By Sherwin Williams
Primer - the first step toward a lasting finish. To get a great-looking finish coat and the beautiful, long-lasting results you expect, be sure to properly apply primer to the surfaces you plan to paint.
Sherwin-Williams primers are formulated to solve typical painting problems while helping to make your finish coat smooth and uniform:
•· Covers stains and discoloration
•· Anchors the finish coat so it "sticks" better
•· Ensures a rich shine for enamels
•· Hides surface marks and darker colors
•· Fills and levels out uneven surfaces
•· Seals porous surfaces
In general, the only time a primer is not needed is if you're re-painting a surface that's in good condition.
Surface Preparation
Preparation. It's the key to good-looking, long-lasting results. A properly prepared surface is clean, solid and dry.
Don't paint immediately after rain (or if rain is predicted), during foggy weather or when the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (unless you're using products specifically designed for these conditions).
Warning! Removal of old paint by sanding, scraping or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call (in the U.S.) the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD or contact your local health authority.
Testing
Before you paint your entire house, it's a good idea to test the paint you plan to use. Prepare, prime (if necessary) and paint an inconspicuous spot. Wait the appropriate drying time as specified on the label, and then look for any adhesion or compatibility problems before proceeding with a full-scale application.
Remove all surface contamination by washing with ProClean Professional® Prep Wash Concentrated Cleaner or other appropriate cleaner, rinse thoroughly and allow drying. Scrape and sand peeled or checked paint to a sound surface. Sand glossy surfaces dull. Seal stains (such as water, smoke, ink, pencil or grease stains) with PrepRite® ProBlock® Primer Sealer.
Not Previously Painted or Exposed to Original Surface
Surfaces that have not been previously painted or that are exposed down to the original surface should be handled as follows:
|
Surface Type |
Preparation Steps |
|
Wood, Plywood, Composition Board |
•· Sand any exposed wood to a fresh surface. •· Patch all holes and imperfections with a wood filler or putty and sand smooth. •· All patched areas must be primed. |
|
Masonry, Concrete, Cement, Block |
•· All new surfaces must be cured according to the supplier's recommendations - usually about 30 days. •· Remove all form release and curing agents. •· Rough surfaces can be filled to provide a smooth surface. •· If painting cannot wait 30 days, allow the surface to cure 7 days and prime the surface with Loxon® Acrylic Primer. •· Cracks, voids, and other holes should be repaired with ConSealTM Patch or ConSealTM Sealant. |
|
Aluminum And Galvanized Steel |
•· Wash with a ProClean Professional® Prep Wash Concentrated Cleaner to remove any oil, grease or other surface contamination. •· All corrosion must be removed with sandpaper, steel wool or other abrading method. |
|
Steel |
•· Rust and mill scale must be removed using sandpaper, steel wool or other abrading method. •· Bare steel must be primed the same day as cleaned. |
|
Vinyl Siding |
•· Clean the surface thoroughly by scrubbing with warm, soapy water. •· Rinse thoroughly. •· Do not paint vinyl siding with any color darker than the original color. •· Painting with darker colors may cause the siding to warp. |
Choosing a Primer
Sherwin-Williams make it easy to get the right primer for any surface you want to paint.
•· For a versatile acrylic latex primer that provides the best coverage on a variety of surfaces, such as wood and plywood, try our A-100® Exterior Latex Wood Primer. It's usable down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
•· Both our A-100® Exterior Stain Blocking Oil Primer and our WeatherPerfect® Exterior Stain Blocking Primer are perfect for sealing water, tannin and other stains on exterior wood and hardboard siding.
•· For steel, aluminum or galvanized metals, our All Surface Enamel Primers work well for both interior and exterior applications.
•· For interior and exterior masonry, our Loxon® Conditioner penetrates, seals and bonds light chalk to the surface.
•· Our Loxon® Exterior Acrylic Masonry Primer is engineered for exterior, above-grade masonry surfaces (including concrete, concrete block, brick and stucco) requiring a high performance primer.
By Sherwin Williams
A fresh coat of paint is the most inexpensive way to freshen up and protect your home's exterior. Sherwin-Williams has paints for wood, aluminum, vinyl, stucco and masonry. Thanks to our high quality coatings and applicators, even first-time painters can achieve professional-quality results.
We're here to help you through this process with easy-to-follow tips and online project planning tools.
And, with more than 3,000 neighborhood Sherwin-Williams stores across the nation, it's easy to get the paints and products you want and the friendly expert advice you appreciate.
Choosing The Right Paint
The type of paint you'll use depends on the kind of surface to be painted - wood, aluminum, vinyl, stucco or masonry - and the type of finish you want. Exterior paint is specifically formulated to provide:
•· Color and gloss retention
•· Flexibility to withstand expansion and contraction due to weather
•· Mildew resistance
Latex or Oil
Exterior house paints fall into one of two categories: latex or oil (alkyd). Each has different characteristics.
Latex - Get the longest-lasting finish with the best gloss retention. Sherwin-Williams latex paints are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable. Latex paints clean up easily with soap and water.
Oil / Alkyd - Good adhesion, excellent durability and stain resistance make Sherwin-Williams oil / alkyd-based paints excellent choices for exterior trim. Clean paint tools with mineral spirits.
Matching Paint to Surfaces
To ensure a quality paint job that will last, the paint you'll use depends on the type of surface you want to paint.
Walls - Because it's easy to work with, latex paint is an excellent choice for do-it-yourself projects. Latex paints can be applied over properly prepared wood, vinyl, aluminum and stucco.
Metal - Use either latex or oil/alkyd paint on properly primed iron or steel. You can apply latex directly on aluminum and galvanized metal. However, these metals need to be properly primed if you're using oil/alkyd-based paint.
Trim - Either latex or oil/alkyd paint is appropriate for trim. Gloss and high gloss finishes are generally your first choice, but flat or satin finishes are fine selections.
Masonry - H&C® Concrete Stains and Sealers and Loxon® Coatings are excellent for protecting and beautifying masonry and brickwork.
Selecting a Sheen
Exterior paint comes in a full range of sheens. The finish you choose will be based on the type of surface you're painting and the durability and final appearance you want to achieve.
Flat/ Matte - This finish softens the look of an exterior and helps hide surface blemishes. Flat finishes are ideal for body siding.
Satin - With its slight gloss, this finish offers the benefits of a flat finish with added cleanability. It works best for:
•· Trim
•· Window Frames
•· Shutters
•· Surfaces that need routine cleaning
Gloss - This lustrous, durable finish is perfect for areas that require frequent cleaning. Gloss finishes, however, may accentuate surface imperfections. This finish is ideal for:
•· Doors
•· Garage doors
•· Decorative metal (lamp posts, metal trim)
•· Functional metal (gutters, downspouts, railings)
•· Accent trim
High Gloss - This extremely hard and shiny finish provides a rich, smooth luster. Gloss finishes, however, may accentuate surface imperfections. This finish is excellent for:
•· Front (main entry) doors
•· Decorative fixtures
•· Accent trim
Pressure cleaning is a specialty. "We Make You Look Good!" We are Clean, Fast and Dependable. We do residential and commercial services. This is where Painting is done right for you.
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