DIY Painting Guide

The latest trend in the paint industry is “paint and primer in one,” and it has proven to be quite the controversy. Technically, the only newness about it is the hyper-marketing aspect. The phrase “self-priming” has been a line item on some paint labels for decades. Indeed, some products are formulated for application directly over bare substrates, such as floor enamels and some concrete products. Given the variety of products available in the wider market of general, non-specific paint finishes, it is impossible to say which ones employ precisely which technologies. However, it is possible to understand product basics: what a primer is, what functions it serves, and how the marketing hype underserves the consumer. Paint vs Primer—What’s the Difference?

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What to do with an outdated, drabby ceiling fan? With a can of spray paint in your favorite color, and a little effort, you can breathe new life into an old fixture, or bring an otherwise  decent one more in line with your decor. In talking about this with people, I find surprisingly few realize this can be done. I’m sure that many have simply replaced the fan, at a considerable expense, with replacement and electrician rates, when for a fraction of the price they could have a customized fan that looks new.

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Regardless of whether a roller handle is hand-held or attached to a rolling pole, the primary concern is keeping the roller cover level to the painting surface plane. Uneven pressure will cause roller marks, vertical lines of paint build up, and can distort the shape of the roller cover, making it conical and difficult to work with

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Lead Exposure and Contamination: Understanding the EPA’s New RRP Program

If you’re unfamiliar with the title of this article, or this important subject matter, don’t feel bad – you’re not alone. Confusion and a lack of awareness is the rule, rather than the exception, when it comes to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) new Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule, which totally redefines the way much of home remodeling is conducted. It centers on the control of dust from lead paint created from during RRP, not the elimination of the lead itself. The RRP rule is monumental – in its complexity, in the nature of the changes, and in the cost involved in compliance. Here’s the EPA’s explanation in a nutshell: “Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.”

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Today’s post concerns maintaining exterior painted surfaces. There are two primary reasons for failed paint that leads to wood rot; improper preparation at the time of painting and/or failure to monitor and spot repair failures between paint jobs. I was recently at a home with a three-year-old exterior paint job. (I was there to repaint two remodeled baths.) Numerous wood joins were separating, which allows moisture access to the exposed wood.  Though the homeowner admitted that replacing rotted wood was a recent occurrence; I couldn’t grab his attention enough to show him and explain. I think he sensed I was fishing for work, but I wasn’t interested in taking on that job. Unfortunately, between now and his next repaint, his structure is exposed, the rot is advancing, and he’ll be replacing more wood in the future.

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Painting a bathroom is the perfect project for the Do-It-Yourself painter. However, as with everything else, the proper preparation and understanding of procedure is essential to achieving a successful result. Following these simple guidelines and suggestions will make a pro of you yet, at least you’ll have something to brag about!

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One of the most crucial steps in preparing painted surfaces for repainting is sanding the surface. It is also one of the most neglected steps by homeowners and contractors alike.  The etching of the surface is what creates the bond between the new and the old paint. Surfaces not properly sanded will eventually chip or peel, which is something I encounter on a regular basis. Neglecting this crucial step not only makes future preparation more difficult, it locks in the failure permanently. Regardless of the number of future coats, the chipping will always occur down the coat where the sanding was neglected. If I’m bonding paint to a coat which is not bonded to it’s surface, the old paint will chip taking the new with it. While not a total solution, sand each chipped area prior to touch up. The total solution is to strip the paint down to the surface where the failure occurs, sand the surface, and repaint, all of which is a costly, tedious, if not out of the question task. The most efficient and economical path is to sand up front, as this will save you money long-term and prevent unsightly damage to your painted surfaces.

• Sanding etches the painted surface providing a bond for the new paint finish

While there are some rule exceptions, such as bonding finishes, generally, any surface with a sheen needs sanding prior to repainting, with the highest sheens needing it most and the most effort. Flat paints, flat enamels excepted, require little to no sanding. And, sanding applies primarily to trim surfaces. The only reason I sand walls is to remove grit and imperfections accumulated over the years. While painted walls could chip, especially plaster, it’s less likely as walls are less prone to the abuse and wear of trim. The harder surface of wood is a contributing factor to the chipping–less shock absorption. I try to put some extra sanding effort into trim pieces that show heavy wear patterns and in areas of high traffic. Millions of homes across America have chipped baseboards from headbanging with vacuums.

• Sanding creates a smooth finish which makes for a more attractive final look

Prior to starting your project, have a conversation with your paint store rep about particular sanding requirements and the proper paper grit to use. And, if you’re having a contractor do your work, be sure to specify that you expect proper sanding of all trim surfaces. Then follow up, trust but verify, even if you have to watch them doing it. A customer’s sister, whose father was a master painter, insisted on sanded surfaces and was assured she would receive what she was paying for. However, after the job, the same coarse surfaces existed as before the job began. Pay attention. A properly sanded surface, coupled with clean, strained paint, should leave a smooth finish.

Sanding may be a dirty tedious task, but once it’s done it’s done. The long term, continual headaches of not doing it are worse.