Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well with the Carrie Connection

This is the time of year and the perfect weather to want to spruce up your home. Nice breeze and sunshine always call to us to be outside. So use the moment to add value to your home and lift your spirits by painting your home now.

Getting picture-perfect and long-lasting results can be done by following the four simple rules by the experts at the Paint Quality Institute:

Prepare the surface. Scrape, sand or use a wire brush to remove loose, flaking or peeling paint. Spot-prime bare wood and sand glossy areas. Make sure the surface is clean, sound and free of dirt.

Power washing with plain water is the most effective way to rid large exterior surfaces of dirt and chalk, but you can also use soapy water and a scrub brush to clean your home's exterior. If you see mildew, remove it with a solution of three parts water and one part household bleach. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection. After using any cleaning solution on your home, rinse it with clean water.

Purchase the right paint for the job. Don't skimp on quality  the better grades of paint may be more costly, but they are also the better value. In most cases your best bet is a top quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint. These paints are more durable and last longer than ordinary paint, often up to 10 years or more. That's because top quality paint has superior adhesion, making it less likely to blister, flake or peel on a properly prepared surface.

There are a few instances when latex paint is not the best choice. If you're painting over more than three or four coats of old, oil-based paints, then another coat of oil-based paint is recommended. Also, oil-based paints adhere better to surfaces that are very chalky.

Use top quality tools. Good brushes and rollers are easier to use and help make the job go faster, than economy tools. Top quality tools also apply a thicker, more uniform coat of paint that will look better and be less likely to fail prematurely.

If you're using latex paint brushes and rollers made of synthetic materials, such as nylon or polyester bristles, are the best choice. They hold their shape and maintain the proper stiffness regardless of how much water they are exposed to. When working with oil-based paints brushes or rollers made of natural or synthetic material will work well.

Consider the weather. Ideal conditions are temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees F when there is little or no wind.

It's best to avoid painting in direct sunshine, because intense heat can cause the water in a latex paint to quickly evaporate before the paint binder particles can completely form into a continuous, durable film. Consult the label on the paint container for more specific instructions.