By painting a coat of paint to the brick wall in your house, this will definitely make the overall look a little bit different from the usual look that you are accustomed to. Especially if you are having a mismatched brick or even stains that cannot be removed, the painting option is the best solution, but remember if the brick wall is still in good condition, try not to paint the brick if possible.

What you need:

1. Deep nap roller or sponge (cheap method of applying the paint)
   
2. Sprayer
   
3. Wire brush
   
4. Acrylic or silicon caulk
   
5. Water and bleach
   
6. Latex primer
   
7. Colored paint (according to your preferred choice)
   

Bricks

Method:

1. A brick has a textured surface and it is important for you to consider how to apply the paint correctly. Some of the methods to apply the paint are by using a deep nap roller, sponge or use a sprayer, in order to allow the primer to be placed into all of the crevices.
   
2. Make sure to clean the brick’s surface first before painting it by using a wire brush. Try to remove as much dirt, dust and other debris because if you fail to do this, it will result to you having a grainy texture and also the paint will start to peel off easily.
   
3. Once you finish the cleaning, you need to examine the mortar joints to check whether it is crumbly or not. If the problem is major in this area, you need to seek advice from a professional contractor, but if it is minimal you can just use acrylic or silicon caulk to seal them off. Ensure that the caulk you are using is basically suitable for masonry and paint over. Then, leave the caulk to dry thoroughly.
   
4. After that, wash the bricks using 3 to 1 mixture of water and bleach; leave the area to dry for at least 48 hours so that you would not trap any moisture beneath your primer.
   
5. Use a latex primer to prime the surface specifically used for masonry applications and it is recommended that you apply two thin coats before getting started with the painting job. Leave each of the coats to dry thoroughly before you start getting involved the next step.
   
6. Finally, paint the brick with your preferred color onto the surface and apply several coats after another once it has dried thoroughly.
   

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

How To Paint Brick

Better Homes and Gardens Picture Painter

Painting Bricks is a post from: DIY Guides

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Texture Plaster Wall

Adding texture could enhance the look of your plaster wall. Although it is a work that needs your strength and patient, it is a rewarding and fun project to do. There are so many types of texture that you can apply to your plaster wall according to your style and preferences. It is up to your imagination and creativity to create textures for your plaster wall and in this way, you will be definitely satisfied with the results. Here are the steps on how to do it.

You will need:

1. Vacuum
   
2. Texturing compound
   
3. Drywall knife
   
4. Synthetic sponge
   
5. Airless sprayer
   
6. Damp rag
   
7. Finishing trowel
   
8. Stippling brush
   
9. Rags
   
10. Textured paint roller
    

Steps:

1. First, choose and decide on the pattern and make your choice. You can either use a pre-mixed compound or a powder that can be mixed with water. Multipurpose joint compound is another alternative that you can use right out of the bucket or thin the mixture down with water.
   
2. To decide the tools that you need depends on what pattern that you want to achieve for your plaster wall. You will need a trowel for a knock down look, and a texture roller or a brush for a deep texture as each texture requires different tools.
   
3. A sand dune effect can be created by using a drywall knife. If you don\’t know what type of texture to choose, put some of your compounds on a piece of cardboard and try out different textures.
   
4. Before starting out on this task, clean your walls well and repair any cracks if needed. Plaster walls tend to hang on to dust, so vacuum your walls with the brush attachment and then with a damp rag. If you have joint compound, fix any major compounds so that your texture does not go into your crack and disturb your pattern. Leave the compound to dry before continuing to the next step.
   
5. Next, prime your walls. Use a paint primer and put a coat on the walls if you are working with new plaster. The primer will help the process go easier and quicker. The primer will also prevent the water from the compound to soak into the wall. Leave the coat to dry.
   
6. Then, apply your compound to the area where you can work on fast enough. This will prevent from having the compound to dry before you will be able to get to it. Do the area next to it and blend it in to the first area.
   
7. If your wall is in bad shape, you will need to apply a coat on the entire wall and then continue a thinner second coat. You can practice this step before applying it on your whole wall. You can also go over it with a trowel after spraying it on to create the knock down look.
8. After the compound has dried completely, you can paint it as any other wall. To get into the textured area without leaving dripping paint, you will need a brush with a fine end or a textured paint roller.
   

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

The House That Faux Built

Decorative Painting Techniques for Walls, Floors, Ceilings & Furniture

Texturing plaster wall is a post from: DIY Guides

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Instead of the usual looking concrete steps, why not give it a new coat of paint to refresh the look of your home. In order to achieve that, choosing the right type of paint is crucial. The paint should stick on to the concrete and slip-proof as a protection to you and other people who step on them. Here are the steps on how to paint your concrete steps.

