The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

The Practical Website Of Painting And Wallpapering

The condition can also occur if paint is applied to a cold surface. In this case, the sun dries the surface of the paint, but the underside remains soft. Wrinkled paint must be removed and the substrate made smooth before repainting.

Unless things are totally out of hand, it is seldom necessary to remove old paint to bare wood over the entire breath of the house. In spots that are peeling or have alligatored, loose paint can be scraped away with a wide putty knife. Another thing that might have to be done is to remove rust marks from around nail heads with sandpaper or steel wool. Then, reset the nail head below the surface and fill with putty before applying paint.

The one job that should be done before painting is caulking of seams and cracks. This is done although the old paint surface is in good condition. It is a precaution that will keep water from seeping beneath the paint surface, causing paint failure.

The most effective caulk now on the market for homes is latex caulk. You can, of course, use old-fashioned vegetable oil caulk. However, if latex is used keep in mind that it must be painted after it cures, or it will in time start to crumble. You can apply the same paint over the caulk as you use on the house, whether water-base (latex) or oil-base house paint.

STEPS TO FOLLOW IN CAULKING

1. If there is old caulking compound over the crack, scrape it away with a scraper and wire brush.
2. Wash the crack and surrounding area with turpentine or paint thinner to dissolve small particles of dirt and re- move surface film. This cleaning will assure that the new caulk will firmly ad here to the surface.
3. Lay down a wide bead of caulk —at least 3/8 inch in width —making sure it covers the entire crack.