From the archives of Big Bear Magazine, 2005, Written by Chris Fonda
It’s a scene some of us are all too familiar with: our living space suddenly becomes invaded with plastic drop-cloths, ladders, paint cans, and paint brushes. Sometimes, the phrase, “What was I thinking?” can be heard coming from the homeowners mouth if you listen carefully enough. But with a little planning and know-how, painting your house can be a rewarding experience.
There is a lot more to painting your house than just picking out a color and brushing it in. In fact, you should think of your house’s paint the same way that you think of your clothes. Why? We all know that our clothes do more than just make us look good. They protect us from the elements, they help keep us warm or cool, and they can make us look good too. In Big Bear, we have some unique challenges to keep in mind if you’re thinking about dressing up the outside of you’re home. At nearly 7000 feet above sea level, the sun’s rays are much more intense, which can cause paint to blister and crack prematurely. Secondly, there is the fluctuating day and night temperatures to contend with. A 75 degree daytime temperature typically plummets into the 40’s at night. Next, you must contend with the snow and rain from time to time as we’ve seen this winter. And lastly, don’t forget about the dry, desert-like air.
So, let’s start with the biggest decision you’ll have to make: Should you attempt to do it yourself, or should you hire a professional? “I get a lot of calls from people who realize in mid-project that they have taken on more than they can realistically handle,” says Robert Critelli, Critelli Painting. It all depends on your budget, timeline, and how good you are at juggling a paint brush on a ladder thirty-five feet above the screwdriver that you need to open the paint can in your hands. All of the professionals consulted with agreed on one point here: An experienced painter will almost always do a more thorough job than doing it DIY. After all, it’s what they do day in and day out – paint. A more thorough job will result in a longer lasting paint job. Chuck Juliana, owner of Chuck’s Painting says that, “You can usually count on getting four to six years out of a quality paint job at this elevation compared to eight to 10 years down the hill. For this reason, you’ll want to use a really high quality product. Don’t look to save money on your paint, you’ll almost always regret it,” he adds.
“Preparation is the single most important element in ensuring a good finish,” Juliana says. “Before lifting a brush, the end result is greatly affected by the way you prep the house. You’ll want to remove any cracked or peeling paint first. A putty knife and a sander will work fine for most jobs. You don’t have to sand your entire house, just hit the spots that are obviously damaged,” Juliana adds.
If you don’t address these spots and just paint over them, they will continue to crack and peel underneath the newly applied paint. This is where you need to really take a close look at your house. Look for nail holes that might need to be filled in with caulking or wood putty and places where the old paint has lifted up and peeled. The south side of the house is usually a good candidate for cracking and peeling paint since it receives the most direct sunlight. A damp cloth should be used to remove any dust left behind from sanding. It’s also a good idea to use a high quality exterior grade caulk to fill in any holes and cracks in the wood. Just apply the caulking directly to the crack or hole, and wipe it smooth with your finger. This would be a good time to check the caulking on your windows and doors too. With time, the caulking wears away and gaps form letting cold air into the house and warm air out.
Next, you’ll want to use a high quality primer to cover the areas where you sanded and chipped away at the old paint. Again, you don’t need to prime the entire house, just the spots where you sanded and caulked. This step acts as a sealer. The primer seals in all of that hard work that you just did sanding, and scrapping and caulking. In Big Bear, most professionals use oil base primer with latex paint over it.
At this point, your house should look somewhat like it has a bad case of the chicken pox. And, as tempting as it might be to just leave it like that, there’s just one last step – painting. “When you’re done with the prep work, you’re ready to start painting. Start from the top of the house and work your way down,” says Critelli. “Make sure that you’re honest with yourself at this point. If the prep work was overwhelming, you might want to consider having a professional estimate.”
All of the professional painters agreed that it’s worth putting two coats of paint on the exterior. There are many ways to apply paint. A brush and roller is the most popular method for DIY homeowners, but spray applicators work well and can save time too. Whichever way you choose, start by brushing in the trim (the top, bottom and corners.) Make sure that you apply the paint generously enough to soak into the wood evenly. “One thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that you want to paint some of the more difficult areas of the house along with some of the easier spots,” says Critelli. “If you do all of the easy painting first then you’re left with all of the tough spots, people tend to get discouraged at that point.”
If you’re planning on staining your deck at the same time, here are a few pointers. As with painting, preparation is important. You’ll want to use a power washer to remove any moss or mildew from the decking boards. You can also purchase chemical washing agents that will remove everything, including the old stain. Once the deck is cleaned up, you’ll want to again apply a high quality deck stain – don’t go cheap here!
So, either grab a brush or grab the phone this summer and give your house a new look!
© 2005 Big Bear Magazine
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