FHB needs to write another article on painting. Things have changed that much. I’ll go into greater detail in my blog (“The $6000 House”), but here’s the short version:
First off is: get a sprayer. Preferably a hoseless, airless type. Painting is so much more pleasant.
Next, remember that how you apply the paint has no bearing on the prep work you need to do. There’s no getting around all the necessary scraping, sanding, patching, etc.
Spraying does require a lot more masking. Don’t forget the floor and ceiling- the ‘paint dust’ gets everywhere. While you’re at it, mask yourself- mask, head sock, Keds, painters’ clothes. While you’re at it, have daily access to a washer, for your clothes.
Finally, sequence counts. Spray light colors first, and save the trim / brush work for last.
Technology has given us another invaluable tool: photo editing. There are various photo programs and web sites that let you use your picture, and add the colors you want to use. This lets you ‘see’ the house before you ever buy a drop of paint. By doing this, I was able to see the effect of even a minor color shift- as well as see what color my roof needs to be when I get around to that next year! I was even able to ‘color match’ the brickwork better ‘on line’ than I was ever able to do by holding paint chips up to the wall!
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Don't forget to include ............
a few pages on the RRP program and rules.
They change and / or are reinterpretated, so stay current.
>>>FHB needs to write another
>>>FHB needs to write another article on painting. Things have changed that much.
I would love to see such an article. I'm still stuck back in the days of the crappy old airless sprayers. (The old Wagner consumer grade stuff?!?!? Junk.)
>>>I'll go into greater detail in my blog ("The $6000 House")
Cool, and thanks, I didn't know you did this.
For the search engine challenged, here's a link:
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17717/the-6000-house
And to think after all these years, I didn't know you where a pro electrical contractor!
Thanks for the link! I do look forward to feedback ... but that's another topic. It will be awhile before I "publish" the entry on painting. Indeed, I bet I'll need two posts to cover painting alone!
Painting gear ... well, I learned long ago that there's a reason trade supply houses stay in business, no matter how the 'box stores' expand. Part of the reason is that the pro shops can't afford to sell junk. So, I tend to favor them and their lines; if they all carry 'Brand X,' and not "Brand Y,' there's likely a reason.
For a sprayer I used the Graco cordless, airless model. The corded version ($250 vs. $450) is also an excellent choice. I'll have a lot of information to share about these in my (later) posts.
Not to be a complete tool snob, I also used a 'parts cleaner' I found at Harbor Freight for about $80. This sure has made cleaning the sprayer, and other painting equipment, a lot easier .... and without messing up the sink. Count this as one of my rare ideas that really worked out!
As for lead paint ... that's another topic entirely. Even avoiding THAT particular tar-baby, if you spray, you'll be well advised to mask / tarp / tent everything off completely, anyway. I had overspray land on my car, which was parked a good ten feet behind me, opposite the direction of spraying, on a calm day.
Quick quiz: what's the difference between a 'tarp' and a 'drop cloth?' Drop cloths let air pass through. Tarps are waterproof. For painting, use drop cloths; even cheap bed sheets are better for making your 'tent' than plastic sheeting, for this very reason. I covered floors with large sheets of cardboard, cut to fit, and taped together at seams.
How long does it take for paint to dry? Well, a lot longer than you might think. My overspray felt tacky to my feet for at least two days, even though the walls were 'dry to touch' within hours. Something to consider when folding up tarps.
Yes, I'm an electrician. Indeed, this very fact got me thrown off one 'painters' forum. I guess I wasn't 'professional enough. Still, as a 'small' guy, I often have to patch my own holes- and that Graco sprayer is sure to come in handy.