Identifying paint failures and understanding surface preparation are important
factors in the prevention and delaying of paint/surface breakdown. An inspection
of walls and other surfaces is required to determine conditions and the steps
required to properly prepare for paint application. The first step is to consider
the type of surface. Are you painting wood, wainscoting, drywall (sheet-rock),
old or new plaster, vinyl/aluminum siding, steel or galvanized steel, masonry/brick,
concrete block or stucco?
What condition are walls in and what about trim, windows, doors, and ceilings? Are repairs of any kind required anywhere? Are there any water stains, finger prints, crayons, dirt and what about cracks or other areas that need to be repaired?
Preparation begins by closely examining surfaces to be painted. Interior surfaces
can be washed by hand with household or commercial cleaners if residue such
as grease or oily spots are found. Walls need to have cracks, gouges, and holes
repaired. This is done using a patching compound such as "PolyFilla"
or "Durabond." We recommend applying a second coat of any such compound
so patches that may have shrunken while drying will have a flat surface. Make
sure each patch is sanded smooth before putting a coat of primer. Loose nails
or screws used to secure the sheet-rock (drywall ) that have "popped"
need to be reset - nails hamered deeper, screws tightened - all patched (twice)
and sanded to a smooth finish. Sometimes you will find a wood door or old window
frame/sill has rotted and needs replacing. You may find similar problems on
exterior surfaces. All defects need to be addressed prior to priming
to ensure proper paint adhesion. Read the section on priming
to learn about why priming is necessary.
Caulking is primarily used for interior and exterior surfaces to prevent moisture from entering and causing decay, sealing drafts to help enhance insulation, sealing rusty nail heads that have been reset (exterior only), and to help provide a consistent smooth looking finish. It is recommended that new and repainted surfaces be primed and sanded completely before caulking is applied. This enhances adhesion and visual appearance. Ordinary places that require caulking include any trim such as baseboards or window/door frame that may have an opening along the wall. Your paint store representative should be able to tell you what type of caulking is required for the job at hand. More on caulking if you are so inclined.
Better quality paints are also excellent at resisting mildew, they offer better
color retention and a longer lasting sheen. They are more resistant to weathering
conditions and provide greater value in the form of lower long term maintenance
costs. Cheap or low quality paints are less durable than top quality paints
and fail prematurely due to lighting and or changing weather conditions. Low
grade paints do not adhere well to well-prepared surfaces and lead to earlier
repaints. Bargain paints, thinned paint, improper surface preparation, and moisture
problems are commonly associated with poor construction. Money that can be saved
on "bargain" paints does not justify the shorter paint life span these
paints are known for.
As with interiors surfaces, the condition of the exterior surface will, to
a greater extent, determine how your paint job will look and how long it will
last. Is the surface peeling or chalking, rusty or mildewed, rotten or stained?
Has the surface been previously painted? These are a few questions you need
to asking yourself.
Washing exterior surfaces by hand can be time consuming. A more conventional way to wash exterior surfaces would be with a power or pressure washer. Pressure washing may cost a little more but the trade off comes with having the surface washed in a fraction of the time it would take to do it by hand.
Stripping, scraping, or sanding of loose paint needs to be completed on exterior surfaces. Loose nails need to be replace with galvanized nails and exposed rusty nail heads need to be reset, primed with a rust inhibited primer and caulked.
Replace rotten wood, siding and gutters or other metal objects that have deteriorated beyond repair.
Exterior windows will need reglazing if broken glass has to be replaced or the old glaze is cracked, loose, and falling out.
Surface preparation in readiness for paint application is the most important part of any paint project and is probably the single greatest cause in paint failures or an undesirable result. Whether interior or exterior, all surfaces need to be cleaned and in good condition to allow proper paint adhesion and provide long term protection of the surface being painted. Properly prepared surfaces are essential to longer lasting and a better looking home.
The same reasoning for selection top quality paints applies to stains. Although
stains provide a different finish to surfaces, top quality stains will perform
as well as, or better than paints. Stains are guaranteed to never peel or crack
like paints, so there is never any sanding or scraping to do during the preparation
of a previously stained surface. One coat is usually adequate for previously
stained surfaces while two coats may be required for color changes. Staining
is highly recommended if you have the option of staining exterior surfaces instead
of painting. One disadvantage to staining is that once a stained surface has
been subject to weather wear and tear, it cannot be touched up.
Keeping up with home maintenance is a key in extending the life of any exterior surface. Annual checkups will alert you to breakdowns. Immediate repair of damaged or weather worn areas that have the potential to worsen or coating breakdowns is essential to longer lasting walls and trim. Exterior surfaces are always expanding and contracting with changing weather temperatures. This will cause fading, peeling and cracks on exterior walls. Given a chance moisture will penetrate these surfaces, later causing excessive problems. Mildew should always be cleaned off before painting or staining. And remember, there is no such thing as a maintenance free surface.