Herald & Lantern 14 March '84

H-7

Planning, preparation and product-selection...

Follow The Three "P's" When House Painting

Americans intent upon adding a fresh, new coat of paint to their homes this spring would be wise to mind their P’sr if not their

Q’s.

Planning, preparation and product selection are the three key P’s recommended to homeowners. Planning involved taking a good look at the\

this information to help you select the look that’s right

for you.

ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR PLAN, preparation of your house for painting becomes vital. If you have put off repainting too long, you probably face some extra work in preparing the surface. On the other hand, if

, structure and design of >you paint too soon, you your home, (2) recognizing could end up witb-rr thick

how your home fits^withtn the context of-your neighborhood, and (3) considering the natural environment and the climate in which you live. BEFORE SELECTING THE COLOR for your home, draw a sketch of the house and try various color combinations on paper. Refer to a snapshot of your house so that important details like trim are noted. Remember that climate may influence your color selection. Light colors reflect sunlight, thus absor-

bing little heat.

Darker colors will soak in heat, perhaps an aid in cooler climate communities. Light shades will make a small home appear larger, while dark shades will scale down the look of a

larger house.

EXCEPT FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, contrasting colors should not be used equally. Only one . color should dominate, with trim colors used to blend in with such visual elements as chimneys, rooflines, windows, doorways and entranceways. The end result of this planning is to select house and trim colors that suit your own tastes while blending in with your home’s

environment.

For added ideas, simply drive around your neighborhood and study how other homes of similar structure and form are painted and stained, using

build-up that may even-

tually crack or peel. Before preparation,

carefully inspect the south side of your home, which is subjected to the most wear, to determine whether a

new coat is due.

AND REMEMBER, the preparatory work is the most important part of your repainting job. Don’t cut corners if you expect your paint job to last. Then follow these steps: • Inspect the structure to find out what you’re up against. Look for peeling, discoloration bleeding in the wood, masonry cracks and missing caulk. mildew, salt build-up and rotting. • Isolate moisture problems caused by rain, snow, frost or fog, which together cause the greatest wear on your outside surfaces. Repair all breaks in gutters and downspouts, and cut back tree limbs and bushes whose touching leaves may be the source of

your moisture problems. • Remove old paint using a paint scraper and a wire brush when flaking, cracking, peeling or buildup is evident. Always wear goggles while scraping paint from your home. • Gean the surface using water and detergent, with a carwash hose brush attachment, if possible. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to assure proper paint adhersion later. • Prime or seal bare wood before p'ainting, especially those spots you have just scraped and cleaned. « : You now are ready to paint. Product selection is tl»e

Final and most telling step you'll take in giving your home a new appearance and added protection. Paints differ in many ways; in chemical composition, in their intended use, and in their reaction to various surfaces. Exterior house coatings are either oil base or latex. Latex coatings provide better color and sheen durability than oil base, are less apt^to peel and blister than some other coats, and tend to be faster drying. Paints come in a variety of sheens, from flat to satiny, the latter most often selected for use on trim.

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10 Most Asked Questions About Interior Painting

Q. What is the best paint U> use in a bathroom or kitchen? A. Either Alkyd or Latex Enamel because the smooth finish is easy to dean and resists moisture and grease splatters. Q. What's the difference between Alkyd and Latex? A. Alkyd is an oil-base which dries to touch overnight and requires solvent dean-up. Latex dries to touch in 1 hour and requires water clean-up. It’s a matter of personal preference which to use. Q. Can I use Latex Wall Paint on my woodwork? A. Yes, but if the woodwork is subject to heavy wear, an Enamel should be used. Q. Can I get the same color in Wall Paint and Enamel? A. Yes, but you must understand that the gloss finish of Enamel causes the color to look slightly different than the flat finish of Wall Paint. t Q. What’s the best way to select> color for my room? A. Take a sample home and view it in the natural surroundings of your room. Room lighting and furnishings affect the appearace of all colors. ~ Q. How can I paint a room to look larger or smaller? A. Dark colors have a tendency to make a room look smaller. Light colors will give it a larger look. Q. If I bay more of this color later, will it match exactly? A. Always buy enough paint the first time. However if you don't: 1. If you see you’re going to run out of paint before the room is done, always stop painting in a corner. 2. When you buy additional paint to finish the room, always mix the leftover paint with the new paint before continuing. ^ . Q. What’s the difference between Ceiling and Wall Paintf W. Ceiling Paint is designed to minimize surface defects and provide uniformity and light reflectance. However, it is not designed for heavy washing. Q. What b the best time of the year to paint a room? A. Anytime is fine, but remember that good air circulation in the room speeds (hying time and minimizes odor.

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