints. In years past, oil would have been the
hands down favorite for exterior work, but as paint products
evolve the choice is now a toss up.
Latex is easier to work with and dries faster, but tends to be
less durable. It also bonds more readily with weather
stripping. It breaths well, allowing moisture in the wood to
come out (or in, unfortunately) more easily. Clean up generally
requires no more than dish detergent and water.
Oil-based paints stand up well to wear, making it especially
good for doors, trim, porches and so forth. Clean up is more
difficult though, particularly since disposal now requires
special procedures. Some cities fine residents for placing
oil-paint cans into trash, requiring disposal at stores or
special facilities - usually for a fee.
If you select latex-based paint, use a synthetic material
roller, such as nylon. Couple that with synthetic bristle
brushes for trim and crevices. Natural fiber brushes absorb the
moisture in latex paint, making spreading more difficult. For
oil-based paint jobs use a natural bristle brush. Pair that
with a roller made of lamb's wool or other natural
material.
Rollers come in different pile lengths, from very smooth to
very rough. For a more polished look and/or use on smooth
surfaces the smoother roller is an option. For rough surfaces,
you'll need the rougher roller in order to get good coverage
with minimal hassle.
To save time on clean up when using oil-based paints,
experiment with popping the brushes and rollers into plastic
bags and freezing. The next day or following weekend, allow to
thaw for an hour and take up where you left off.
Before you begin, inspect the entire area and prepare the
surfaces. Sand any rusty nail heads (or replace, if practical).
Putty cracks and sand smooth the result after drying. Remember
that paint dries slower on plastic than newspaper. Visit the
local journal and pick up a few stacks of returns to cover
those plastic drop cloths.
As you plan your job, get two or three weather reports. Aim for
a period of moderate temperatures and low humidity.
Good painting!
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