Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Thousands of homwowners paint their houses every year. ... Even if the house does not need to be painted, there are other items to consider such as shutters, exterior doors, garage doors, etc. ... First of all, purchase the best exterior paint available. ... The best paints have advanced binders that withstand exposure to weather extremes for up to seven years. ... It goes on easily and cleans up with water. ... Next, you need to read and follow the surface prep and application instructions on the paint can. ... Although it seems boring, it’s not as boring as having to repaint your house after two years because you didn’t follow the instructions. ... Moving too fast with additional coats will not give the underlying paint sufficient time to dry and that can lead to peeling and cracking. ... Patch any areas that are damaged or replace the material entirely if patching is not possible. ... If you can help it, try not to apply paint in direct sunlight or windy days because this will cause it to dry too quickly ...

... Cedar siding has a great reputation as a wood that works well with a wide range of finishes. ... It is highly resistant to cracking when exposed to weather extremes as long as the surface has been properly coated. ... Dirt is not usually much of a problem. ... Rinse thoroughly with a garden host to remove the detergent. ... In fact, it can cause problems on just about any type of surface. ... When it is time to refinish cedar siding, remove the mildew with a good quality mildew remover. ... Cedar contains naturally occurring extractive chemicals that provide weather resistance and durability. ... To prevent these types of stains, moisture problems must be eliminated. ... Don’t allow the sealing material to get on the surface of the wood because that in itself will cause discoloration. ... A commercial cleaner can be used in difficult cases. ... These stains can be difficult to remove. ... Be careful with oxalic acid solution. ... Chalking is caused by deterioration of paint. ... The only cure is to refinish the siding. ... The surface condition can substantially affect the performance of both stain and paint ...