Things that you need:

• Concrete/ masonry primer
  
• slip-proof concrete/masonry paint
  
• concrete vapor transfer test
  
• heavy duty stripper
  
• masking tape
  
• paintbrush
  
• paint roller
  

Steps:

1. First, prepare the concrete steps for the paint. You can use the concrete vapor transfer kit to test whether the concrete will hold the paint. This test will only be used for the steps which are less than one year old. Clean the concrete steps by stripping off any existing paint, rust, dirt or grease. Next, use masking tape or painting tape to tape off porch or wall areas that are joined with the concrete steps. Apply the tape where you are likely to over paint. For example, tape along the lines and the landing on the top of the steps.
   
2. Then, paint a coat of concrete or masonry primer to the steps. You can use a brush to paint the entire area, the edges and the inside of corners. For the rest of the surface, you can use the roller. Before painting the color on the steps, make sure the primer is dried completely. For oil-based primers, most of them are dry within 4 to 6 hours but only ready to be painted for another 8 to 10 hours. If you are using the epoxy primers, these primers dry within an hour and are ready to paint within 6 hours in warm dry weather.
   
3. Try choosing a slip-proof cement paint or masonry paint. You can also use a non-slip marine additive as the alternative paint to increase traction when the steps are wet. If you can\’t decide, ask the paint salesperson to suggest a suitable non-slip additive for your paint choice.
   
4. Brush a coat of masonry paint the same method as you did with the primer. You may have to paint several thin coats or a thick coat depending on what type of paint you are using. After finish painting, let the steps completely dry before stepping on them. If the weather is warm and dry, a thin coat of masonry paint will dry within 2 to 4 hours, while layering a second coat will dry within 8 to 10 hours.

Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/articles_4369-general-home-repair.html?sort=commentcount+desc
http://www.ehow.com/how_4813699_paint-concrete-steps.html

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhirsch/3029451375/

Painting concrete steps is a post from: DIY Guides

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When the weather takes its course, anything on the way will have to bear the consequences. Wrought iron is one of the things will be most affected by the weather changes. One solution to restore their original beauty is by painting them. The paint coats will protect the wrought iron from heat and moisture, thus preventing them from cracking and rusting. Here\’s how you can prepare and paint wrought iron so it will lasts longer;

Things you need:

• Metal primer
  
• metal enamel
  
• china brush bristle
  
• wire brush
  
• paint thinner
  
• paint conditioner or Penetrol
  

Steps:

1. Before starting to paint, you can cover the surrounding areas where you are painting the wrought iron. This coverage will help to protect the mess form the paints because paint tends to “spray” off brush when painting wrought iron.
   
2. First, remove loose rust and paint by using wire brush to prepare the wrought iron. By removing the rust and loose paint, your wrought iron won\’t be rusting under the new paint. Eventually, this will provide smooth and better surface for new paints which avoid bubble through if painted over. Then, clean the spots on the wrought iron that were wire brushed by using the paint thinner. At the same time, you can clean the flat surfaces too.
   
3. Next, make spot-prime the bare wrought iron using bristle brush and oil base metal primer. After painting, allow the wrought iron to dry thoroughly. You can also use the rustoleum primer instead of oil base metal primer.
   
4. On top of the wrought iron, make a coat of paint by using oil base metal enamel and the bristle brush. If you are painting the same color to the wrought iron, one coat is enough. But, if you want to change the color more than once, it is advisable to paint two coats.
   
5. You can do the painting works systematically. You paint one section at a time, so you don\’t loose track of where you are. It is easy to miss the spots on railings or furniture, this always happens when you want to repaint them the same color.
   
6. To thin the enamel, use the paint conditioner at rate of 8 parts of enamel to 1 part of paint conditioner. The reason you are adding paint conditioner is to help the paint flow better on the wrought iron, less paint drippings and runs. Other than that, it will help as a rust restrainer.

Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/articles_4375-outdoor-house-painting.html?sort=commentcount+desc
http://www.ehow.com/how_4746782_paint-wrought-iron.html

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkeigan/3410076716/

Painting wrought iron is a post from: DIY Guides

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If you\’re repainting an older home, make sure you choose a historically accurate colour scheme. You should hire a professional to analyse the old paint chips and recreate the original colour. You can also refer to colour charts and select shades that are used at the time your home was built. If you want to go a little bit more adventurous with your colours, bear in mind that you may need to consult even your neighbours to know if bright colors on old architectural details which can produce startling and exciting results will sit well for them. Look at what your neighbors are doing, as the house next door can give you some colour ideas (although copying it exactly may not be a good idea). Choose colours that set your house apart from the others, without a clashing of colours. 

