Porches and decks

Should be coated with special porch and deck paints or stains, designed to stand the wear and weather.

More Paint Tips

To avoid cleaning paint brushes and rollers if you intend to use the same colour later, or if you do not have time to clean immediately, place the brushes and rollers in a plastic bag, tie shut and place in the freezer. They will keep for several days without drying up.

Protect hands from paint solvent by putting the brush and solvent into a strong plastic bag. With hands outside the bag, work the solvent into the brush through the plastic.

After cleaning your paint brush, a few drops of oil worked into the bristles will leave the brush soft and ready to use.

To clean paint rollers, fill an empty one-quart milk carton with solvent, put the roller inside and crimp the ends shut. Give the carton a few shakes, then let sit for a couple of hours.

Simmer hardened paint brushes in full-strength vinegar. Remove the softened paint with a wire comb or brush.

To remove oil or enamel paint from your hands, rub on paste floor wax and then wash with plenty of soap and warm water. There is no odor and it’s easier on the skin than paint remover.

Exterior Paint Problems & Solution

Alligatoring

Patterned cracking in the surface of the paint film resembling the regular scales of an alligator...

Blistering

Blistering is the formation of bubbles resulting from localized loss of adhesion and lifting of the paint film from the underlying surface...

Chalk Run down

Chalk Run-down: The washing down of chalk from an excessively eroding paint onto another area below (a brick foundation, for example), ruining its appearance...

Chalking

Formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint film during weathering, which can cause color fading. Although some degree of chalking is a normal, desirable way for a paint film to wear, excessive film erosion can result in heavy chalking...

Cracking Flaking

The splitting of a dry paint film through at least one coat, which will lead to complete failure of the paint. Early on, the problem appears as hairline cracks; later, flaking of paint chips occurs...

Dirt Pickup

Accumulation of dirt, dust particles and/or other debris on the paint film; may resemble mildew...