Painting Exterior Woodwork (Part 2)

Tools

When painting exterior woodwork we'll generally be using a paintbrush. Sprays and rollers won't be much use when we are tackling doors, windows or fascias. Painting masonry and brickwork requires a brush (or could be spray or roller) that is tough and extremely hardwearing to deal with rough and abrasive textures. Woodwork is a bit different; here we want a good and fine finish. Two things on the subject of brushes; always buy the best you can afford, and always clean and store correctly after use. Secondly, cheap alternatives will not serve so well or for as long, and will generally not give as good a top coat as that from a quality brush. Professional painters and decorators know the importance of using quality paint brushes , and in fact will only use a new brush after it has been used for either priming or under coats, first, and for a period of time. This serves two purposes. Firstly, it ensures the removal and weeding out of loose bristles, which can be most irritating when glossing, and secondly, it wears and hones the bristles, necessary when cutting in, and areas where a deft hand is required.

Types of Paint

There are basically two types of paint suitable for painting exterior woodwork; oil based and water based.

Water based paints , such as acrylics give off a minimum of irritant vapours, and dry quick, but are not as penetrating or have the adherence properties as oil based paints , which are considered by many to have a longer lifespan. However, with modern acrylic retardants the penetration of water based paint is greatly improved these days. When painting new wood, it can come down to a matter of preference and cost. Both products have come a long way in recent years; both do the job they are supposed to. When painting over existing paint work always apply the same paint as already in-situ, either water based or oil based, but do not mix the two! Water based paint will not adhere to an oil based painted surface. It will very quickly just flake, and peel away. Whichever paint system is decided upon, the procedure of application will be very much the same, and it¦s just a question of compatibility. Assuming surface preparation is correct, there will be a coat of wood primer , followed by an under-coat, and finally a gloss finishing coat. Always read the data sheet of the paint products you use.

Article Creation Date: 09/12/2011 21:32:37