Blending in with your surrounding.  

What\’s around your house may give you some ideas on what colour to choose. Lots of trees may suggest an earthy scheme of greens and browns, or a beach setting may suggest blue tones, turqoise or coral colours.  

Also remember to harmonise the colour choice with your roof. Some features of your house like brick walls, railings or steps and wooden floors can not be painted, so make sure you choose colours that match these features.  
 

Matching the colours to furnishing or decor 

You can even match the colours of your paint to furnishings or decor in the house. The interior colours will then influence the colour choice in the exterior of the house. You can choose as many as six colours depending on the size and complexity of your house. These can go on sidings, shutters, moldings, doors, window sashes, brackets, columns and porch decks. Make sure you don\’t go over board and colour crazy, too much can be overwhelming, too little can be bland. 

You can also use colour to add size and space to your home. Light colors make a building look larger, and white is the favored color for traditional classical architecture. White or a pale cream color can give a sense of size for a small space. Going to opposite (dark) will make the house seem smaller, but it will draw more attention to details. These colours are good for accenting recesses, lighter tone highlights details that project from the wall surface. Contrasting colour can add detail to architectural design, but often extreme contrasts will clash and detract from details. Consider using colours from a single colour family, and use darker or lighter shades instead of a different colour to accent. Make sure that you balance the colours for the whole building. The use of a single colour on just one part of the house can cause a lopsided appearance.  
 

Making paint last the test of time 

Intense colour will more likely fade over time. Dark colours also require more maintenance as they absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. It can also be difficult to match exactly the colours when you want to do small touch-ups. Don\’t rule out using dark colours though, as they won\’t show dust and stain. Glossy paint will also more likely show imperfections, brush strokes and touch up marks, while matte will not. However, glossy surfaces are easier to clean. You can combine these two different sheens, like using matte paint for the walls and semi-gloss/glossy paint for columns, railings and window sashes.  

When you choose your paint, there\’s more than a little likelihood that they will look different once brought out of the store and viewed in natural sunlight. Colours appear lighter on large surface than they do on small samples like colour swatches. Choose a darker colour than the one you want, and always test your selected color in one area before buying gallons of paint.

Choosing the right colour is a post from: DIY Guides

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Colours can affect your emotional, psychological as well as physical state. Ask yourself which mood you want to create with colours.  Did you know that red can increase appetite and stimulate conversation? That\’s why it’s a popular colour choice for fast-food outlets, or dinner party. Things that need to be taken account when selecting your colour schemes are style and location of your home, the aspect of the house and each room, the quantity of natural light, personal preferences as well as existing furnishings (or new ones you will be procuring).

Colours behave in three basic ways: active, passive, and neutral. Light colors are expansive and airy, they make rooms seem larger and brighter. Dark colors are sophisticated and warm; they give large rooms a more intimate appearance.

How colours behave and their effects

Red raises energy level, raises blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate. It is a good choice if you want to stir up excitement, particularly at night. Red draws people together and stimulates conversation in a living room or dining room. If used in an entryway, it creates a strong first impression. Crimson can make some people feel irritable. It should be avoided as the main color of a room as being in a room with this coolur for long periods of time will likely cause disharmony.

Yellow captures the joy of sunshine and communicates happiness and is a good colour for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms. Yellow can feel expansive and welcoming in hallways and small spaces. However, it should not be the main colour scheme of a room, as it can cause people to lose their tempers. When used as a main colour scheme it tends to create feeling of frustration and anger in people and causes tiredness on the eyes. 

Blue is considered a calming, relaxing, and serene colour and is known to bring down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate. It is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. However, a pastel blue that looks good on a paint chip can be unpleasantly chilly applied on walls and furnishings, especially when there is little natural light. Balance blue with warm hues in the furnishings and fabrics if you\’re considering using it in a room. Consider using warm blues like periwinkle, or bright blues like cerulean or turquoise to encourage relaxation in rooms where people gather like living rooms, and large kitchen. Use light shades of blue for this as dark blue has the opposite effect, by invoking feelings of sadness. Refrain from using darker blues in your main color scheme. 

