John Sez:
By John Harris, Belcaro Paint, Paint Chemist
To avoid extra work when doing exterior painting, it is wise to have a good plan of attack. Important considerations should be the sequence and procedures you follow in applying your paint. Here are some guidelines:
- As a general rule, work from the top down so that you don’t drip onto areas that have already been repainted.
- Start by painting fascia boards, gutters and eaves; then tackle the walls; next, paint your downspouts; finish the job by painting windows, doors and trim.
- When painting lap siding, work horizontally by applying paint all the way across several boards (stopping in the middle of a board can cause an unsightly “lapping” effect, which may show up immediately or after a year or two of weathering). Likewise, on vertical siding—grooved plywood or board-and-batten, for example—complete one vertical section at a time, and then move on to the next section.
- Regardless of the surface you are painting, don’t stop painting until you reach a visual breakpoint.
Keep your attention on the weather conditions. Water on fresh paint may cause a spotty or streaky effect that does not cause harm but may be visually objectionable. Morning dew may even cause this to appear. Also avoid painting in the direct rays of the sun to allow the paint to dry slower there by increasing leveling and better adhesion without blistering.
For much more advice before you even start painting preparation, come in to either of our stores for a copy of our own brochure on how you may at least double the life expectancy of your paint job.
Belcaro Paint & Decorating Center, Inc.
5475 Leetsdale Dr., Denver, CO 80246 303-757-5435
or
209 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton CO 80120 303-703-4487
email us
Belcaro website
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