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Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
© Copyright Home
Improvement Inside And Out
Applying Paint
Or Stain
The best time to paint is in
late spring or early fall on a dry day this not to sunny. Temperatures below 40F
and
direct hot sun can ruin paint jobs.
Make certain that all the surfaces are
dry. Do not paint within 24 hours of a heavy rain and do not paint when rain is
forecast.
If you are not applying a full coat of
primer, apply it to bare spots and allow them to dry thoroughly according
to the manufacture's instructions.
If possible mix all the paint or stain you
will be using into a large container and stir carefully. This will avoid a color
change in the middle of a wall. Then pour what you need into a smaller can for
easier work.
Plan your painting carefully. Paint from
top to bottom to avoid dripping paint on freshly painted areas. Do the walls
first, followed by the trim.
Try to follow the sun, working in the
shade after the sun has dried the early-morning dew.
Use a solid extension ladder set firmly
against the house. The top of the ladder should stick up above the roof. Make
sure the ladder is on firm footing, with about one-quarter of its length out
from the foundation of the house. Make sure both extension hooks are firmly
locked on the supporting rungs. When moving your ladder watch out for power
lines.
Use a 3- inch brush to paint clapboard
siding. Dip the bristles in the paint and coat the underside edges of four or
five clapboards to a length of 3 feet. With a fully loaded brush, paint the face
of each board using short strokes to cover the surface. To finish, level the
paint with smooth, horizontal strokes.
For shingles and shakes, use the same
technique but apply the paint vertically.
Use a brush specially made for stain and
avoid getting too much stain on the brush. Use broad, horizontal strokes and
try
to come to a natural ending point, like a corner to prevent lap marks.
Stir the paint or stain frequently to
avoid pigment settling to the bottom.
To paint high places. Work in horizontal
sections across the top of a wall. Never lean away from an extension ladder or
reach more than an arm's length to either side of it. Paint one high section,
move the ladder, and paint another, creating a painted band as you go.
Repeat all the way across the wall. Then lower the ladder to work on a lower
section.
Be sure to paint a tight seal between
metal and wood around doors and windows.
On downspouts, paint in the direction of
the flutes, usually up and down.
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