Green combines the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow, making it suitable for almost any room in the house. It is the most restful color for the eye. A sage or medium green in the kitchen help cool things down while in a family room or living room, it relaxes the mood but at the same time provide enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness. It is considered a relaxing and pleasant colour, giving a calming effect when used as a main colour for decorating. It is said to relief stress and even helps in fertility, making it s a great choice for the bedroom. 

Purple colour in its lighter shades like lavender and lilac, promote the restful quality as blue in the bedroom. In its darkest values, like eggplant, it is rich, dramatic, and sophisticated and is associated with luxury as well as creativity. Used as an accent or secondary color, it gives a scheme depth. 

Orange is a great colour for your exercise room, as it evokes excitement, enthusiasm and is an energetic color. 

Neutrals (black, gray, white, and brown) virtue lies in their flexibility. You can add colour to liven things up, or subtract it to calm things down. Use black in small amounts, especially as an accent, to give your room some depth and to ground the colour scheme.

Choosing colour for your home is a post from: DIY Guides

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Once you\’ve decided on the colour of paint that you want for your house, the next step seems simple enough. Head to the hardware store and get some paint and brushes. Sounds simple? Not really. You\’ll discover that there is just one type of house paint, but a whole range of paint, latex or alkyd, different types of colours, varnish, enamel, shellac, water paint etc. Paint is designed to provide you with colour and gloss retention, to provide mildew resistance and to withstand expansion and retraction due to exposure to weather. You will also have to consider the kind of surface that you are painting on and the finish that you want. 

Types of paint

Latex – Originally referred to the use of rubber in one form or another as the resin, or solid in paint, latex paint uses water as the solvent or thinner. There are many paints these days made with water as the thinner but with resins that are not latex, such as “water-thinned” or “water-reducible” paint. “Acrylic latex” is more often used to refer to latex paint now, because they contain a plastic resin made of acrylics or polyvinyls rather than rubber.

Latex paint has high durability that will last you a long time and retains the colour of your paint. It dries quickly, works well on a porous surface, and is easy to work with. Another advantage to latex paint is opacity which allows it to completely cover one colour with another. You also do not need volatile thinners and brush cleaners to wash the brush or roller as it comes clean in just a few minutes, thus erasing the potential fire hazard. 

Latex paint also works well on porous surface, which allows moisture to escape and helps to prevent your paint from peeling. It is also easy to cleanup latex paint, simply clean with soap and water. It also works well on surfaces previously painted with latex or oilbase paints and can be used on unprimed drywall and unpainted masonry. It cannot adhers to high-gloss finishes, and is not recommended for use with wallpaper as the water in the paint may cause the paper to peel away from the wall. Latex will cause bare steel to rust and will raise the grain on raw wood.

Oil (Alkyd) – Alkyd paint is one of the most well known type of oil paint in the market. It utilises a synthtic resin as a binder in the paint, which is normally oil. Alkyd paint comes in a wide variety of finishes that make is ideal for different types of projects. It provides durability and stain resistance, has good adhesion and can cover problematic or glossy surfaces. Alkyd paints tend to dry slower, giving time for the roller marks to fade away and dry to a more cleaner surface. Alkyd paint is used commonly in “high traffic” areas, including doors and trim within a home and cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom. Weather resistance feature in these type of paint also make them ideal for surfaces or objects outside the house. Alkyd paint will hold up under rain and snow and will not crack or peel in cold temperature.

However it does require more on the cleanup, as it requires mineral spirits usage on brushes in order to get them clean. Some places will not even allow this kind of paint, due to air-quality regulations. Always be sure to check into these things prior to actually purchasing your paints. Alkyd paint do not hold their pigment well.

Choosing the type of paint for the home exterior is a post from: DIY Guides

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Once you’ve decided on the perfect colour for your room/house, you will need to decide which finishing you want for them. Knowing the benefits of each finishing will help you determine the right one for your job. There are some particular application specifics that you should consider when selecting an interior paint finish.

Maintenance and Durability

Most manufacturers have developed all paint finishes with good cleaning qualities, with the shinier the paint finish, the better it will stand up to washing and cleaning. When painting children\’s rooms, use an eggshell or satin paint on the walls and semi-gloss for doors and moldings as these finishes are formulated to better withstand repeated cleanings.

Rustic Looks

In order to give a worn or old look, use flat finish paints for walls or furniture. If maintenance is an issue, you might select a flat enamel for trim or an eggshell finish for walls.

