John Sez:
By John Harris, Belcaro Paint, Paint Chemist
I might be a little early in the year for this reminder but I really want to be sure I get this information to you. This winter has done some damage to the coating on your house. I am positive of that. What may have looked just great last summer may now be showing some, even though slight, signs of peeling or flaking. You may remember from one my previous articles that the most honest paint guarantee ever given is that “if water finds a way to get behind your paint, the paint will fall off the surface”. Those other paint guarantees that you read on the labels of paint cans, claiming 15, 20, or 25 years durability are only valid if water does not find some tiny crack to crawl in. The only circumstances where paint will last this long, without some periodic maintenance on your part is under controlled laboratory conditions.
Since I would like to see you get all the longevity out of the quality outside paint you apply, I want to reinforce the need for annual coating maintenance. The process does not take much time and the value in postponing complete repainting is tremendous. Walk around the house, looking for little telltale signs of loose paint. Scrape off anything loose, clean the area, spot prime bare wood, re-caulk if near a crack and touch up with your topcoat. If you ignore paint problem areas this year the degree of peeling paint will be hundreds times worse next year.
If you have any paint related topics you would like to see discussed in this article, let me know, or come in either store with your questions. We enjoy helping folks.
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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