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Interior Painting

Heres a little bit of information about Interior Painting. First starts off by properly preparing the surfaces to be painted is the first step in a quality paint job.

All hardware, such as switch and outlet covers, door knobs, strike plates, etc. should be removed and carefully stored, or properly masked. Curtains, blinds, and other objects should also be removed or protected.

All sheetrock damage should then be repaired. This includes patching all nail holes and applying a sealer/ primer to all stains.

Larger repairs to the sheetrock may require a multi-step process which includes installing new drywall, taping and floating, and texturing.

All glossy surfaces should be lightly sanded to dull the surface. Most paints do not adhere well to hard glossy surfaces, and the light sanding gives the paint something to "bite" into.

After removing the sanding dust, any separations between wood should be caulked with a siliconized acrylic latex caulk.

The final step in the preparation process involves masking and covering any remaining objects which will not be painted. The method and extent of the masking is largely determined by how the paint will be applied.

When the preparation is complete, a thorough inspection should be conducted. Now is the time to discover any additional sheetrock repairs, to find that door jamb that wasn't sanded, etc.

All masking should also be inspected carefully, particularly if paint will be sprayed.

Until very recently, latex paints were used almost exclusively for walls and ceilings, and oil paints were used for doors, trims, and woodwork.

Latex paints-- which are water based-- have been less durable. Oil paints, while more durable, emit unpleasant odors and require the use of mineral spirits for clean up.

The result is a quick drying paint which levels well, cleans up with water, and can stand up to severe wear and tear. Perhaps more importantly, these new products do not emit harmful and irritating fumes.

One benefit of these new latex paints is that the painter can work in an area until the end of the working day, and that area will still be accessible and usable to the homeowner within a few hours of cleanup.

For homeowners with young children (who may be tempted to see if the paint really is wet) this eliminates one potential problem. The greatly reduced odors means that painters need not totally disrupt a family's lifestyle while a project is being completed.

Exterior Painting

As with interior painting, proper surface preparation is crucial for achieving a long lasting paint job. A thorough cleaning to remove dirt and mildew is the first step in preparing exterior surfaces.

All loose paint and defective caulking should then be removed. Any rotted boards should be replaced, and all new and bare wood primed.

Gaps between adjoining wood, or wood and masonry, should be caulked with an elastomeric sealant. Hardware and light fixtures which are not to be painted should be removed or properly protected, and all plants should be moved or covered.

Rusty surfaces, such as steel lintels and wrought iron, may require special preparation. All loose rust should be removed, and the surface then primed with a rust inhibiting primer.

As with interior paints, many manufacturers have developed new latex products which offer superior performance over oil base paints.

A 100% acrylic latex paint should be used for exterior surfaces. Less expensive paints generally contain a vinyl, or vinyl-acrylic, resin, which is not as durable as a 100% acrylic resin and does not retain color as well.

Generally, paints offered for residential use are either alkyd base (oil) or water base (latex). The base indicates the solvent used to suspend pigments (coloring agents) and resins (binding agents).

Because they dry slowly, alkyd paints should not be used for exterior painting in warm, humid climates. The slow drying time gives mold spores more opportunity to attach to the drying paint film.

This, combined with the nature of the resins in alkyd paints, provides a near perfect environment for mildew. Latex paints are much more mildew resistant. While most high-quality paints now contain mildewcides, such additives will only inhibit mildew growth, not prevent its occurrence.

No paint job will last forever. However, the life of paint can be extended with the proper care and maintenance. Interior paint is generally not subjected to conditions as harsh as exterior paint.

Maintenance usually consists of little more than occasionally cleaning to remove dirt, grease, or fingerprints. Scuff marks, scratches, and chips require touch up.

Exterior paint requires considerably more maintenance. Regularly removing dirt and mildew will not only keep the paint looking fresh, but will also prevent mildew growth from destroying the paint film. In addition, an inspection for rotted wood and cracked caulk should be conducted at least once a year.

Promptly replacing rotted boards and repairing cracked caulk will prevent more extensive and expensive damage.