I just bought one of those Home Depot specials that included a pancake compressor, 16 gauge finish nailer, and 18 gauge brad nailer. Pancake’s louder than he77, but otherwise everything works great.
Question: can I use the finish nailer on exterior siding? I’m refinishing the old 2-1/2″ reveal pine siding that’s on my house. Part of the process is removing the old rusty nails and renailing with 2-1/2″ stainless rim shank siding nails, which I then set and putty for a lovely smooth surface. Do I need to use them, or are the 16 gauge galvanized nails in the nailer adequate?
Replies
I think your plan of using the Stainless nails is a better choose. the galvinized will not corrode, but can bleed black on siding if not set and covered. This all depends on if your painting staining, whatever.
I also question if the "finsihing nails" being 16 gauge will do an adequate job of holding the siding. That might be why the siding nails you mentioned are ring shanked.
Edited 3/29/2004 5:48 pm ET by hammer-n
Edited 3/29/2004 6:00 pm ET by hammer-n
Finish nails are a poor choice for siding installation. When your siding expands and contracts as it naturally will, the siding will easily pull past those itty bitty nail heads leaving you with a mess on your hands.
Stick with the ringshank stainless siding nails. Siding nails for siding. Finish nails for trim. Sheet rock screws for sheet rock, cabinet screws for cabinets..........
the siding will have a very interesting effect in five years if you use finish nails.
Headless nails are for interior work where temp and humidity are more controled and stablized.
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