tripster

Hello all. I am new to exterior painting, and just bid on a job, and got it! I have to paint the exterior of a cottage, and boat house. Boat house is back from the water. Both are starting to peel, and crack. I told the home owner that I would scrape all loose paint, and paint 2 coats of white exterior paint. Couple of questions...

1) Would it be faster to pressure wash off the loose paint. Is there a preferred method.

2) I was going to spray paint over brushing. Is this recommended?

3) What would be the best paint for the job?

Thanks for any suggestions.

ProWallGuy

I don't do exterior, so I can't be much help on the particulars. But I am curious as to how you were able to bid the job, but have no idea how your going to do it, and with what product?

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Da Vinci

Well, it is unusual that you bid it and aren't sure how to approach it. I'll give you a quick lesson:
1) Pressure washing is good for removing dirt and some loose paint, but it will tear into siding if not careful, so pressure wash lightly. After it dries out remaining paint in some areas will peel because water got behind edges (Which is why water is not enough).
2) Scrape remaining paint with a sharp scraper (keep a file handy- it will dull). At this point we would grind/sand smooth, but I don't know how you bid it.
3) Prime with a good oil base primer cut with penetrol to give a good bite, or if prone to dew and moisture use Zinsser 123 Blue label.
4) Paint with 2 coats SW Super Paint.

Spraying alone is not always the best because of paint surface adhesion (just like water surface tension allows bugs to walk across water). Paint tends to pull away from sharp edges when only sprayed (like remaining paint edges). If you want to spray/back brush would be best job.

It takes some courage to do something you've never done, and you may lose money on it. But do an excellent job, get referrals and learn. You'll make it...

Bay Area Painting Company

slickshift

If you are a GC like you claim, you sub it out to painters

I'm not trying to be a douche (it just comes naturally I guess)

But I'm really wondering how you bid and got a job you don't know how to do...you must have been pretty low
Sorry to be harsh dude...you couldn't have bid it right

To answer your questions...kinda
You can use power washing, but then you still have to scrape, feather sand, and prime any bare spots
Oh, man, unless you lucked out and bid high w/o even knowing it, you're gonna get hosed

Do it all by hand, if you've never sprayed outdoors you make want to practice first
The spray can fail real quick if not properly prepped also
...oh wait, you didn't even post up what the house is made of?

Wood? Stucco? Shingles? Clapboard?

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

tripster

Thanks for the advice. The cottage is small. 20x30 (1 storey). Boat house is 18x10. I only have to paint 3 of 4 sides on each. It is horizontal wood siding. I live in a rural area, and just moved hear. Everyone is desperate for good reliable help. I used T&M method. 3 days labour $350/day plus $50/gal paint(8 gallons). Thoughts??

Thewallfixer

I agree, scrape everything by hand, and put a good coat of oil primer, after that you should be golden.

If you are paying $50 a gallon for paint you are paying to much. I suggest setting up an account at a paint store. I know you said you're rural but you should be able to find one around, and if you do you should get about a 30% discount on paint and a lot of the other things they sell.

paint_booger

"Hello all. I am new to exterior painting, and just bid on a job, and got it!"

What exactly is your specialty? You never said you were a painter in the first place? Only a GC. GC's contract to subs. Might be a good idea. Sub it out for $250 a day, and $40 a gallon.

slickshift

Huh...well that works
You'll find out soon enough if you can do it in three days
Check your time on different parts...write it down
How long per window, avg. linear foot soffit time etc.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes

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Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

tripster

Thanks for the help guys. I must have the wording wrong. I guess I'm the do it all guy. The $50 a gallon is what I worked into the quote. I know I can get the paint for $25-30 a gallon. Paint store manager is trying to sell me on ICI brand. Is this any good?

I'll let you all know how I make out.

Mike..

Workaholic

Most people on here are die hard SW or BM people. I prefer ICI dulux on my exteriors. I do not normaly use SW, except super paint on occasions. And i stopped using BM all together.

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Sean

rservices

These guys are right about power washing, you can do a lot of damage real fast.

you can use it to clean the building 1st. http://www.thegrimescene.com is a great forum for power washing study the post well for products and techniques

ModernStyle

Do you use the Fortis or the blue label Dulux?
The blue label is their mid-grade but I really like it alot, I use Fortis alot also, but the 2200 blue label has never let me down. Fortis is thicker and a little harder to move when brushing and rolling, but I like it better over rough cut cedar. The 2200 blue label is great for aluminum siding, i sprayed my parents house with it 6 years ago and it still looks great and even touches up when my dad gets a little close with the mower handle. On screen doors and overhead doors I like their Dev-Flex waterborne, its a pretty tough latex finish.
Everyone around here uses ICI so my experience with other brands is limited. ICI gave me an account so I kinda stuck with them. They have their cheaper paints that are junk just like SW and everywhere else, but if you buy the better stuff I have never had any problems. They are kinda weird about some of the stuff they wont carry though, no linseed oil, steelwool, or brush spinners. Oh and they dont give out shirts as much as SW, but I did score a Dickies coat from them for free, so I guess I can buy my own shirts.

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Joewho

What you're billing for labor and paint should be fine, provided you finish in 3 days. If it's in good shape, not much scraping, you should be able to do it.