Need to paint my house

[UglyCasanova]

So I need to paint my house. It is a mix of brick and wood and the paint is ugly (peachish colored?) and I'm having to have work done on the eaves on part of it so that will need to be repainted anyways.

Anything I should know? Specific paint to get (I live in a hot humid climate if that matters)?

Also do I need to scrape all of the previous paint off the wood, and if so what tool should I use to do it?

And should I use roller (if so what kind) instead of a spray gun? I'm thinking so, it is a one story house and not huge really.

Should I power wash the brick before painting on it? And do I need to use a primer on it beforehand or just paint on there?


Thanks for any help!

 

[Greenman]

You should test the existing paint for lead first, that will tell you how to handle the part that needs scraping/sanding.
You only need to remove paint that is peeling or blistered.
Roller/brush is more controllable, sprayer is faster but requires a lot more prep work.
Wash everything before you paint it, prime any bare material or where the existing paint looks badly faded/chalky.
As far as paint goes, the only one I've had problems with is Benjamin Moore, and it's supposed to be top quality material.

 

[UglyCasanova]

How do I test for lead?

 

[NutBucket]

Test kit at the store. Most practice don't ask don't tell

 

[Meghan54]

Test kit at the store. Most practice don't ask don't tell

Exactly. He'd be painting over anyway, which esp. on exterior surfaces, is an "acceptable" way to "seal" lead paint, which he probably doesn't have on the house, anyway. It'd have to be a quite old house with very old paint and the paint would have to be peeling/flaking/chipping before I'd consider it in any way a hazard or to be investigated as a potential hazard.

We just got done painting a brick/wood house and used Behr with excellent results. Roller and brush...the old fashioned way.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Exactly. He'd be painting over anyway, which esp. on exterior surfaces, is an "acceptable" way to "seal" lead paint, which he probably doesn't have on the house, anyway. It'd have to be a quite old house with very old paint and the paint would have to be peeling/flaking/chipping before I'd consider it in any way a hazard or to be investigated as a potential hazard.

We just got done painting a brick/wood house and used Behr with excellent results. Roller and brush...the old fashioned way.

It is a ver old house, very old paint, and chipping/flaking.

 

[NutBucket]

How old is very old and when was the last time it was painted?

 

[Greenman]

It is a ver old house, very old paint, and chipping/flaking.

1976 is the cutoff.
You don't have to test for lead, but if you're going to sand/scrape the paint you should know what you're dealing with. If you have young children it's even more important, lead is really bad for young kids, causes brain damage.
If there is lead present it's pretty easy to deal with, wear a tyvek suit and a P100 (I think) mask. Put plastic on the ground and use tools with a vacuum attachment and a HEPA vacuum.
Also know that if you bag the stuff and take it to the dump you've committed a felony when your car hits the public street, and a second felony when you toss it in the dump. I've never even heard a rumor of someone getting nailed for this, but it is possible.

There is a material called EcoBond that claims to neutralize lead paint. They say that 24 hours after putting it on, a lead test will show no lead present. I haven't used the product, nor do I endorse it or vouch for it, but it's on the market and available at the Home Depot. Do your due diligence before trying it.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Well I tested and it's lead paint, this sucks. Getting expensive now.. And the paint definitely needs to be redone.

 

[Greenman]

Well I tested and it's lead paint, this sucks. Getting expensive now.. And the paint definitely needs to be redone.

Lead is a pain in the ass, but it's best to know. If you still want to tackle it yourself you would need to spend $700 to a $1000 on the right equipment. Not a life changing some of money. The actual labor involved is pretty much the same.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Honestly with lead paint I'd cover it with some vinyl siding and be done with it. This will be a problem every few years when you need to paint again, paint always peels.
I know this sucks but it does end the pain.

 

[Greenman]

Honestly with lead paint I'd cover it with some vinyl siding and be done with it. This will be a problem every few years when you need to paint again, paint always peels.
I know this sucks but it does end the pain.

But you're stuck with vinyl siding. There are a lot of good things to be said for vinyl siding, great looking isn't one of them.
I think he should look into EcoBond, at least do the research.
I called their tech support line and they assured me that 24 hours after painting the stuff on there would be no detectable lead. The op should do the same thing, as I'm not a recognized expert in the lead abatement field, though I am licensed to perform lead abatement.

 

[CPA]

Hire someone. Exterior painting is pretty affordable.

 

[Zorba]

I am planning on painting the outside of my house, but I live in red dirt country. So the outside of my house is covered in red clay dust. What's the best way to clean it off? Just a power washer?

My paint is currently in decent shape, just a little faded and is cheaper builder paint.

 

[Meghan54]

I am planning on painting the outside of my house, but I live in red dirt country. So the outside of my house is covered in red clay dust. What's the best way to clean it off? Just a power washer?

My paint is currently in decent shape, just a little faded and is cheaper builder paint.

We used some stuff called Krud Kutter and a pressure washer to remove red clay (GA/SC red clay) and mildew from siding on a house we sold last year. Worked like a charm.

 

[Zorba]

We used some stuff called Krud Kutter and a pressure washer to remove red clay (GA/SC red clay) and mildew from siding on a house we sold last year. Worked like a charm.

Thanks, I'll check that out. Did you use one of the small electric power washers or a gas powered one?