Log Home Restoration:Facts About Painting Trim
Applied 2 coats Benjamin Moore latex semi-gloss
[/caption]Most log home restoration consists of stripping off failed finishes, caulking and or chinking and applying a new sealer. However, there are a few log homes that accent the trim, doors and windows and maybe the shutters to contrast with the logs. Although I prefer a solid oil stain rather than a latex paint, some homeowners want to use paint.
Painting the trim with contrasting colors or shades can make your home look great and really make it “pop”. You can personalize it by adding as much detail as you like, but appearance is not everything. The main purpose is to protect the wood.
Painting as with staining requires preparation. There are a few basic steps to doing it the proper way, and you get out of it what you put into it. With the amount of labor involved to apply the paint, it is worth putting forth the extra effort to insure that the paint will adhere properly resulting in maximum performance.
To prepare your home for a fresh coat of paint, it first should be cleaned thoroughly.
The best method is pressure cleaning using a chlorine and TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution. Chlorine is used to kill and remove mildew from the painted surface while the TSP removes dirt, pollen, grease and other pollutants. The TSP also removes any glossy finish that will hinder proper adhesion of the new coating. This is normally done along with the overall house preparation.
After cleaning, a close inspection should reveal any problems with insects, loose or missing nails or screws as well as any wood rot or other damage. Rot or soft wood needs to be addressed at this point. Depending on the severity of the wood rot will dictate what repairs will be needed.
Loose and flaking paint should first be scraped, then sanded and feathered out leaving a smooth transition from the bare wood to the existing painted wood so as not to leave any visible lines or ridges that may show when the final coat of paint is applied. Once sanded, a good primer should be applied followed by the top coat. Caulking around windows, doors and trim should be inspected and replaced if dried out and cracked using a high quality latex caulk.
At this point, the woodwork is ready for coating. Make sure to use the best paint you can afford for your project. With such an undertaken, the longevity of the paint will determine how long before the process will have to be repeated. The better the paint, the longer it will last. Because of the relatively small amount of wood involved, the preferred application method is by brush. Spraying can be used, but must always be back brushed and trimmed out so as to work the paint into the wood to achieve proper coverage and adhesion. Spraying alone only allows the paint to set on the surface. On larger log home restoration projects or multiple units, it may be beneficial to spray, but be sure to mask off and tape surrounding areas from overspray. If the wind is blowing at all, be careful. Paint spray can travel a great distance and settle as far away as the neighbor’s deck, car or other horizontal surfaces.
Following these simple but necessary steps will insure that your log home will be protected from the elements for many years to come. Taking short cuts in the preparation, using inferior products and improper application will not only shorten the lifespan of the paint, but will make it more difficult to prepare the surface the next time painting is needed.
On your next exterior painting project, take the time to do it right and it will not only look great, but also last for many years. In the meantime, if you have any question, contact us, we love to help.
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