Using a tinted primer before painting is a great way to get the exact color you’re looking for in less time – especially if you’re using a deep, vivid color. Tinted primer can be tinted to a variety of gray shades selected for their ability to improve hide and achieve the desired depth of color and intensity.
When painting casement windows, make sure they are wide open. Paint the top, side, and bottom edges first, then finish with the crossbars, frames, casings, and sills. 1. For double-hung windows move each sash to the center of its track, and paint the inside sash, starting with the crossbars. Then, paint the frame. Don’t paint the top edge of the inside sash; you’ll use it to move the sash. Next, paint the top half of the outside sash, starting with the crossbar, then the frame. 2. Close the sashes to within several inches of the closed position. Paint the rest of the outer sash and the top edge of the inner sash. Paint the window casing, then the sill. 3. Paint the check rails. Move both sashes down as far as they will go, then paint the upper rails. Once the paint is thoroughly dry, move both sashes up and paint the lower rails of the window.
Be sure that your first coat of paint is dry before applying a secpnd coat. Although latex paint will quickly feel dry to the touch, adhere to the specified drying times for the best results.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from: damage to the brain and nervous system; behavior and learning problems; slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches. Adults can suffer from: difficulties during pregnancy; other reproductive problems, high blood pressure; digestive problems; nerve disorders; memory and concentration problems; muscle and joint pain.
It is a great temptation to start painting without spending time to properly prepare the surface, but this can be a big mistake. Shortcuts on surface preparation can cause even the highest quality paints to fail prematurely. In fact, experts maintain that inadequate surface preparation is the single greatest cause of paint failures.
Whether you are doing interior or exterior painting, good surface preparation requires that the surface be as clean as possible and in good repair. Paint performance depends on good paint adhesion, and paint adheres best to surfaces that are clean and sound.
When using latex be sure that the temperature is above 50 degrees F. It is difficult for latex to form a film at lower temperatures. With solvent-borne paint, be sure the temperature is at least 5 degrees above the dew point. If it isn’t, water may condense on the surface as it cools while the solvent evaporates, causing an uneven blushing effect.
When painting steps, start with the underside of each step’s overhang, then move on to the risers and the treads.
When power mixing, reduce the splattering by putting the container in a large trash bag.
Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good consition, and it is not an impact or friction surface, like a window. It is defined by the federal government as paint with lead levels greater that or equal to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or more than .5% by weight.
Never store paint where it will be subjected to subfreezing cold or extreme heat (over 100 F/ 37.78 C). Although most paints are formulated to withstand several freeze-thaw cycles, these conditions can ruin coatings by causing then to solidify.
