Painting Problem Surfaces
For years, as a home magazine editor and a radio talk-show guest, I have been asked for advice on how to paint problem surfaces. Most exterior paint texts provide advice on how to prepare and paint ordinary wood siding. The problem is, we don't all have wood siding, and advice for painting stucco, aluminum, redwood, or badly chalked exterior paint surfaces may vary from accepted wisdom for painting wood siding. Following is a list of paint tips for painting your extraordinary house.

Chalked Paint

For years the advice for painting chalked surfaces was always to use an alkyd or oil-base paint. That advice has become outdated as new latex paint formulations have been developed. Several latex paints, including Benjamin Moore and Olympic Overcoat, do especially well on chalked surfaces. The point is, however, that you should not paint over chalked surfaces, until you have taken steps to reduce or eliminate the chalking problem.

Chalked paint particles are microscopic in size, and are therefore very difficult to wash away. But several of the exterior wood/deck cleaners offered today are effective when used to clean away chalked paint. One such product that we've personally used is DEKSWOOD, a product of the Flood Company (800-321-3444 in Hudson, Ohio). DEKSWOOD is a concentrated cleaner that can be used to clean chalked paint from any siding surface. Use the cleaner according to label directions, then wash or powerwash it away to clean the surface. Let it dry, then brush on the finish paint. The brush is the best tool for painting chalked surfaces, because the bristle action tends to ensure good paint contact with the surface.

The Flood Company also makes a pre-coat primer for chalking surfaces, called Emulsa-Bond. The product can be used to lock down any remaining chalk particles and provide a sound surface base for the topcoat.

Painting Stucco

Paints are available that are designated for use over stucco. But, as you may have noticed, stucco that has been painted often peels, making an unattractive mess. The stucco/paint peeling problem is worst in areas where there are extreme (read cold) winter temperatures. Moisture passes from the house interior through the stucco exterior in cold weather, causing any paint to peel. So, my advice is to check the local customs in your area for how to renew stucco, and follow the pro's lead.

If you live in the far west or south where winter moisture is not a problem (or even if you don't), use an acrylic emulsion paint such as Thorosheen (Thoro System Products, 7800 N.W. 38th Street, Miami Fla. 33166-6599) for painting stucco. Thorosheen lets the masonry "breathe" to reduce peeling problems. It can also be used for coating exterior or interior cement or cement block walls.

If you live in an area where moisture transfer in winter peels paint from wood siding and stucco, you can use a cement-base stucco finish called THORO STUCCO, made by the same company as Thorosheen. The cement-base material can be applied in any texture finish, and is available in a variety of colors. Power wash the stucco surface to clean it, then use a stiff bristle brush to apply THORO STUCCO.


written by Gary Branson

Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

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