Surface Painting Preparation
Before you read up on how to paint walls, paint concrete, and other such specifics, you should accustom yourself with the process of painting preparation. If you properly prepare a surface for painting, you could cut down significantly on the time you spend on the job and achieve much better results, so take care to read these suggestions before you dip your brush in the bucket.
Step 1: Caulk the Joints: To prepare surface for painting, take time to caulk all joints, cracks and seams in the surface before painting (Fig. 1). This is easy and quick with a caulking gun and caulking cartridges. Don't start painting until the caulking is finished and thoroughly dried.
Step 2: Check for Loose Putty: Before painting windows, check around the window panes for loose or missing putty. Replace the putty in these areas before starting the painting job. Use a good grade of putty and apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 3: Use a Wire Brush: Always clean the surface to be painted. Use a wire brush, sanding block or power sander to remove loose paint and grime before applying the primer coat. If you try to cut corners and save time by failing to clean the surface, you'll most likely end up with trouble later.
Step 4: Fill in the Cracks: Fill in any cracks or large holes appearing on the surface with wood putty before starting the painting job (Fig. 3). The putty should have the texture of paste, as illustrated below. Allow time for the wood putty to dry before applying the primer coat. Use a special V-shaped putty knife for puttying along a window sash. This special tool is inexpensive and helps you do a professional-looking job much faster and easier.
Tip: If you need to remove a heavy build-up of old paint, use a propane torch to help make the job faster and easier. A wide-mouth burner tip is available to spread the flame over large areas. Use a long-handled scraper to keep your fingers away from the heat as you work (Fig. 5).
Step 5: Smoothing Out Rough Spots: Use your power drill for smoothing rough spots before painting (fig. 6). Purchase a sanding wheel drill attachment to make sanding much easier. A wire brush attachment for your power drill is an excellent tool for removing rust and scale from metal.
Tip: Use plastic or paper drop cloths to cover sidewalks, shrubbery or other areas needing protection before you start the painting. Use drop cloths to cover floors, furniture, etc., for indoor painting. These cloths are inexpensive and save you a lot of clean-up time.
Courtesy of the National Retail Hardware Association - www.nrha.org
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