An Exterior Paint Job

Before: This dark color combination looks dated. After: Lighter colors with less contrast look fresh. Window boxes are like jewelry on a house--the perfect accessory! Push fresh water up toward the handle to thoroughly clean brush.

1. Cover bushes and trees with a tarp to protect them.
2. Dig a shallow trench around the house so you can paint below ground level.
3. Steer clear of oil-based paint. Use latex instead because it retains color longer, cleans up easily and is environmentally friendly.
4. Use a latex primer tinted to selected color.
5. Use a satin gloss top coat for easier clean up.
6. To estimate how much paint you'll need, know the square footage of your home and a salesperson at the paint store will help you figure the number of gallons required.

Hint: A good rule of thumb is one quart of trim for every gallon you buy.

Surface Preparation and Painting

1. Wash the surface with a gentle pressure tip, using a brush on stubborn areas . If mildew is a problem, use a 50/50 solution of bleach and water, rinse thoroughly .
2. Scrape loose paint--this step should not be skipped!
3. Sand out ridges with a block of sandpaper.
4. Finally, rinse with water. Lay a tarp on the ground to catch loose paint chips.
5. Prime bare wood spots with an oil-based primer to seal them.
6. Prime all over with acrylic latex primer tinted to house color . Cut in edges with a brush. Use a roller for broad surfaces, then lay off paint with a brush, stroking in the same direction as the grain of the wood.

Painting the Trim

1. Scrape loose paint, using a 5-in-1 tool.
2. Seal bare wood areas with an oil primer to seal.
3. Caulk around windows.
4. Paint, working out: Paint mullions first, then edges. Always work in this order: top, bottom, sides.
5. To paint a paneled door: First cut in insets with a brush, roll the flat sections , then go back and lay off paint with a brush. Next paint the edge of the door. Working on the surface again, paint the horizontal areas, working from top to bottom. Finish with vertical sections, painting toward the doorknob first, then working from top to bottom. Lay off with nice, long strokes.

Brush Cleaning

1. Push cleaning water up toward the handle to thoroughly clean brush.
2. Soak the brush in water.
3. Use a wire brush to push the paint out.
4. Rinse the brush, pushing water through it. Change water frequently.
5. Roll the handle of the brush between hands to spin dry, then shake out excess water with hard flicks.
6. Store brush flat in the cover it came in or wrap it in newspaper.

paint:
siding (Candlewood Hill 3I-4)
trim (discontinued: Times Square 28-G-4)
window mullions (Minuteman 4A-6)
stucco (Sutter Mill 26-Y-1)
front door (discontinued: Bar-B-Q 2-O-6)
awnings (Fine Wine 16B-6)
shutters (discontinued: Centennial 1-B-1)
sills (discontinued: Cliffhanger Gray 28-Y-5)