Archive for November, 2010

Exterior Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them / CHALKING

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

*** CHALKING

Chalking is usually caused by using a poor quality paint, or by waiting too long between paintings.

Solution: Wash chalk off with a solution of ½ cup detergent in a gallon of water; rinse well.  After residue has been removed, reprime surface and repaint with chalk resistant Paint

Exterior Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them / NAILHEAD STAINING

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

*** NAILHEAD STAINING

Steel nailheads can rust from moisture in the wood or from improper patching with putty and primer when first painted.

Solution:  Replace rusted nails with a good quality, zinc-coated type.  For those that can’t be removed, sand rusted nailheads down to bright metal and countersink.  Spot prime nailhead with Oil Primer Sealer and after drying use an  wood putty or suitable caulking to over-fill (slightly) nailhead area.  Finish by sanding filled areas flush with surface and spot prime prior to painting.

Exterior Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them / MILDEW

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

***  MILDEW

Mildew looks like conventional grime, but is actually a living fungus which eats proteins and nutrients contained in paints and substrates.  If you are not sure whether your problem is dirt or mildew, place a spot of bleach on the affected area.  Only mildew will react by whitening Some of  of Paint contains agents which inhibit the growth of mildew on the surface; however, if mildew is present prior to painting, growth may still occur.

Solution: since moisture is essential to the growth of mildew, you must take preventive action against moisture to avoid recurrence.  To clean mildew from surface, use a solution of 1 quart household bleach in 3 quarts of water making sure skin and eyes are protected.  Rinse with clean water and allow to dry thoroughly.  Scuff sand glossy surfaces.  Sand down badly weathered areas and spot prime.

Exterior Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them / BLISTERING

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

*** BLISTERING

Blisters are small pockets of vapor that form beneath paint film, caused by painting in direct sunlight and over hard or glossy surfaces.  They are also caused when water, trapped inside paint, vaporizes and bubbles on exposure to intense heat from the sun.

Solution: Break open a blister.  If bare wood shows, moisture is the problem.  If a sound layer of paint is under the blister, it is caused by heat.  In either case, blisters should be scraped, sanded and primed Oil or Acrylic Latex Primer Sealer prior to repainting with Premium Plus House & Trim.

Exterior Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them / CRACKING & ALLIGATORING

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

***  CRACKING & ALLIGATORING

Cracking is generally a result of paint againg to an excessively hard finish, most often caused by many layers of old gloss oil paint.  The paint is unable to expand and contract resulting in hairline cracks which allow water to enter and seep down to the wood itself.  Resulting pressure and subsequent shrinking of paint film cause the paint to curl and flake off, and expose the bare wood.

Solution: If this condition is noticed before it becomes severe, wire brushing and repainting ..  If complete paint removal is necessary, always prime bare wood surfaces  Oil or Acrylic Latex Primer Sealer.

Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them / PEELING ON WOOD SIDING

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

*** PEELING ON WOOD SIDING

This generally occurs when moisture penetrates from within.  If peeling goes to bare wood, moisture is the cause; surface peeling is a surface preparation problem.

Solution:  For surface peeling over a sound coat of paint, remove loose paint by scraping and wire brushing.  Surface dirt can be removed with light sanding; make sure to brush away sanding dust.  For peeling down to bare wood, scrub surface with a solution of trisodium phosphate in water or use a household detergent.  Scrape or wire brush peeling paint to bare wood and 10 to 12 inches around it.  Sand surface well, feathering hard edges and blending sound surface with bare wood.  Then prime with  Acrylic Latex Primer Sealer and repaint .

Exterior Painting Problems & Solutions to remedy them PEELING ON GUTTERS and DOWNSPOUTS

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

***  PEELING ON GUTTERS  & DOWNSPOUTS

Peeling will eventually occur whenever something comes between the substrate and its coating.  Applying paint over a layer of grease, detergent film, dirt, oil, wax or moisture is a common cause of peeling.  Another is the failure to properly prime your substrate.  Solutions vary according to the substrate being painted.

Solutions for Gutters and Downspouts:  Sand to bare metal.  Wipe down with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water.  Reprime  Oil Base Primer Sealer and repaint  House & Trim.  Peeling of gutters and downspouts can almost always be avoided by applying primer prior to painting.