Page 18, Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, October 6, 1993 Fali prime time for pain ten . . . . . .:.:.:.:.::.:.:.:.:.:.:..:.... ..:«.:: . .*.... ..... RESIDBITIALO.C..R.RC.AL. DESIN EOAIN ONTTB; ON-1 SIDING *WINDOWS e DOORS - SOLARIUMS *SUNDECKS e CABANAS *KITCHENS e BATHROOMS a REC ROOMS FR11 ESTIMATES QUALITY W ORKMANSHIP 0..A....OU....UG COST 0 POOR UALIT Paint is one of the most decorative and versatile ways of protecting the woodwork around yeur home from nature's elements. If's aise one of the easiest and most inexpensive things ta change about the look of your home -- particuiarly the exterier. If you feel your home bas started ta look semewhat shabhy or dingy because of fading or peeling paint, now's the time ta do semething about it -- especially if you're planning ta paint the exterior of your homo. Cooler feul temperatures make the task much more pleasant, hecause you won't ho battling high leveis of humidity or intense heat. As with any undertaking, it's importent ta make sure you cheese your paint carefully and te properly prepare ail surfaces prier ta any painting. Itfs aiso essentiel te make sure you have ail the necessery tools at your disposai before getting started. The outcome of the job will really ho dependent on the amount of planning, preparation and work you put inta it. Exterior painting When painting the exterior of your home, make sure you consider the size and texture of the surfaces ta ho painted. For instance, are you painting just the trim? Or wiil you ho painting woeden siding? Aise take inta High-efliciency gas. furnace can save you up to 65%v on your heating bis! - Gas Fireplacess Humidifiers Hot Water Heaingo Hot Water Tanks *Air Cleaningo Duct Work Duct Cleaning BRfIDLEWOOD i Heating & Air Conditioning WHITBY 427-9261 PICKERTNG/AJAX 428-0333 account any items you went ta camouflage or highlight. If you're thining about going with totally new colours, consider the stylo of your home, its agfe and size. In soe casos, a hold hright colour may flot look particularly appealing on a large home, hocause of the intensity it may produce. However, it may look more attractive when used on a smaller home. It's aise important ta make sure the surfaces you're going ta paint are dlean and free of eny mould and midldew. Painting over dirty surfaces will only cause heaving and cracing latr on after the paint bas dried. (It aise, makos it much more difficuit ta paint the noxt time around.) Try cloaning as much as yen can with a damp cleth ta remove grease and dirt. Thon hoso the surfaces down with dlean water and lot them dry thoroughly. Mildew most commonly occurs on shady sidos of homes and it's essentiel ta remove it hofore painting, otherwise it will end up showing through the new layer of peint. You cen try using a mixture of bleach and water ta dlean reelly difficult surfaces more effectively. Be sure ta follow the directions on the container very carefully and wear protective gloves and goggles. Remave loose or peeling paint Once the surfaces have hoen ALt ÀÀ cleaned, you cen start removing eny loose or peeling paint. You can use a screer sndpaper or wire hrush. f he bui1dup is particularly bad, you may want to try using a heat gun. (It's a good idea to wear eye protection during this phase of your pre ~ tons as well.) rceaning and scraping, check ail exterior surfaces very carefully for any cracks or holes. You'1l want ta fil these up with putty or some type of recommended filler. Any paint blisters from the previous paint job will have te be sanded down as well. Make sure you brush off any residue from sanding and scraping before you begin ta paint. If yen end up with any haro wood, it should ho protected with primer. This provides an extra layer of protection for the wood and seals it. And unless you plan ta use white paint, it's a good idea ta have your primer tinted ta match your paint colour. When choosing your paint, it's a good idea ta consult experts at your local paint store. They'l ho able ta, help you select tho products that are best for the job. Applyîng the paint Once these stops are complote, youi're ready ta paint. If you're going te ho working around hushes and flowers, it's a good idea to cover thom up with protective drop cloths or largo shoots of plastic. This should provide adequate protection. (It's good ta, do this when you're scraping paint, se that the flakes are much easier ta dlean up.) It's aise, a very good idea to, keep your car well eut of tho way, as well as lawn furniture, bicycles and any type of equipment. Proteet other surfaces You should teke similar precautions if youre going ta ho painting near your patio or driveway. ià ght-coloured paint is dificuit te bide when it spilis on an asphalt surface. If this ha p pns, try ta contain the spili anadmop it up with a paint hrush. The hrush will absorh, the paint and should prove easier than using a cloth. Howevor, don't reuse the paint you've managed te mop Up. Aise ho sure ta follow the manufacturer's directions on the pait can. Most experts agreo that yen -shouldn't paint in extremely cool tomperatures or in full, intense sunlight. This will likely ho noted on the paint cen label By following these tips and using somne basic, common sense, you'll flnd that your painting projoct will go more quickly and smoothly and the resuit will ho well worth it. 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