A coat of paint not only creates an attractive appearance for
years to come, it also protects exterior surfaces from moisture, fading and
temperature changes. A high-quality paint will provide better protection,
complete coverage, easier application and longer-lasting results. When it comes
to buying paint, you have lots of choices, some determined by your application
and others that are based solely on your preference. Before you learn about all
of the options available to you, use the following questions to focus in on the
needs of your project:
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What types of exterior surfaces do you plan to paint?
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Are they chalky or layered with previous coats of oil paint?
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Are you painting bare wood, metal or concrete?
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Does the surface require frequent cleaning or have
imperfections?
Quality, Types, Tips and Primer
High-quality paint is important for any project, but it’s especially important
for exterior projects, which are subjected to harsh weather conditions day in
and day out. Take some time to consider long-term benefits of better paints in
addition to their initial cost. A good paint will require fewer coats and last
longer, saving you money and time in the long run.
Water-Based vs.
Oil-Based: In
general, water-based paints are preferred for most exterior applications, but
oil-based paints may perform better under certain conditions. Water-based
paints are flexible enough to expand and contract with the siding on a house,
they’re breathable, so they won’t trap moisture and crack or peel, and they dry
significantly faster. Oil paints usually take between 8 and 24 hours to dry,
while water-based paints dry in just 1 to 6 hours. Oil-based paints offer
better adhesion and stain blocking, so they’re better for chalky surfaces,
stained surfaces, bleeding woods (tannin or sap) and metals that rust.
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Water-based paint can be applied over oil-based paint, but
oil-based paint shouldn't be applied over water-based
·
On surfaces with four or more coats of oil paint, stick with
oil, since a water-based paint may cause the oil paint to pull away and crack
·
Latex paints with an all-acrylic binder hold up to weather
better than latex paints with a vinyl-acrylic binder
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Paint Base
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Description
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Major Advantages
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Oil-based (alkyd)
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Consist of a pigment and resin in a solvent thinner. When
thinners evaporate, the resins form a hard coating, leaving behind the
pigment (which provides the color).
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Better surface penetration
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Better adhesion
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Wearability
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Better flow and leveling
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Dries to a smoother finish with fewer brush/roller marks
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Water-based (acrylic; latex)
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Consist of a pigment and binder with water used as carrier.
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Better gloss and color retention
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Breathable (won’t trap moisture)
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Quicker drying
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Less odor
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Nonflammable
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Soap and water cleanup
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Low VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals)
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Primer: Bare wood and some other bare surfaces
need to be primed before you paint them. Like paints, primers come in oil- and
water-based varieties. Oil-based primers are suitable for use with oil- or
water-based paints, so you could prime a chalky surface with oil-based primer
for better adhesion and still take advantage of the benefits of latex paint.
Water-based primer is not recommended for use under oil-based paint.
·
Water-based primers are recommended for most applications, but
oil-based primers are preferable for stained wood, bleeding wood (sap or
tannin) and metals that rust
·
Oil-based primers can be used with any paint, but water-based
primer should only be used with water-based paint
·
There are specific primers for wood, concrete and certain metals,
such as galvanized steel, iron and aluminum
Surface Preparation: Even the best paints won’t adhere well or
produce good results if you don’t prepare the surface correctly. If the surface
has been painted, check for peeling paint and scrape it off prior to applying a
new coat. Whether or not the surface has been painted previously, it needs to
be clean. If unpainted wood is gray or weathered, it should be sanded.
·
Clean, scrape and fill holes in the surface prior to paint
application
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Sleek surfaces may require light sanding to improve adhesion
with primer or paint
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Prime all bare wood, including bare spots and nails on
previously painted surfaces
Weather: Just
like proper surface preparation, applying paint in the right weather can make
or break a project. In temperatures colder than 50˚F most paint won’t dry, but
cold-weather paints are available for cooler climates. In direct sunlight paint
may dry too fast, causing lap marks. Wind can also cause paint to dry too
quickly, in addition to blowing dirt onto the surface.
·
Direct sun and wind can cause paint to dry too fast, especially fast-drying
latex paints
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Cold temperatures, rain and humidity can prevent paint from
drying properly
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Check the label for recommendations on temperature ranges before
starting
Features
Flat/Matte Finish: A flat finish hides imperfections
better than a glossier finish but doesn’t clean as well. Flat finishes are
generally used for siding.
Glossy Finish: Glossier paints create a hard, shiny,
durable finish that’s easy to clean. Glossy paints bring out details, so
they’re usually preferred for trim and doors. They also accentuate
imperfections, so they’re not well suited for siding or walls.
Satin Finish: A satin finish has a slight gloss, so
it’s more cleanable than flat paint yet still hides imperfections well.
Also contact Paint Professional before finalize !!!!!!!!!!