High Gloss Looks

Instead of using high gloss paint for a whole room, use it sparingly in selected locations, as brilliant surface can appear a bit cold and uninviting. Use it only on doors or trimmings, and remember to spend extra time preparing the surfaces to be painted glossy, as this finish tends to really point out any surface imperfections.

Ceiling Paint

Premixed finish paints can be bought from home improvement store and can be cheaper as maintenance or coverage is not of particular importance in consideration. Most ceilings are painted with a flat finish. An eggshell finish can also be selected if the surface of the ceiling is flawless. You can choose a glossier finish for reflection, but make sure that the ceiling is newly resurfaced and has no blemishes.

Kitchens and Baths

Semi-gloss paint is ideal for kitchen or bathroom, as surfaces will be exposed to water, splashing, or steam.

What Kind of Finishes Are There?

Matte Finish

Good to hide small wall bumps, cracks or other imperfections because it does not reflect light. This paint finish is usually used on interior walls. While some flat paints are washable, you will need to touch up scratches or marks by covering with a bit more paint, so remember to keep some on hand after finishing the paint job.

Flat Enamel

Flat enamel is a paint with a durable flat, matte finish. It\’s a good choice for powder rooms and halls, as it holds up to occasional cleaning.

Eggshell Finish

Eggshell finish has a tiny amount of sheen to it and is often used for windows, doors, trim or ceiling. It is good for walls and holds up better with cleaning than a flat finish paint. It is a good choice for interior walls and washes slightly better than flat wall paint. 

Satin Finish

A satin finish paint has smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss. It is suitable for kids\’ room walls, kitchens, or bathrooms, or in areas which get a lot of traffic. Paint with a satin finish is formulated to hold up to cleaning and light scrubbing. Satin paint finishes do not hide imperfections in surfaces or application as well as the aforementioned finishes, and will reflect more light than eggshell and is a great choice for kids\’ rooms and trim as it stands up well to washing.

Semi-Gloss

Semi-gloss paint is most often used on doors, trim, and cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms and can be easily cleaned. It has a nice, subtle shine, without being too shiny. Ensure to prepare the surface well, as poorly prepared surfaces can be a bit distracting when highlighted by a semi-gloss surface.

Glossy

High gloss paints will magnify any surface imperfections, so remember to prepare your surfaces well. Sanding is essential before painting with high gloss paints. It has a reflective quality, as their shiny finish mimics the look of enamel or plastic. It is popular for a dramatic look on cabinets, trim, and furniture in very formal and very contemporary settings.

Choosing the Right Interior Paint Finishes is a post from: DIY Guides

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Once you’ve applied the stripper (use one or more thick coats), do not scrape too soon. The layers of paint should be easy to lift with a scraper or a plastic household spatula. When you’re working on a vertical surface, protect the work area by taping masking tape around a plastic floor covering, and then a layer of newpaper on top to absorb the sludge. Use a large body scraper/spatula. When stripping woodwork, protect the walls by taping newpapers to them.

Preparing Exterior Siding for Painting

Prepping your exterior walls before painting is crucial for a lasting paint work. Paint that has begun to fail and fade must be completely removed so that the new coat of paint will adhere properly. 

• Hose down the siding and scrub off with a stiff-bristle brush mounted on a broomstick-type pole. Use a solution of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP) or a nonphosphate substitute to clean the area, making sure that you follow label directions. Do not use this solution on bare wood because it is caustic, and always REMEMBER to wear rubber gloves and safety goggles.

• Use a scrapper to scrap off paint or a power sander to remove large areas of paint (or to smooth down roughly scraped surfaces). Work in 3 foot sections at a time when using a sander and move horizontally across from top in a wave-like pattern across the middle, then along the underside of the lip. 7 inch sander works best for big commercial-grade jobs, and are used to smooth the edges of scraped areas or to clear an entire surface of paint. They can either be bought or rented from an equipment rental company.

• Sanding is done in two stages, completely removed the paint with coarse sandpaper like a 60-grit, then smooth the area with medium sandpaper (100-grit).

Remember to follow precautions when sanding:

• Run the sander at full speed before touching the wheel to the surface.

• Lean on the tool slightly when you bring the sander into contact with the wall, and keep moving it along the surface so as not to gouge the wood.

• Sand surfaces at a 5 to 10 degrees angle (to the wall) to avoid the wheel from spinning out of control across the surface.

• Discard sanding disks as they become clogged with paint; otherwise, they will burn the surface.

• Do not use a power sander in the rain.

