Flat or matte exterior paint provides a low-reflective finish that can hide surface imperfections and give a home a clean, understated appearance. While flat finishes traditionally have been considered less resistant to moisture, dirt, fading, and cleaning than higher-sheen paints, modern exterior products offer improved durability. Choosing a quality exterior paint, preparing the surface correctly, … Read more
Trisodium phosphate, commonly known as TSP, is a powerful cleaner often used to prepare dirty or greasy surfaces before painting. While cleaning with TSP may reduce some of the sheen on an existing painted surface, its primary purpose is cleaning rather than deglossing. Glossy or semi-gloss surfaces may still require light sanding, a dedicated deglosser, … Read more
Painting over semi-gloss walls requires more preparation than simply applying a new coat of paint. Because semi-gloss creates a smooth, relatively slick surface, new paint may have difficulty adhering if the walls aren’t properly prepared. Cleaning the walls, repairing damage, lightly sanding the existing finish, and using an appropriate primer when needed can create a … Read more
Semi-gloss paint offers a durable, washable finish that works particularly well for trim, doors, kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas that experience moisture or frequent cleaning. However, its reflective sheen can make application mistakes and surface imperfections more noticeable. Achieving a smooth semi-gloss finish starts with careful surface preparation and continues with choosing quality brushes and … Read more
Power washing can be an effective way to prepare many exterior surfaces for painting by removing dirt, grime, mildew, algae, and loose material that could interfere with paint adhesion. However, pressure must be appropriate for the surface because excessive force can damage siding, wood, masonry, and other building materials. After washing, the exterior also needs … Read more
Yes, you can paint over crayon marks, but simply applying paint directly over them may not produce good results. Because crayons contain wax, the marks can interfere with paint adhesion or show through the new finish. The best approach is to remove as much crayon as possible, clean the surface thoroughly, lightly sand when necessary, … Read more
Before repainting your home’s exterior, it can be helpful to determine whether the current coating is oil-based or water-based latex paint. The existing paint can affect the preparation, primer, and coating system used for the new paint job. Although a home’s age, paint sheen, and surface texture may provide clues, they aren’t definitive. Simple testing … Read more
Cleaning walls before painting removes dirt, grease, and other contaminants that can interfere with paint adhesion and the appearance of the finished surface. Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a powerful cleaner and degreaser that can be useful for particularly dirty or greasy surfaces. Because TSP is stronger than ordinary household cleaners, it should be used according … Read more
Painting metal brackets in commercial buildings provides more than a cosmetic improvement. A properly prepared and coated bracket is better protected against moisture, corrosion, weather exposure, and other conditions that can shorten the life of exposed metal. Successful bracket painting requires careful surface preparation, a compatible primer and finish coating, proper application, and suitable weather … Read more
Rain can interfere with exterior painting by wetting the surface, increasing humidity, extending drying times, and potentially damaging freshly applied coatings. Exterior surfaces should be sufficiently dry before painting, and new paint needs adequate time to dry before it is exposed to rain. How long you should wait after rainfall depends on the surface material, … Read more