We recently purchased a home in a ski resort (30 feet) of snow a year and very hot dry summers. We need to paint the exterior. We are looking for something that is cost efficient and will give us long term durability. The existing finish is an oil based semi-transparent stain on rough finish cedar ext walls, probably an oil based opaque stain or paint on the deck and an unfinished cinder block retaining wall. The local paint store contractor told us to put a water-based primer ‘seal-grip’ by Pittsburg and two coats of a water-based endurcil for (sun protection pain by Dunn Edwards).
For the oil based painted or stained decks they suggested Cabot Teflon primer and a water based latex deck paint. On the masonry block wall Acriflat by Dunn Edwards.
Then I read in the Sept. 2002, #149 issue of Fine Homebuilding in the Q & A section the proper painting sequence that an oil based primer is preferred and a water based paint will adhere better. Given our situation what do you recommend as the best solution?
Toni
Replies
Latex (acrylic) paints and stains have greatly improved over the years. However, oil (alkyd) base products still have a place, imho. I think oils perform better on weathered wood. If it were me, I'd stick with a oil base semi or solid color stain on the cedar, oil stain for the deck, an oil primer with latex topcoat for the trim and latex for the masonry. Don't forget the prep work- its 90% of the job. Cover your plants and wash everything down with a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) and household bleach to get rid of dirt and mildew. Or use a cleaner such as Cabot's Problem Solver Cleaner. Scrape off any loose paint. Use good quality paint and stain. And try moving your post to the Constuction Techniques section- you might get a few more responses.