• Use a putty knife and apply exterior spackling compound to fill any holes or deep gouges. If you a planning to apply a semitransparent stain, use a matching wood-toned filler. Allow the spackling compound to dry. Then, use a sanding block or a palm sander with 100-grit sandpaper to sand each patch until it is smooth. Sweep away residual dust and scrapings.

Stripping Interior & Exterior Paint Finishes is a post from: DIY Guides

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The wood trim of a house is most susceptible when it comes to damage from sun, rain, and wind. You will need to thoroughly clean, sand lightly and prime the surface. You may also need to scrap, strip, re-glaze, wire brush, fill or caulk the trimmings.

• Scrub away all dirt and chalking paint with a scrub brush an d trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution. Rinse the trim thoroughly, and allow it to dry completely before preparing the surfaces for primer and paint.

• The primer provides a base to which the paint can adhere as well as seals it. Slow-drying alkyd-base primers are recommended. On partially bare wood, apply two coats of primer. Tint the primer with some of the finish color to help with more coverage. 

• Sand the fascia with rough to find-grit paper. Remember to use safety goggles and dust mask or respirator. 

• Blister the paint with a heat gun, and peel it away with a putty knife. Remember to keep a hose nearby for safety.

• Tap out old window glazing compound that is cracked or brittle.

• Power sand the windowsills with a palm sander, graduating from rough- to fine-grit paper and fill cracks and holes with a vinyl exterior spackling compound, and sand the surface when dry.

• Spread new glazing compound along the window frames at an angle, and let it cure.

Once you’ve done the preparation of the surfaces, protect the surrounding area with thick cotton dropcloths before starting your paint job. Protect roofing or other surfaces that will not be coated by may be splattered with paint by using 3-inch tape.

Always paint in fair (above 50 degrees F.), dry weather as cooler temperatures may cause poor adherence. Start your paint job after the morning dew dries, and stop at least 2 hours before the evening dampness sets in. 

Avoid painting in direct sunlight and follow the sun around the house. Do not use solvent-thinned paints to cool surfaces that will be heated by the sun in a few hours as this may cause the paint to blister.

Paint in the following order: the overhangs and gutters, then the main surfaces from the top down, and then the trim. Finish with the shutters, railings, porch, and foundation.

If you plan to paint the trim a different color than the siding, wait until the siding has completely dried before beginning the trim. Apply masking tape to protect the siding from the trim paint, and remove the tape immediately after finishing.

Lastly, paint exterior doors and windows. Use a power sprayer for shutters (remove them first). If you’re using a brush for the shutter, begin at the joints where the louvers meet the frame, then paint the lourve, and then finally the frame itself. Always start painting against the grain and finish by painting with the grain.

Let a wall dry fully before deciding whether touchups are needed. A paint finish often will look patchy or uneven until it has fully dried.

Painting Siding & Trim

• Brush on a coat of primer; tint the primer to a color that is similar to your finish color, for a better finish.

• Begin at the top of a wall, and apply the finish coat. Dip the brush no more than 1 inch into the paint. When painting lap siding, start by painting along the bottom edges of horizontal boards. To prevent drips and lap marks, paint all the way across three or four boards.

• Dip the brush about 2 inches into the paint, and tap it against the side of the bucket to clear paint from one side. Then turn the brush parallel to the ground as you lift it. Press the paint-heavy side of the brush against the surface, spreading the paint in a side-to-side motion on horizontal siding or up and down on vertical siding.

• On windows, paint lightly along mullions, allowing a slight bead of paint to lap onto the glass with a sash brush. Before the paint dries, remove the overlap from the glass with a rag wrapped around the end of a putty knife. Holding it at an angle, pull it along the joint between the frame and the glass. Dry paint can be removed with a razor blade. Always paint perpendicular against the wood grain to get good coverage on the face of the trim. Open an operable window when painting the sash of an operable window, so that it won’t be sealed shut by paint.

Painting Aluminum Siding

• Thoroughly clean the siding by scrubbing it with water and tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) or a non-phosphate detergent and then rinse. 

• Allow to dry completely, and then sand any chipped or peeled painted areas so that the surface is smooth. Use a buffing pad to remove any chalk from the surface.

• Prime exposed metal with a high-quality acrylic latex metal primer. Apply one or two coats of a high-quality, 100% acrylic latex paint specifically made for metal siding (satin or eggshell finishes for longevity).

• If possible do the painting on an overcast day; if not, avoid painting in direct sunlight.

Exterior Trim Painting is a post from: DIY Guides

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