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County Decorating carries top quality brands!

Porter Paints

Dickies

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blueleft.gif (222 bytes) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & TIPS blueright.gif (355 bytes)
 
General Questions
Application Tips
Common Paint Problems and Solutions

APPLICATION TIPS

Good Painting Weather
What kind of weather can you paint in?The answer varies with the product and whether you are painting indoors or out.A general rule is that latex paints and primers should not be applied below 50°F (unless the product is designed for low temperature application like ACRI-SHIELD LTC Low Temperature cure Acrylic House Paints and Primers).Alkyd/Oil-based paints should be applied when the air & surface temperatures are above 40°F.Do not paint when the temperature is over 95°F or the relative humidity is above 85%. It is best to paint west or north sides during the morning, east or south in the afternoon.Avoid painting in the hot summer sun.Paint on the shady side.The paint will be less apt to blister and peel.(And so will you!)

Using a Brush
Dip the brush about halfway into the paint.Withdraw it and tap it lightly against the inside of the can to remove excess paint from both sides of the brush.("Scraping" the brush on the edge removes too much paint.)Keep the brush well filled but not overloaded.Always use the flat side, never the edge of the brush.This will give a better appearance to the paint job and the brush will last longer.
Using a Roller
Load the roller by rolling it back and forth in the paint tray several times into the "shoreline" of the paint, to saturate it evenly.Then remove the excess paint by rolling it along the ridges at the shallow end several times. Paint a large "W" (about 2 feet square) on the wall, then cross the roller back and forth to obtain solid coverage.Finish with light, vertical strokes to eliminate a "streak" effect.Work the roller at moderate speed.Too fast or too heavy pressure causes bubbles or spatters.

Maintain a "wet" Edge

Whether using a brush or roller, it is very important to maintain a "wet" edge as you paint to help eliminate lap marks.Always brush or roll INTO the wet edge, not away from it.When you stop painting, always stop at a corner.Maintaining a wet edge is even more important when staining than in painting, as lap marks are more prominent. If you have to start a new can in the middle of a wall, mix some of the new paint with the last of the old in the old can to ensure blending of colors.

Clean-up
Clean your brushes and equipment immediately and store them properly.With latex or acrylic paints, clean your equipment with warm soapy water and let dry.For alkyd/oil-based paints, clean with thinner, then soap and water.Store brushes in the paper or cardboard sleeves that they came in, to maintain their shape.Seal the remaining paint carefully.A sheet of plastic wrap laid across the top of the can before replacing the lid helps seal the can.

Interior Staining
Remember that, because of the variations in wood, it is always best to test for color and effect on your wood.Experiment with the stain on an extra piece of wood from the actual job or in an inconspicuous area of what is to be stained. Use a soft brush or cloth to apply an even coat of stain, then wipe with a soft clean cloth to bring out the highlights of the wood.Wipe in a circular motion.The length of time between applying the stain and wiping it off determines the depth of color.Generally speaking, you will start to wipe the surface between five to ten minutes after applying the stain.If the stain is too deep in color after wiping off as much stain as possible, a little paint thinner on the cloth will help to remove some more.

Staining Exterior Siding
For vertical siding, begin at the top and work down continuously to the bottom.Do only as many boards as you can handle staining non-stop to the bottom.For horizontal siding, begin at one edge and work continuously across to the end of the board.Do only as many boards at one time as you can manage without stopping, to avoid laps.Start with the siding at the top, and work to the bottom.

Painting Exterior Siding Begin at the top and work down.Paint the underside of the siding first, then the surface.Your strokes should parallel the siding.(Horizontal siding, work with horizontal strokes, vertical siding with vertical strokes).Finish a complete side, or at least to a door or window, before stopping for the day.

Painting Gutters
Ideally, when you see a spot on a metal surface where the paint film has broken, you should prime and paint that spot.This is especially true of gutters.They may look "spotty" until the time comes to do a complete job on them, but they will last a lot longer. The top lip of the gutter should be painted so it will not rust and cause rust streaks.Painting the inside of the gutter will add years to its life.

Interior/Exterior Caulking
Why caulk?Caulking keeps out cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer lowering heating and cooling costs.Caulking also prevents moisture penetration that can damage wood, drywall, plaster, floors and carpets. Be sure the surface is clean and dry.Air and surface temperatures should be above 40°F.Cut the cartridge tip at a 45° angle with a sharp knife at a point where the opening is the size of the width of the crack at its widest area. Rest the open end of the spout gently on the surface at the beginning of the crack and as you continue to trigger the gun.Pull the nozzle along the crack at the same speed the caulking material is being released.If the bead is not smooth and uniform, you can wet your finger with water or a soft damp cloth and carefully pull it along and over the bead lightly, giving the bead a uniform look.Be careful not to flatten out the bead.TOP GUN Siliconized Caulk is paintable.It may be painted over with a latex paint in one hour.Allow four hours drying time when applying oil based paints.

Stir the Paint or Stain
Always stir the paint or stain thoroughly before use even though it was mixed in the "shaker" at the store.Since pigment has a tendency to settle, periodically stir your paint or stain during application to ensure color consistency.

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County Decorating
1165 Gravois #140
New Sugar Creek Plaza
Fenton, MO  63026
636-349-5750
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